Church's Appreciation Thread

[Wrenkin]

I’ve noticed that retailers are heavily discounting Church’s shoes at sale time. Discounts in excess of 50%, for example.

That's a real advantage of shopping for Church's, since they're carried so widely, and in particular at more fashion-focused retailers that do heavy seasonal discounting. However, Church's have raised prices so much over the last couple of years that a deep discount just gets you back to where full price used to sit.

 

[rakuskus]

Does anyone has experience with churchs’ version of dainite sole? Are they made by dainite also?

 

[LouisDavout]

I have a pair of Grafton's with dainite soles. Hard to break in but these will last me for decades

 

[shoefan57]

Does anyone has experience with churchs’ version of dainite sole? Are they made by dainite also?

Before the price hike the soles were Danite soles with Church’s branding on them. Who knows nowadays!

 

[rakuskus]

Before the price hike the soles were Danite soles with Church’s branding on them. Who knows nowadays!

Do you mind taking a picture of the sole? I'm very curios which are mine

I have a pair of Grafton's with dainite soles. Hard to break in but these will last me for decades

I will buy a pair of Grafton one day. Since the price hike I cannot see it happening soon.

 

[rakuskus]

Just one thing
Bookbinder is not the leather it is the finish. The shoe in either the bookbinder or regular finish is the same full grain calf.They sell for the same price.
Some people like the bookbinder because it holds a glossier shine. Many times you can just quickly brush it and it's good.

Was reading about the differences between the polished binder and book binder, and decided to email church's about this.

This is their respond,

"Essentially the polished binder and bookbinder are the same corrected grain leathers, the difference is in the finish of the leather. The polished binder features a solid high shine finish, whereas the bookbinder fume, has a rub off finish, which is polished to give a depth of colour, showing highlights."

sad to hear that they are not full grain leather. however my shoes holding up really well.

 

[shoefan57]

Do you mind taking a picture of the sole? I'm very curios which are mine

I will buy a pair of Grafton one day. Since the price hike I cannot see it happening soon.

These Graftons were made in 2016. You can see the Danite sole with the Church’s logo on it.

 

[PeterHH2024]

@rakuskus Those shoefan57 looks very similar to Church's Dainite I once had. It looks very regular Dainite sole.

 

[Zapasman]

These Graftons were made in 2016. You can see the Danite sole with the Church’s logo on it.

View attachment 2004237 View attachment 2004239

Last?. Nice Graftons pair , I used to have a pair in 100 last from 2007.

 

[shoefan57]

Last?. Nice Graftons pair , I used to have a pair in 100 last from 2007.

173 Fit me very well and leather excellent quality.

 

[rakuskus]

These Graftons were made in 2016. You can see the Danite sole with the Church’s logo on it.

View attachment 2004237 View attachment 2004239

thanks for the photos. mine have exactly the same soles. Happy to know they are made by Dainite.

 

[hollandn]

While we are on the subject of Grafton's I always assumed my pair were this model but on closer inspection they are called Bantry with a commando type sole. Can’t see any other reference to Bantry but look a match for Grafton. I bought these in 1993 and wear them when I go shooting as a going to the shoot and leaving for home pair of shoes. So get about 20 days use per year. Smart but rugged. Not bad for 30 years old.

 

[Zapasman]

I used to wear my bookbinder Graftons double leather soles for pub crawling. Indestructibles!!.

 

[shoefan57]

While we are on the subject of Grafton's I always assumed my pair were this model but on closer inspection they are called Bantry with a commando type sole. Can’t see any other reference to Bantry but look a match for Grafton. I bought these in 1993 and wear them when I go shooting as a going to the shoot and leaving for home pair of shoes. So get about 20 days use per year. Smart but rugged. Not bad for 30 years old.

In those days Church’s would give a shoe a different name depending on the type of sole

 

[jellyroller]

Big discount on Church's at Concepts (cncpts.com). I just ordered a pair of burgundy Shannons for $350.