Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...) - official thread.

[vmss]

Yes, I can see it. Still acceptable in my opinion.

Yes, it depends on the lightling. I bought them in 2016 and still going strong. I am quite impressed with the suede from Carmina.

 

[stephenaf2003]

I'm going to gently point out here that your complaints about it are quite literally the reason several makers won't use natural shell. The makers who work with natural shell and execute at the level you desire- far more expensive than Carmina. Lightly colored shell cordovan is a degree of difficulty higher than darker shells. That's partly why Alden does it as "rare shell" and AE typically only does it on limited runs or price-inflated MTOs.

"Natty shell" is an absolute pain ***********. It requires OCD levels of attention at the tannery, at the supplier, and for the maker. And then all of that goes out the window very quickly in the real world. It patinas quickly and unevenly. Shows off every flaw or bit of damage you pick up. Shell mitigates that a bit but natural shell is still a very different animal.

^^^^
This…. Over time the patina acquired eliminates any illusion of perfection. And again, the reason shell heads love the natural shell.

 

[Pascal1980]

Hello everybody,

I also have a question concerning the overall quality:

Q: I would assume that Carmina, TLB Mallorca Artista Line and Crockett & Jones Mainline / Benchgrade are of an overall comparable quality, with differences in the design choices the manufacturers make, e.g. open- versus closed-chanel sole stiching, etc.?

Background:

I visited Paris last weekend with my girlfriend and we went to the Carmina store to try the lasts and look at the shoes before odering online. For her it were her first goodyear-welted shoes on her feet and she liked them. She looked at the stiching the the edges of the leather, as this is for her important for quality as she is hand-stiching her clothing in her leisure time by herself as hobby.

She found the stiching of the upper leather, the sole and the rolled edges of the inner lining very good and consistent.

We went then to Septime Largeur (she was not impressed at all), Atlan Bottier (she said it is in the middle and was not very impressive for the price) and Upper Shoes to look for the Crockett & Jones (she was suprised about the unfinished and unrolled edges of the inner lining at that price, which is higher than Carmina, and was not impressed for the price).

Hence that is why I am asking for your opinion and experience, and share a different view on measures of quality from a female hobby dressmaker / seamstress.

Enjoy your new years eve and best regards

Pascal

 

[mebiuspower]

^I find the female lasts of Carmina are more feminine. C&J female shoes look like they are made for male with slight tweaks, therefore a huge pass.

 

[mebiuspower]

Does anyone else find it odd that Carmina does not offer boot trees for their boots? I ordered a pair of women high boots for my fiance and I don't want to use shoe trees for them as they're quite tall.

John Lobb offers proper boot trees for their tall boots.

 

[spreadsheet]

Does anyone else find it odd that Carmina does not offer boot trees for their boots? I ordered a pair of women high boots for my fiance and I don't want to use shoe trees for them as they're quite tall.

John Lobb offers proper boot trees for their tall boots.

I suspect the required price point (and cost of shipping) for a pair of Carmina "boot trees" would have a very limited market. Those that buy John Lobb are typically less constrained with budgetary issues.

 

[letsgofire]

^I find the female lasts of Carmina are more feminine. C&J female shoes look like they are made for male with slight tweaks, therefore a huge pass.

Same view in our household

 

[daisybay]

Hello! Anybody know if Carmina is backed up from the Oct custom weekend? We ordered a cordovan chelsea, (similar to mine when I ordered it back in April), for my wife around the 1st week of Oct and it still hasn't arrived to NY. Ive called Madison Ave twice in Dec and was told the shoes are made and boxed and am waiting shipment. I find it curious b/c my pair came around 7 weeks after ordering but this time it is taking a bit long. I am not concerned as long as it is in process. I've emailed Carmina, hoping for more privy info over at Mallorca but I was told to call the local store. Ill give it another week or so and call again. Thanks for any input!

 

[NORE]

Hello everybody,

I also have a question concerning the overall quality:

Q: I would assume that Carmina, TLB Mallorca Artista Line and Crockett & Jones Mainline / Benchgrade are of an overall comparable quality, with differences in the design choices the manufacturers make, e.g. open- versus closed-chanel sole stiching, etc.?

