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** Quintessential Crockett & Jones Thread ** (reviews, quality, etc...)

aquatherm

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I own some Islay and Coniston with this combo. The leather is definitely stiffer than the scotch grain equivalents. The vibrant sole is more comfortable than Dainite in my opinion.

I own some Vibram cleated sole Islay, not on R/O… but can offer a comparison as I’ve Islay also on all the other combinations other than the Itshide Commando sole. I find the Vibram quite flexible although it’s proved to be hard wearing even in the areas my gait destroys first. It’s not soft/bouncy comfortable like I find the Ridgeway. Vibram is a thinner sole but I’ve been impressed and use the boots in a role of light hiking, or when I know I’ll be doing considerable walking distances.
I was set on getting the Chepstow 2 in suede with the lightweight cleated sole but now there's a new version on RO with regular cleated sole which made the choice harder. If the RO model was on the lightweight sole, it would have been an easy choice as that would compensate a bit for the stiffness of the leather. And I have always wanted a beater pair of boots that I can kick around in
 

Marmite89

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C&J Winter Sale - I contacted a couple of the London stores yesterday to see what they had in the sale beyond the stuff online.

Unfortunately nothing of interest to me in my size (UK9 and 8.5), but might be of interest to others if there’s still stock.

They offered some Subs on both Whisky and DB Shell Harlech’s, at a great price. I’d have jumped at the Whisky if they had my size at basically half price.

Also on the list was the Coniston Hatch Grain Shell, great price also.

Loads of shoes, loads of interesting hand grade options too, but none that I’d wear enough to justify buying.

The one other thing that really caught my eye was the Rust Grain Radnor. That leather looks very interesting, a great and versatile colour. I don’t need another Radnor/Snowdon style in my rotation.

But the leather has me thinking of an Islay GMTO idea! 🤩
 

lagsun

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C&J Winter Sale - I contacted a couple of the London stores yesterday to see what they had in the sale beyond the stuff online.

Unfortunately nothing of interest to me in my size (UK9 and 8.5), but might be of interest to others if there’s still stock.

They offered some Subs on both Whisky and DB Shell Harlech’s, at a great price. I’d have jumped at the Whisky if they had my size at basically half price.

Also on the list was the Coniston Hatch Grain Shell, great price also.

Loads of shoes, loads of interesting hand grade options too, but none that I’d wear enough to justify buying.

The one other thing that really caught my eye was the Rust Grain Radnor. That leather looks very interesting, a great and versatile colour. I don’t need another Radnor/Snowdon style in my rotation.

But the leather has me thinking of an Islay GMTO idea! 🤩
Which store for the hatch grain Coniston? I don’t need a 4th pair of Conistons but I really liked them when I saw in store.
 

shoefan57

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I am having two issues with my Coniston shoes that I can’t seem to resolve.

Over time, due to frequent polishing, the pebble grain structure has significantly diminished, ruining the leather's texture and vibe. I don’t think the grain structure is gone, but it seems to have been filled in with layers of wax/creams. I’ve tried using Renomat multiple times, which helps a bit, but not enough to restore the original look. Do you have any suggestions to bring back the original pebble grain texture? The shoes are 5 years old and have been worn around 120 times. Would using a harder brush, like one with pig hair, help to remove the buildup between the grain? Or could this damage the leather?

The second issue is a white residue that forms on the leather after even a light rain, ruining the shine and overall look of the shoes. Each time this happens, I need to polish and apply renovateur cream. I suspect I might be applying too much cream or not buffing it out properly, possibly due to using a brush with hairs that are too soft. This could be causing the cream’s salts to be extracted when the shoes get wet.

Any help is greatly appreciated, I can't be the only one. Maybe take it to a proper cobbler?

View attachment 2304213 View attachment 2304215
Your boots look like very well worn pebble grained boots that have got wet a lot. So it maybe from overuse of creams? But it is what happens to pebble grained leather over time, and I can’t see what C&J or a cobbler could do but always worth asking.
 

Duke Santos

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I am having two issues with my Coniston shoes that I can’t seem to resolve.

Over time, due to frequent polishing, the pebble grain structure has significantly diminished, ruining the leather's texture and vibe. I don’t think the grain structure is gone, but it seems to have been filled in with layers of wax/creams. I’ve tried using Renomat multiple times, which helps a bit, but not enough to restore the original look. Do you have any suggestions to bring back the original pebble grain texture? The shoes are 5 years old and have been worn around 120 times. Would using a harder brush, like one with pig hair, help to remove the buildup between the grain? Or could this damage the leather?

The second issue is a white residue that forms on the leather after even a light rain, ruining the shine and overall look of the shoes. Each time this happens, I need to polish and apply renovateur cream. I suspect I might be applying too much cream or not buffing it out properly, possibly due to using a brush with hairs that are too soft. This could be causing the cream’s salts to be extracted when the shoes get wet.

Any help is greatly appreciated, I can't be the only one. Maybe take it to a proper cobbler?

View attachment 2304213 View attachment 2304215
It might be too late, but what I found with my Islays and Bostons in grain is that a normal horsehair brush does not "clean out" all the cream and wax in the crevices. My solution was to get a very stiff pig bristle brush from Kirby, and that seems to do a thorough job after I polish. After that, I'll go to a horsehair brush and polishing cloth to get a shine.
 

Markintosh

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Joined
Sep 7, 2008
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Islay Chestnut Russian Grain - SF GMTO

Maiden voyage for these jeans, but not the boots. I don’t think I’ve posted any pics yet of the J&JF Russian Grain Islay that arrived back in the autumn. Absolutely stunning boots, I couldn’t be happier with them. They are still really stiff, but fit me perfectly. I’m finding more use for the colour and look than I expected. They are too beautiful not to want to wear lots!

View attachment 2304377

View attachment 2304379

The Jeans are a custom one-off order from the Welsh Brand Hiut I was mentioning before Xmas.
Both off the hook - well done!
 

Mashir

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Nov 18, 2024
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Which store for the hatch grain Coniston? I don’t need a 4th pair of Conistons but I really liked them when I saw in store.
Anyone tell me a little bit more about the hatch grain Coniston make up? What color is the leather and what sort of sole do they feature? Standard 325 last?
 

shoefan57

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Anyone tell me a little bit more about the hatch grain Coniston make up? What color is the leather and what sort of sole do they feature? Standard 325 last?
375 last, dark brown hatch grain cordovan and Danite sole. At least if they’re the same as the boot they made celebrating 25 years on Jermyn Street.
 

Mashir

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375 last, dark brown hatch grain cordovan and Danite sole. At least if they’re the same as the boot they made celebrating 25 years on Jermyn Street.

I think that’s the one.
Great, thank you both!

Edited to add, I found a pic (I believe) if anyone is curious.
Coniston hatch grain
I plan to call the London stores tomorrow to see if they might have it in my off size. Too bad they don't seem to ship to the US - anyone used a mail forwarding service they can vouch for?
 
Last edited:

Marmite89

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Great, thank you both!

Edited to add, I found a pic (I believe) if anyone is curious.
Coniston hatch grain
I plan to call the London stores tomorrow to see if they might have it in my off size. Too bad they don't seem to ship to the US - anyone used a mail forwarding service they can vouch for?
Just talk to them, I think they might find a shipping solution. It is the regular retail stuff that I think they might not do. Could be wrong, but worth asking.
 

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