Church's Appreciation Thread

[Stylo2000]

"It doesn't look like bookbinder either though, not glossy, but, admittedly I have no experience how that leather would age."
Well, it doesnt. At some point it breaks...

 

[letsgofire]

Dear fellow Churchfans
I recently purchased a pair of oxblood brougues (believing them to be bookbinder). When they arrived, they most certanly where not.
Could it be that i scored a church shell cordovan? Rumors say, these things exist...
Could take a look an tell me, what you think?

Thanks for you help
Benjamin

It looks like calf leather in fantastic condition to me.

 

[William Kazak]

Dear fellow Churchfans
I recently purchased a pair of oxblood brougues (believing them to be bookbinder). When they arrived, they most certanly where not.
Could it be that i scored a church shell cordovan? Rumors say, these things exist...
Could take a look an tell me, what you think?

Thanks for you help
Benjamin

Bookbinder

 

[Stylo2000]

Bookbinder

Na, i own serveral „polished binders“ an they are completly different

 

[Fenners81]

Na, i own serveral „polished binders“ an they are completly different

Then your only option is calf as I can say with absolute certainty that it’s not shell. Lovely shoes though, I have the same pair, but in shell obviously 😜

Not all bookbinder is super glossy and plasticky by the way. I have some Grenson in bookbinder that really aren’t that shiny. My honest opinion is that yours are bookbinder. Church’s bookbinder isn’t bad quality leather, it’s just coated.

 

[shoefan57]

The other options are Rois calf or Appaloosa calf. Both have a plasticky finish which is duller than Polished Binder and rather like Crockett and Jones Cavalry calf.

 

[Stylo2000]

Then your only option is calf as I can say with absolute certainty that it’s not shell. Lovely shoes though, I have the same pair, but in shell obviously 😜

Not all bookbinder is super glossy and plasticky by the way. I have some Grenson in bookbinder that really aren’t that shiny. My honest opinion is that yours are bookbinder. Church’s bookbinder isn’t bad quality leather, it’s just coated.

I have three pairs of Church bookbinders (Shannon, two Graftons). They are totally different.
But whatever it is, its 120 quid well spent…

 

[Crafty Cumbrian]

I have a pair that had been refurbished which is shell which doesn’t have the cordovan stamp on the sock. Not sure if they replace that and maybe don’t always add that specific sock?

I also have a pair which was new and has the cordovan stamp on the sock. It’s well worth keeping an eye out for new old stock stuff as I believe they made them in burgundy and black cordovan. Had mine on today and it’s the nicest looking brogue shoe I’ve seen.

 

[Fenners81]

I have a pair that had been refurbished which is shell which doesn’t have the cordovan stamp on the sock. Not sure if they replace that and maybe don’t always add that specific sock?

I also have a pair which was new and has the cordovan stamp on the sock. It’s well worth keeping an eye out for new old stock stuff as I believe they made them in burgundy and black cordovan. Had mine on today and it’s the nicest looking brogue shoe I’ve seen.

View attachment 2304255

They’re definitely the nicest looking brogues I own, although I still have a hankering for some whiskey shell Pembrokes, which I reckon could give them a run for their money.