Background:

I visited Paris last weekend with my girlfriend and we went to the Carmina store to try the lasts and look at the shoes before odering online. For her it were her first goodyear-welted shoes on her feet and she liked them. She looked at the stiching the the edges of the leather, as this is for her important for quality as she is hand-stiching her clothing in her leisure time by herself as hobby.

She found the stiching of the upper leather, the sole and the rolled edges of the inner lining very good and consistent.

We went then to Septime Largeur (she was not impressed at all), Atlan Bottier (she said it is in the middle and was not very impressive for the price) and Upper Shoes to look for the Crockett & Jones (she was suprised about the unfinished and unrolled edges of the inner lining at that price, which is higher than Carmina, and was not impressed for the price).

Hence that is why I am asking for your opinion and experience, and share a different view on measures of quality from a female hobby dressmaker / seamstress.

Enjoy your new years eve and best regards

Pascal

Hello everybody,

I also have a question concerning the overall quality:

Q: I would assume that Carmina, TLB Mallorca Artista Line and Crockett & Jones Mainline / Benchgrade are of an overall comparable quality, with differences in the design choices the manufacturers make, e.g. open- versus closed-chanel sole stiching, etc.?

Background:

I visited Paris last weekend with my girlfriend and we went to the Carmina store to try the lasts and look at the shoes before odering online. For her it were her first goodyear-welted shoes on her feet and she liked them. She looked at the stiching the the edges of the leather, as this is for her important for quality as she is hand-stiching her clothing in her leisure time by herself as hobby.

She found the stiching of the upper leather, the sole and the rolled edges of the inner lining very good and consistent.

We went then to Septime Largeur (she was not impressed at all), Atlan Bottier (she said it is in the middle and was not very impressive for the price) and Upper Shoes to look for the Crockett & Jones (she was suprised about the unfinished and unrolled edges of the inner lining at that price, which is higher than Carmina, and was not impressed for the price).

Hence that is why I am asking for your opinion and experience, and share a different view on measures of quality from a female hobby dressmaker / seamstress.

Enjoy your new years eve and best regards

Pascal

You may find this helpful. Also, take into account that I am mentioned in the 5th post in this thread, FWIW.

 

[Canadian Sensei]

Hello! Anybody know if Carmina is backed up from the Oct custom weekend? We ordered a cordovan chelsea, (similar to mine when I ordered it back in April), for my wife around the 1st week of Oct and it still hasn't arrived to NY. Ive called Madison Ave twice in Dec and was told the shoes are made and boxed and am waiting shipment. I find it curious b/c my pair came around 7 weeks after ordering but this time it is taking a bit long. I am not concerned as long as it is in process. I've emailed Carmina, hoping for more privy info over at Mallorca but I was told to call the local store. Ill give it another week or so and call again. Thanks for any input!

I have not received the MTO shell boots I ordered at the Madison shop either....you're not alone

 

[daisybay]

I have not received the MTO shell boots I ordered at the Madison shop either....you're not alone

Thank you! Makes me feel better. Will post update once I get it.

 

[Canadian Sensei]

Thank you! Makes me feel better. Will post update once I get it.

Likewise!

 

[Pascal1980]

You may find this helpful. Also, take into account that I am mentioned in the 5th post in this thread, FWIW.

Thanks Nore,

hence TLB Mallorca Artista Line is at laeast on par with Carmina, that appears to have reduced some finishing details on their shoes.

Q: Any source of boot trees besides John Lobb known to you folks?

Enjoy your weekend and best regards

Pascal

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

Hello! Anybody know if Carmina is backed up from the Oct custom weekend? We ordered a cordovan chelsea, (similar to mine when I ordered it back in April), for my wife around the 1st week of Oct and it still hasn't arrived to NY. Ive called Madison Ave twice in Dec and was told the shoes are made and boxed and am waiting shipment. I find it curious b/c my pair came around 7 weeks after ordering but this time it is taking a bit long. I am not concerned as long as it is in process. I've emailed Carmina, hoping for more privy info over at Mallorca but I was told to call the local store. Ill give it another week or so and call again. Thanks for any input!

The factory will close for a few weeks over Christmas as is the norm so I’d factor that in too.

 

[daisybay]

Thats good to know. Thank you CC. No worries about the wait as long as the shoe shows up. Cheers!