shell cordovan - the most resilient leather there is !

[Mr. Walter Trent]

Originally Posted by Groover

For those interested, here are a couple of Whiskey shells prior to use:

What are you using them for?

Also, is that the final color or will they be colored later?

 

[Groover]

Originally Posted by Mr. Walter Trent

What are you using them for?


can't tell you that yet....

Originally Posted by Mr. Walter Trent

Also, is that the final color or will they be colored later?


That's the basis of the colour, it will be changed slightly once burnished/polished. I'm certain there's a few examples of Whiskey shell on aged shoes.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Groover

can't tell you that yet....

Look forward to seeing whatever is created.

 

[ajv]

Originally Posted by Groover

can't tell you that yet....

.


teaser

 

[MillionaireTeacher]

I wore my shell shoes last night. I want to maintain them properly. I've read here that you're NOT supposed to use conventional shoe polish these shoes. Also, you only use the Alden paste/wax every few months to prevent buildup from obstructing the natural patina.

So, how do I maintain them? Just wipe down with damp cloth each time I wear them? If I see lighter creasing, just deal with it? (vs. trying to color it in with polish)

 

[MarquisMagic]

Resilient...but maybe that's because the leather seems rather stiff and inflexible to me...and it certainly wears warm. And when it's not cared for properly it can look like plastic. Any sense that cordos are more popular in the MidWest and Northeast where the weather is cooler and the clothes heavier?

 

[nate10184]

Shell definitely can get dried out. I've tried using lexol on shell and it didn't really work as far as I could tell. I've been using Crema Alpina lately and it works really well. The key is to use a fair amount of pressure and really work it into the shell. If you just let it sit on the surface it's not going to do anything. You can see the results in my old thread here.

 

[MillionaireTeacher]

Yes, but how often do you apply it? After a single wear, do I clean them if they don't really have any dirt on them?

 

[furo]

Originally Posted by nate10184

Shell definitely can get dried out. I've tried using lexol on shell and it didn't really work as far as I could tell.

I've been using Crema Alpina lately and it works really well. The key is to use a fair amount of pressure and really work it into the shell. If you just let it sit on the surface it's not going to do anything. You can see the results in my old thread here.

When you tried the Lexol, was it just the standard conditioner they offer?

And, how long did you let your Crema conditioner soak in before you did your polishing? A day?

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by MillionaireTeacher

So, how do I maintain them? Just wipe down with damp cloth each time I wear them?
Yes, wipe with a damp cloth followed by vigorous brushing and/or buffing. I usually go for months without applying any wax whatsoever.

 

[srivats]

Originally Posted by JayJay

Yes, wipe with a damp cloth followed by vigorous brushing and/or buffing. I usually go for months without applying any wax whatsoever.

+1. on this ... however I do the damp cloth wiping only once ever 3 weeks or so. But I brush vigorously before AND after each wear. Wax only every 4 months or so, and very very little amounts at that.

 

[Crane's]

Originally Posted by Ataturk

Well, that doesn't seem to be the collective wisdom here.

I do recall putting regular leather conditioner on shell once. The surface changed for a few minutes--it became rather tacky instead of smooth, then it dried and appeared the same as it did before. Whether it did anything for the leather, I can't say.

Shell doesn't take conditioner like cowhide does. It acts more like pigskin in that regard. What you described is the oil penetrating the leather and it did condition it. I use 3 products. Lexol conditioner, Filson boot oil and Sno Seal to condition all my leather. I have products made from horsehide, cordo, pig skin, kangaroo, and cowhide. Each leather takes the conditioner differently.

If you don't maintain any leather product it will dry out, crack and dry rot or worse yet wet rot and mildew. Many here worry about whether or not the leather will darken or change color if they condition it with something like boot oil. It will but that's a whole lot better than water spots or premature failure. I'm not nice to my leather at all. If it's raining it gets wet. If it's cold don't care. Same goes for blazing sun and heat. Do your part maintenance wise and it won't matter what you put your leather through, within reason, not to mention it will last for decades on top of it.

 

[furo]

I went ahead and conditioned my shell PTBs from alden today (cordovan #8).

Will see how they turn out in a day when the oil has had some time to work its way in. I used the Lexol brand Neatsfoot compound:

It's the same stuff I used on my lambskin leather jacket, which, despite my fears, did not darken much at all after applying it and letting dry.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by furo

I went ahead and conditioned my shell PTBs from alden today (cordovan #8).

I'm interested in hearing how this turns out. What prompted you to do this so soon, aren't your shoes new? I have some new ones, but mine are still a bit waxy.

 

[Crane's]

Originally Posted by JayJay

I'm interested in hearing how this turns out. What prompted you to do this so soon, aren't your shoes new? I have some new ones, but mine are still a bit waxy.

You don't now how long the leather item has sat on the shelf. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's not dry. I make it a point to condition anything I buy that's leather before I use it especially if there's a chance it will get exposed to water. What's that saying? An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Some old guy named Ben said that. He's right.