Austro-Hungarian school of shoemaking

[Mike147]

Techaview- They look great. You should get to wearing them and break them in. Certainly going to be stiffer at first that what you are accustomed to.

Adjustments can also be made to the fit of course but you're not going to know what you need until you wear them for a while.

 

[techaview]

Techaview- They look great. You should get to wearing them and break them in. Certainly going to be stiffer at first that what you are accustomed to.

Adjustments can also be made to the fit of course but you're not going to know what you need until you wear them for a while.

Thanks mate. Will review them when I started wearing...

 

[sd2002]

My Mafeti seamless whole cut

 

[ThinkDerm]

how is the fit??

 

[sd2002]

how is the fit??

Pretty good, one of my best fitting shoes

 

[benjamin831]

I see a lot of Austro Hungarian shoes with two rows of pegs. But for Maftei, he seems to only use one row except for the waist. Does this pose any longevity issues with his shoes?

 

[Mike147]

Thanks mate. Will review them when I started wearing...

Ever start wearing the shoes?

 

[techaview]

Ever start wearing the shoes?

Been wearing it for more than a year... been lazy to post my review : p

Fit is comfortable the moment i put my feet in. Initially the toe area feel snug for me, especially on the left foot. I can feel my pinky toe touch the side wall of the toe box, it get worse at the later part of the day when my feet expands. After couple of wears, it become better though and now it has become very comfortable to wear.

I am not sure where the source of the leather is from but it defintely feel very comfortable to wear. It feel very soft and supple, unlike some of the leather which is quite hard and despite wearing couple of time, still feel sore. Workmanship wise, I will say medicore at it best. The top stiching at the heel area actually come off... I have to trim off the thread and burn off the tip of the thread to prevent it from coming out further....

 

[benjamin831]

Just took receipt of my first pair of Maftei's. Took about 7 months from start to finish. First impressions, the fit is pretty good but its very snug like a glove. I think it'll loosen up with a few wears. The last is more blobby that I requested, I was hoping for something like the EG 82 last.

Overall I'm quite satisfied. I'll do a more in-depth write up when I have time.

 

[KtSty]

Just took receipt of my first pair of Maftei's. Took about 7 months from start to finish. First impressions, the fit is pretty good but its very snug like a glove. I think it'll loosen up with a few wears. The last is more blobby that I requested, I was hoping for something like the EG 82 last.

Overall I'm quite satisfied. I'll do a more in-depth write up when I have time.

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FWIW, I see only perfection, no blobbiness at all, and far superior to my eye than the EG 82!

 

[Mike147]

Just took receipt of my first pair of Maftei's. Took about 7 months from start to finish. First impressions, the fit is pretty good but its very snug like a glove. I think it'll loosen up with a few wears. The last is more blobby that I requested, I was hoping for something like the EG 82 last.

Overall I'm quite satisfied. I'll do a more in-depth write up when I have time.

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Really love the way these came out. Nice touch with the lining!!

 

[Brian1999]

Been wearing it for more than a year... been lazy to post my review : p

Fit is comfortable the moment i put my feet in. Initially the toe area feel snug for me, especially on the left foot. I can feel my pinky toe touch the side wall of the toe box, it get worse at the later part of the day when my feet expands. After couple of wears, it become better though and now it has become very comfortable to wear.

I am not sure where the source of the leather is from but it defintely feel very comfortable to wear. It feel very soft and supple, unlike some of the leather which is quite hard and despite wearing couple of time, still feel sore. Workmanship wise, I will say medicore at it best. The top stiching at the heel area actually come off... I have to trim off the thread and burn off the tip of the thread to prevent it from coming out further....

Can you show us a picture of that problem you had with the stitching?
Did you have any other problems since then?

 

[Mannion]

What is it that makes the Austro-Hungarian school different to other types of shoe? I just found out about it but can't find anything that says what differentiates it from, say, an English shoe.

 

[comrade]

The traditional shoes are very much like traditional English shoes:
sturdy, a bit heavy round toed.
RTW versions include: Vass; Ludwig Reiter; Dinkelacker

For more "elegant" shoes which may be bespoke see:
Georg Materna, Rudolph Scheer, St Crispins.

I own two pairs of Reiter derbies. They are indestructible.

 

[LiverFieldie]

I know this is an old thread but it's the one I've been trying to find for months and finally came upon. I'm looking for insight on sizing/recommendations/ordering info etc. on Austrian-style Norwegian split toes. I found a truly random pair in the US made by Ugo Vasare (??) that look very much like the Vass Norweger in cognac pebble grain over Vibram lug soles. Grabbed them to see if they suit my fancy, and they do. Now I'm looking at sourcing at least one other pair in this style. I'd like to keep it sub-$400 if possible. I can't get myself to Vienna anytime soon. So the options seem to be all online + int'l shipping and the sizing worries etc. that comes with it. I confess to not having read this entire thread, but anyway:

Handmacher Model 28: not clear on the ordering/sizing process as these are MTO. Available in leather sole, which I assume is wood nailed and of interest. No idea whether they can/will ship to US/size over email etc.

"Exklusiv Schuhe/Michael Alba Norweger": looks like a small shop in Vienna; can't tell who makes/where shoes are made, but wood nailed soles are an option on their "Norweger" model (and Alt Wiens and Budapest models as well). Look like some models are GYW, and others are "frame stitched". No idea if they can ship to US, how their sizing runs etc. But they are good looking shoes with seemingly solid construction.

Prime Shoes: "Prague" (combo sole, looks GYW) and Munich (pebble grain, Vibram lug - these look identical to the pair i scored in Cognac - I would not be surprised if they were made by the same factory on the same last; that said, I can't figure out where Prime shoes are made, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're Spanish.

Roberto & Sons Vienna. Also appear to have Norwegers. I don't love the look of their leather soles.

Dinkelacker Rio: Maybe, on sale - but kind of steep, and I read they're now possibly made in Spain. Wouldn't rule them out and love the super duty double leather sole and metal toe inserts, but once I'm into Dinkelacker pricing, I think I'd be looking at Vass first.

My slight preference would be for a shoe made in Central Europe on a wood nailed sole just for authenticity's sake. But I can see the rationale for GYW for ease of repairs down the road - even if made in Spain/Portugal/Italy. I've got the lug sole end covered already.

Anyway - this thread seem like the treasure trove for these styles of shoes, so I hope it catches someone's attention and I can get a steer in the right direction.