How to make Shoes

[RichardB6]

Hello Gentlefolk,
Wanted to start this thread as I have extra time on my hands given the current trials we are all enduring. Can anyone point me to solid resources on how to make bespoke leather shoes? I’ve already got ahold of Handmade Shoes for Men by László Vas’s & Magda Molnár and although it reaches 200 pages my hunger for additional knowledge before trying to make my own shoes has not been sated. Does anyone know of any solid resources that focus on the most meticulous of details involved in shoe making? Or will it be trial by fire?
Thank you
-Richard

 

[Noblekostas]

Hello Gentlefolk,
Wanted to start this thread as I have extra time on my hands given the current trials we are all enduring. Can anyone point me to solid resources on how to make bespoke leather shoes? I’ve already got ahold of Handmade Shoes for Men by László Vas’s & Magda Molnár and although it reaches 200 pages my hunger for additional knowledge before trying to make my own shoes has not been sated. Does anyone know of any solid resources that focus on the most meticulous of details involved in shoe making? Or will it be trial by fire?
Thank you
-Richard

check out the secret cobbler blog for some tips.

 

[ygtyf]

Check out the "how to make a shoe by hand" video series by Andrew Wrigley on youtube. Secret Cobbler's blog is also a great resource.

 

[DWFII]

If you are serious...I mean irreconcilably serious...the quickest road to frustration and defeat is to try to learn from the Internet--YouTube and so forth. And the second quickest is to try to learn it piecemeal--a little from this book, a little from that video, a little from blogs, etc..

All those sources may have tidbits of valid and significant information; all of them may offer insights and revelation, but the only way to really learn is to pick one comprehensive source--whether it be a book, an extensive video (hours and hours), or best of all, learning from a long time, bona fide shoemaker (ideally someone who is demonstrably more than competent) with who you will have an on-going relationship long after your apprenticeship / course is over.

And maybe just as important...stick with that method, stick with those techniques you learn from your teacher until you have not only mastered each and every one but understand, in your gut, the rationale for doing it that way. Only when you can, by your own initiative, build on what you know, sense the next level, and most importantly, visualize in your own mind what it takes to go beyond, will you be ready to consider and learn from the next source.

All the rest is doing.