Ask your shoe repair questions here:

[Nick V.]

I had a small tear on the side of the rubber sole of my brogues. Tried to repair it with black seal special silicone but it wouldn’t really stick. So I burnished it with a very fine sand pad to even out the small hole to the best of my ability, but now it’s a bit rough.

As the next step I would apply Saphir Teinture Francaise to restore the color. I wonder if prior to recoloring there’s anything I can do to make the section smoother.

Any advice on what to do would be greatly appreciated. Happy to provide more pictures if needed. Thanks!

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Looks like the C&J City sole. Most likely it has a leather base. In this case best results will come from a high speed burnishing wheel. Take the pair to a local repair shop and have them do it. It should be a nominal fee at most. They will put some burnishing wax on the wheel as it spins. That will create friction causing the wax to soften and melt. Then they will run the heel bases and edges on the wheel. They will come out smooth and uniform.

 

[jj02138]

Hi, I realize this is a pretty obsessive question, but can dents in the shoe uppers be fixed. Like this small linear indentation in the heel? I imagine a cobbler could hammer it out, but would you love the hatch grain pattern? Thanks for the help!

 

[jj02138]

Not sure if this thread is still active, but thought I would give it a go. I have this pair of Edward Greens with a cut in the heel area. I've tried filling it in with Saphir Renovating Cream, but since the area flexes the crack re-appears. The shoes are unlined, which makes the area even more flexible. Any ideas on how to fix it? Is there any glue that is flexible enough to keep the leather together? Thank you.

 

[tuna roll]

Not sure if this thread is still active, but thought I would give it a go. I have this pair of Edward Greens with a cut in the heel area. I've tried filling it in with Saphir Renovating Cream, but since the area flexes the crack re-appears. The shoes are unlined, which makes the area even more flexible. Any ideas on how to fix it? Is there any glue that is flexible enough to keep the leather together? Thank you.

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I'm sure more experienced people can chime in, but... I have just ordered this for a similar application: https://shoeshine-shop.com/en/p/boot-black-repair-cream

I haven't tried it yet, but it's supposed to deal with this kind of damage. You can see the photos and description in the link above for step by step instructions.

 

[jj02138]

Thank you! This seems similar to Saphir Renovating? The issue with my cut is that it is in an area that can flex, so the filler or glue must flex along with the leather...

 

[tuna roll]

Thank you! This seems similar to Saphir Renovating? The issue with my cut is that it is in an area that can flex, so the filler or glue must flex along with the leather...

I haven't tried Saphir Renovating. Reading its description, it seems more focused on adding color back, rather than filling cracks? The Boot Black product specifically mentions "filling", which makes me believe it should be better for this application. But I say all of this without trying it.

I'll come back here in a week or two after I've tried it on an Alden shell shoe that has similar tearing / cuts. Actually mine has it in the pinky toe region, right where it flexes, so it should be a good test...

 

[bengal-stripe]

Actually mine has it in the pinky toe region, right where it flexes, so it should be a good test...

Here is a pair of my shoes which I damaged seriously and which a shoe professional managed to restore.



I cannot give you a detailed list of products used, but, as I recall, a filler and lots of sanding played a part. After that the shoes were redyed and had a (very gentle) patina applied.

I think I had the advantage that my damage is in a non-flexible part of the shoe (supported by the toe stiffener).

@jj02138 You might want to get in touch with Edward Green, maybe they can help.

 

[marlinspike]

Anybody know who makes this sole, so my wife's boots don't have to be shipped to Austria for repair? It's much lighter than a normal lug sole and a bit foamy feeling, yet still long lasting.

 

[Nick V.]

Anybody know who makes this sole, so my wife's boots don't have to be shipped to Austria for repair? It's much lighter than a normal lug sole and a bit foamy feeling, yet still long lasting.

Vibram makes a sole much like you discribed. It may be thicker than the what’s on there now. I can’t tell from the picture. I would need to see a profile view to get a better idea.
The sole is called “Middlebury” or #1757.
Your local cobbler should be able to order it from his supplier.

 

[marlinspike]

Vibram makes a sole much like you discribed. It may be thicker than the what’s on there now. I can’t tell from the picture. I would need to see a profile view to get a better idea.
The sole is called “Middlebury” or #1757.
Your local cobbler should be able to order it from his supplier.

Looks to be the same thickness! Thanks.

 

[marlinspike]

As long as I'm having great success in this thread, is there anything I can do to remove a crease from the toebox of a pair of shoes made from black calf? I have a pair of shoes with a crease on the toe side of the cap punching - it would have never happened, except I had to go from work to physical therapy back to work, so I didn't change my clothes/shoes, and they had me do some exercises with my feet that caused this crease. If I can get it out, it won't ever come back. I think I've read there is a trick that can be done with alcohol?