Gaziano & Girling Appreciation & Shoe Appreciation Thread (including reviews, purchases, pictures)

[SuitedDx]

@Steven Cash, There has been a lot of transitions lately in the shoe world but hopefully the unfinished trees will be a mute point for you eventually. I mentioned it previously but the natural trees will at least help with moisture absorption better than lacquered ones.

 

[agedashidofu]



@Steven Cash, There has been a lot of transitions lately in the shoe world but hopefully the unfinished trees will be a mute point for you eventually. I mentioned it previously but the natural trees will at least help with moisture absorption better than lacquered ones.

+1
I've always believed that shoe trees should be natural to serve their main purpose - which is to absorb moisture and prolong the life of your shoes.

 

[RogerP]

+1
I've always believed that shoe trees should be natural to serve their main purpose - which is to absorb moisture and prolong the life of your shoes.

I've read the same on more than one occasion but I have to say that I have never experienced any difference in performance as between finished and unfinished trees over a great many shoe/years. It's not like my shoes with finished trees are all moist and clammy while my shoes with unfinished trees are fresh and dry. Or that there is any perceptible difference in this regard. At all.

And it kind of doesn't make conceptual sense to me in any event that unfinished trees really absorb moisture to any great degree. What purpose would that serve? So the moisture that was in the shoe is now in the unfinished tree - what happens next? Doesn't that moisture still have to go somewhere - namely, evaporate out of the tree, through the upper? I'm not saying they don't / can't work that way, I'm saying I don't get the how of it.

One thing I do get is that the old G&G trees looked like works of art and the new ones look like Allen Edmonds, so regardless of any performance deficit (theoretical or real), I miss them. Call me shallow. ;-)

 

[TtownMD]

I am with you on old lasted shoe tree RogerP your neck of a wood has huge sale on them also 60$ LF.

 

[RogerP]

Thanks for the heads-up as I was heading up there to check out the new Crockett and Jones offerings at lunch. Unfortunately sold out in my size, but if anyone is looking for a UK 8.5 or 9.5 drop them a line.

 

[Zapasman]

+1
I've always believed that shoe trees should be natural to serve their main purpose - which is to absorb moisture and prolong the life of your shoes.

No ...it is to keep the shape of the shoes to prolong their life. Give your shoes some time before you insert the trees to release that moisture. Neither RogerP nor anyone have experience different benefits comming from lacquered or unfinished shoe trees.

But those GG trees are really nice TtownMD.



Here C&J.

 

[TtownMD]

@ Zapasman thank, your tree is lovely also lasted I take it.

 

[TtownMD]



Dean returned my call today and amongst a lot of concerns I have I raised the point of the Deco shoe trees. Apparently the black shoe trees with the D on the heelpiece are no longer produced and haven't been for some time despite being illustrated in their MTO section - the new Bespoke England website.

All trees now are natural finish unless purchased from Savile Row and then they are cherry but the customer can request other colours specifically. Apparently it is my fault for not specifying I wanted black despite not being made aware of the choice and (wrongly) assuming this was part of the package.

Can't say I am particularly impressed with the response but there you go.

Hopefully it may be of use to other forum members in the future.

Thank you for sharing this very informative info

 

[SuitedDx]

Pretty soon we'll have some custom lacquer work on trees... Next new SF business venture?

 

[Zapasman]

@ Zapasman thank, your tree is lovely also lasted I take it.

I am almost sure both are made in the same factory, lol!!

 

[Easily Amused]



and if this helps at all, I have compared Deco and normal MTO shoes side by side. They really do feel the same, but you can see the difference in the aesthetics from the different last as well as the other extra handwork. 

The big factors to consider are if you like the last enough, if that last will fit you well, and if the extra charge is worth it to you. In my opinion, it can be worth it for certain styles, but for most styles the RTW / MTO are more than enough. 

Thanks, some more food for thought. I still am reticent about spending so much for a shoe that I likely cannot try before buying, that may be a little to "pinchy".

 

[Easily Amused]



I say go for Wilde you got kudu walkton coming lol

Hahaha, the incoming kudu Walkton pair will actually be the second set of Walktons! If it works, why not?

 

[TtownMD]



Hahaha, the incoming kudu Walkton pair will actually be the second set of Walktons! If it works, why not?

Well seems like you like them so why not get one in black

 

[sevenfoldtieguy]

^^ Regarding the shoe tree discussion, I use these for my G&G KN14 loafers and the fit is spot on:

http://www.kentwang.com/shoes/hardwood-shoe-trees.html

 

[RogerP]

Attention F-width G&G fans. We are hoping to put together a group order, and as you know, all widths must now be the same. So we of the slightly wide feet have to come together on our own GMTOs or else get perpetually left out in the cold. A number have already indicated an interest over on the Skoak forum. For any of you that don't lurk there a) what's wrong with you? and b) please feel free to express your interest here.

So far we have the following members who have raised their hands for membership in F Company:

@RogerP

@Latecomer

@Pbayvip

@jrb666

@nickrut

@Faster

@vorkanz

@patliean1

@Tallcane

@stevent

@Steel28

Anybody else please sound off. No idea what will ultimately capture the interest of al least 6 members of the group as that discussion is yet to come. First we need to identify the members of the group.

added;

@bsmw

@Shawl Lapel
@emiristol
@itraxx
@shaggycalf