The Official Alden Thread for 2025 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos.

[JTMD]

Jumpers in #8 on the Barrie lakeside today...

 

[Shawnc]

Makes sense @JTMD, thanks. I do like the idea of grabbing one for bloom, especially around the eyes as that can be a heavy lift of some of my shells.

As for those Jumpers, good grief man. So good!

 

[Markintosh]

Apologies @Markintosh, misunderstood the ask. I could not find it on the Claymore Shop site either.

I emailed them, they will probably drop in late May, early June...

 

[JTMD]

Makes sense @JTMD, thanks. I do like the idea of grabbing one for bloom, especially around the eyes as that can be a heavy lift of some of my shells.

As for those Jumpers, good grief man. So good!

I've had the same thought. Numerous times I've considered hitting the shoe care thread with the same question(s). Habit and complacency I suppose. I picked up a half a dozen or so in horsehair from Rochester this summer while in California (1 for each shell color I have and one fir general dusting). I wouldn't call them stiff by a long shot but just as stiff as the 2 I've been using the last 15 years when I only had black and #8. The stiffer brushes I have (which I'm guessing are boar) I've just been using on calf (though calf is rare in my rotation).

 

[Mr Clemson]

Apologies, as I'm sure this has been addressed before, but what is the difference between the unlined Dover and the unlined PTB? I've been thinking of picking up one of these in suede. Is the "Dover" just the original name of the unlined PTB? Thanks!

 

[Watchman1]

Happy 2025 in the Whiskey Cordovan WTB on Barrie!

 

[Shawnc]

Apologies, as I'm sure this has been addressed before, but what is the difference between the unlined Dover and the unlined PTB? I've been thinking of picking up one of these in suede. Is the "Dover" just the original name of the unlined PTB? Thanks!

2 parts to the answer. I think the difference has something to do with the number of pieces of shell used to make the shoe but I am certain someone can give you a more precise accounting of the differences. Equally important is that I have never seen an unlined PTB. In addition to the difference I clumsily explain above, the other difference is that one is unlined (Dover) and one is lined (PTB).

 

[Mr Clemson]

2 parts to the answer. I think the difference has something to do with the number of pieces of shell used to make the shoe but I am certain someone can give you a more precise accounting of the differences. Equally important is that I have never seen an unlined PTB. In addition to the difference I clumsily explain above, the other difference is that one is unlined (Dover) and one is lined (PTB).

I thought the Dover was unlined and the PTB was lined, but I’m finding many examples of unlined PTBs. Here’s one. So I wonder if they just did away with the Dover name.
Unlined PTB

 

[Shawnc]

I thought the Dover was unlined and the PTB was lined, but I’m finding many examples of unlined PTBs. Here’s one. So I wonder if they just did away with the Dover name.
Unlined PTB

Yeah I can see where that could cause confusion but I honestly think that shoe is mislabeled. I think that’s a Dover. Here is a PTB and there are a few differences that jump out at me. PTB 990 or variant) are generally on double leather though sometimes on commando. Dover is generally on single leather. And from the side, you can kind of see the difference in the number of pieces of leather.

Not doing the best job on this one but I am confident ( but not certain) of two things. The link you cite is a Dover and Alden does not make an unlined PTB.

 

[Mr Clemson]

Yeah I can see where that could cause confusion but I honestly think that shoe is mislabeled. I think that’s a Dover. Here is a PTB and there are a few differences that jump out at me. PTB 990 or variant) are generally on double leather though sometimes on commando. Dover is generally on single leather. And from the side, you can kind of see the difference in the number of pieces of leather.

Not doing the best job on this one but I am confident ( but not certain) of two things. The link you cite is a Dover and Alden does not make an unlined PTB.

That would make a lot of sense and is what I thought originally. What I’m looking for is an unlined, more comfortable version (likely single leather sole).

 

[Hisheirness23]

Gang,

Quick question. Can anyone speak to the advantage of a boar bristle v horse hair brush, specifically as it relates to shell? Seems like boar bristle is stiffer and the online research is sketchy at best. Anyone use boar bristle for shell?

I use the boar hair brush to cut through heavy bloom and also water marks. It makes quick work that maybe the horsehair brush would require double/triple time spent brushing. One caution is that I have noticed the boar hair brush to be particularly rough on stitching. I don't brush with the same pressure as I do with horsehair for that reason.

But I always hit with horsehair afterwards as a finisher to polish since I don't use a chamois tag to finish.

 

[Shawnc]

Very helpful @Hisheirness23. As always, greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Norwester]

Apologies, as I'm sure this has been addressed before, but what is the difference between the unlined Dover and the unlined PTB? I've been thinking of picking up one of these in suede. Is the "Dover" just the original name of the unlined PTB? Thanks!

As @Shawnc noted, it seems to be a matter of inconsistent terminology. Brick and Mortar calls this a dover, but in brown chromexcel it calls exactly the same design a blucher, and in black chromexcel they call it a dover again. My understanding is those are all technically dovers, and Alden Madison seems to agree.

 

[Vincent George]

Bean boots and my neo-vintage (“Made in Hong Kong”) flannel lined JCREW pants.

 

[Mr Clemson]

As @Shawnc noted, it seems to be a matter of inconsistent terminology. Brick and Mortar calls this a dover, but in brown chromexcel it calls exactly the same design a blucher, and in black chromexcel they call it a dover again. My understanding is those are all technically dovers, and Alden Madison seems to agree.

Perfect, thank you!