Skoaktiebolaget – Enzo Bonafé, Saint Crispin’s, Löf & Tung

[stevent]



All are lovely stevent & definitely digging kudu G&G & can't wait for my pair to come in.

The dover is the g.o.a.t.

Thanks!

Love them all, most versatile shoe ever.  Do you have any SC?. Demi chase from JMW is another must. Enjoy them!!

Only have a St. C wholecut, want to see Phillip again before ordering but haven't been able to make it to a trunk show.

Sorry if I missed this but what is the leather on the dark brown split toe? Thanks a lot

I believe that is G&G's English Grain.

Wearing my Brandy Willow Dovers today! Awesome shoe.  

Yes Brown English Grain

 

[JezeC]

For the dudes who have experiences with Enzo, Carmina and Vass, can you compare and contrast the differences among the brands?

1. How does Enzo differ from Carmina
2. How does Enzo differ from Vass

 

[venividivicibj]

1. Better.
2. Different style totally. Enzo better QC though (unless you go through a retailer)

 

[patliean1]



For the dudes who have experiences with Enzo, Carmina and Vass, can you compare and contrast the differences among the brands?

1. How does Enzo differ from Carmina
2. How does Enzo differ from Vass

It really comes down to your taste in lasts, styles, and shoe construction. All 3 brands are about the same in overall quality in my opinion. For sleekness I prefer Vass. For everyday wear I like Carmina. And Enzo is a good medium of both.

 

[Skoaktiebolaget]

@Skoaktiebolaget for the black Oxford is it possible at this point to add G width? I though I remembered that would be possible once the minimum threshold was reached at F width.

Please e-mail us at [email protected] for further assistance

 

[TtownMD]



For the dudes who have experiences with Enzo, Carmina and Vass, can you compare and contrast the differences among the brands?

1. How does Enzo differ from Carmina
2. How does Enzo differ from Vass

In my opinion EB, Vass, both are better than Carmina. And bang for the buck, as far as vass & EB goes both very good. At the end it comes down to personal preference for vass & EB both are excellent.

 

[loxo]

For the dudes who have experiences with Enzo, Carmina and Vass, can you compare and contrast the differences among the brands?

1. How does Enzo differ from Carmina
2. How does Enzo differ from Vass

Speaking from my experience, I own 3 pairs of EB and 2 pairs of Carmina. I have a pair of Vass on order but can't speak in any great detail on them:

First of all, they're all great brands, and you really can't go wrong with any of them. In general terms the three brands are roughly equal. However, EB allows far more customization at a lower price. EB will also do nice little touches to shoes like a beveled waist and custom liners etc. EB offers hand-welted shoes and Carmina's are Goodyear-welted. I honestly don't know if there's a difference, but if there is- there you go. A lot of the choice between brands should probably come down to fit. Carmina's Rain last is the best fit on me of any shoe I've worn.

2 more random thoughts:

I would buy more Carmina but their US prices are not worth their product.

EB's shell is exquisite; better than any other shell cordovan I've handled (much less worn). I recently bought a pair of mahogany shell boots from a Bonafe GMTO and they're nicer than any other shell cordovan shoes I own, including Alden and Crockett & Jones.

[edited for spelling and grammar]

 

[RogerP]

There are a handful of Carmina styles that I prefer straight-up to comparable offerings from Vass and Bonafe in terms of design. But there's no question that the latter two are a step up in quality. And the price gap isn't what it used to be (particularly for US buyers) so the value proposition for Carmina is difficult. And if we are talking MTO, the value proposition for Carmina simply does not exist, given the absurd 50% surcharge.

As between Vass and Bonafe, they are as close in terms of construction methods and value for dollar as two completely different companies in two completely different countries can get. Different aesthetics, but both have many appealing offerings and are willing to work to satisfy the customer's particular wishes in just about any combination of last, material and colours you could desire. Vass can be a bit more iffy when it comes to actually getting all those details right, however, which can be frustrating to say the least.

I own a bunch of shoes and boots from all three.

 

[peppercorn78]



For the dudes who have experiences with Enzo, Carmina and Vass, can you compare and contrast the differences among the brands?

1. How does Enzo differ from Carmina
2. How does Enzo differ from Vass

I own some from all 3, and I would put them all in the same bracket in terms of quality and finishing. I know handwelting is a superior construction, but in practical terms Carminas will last just as long, I'll bet, given similar usage and care. Especially considering how big most of our rotations are!

Since I have wide feet, my options for Bonafe and Carmina are limited. I have lasts 946, Rain, and Detroit in the extra wide sizes, and they all fit fairly well. But Vass offers every one of their lasts in 4 or 5 widths, and include free lasted trees, so those are big pluses, considering all 3 brands are close in price and offer similar quality leathers.

Can't go wrong with any of them! Go for the one that fits you best.

Please e-mail us at [email protected] for further assistance

Thanks! I'm in for this!! Looking forward to replacing my worn out black AEs.

 

[JezeC]

Thanks guys, I'm definitely sold on Enzo!

Really appreciate the informative feedback.

 

[ThunderMarch]

Thanks guys, I'm definitely sold on Enzo!

Really appreciate the informative feedback.

Some of the gents here really gave pretty good feedback.

@RogerP 's answer I think was especially well balanced and also fairly representative of my own experience.

I do think, however, that it is very difficult comparing between makers that use entirely different construction methods (ie GYW of Carmina vs Handwelt of EB and Vass). There is undoubtedly tremendously more work (and cost) involved in making a pair of handwelted shoes, that ultimately translates into a better constructed pair of shoes (for sure). The processes and expertise needed are completely different.

But then again, when we are addressing people in Styleforum, who own 20/30 pairs of shoes.... The limits of durability that would distinguish a pair of handwelted shoes from GYWs, will probably never be challenged.... I say "durability", because other aspects that may affect overall "quality" of the shoes, like design aesthetics, finishing, uppers, soles, will not be affected by the method used for welting, or at least, not significantly so.

So at the end of the day, will you be able to readily FEEL or TELL the difference between a GYWs and handwelts? Maybe not, but you will KNOW the difference, in your heart.

That being said, especially since Carmina's prices have been steadily rising (esp for US customers), one can really appreciate how much value (unbelievably so), makers like Bonafe represent.

I've found EB's shoes to be exceedingly well made, with their strengths definitely being their more "rustic", "rugged" models and their boots. That being said, their dressier models are EXCELLENTas well. I find their Vitello range of leathers especially good. They feel terrifically supple and have a depth of colour I just can't put words on. I love them and will continue to buy and wear them. Their chain Norvegese stitching is also something else, really.

Vass represents fairly good value for money as well, though I won't go into great length about them on SkoaB's thread. The plus points include their ability to give you single MTOs, their JR soles and the lasted trees. However, similar to other's experience, I find their QC extremely "hit and miss", with sometimes (very) gross errors in design / specs requests. However, one balances this with the potential of getting a pretty good pair of shoes at a very reasonable price. In terms of value, I would still say Vass and EB stand on their own.

 

[Pbayvip]

This just landed in-store. Not bad for the goodbye wave to EG, what do you guys think?

 

[GeoffreyB]

Incoming...

 

[azumi]

May I ask why the price in the US store on the website is higher than international site's price when I browse the website from outside the EU?

 

[RogerP]

^^^ I'm guessing because a) I believe shipping and duties are included in the US price (I can't see the US site myself) and b) some manufacturers have set a US retail price for their goods that Skoak is obliged to follow.