St. Crispin's Appreciation Thread

[Mike147]



thank you. i will just send those in to show.
I did get trial shoes first and even with taken some width down, i still have this much extra. It is crazy, I know, but I have such crazy narrow feet. I always have a problem and it takes a lot of modifications to get enough volume taken down for me. 

It would have been really bad if i didn't get the trial shoes made first as well as to have a good idea of taking a few widths off before even making the trial shoe.

You have to remember that I'm about a US AA width in measure. 

Any update on the fit? Seems like you were concerned about the width (pictures). Will StC take them back for adjustments - seems like they are close to the fit you wanted and might require a small adjustment? Expect that's a minor adjustment but would need to put the shoes back on the last.

How do they feel when you wear them? Comfortable or can you feel that they are a bit too wide?

Just curious how much they cost? Shipping back and forth for adjustment is a PITA but sometimes really worth it.

 

[dieworkwear]



How do the uppers look? Assume they did a full resole and restored the uppers, insole, etc. New sole is always going to look like a.... new sole. How much did recraft cost?

I've found SC does a really nice job with uppers. If you don't want them to heavily darken the toe caps, you can request that. IME, they're very attentive to details, so long as you're specific about what you want. The light burnishing isn't too different from what EG provides. Although, if you don't even want the light burnishing, you can also just ask for a restoration and polish.

 

[Mike147]



I've found SC does a really nice job with uppers. If you don't want them to heavily darken the toe caps, you can request that. IME, they're very attentive to details, so long as you're specific about what you want. The light burnishing isn't too different from what EG provides. Although, if you don't even want the light burnishing, you can also just ask for a restoration and polish.

How much do they charge? Does that include shipping? Assuming from the US that shipping is about $65 to Europe with insurance (senders cost).

 

[dieworkwear]



How much do they charge? Does that include shipping? Assuming from the US that shipping is about $65 to Europe with insurance (senders cost).

I don't remember the exact price, but it wasn't very much. Shipping isn't included, so that will add to your cost. Sort of the problem with any non-US company, so not that unusual if you're used to buying from European brands.

They do a great job with the uppers though. Just be specific about what you want.

 

[chogall]

How much do they charge? Does that include shipping? Assuming from the US that shipping is about $65 to Europe with insurance (senders cost).

Go through your retailer to save on international shipping. And better communication as well.

 

[Cuebert]

Dear St. Crispin's addicts,

my pair of brown Derbys has built up some excessive polish, especially around the toe area.

Has anyone of you ever used Saphir's Reno Mat with their pair of Sain Crispin's? If so: is this advisable?

I am not sure whether this is a good solution, as I think that the shoes are hand painted?

 

[TtownMD]



Dear St. Crispin's addicts,

my pair of brown Derbys has built up some excessive polish, especially around the toe area.

Has anyone of you ever used Saphir's Reno Mat with their pair of Sain Crispin's? If so: is this advisable?

I am not sure whether this is a good solution, as I think that the shoes are hand painted?

I would not recommend Reno just because it will also strip the color and hand paint finish but if you are very very careful I guess its doable

 

[Cuebert]

I would not recommend Reno just because it will also strip the color and hand paint finish but if you are very very careful I guess its doable

This is exactly what I was thinking too, then again the shoes haven't gone through any real antiquing or something, they are just plain brown.

Maybe the slight amount or colour that might get striped off even when being careful could be reapplied by using some brown Saphir Cream?

 

[chogall]

Reno works great for excess polish.

SC doesn't have that great of finish either way; more often than lot it's just thick layers of polish smeared on toe caps.

 

[TtownMD]



This is exactly what I was thinking too, then again the shoes haven't gone through any real antiquing or something, they are just plain brown.

Maybe the slight amount or colour that might get striped off even when being careful could be reapplied by using some brown Saphir Cream?

Well then you are in clear & I don't see no harm go for it.

 

[mw313]

Any update on the fit? Seems like you were concerned about the width (pictures). Will StC take them back for adjustments - seems like they are close to the fit you wanted and might require a small adjustment? Expect that's a minor adjustment but would need to put the shoes back on the last.

How do they feel when you wear them? Comfortable or can you feel that they are a bit too wide?

Just curious how much they cost? Shipping back and forth for adjustment is a PITA but sometimes really worth it.

Yes after quite a bit more wearing they are working in well but I would say that I could have about 1 width taken off of the heel, facings (instep area where the laces come together), and vamp / ball of the foot. So for this pair I will leave it as is and am just wearing a thicker sock for now. When i need to get them resoled, I will see about having them taken in a bit on the adjusted last after it is "perfected" for my next pair!

They are still very comfortable in all other dimensions including length and the perfect arch!!!

 

[dieworkwear]



Dear St. Crispin's addicts,

my pair of brown Derbys has built up some excessive polish, especially around the toe area.

Has anyone of you ever used Saphir's Reno Mat with their pair of Sain Crispin's? If so: is this advisable?

I am not sure whether this is a good solution, as I think that the shoes are hand painted?

If your shoes are made from crust leather, I wouldn't recommend it. I once ruined a pair of crust leather SC shoes with Reno conditioner, and Reno'Mat seems only harsher. The problem is that you can strip the top layer of the crust leather right off, leaving a rough patch. You could also permanently discolor the leather (meaning the actual leather, not just strip off polish that you can reapply later).

I talked to Phillip once about this at a trunk show, and he said he thinks Saphir products are just too harsh (I assume he meant the conditioner and Reno'Mat).

I don't know how you can strip the excess polish off. You may want to contact SC directly for advice, but I would be wary of Reno'Mat. Crust can be a beautiful leather, but it also requires a bit more specific care.

Some other poster on here once ruined a pair of crust leather Paul Evans shoes with Saphir conditioner as well. Again, permanent damage.

 

[PCee47]

My latest balmoral boots. Mod. 405 with viola crust & tweed uppers.

 

[chifromdachi]

^^Lovely, those.

 

[Mr. Pink]



If your shoes are made from crust leather, I wouldn't recommend it. I once ruined a pair of crust leather SC shoes with Reno conditioner, and Reno'Mat seems only harsher. The problem is that you can strip the top layer of the crust leather right off, leaving a rough patch. You could also permanently discolor the leather (meaning the actual leather, not just strip off polish that you can reapply later).

I talked to Phillip once about this at a trunk show, and he said he thinks Saphir products are just too harsh (I assume he meant the conditioner and Reno'Mat).

I don't know how you can strip the excess polish off. You may want to contact SC directly for advice, but I would be wary of Reno'Mat. Crust can be a beautiful leather, but it also requires a bit more specific care.

Some other poster on here once ruined a pair of crust leather Paul Evans shoes with Saphir conditioner as well. Again, permanent damage.

Plain turpentine works well. I've used it on all my crust leather shoes.