**The Official Shoe Care Thread: Tutorials, Photos, etc.**

[Bfacloner]

I would read their returns policy. If you have worn leather soles outside, they tend to be too damaged to be returned. They tend to say try them on inside/on carpet to avoid marking the soles.

On that note, anyone have recommendations for addressing the scuff/stain?

 

[ShooIn]

I think there is a good case that the leather is defective, I would ask for a replacement pair.

 

[Nick V.]

Let me try to take some photos of that for you. They have super minimal shaving, just for the added thickness of the topy

The ruffing of both the sole and the side of the sole guard (that gets attached to the sole) is to insure that the cement has a secure bond. It's not to off-set the thickness of the sole guard. However, the ruffing of both sides does off-set the thickness of the sole guard to a degree.

In addition to adding traction, sole guards are a good value. They generally out-last a leather sole 2:1. Let's say with normal wear a leather sole lasts you a year. To replace it lets say it costs you $100.00. Given that, a sole guard would need to be replaced every two years at approx. $40.00. Prices vary obviously depending on your cobbler.

I find that most customers that like sole guards have them installed on nearly all of their leather soled shoes when they are brand new. Some just like the look and feel of leather soles. If you are in that camp then don't use them. If not, try a pair and decide for yourself.

 

[troika]

The ruffing of both the sole and the side of the sole guard (that gets attached to the sole) is to insure that the cement has a secure bond. It's not to off-set the thickness of the sole guard. However, the ruffing of both sides does off-set the thickness of the sole guard to a degree.

In addition to adding traction, sole guards are a good value. They generally out-last a leather sole 2:1. Let's say with normal wear a leather sole lasts you a year. To replace it lets say it costs you $100.00. Given that, a sole guard would need to be replaced every two years at approx. $40.00. Prices vary obviously depending on your cobbler.

I find that most customers that like sole guards have them installed on nearly all of their leather soled shoes when they are brand new. Some just like the look and feel of leather soles. If you are in that camp then don't use them. If not, try a pair and decide for yourself.

Ah so it's more about scoring, gotchya.

Do you know if any half-sole could be applied in the same way? Specifically, I'm looking at the Vibram lug 1253

 

[Nick V.]

Ah so it's more about scoring, gotchya.

Do you know if any half-sole could be applied in the same way? Specifically, I'm looking at the Vibram lug 1253

The 1253:
Is significantly thicker than a sole guard. It's basically applied the same way. Because of it's thickness it needs to be applied with more pressure. I don't recommend applying it for a diy'er. Further, because of it's thickness the heel would have to be adjusted in order maintain the proper balance of your shoe. With a sole guard as DW mentioned it's a waste of money installing that on a heel. It will wear out immediately. If you were interested in the 1253 mini lug 1/2 sole, your cobbler should remove the existing top-lift, determine the difference in the 1253 and the height of the heel base and add the matching mini lug heel. Something like this:
https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Vi...MI7fP8pZfT3wIV0VuGCh1hvgWbEAQYBSABEgKLUPD_BwE
However, some don't like the look of the mini lug heel. In those cases a mini lug 1/2 sole can be applied but the heel still needs to be built up in order to maintain the proper balance of the shoe. The top-lift of the heel can be finished off with more of a classic looking lift.
I hope that makes sense....

 

[troika]

The 1253:
Is significantly thicker than a sole guard. It's basically applied the same way. Because of it's thickness it needs to be applied with more pressure. I don't recommend applying it for a diy'er. Further, because of it's thickness the heel would have to be adjusted in order maintain the proper balance of your shoe. With a sole guard as DW mentioned it's a waste of money installing that on a heel. It will wear out immediately. If you were interested in the 1253 mini lug 1/2 sole, your cobbler should remove the existing top-lift, determine the difference in the 1253 and the height of the heel base and add the matching mini lug heel. Something like this:
https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Vi...MI7fP8pZfT3wIV0VuGCh1hvgWbEAQYBSABEgKLUPD_BwE
However, some don't like the look of the mini lug heel. In those cases a mini lug 1/2 sole can be applied but the heel still needs to be built up in order to maintain the proper balance of the shoe. The top-lift of the heel can be finished off with more of a classic looking lift.
I hope that makes sense....

Yes, everything makes sense, thank you Nick. I moved to snowy climate about a year and a half ago from somewhere with barely even any rain. Since then I've been trying to figure out how to retrofit shoes to make them work. Cheers!

 

[armedferret]

Muddy range days, a couple muddy critter harvests, and cleanup after a tree demolished our deck yielded some AE Sturgis 2.0s that needed a bit of attention. So I gave them some. Turned out okay. Getting a nice patina to them finally.

 

[Kwaker]

curious, what kind of critters are you referring to ... edible or pest?

 

[whorishconsumer]

Say I'm an unprincipled loaf who is **** at polishing shoes and doesn't care to put the effort into getting any better. Where does one take their (very nice, expensive) dress shoes to get polished, outside of shoeshine booths on Wall St. (that's still a thing, right?) Does that fall under the purview of a cobbler?

 

[audog]

Muddy range days, a couple muddy critter harvests, and cleanup after a tree demolished our deck yielded some AE Sturgis 2.0s that needed a bit of attention. So I gave them some. Turned out okay. Getting a nice patina to them finally.

View attachment 1100607

View attachment 1100606

Oh yea, that's what boots are for!

 

[audog]

curious, what kind of critters are you referring to ... edible or pest?

Pest critters can be edible, deer are pests around here.

 

[armedferret]

curious, what kind of critters are you referring to ... edible or pest?

The kind made of venison. And a couple pests too.

 

[Christopher Alan]

Say I'm an unprincipled loaf who is **** at polishing shoes and doesn't care to put the effort into getting any better. Where does one take their (very nice, expensive) dress shoes to get polished, outside of shoeshine booths on Wall St. (that's still a thing, right?) Does that fall under the purview of a cobbler?

You need something like this freestanding electric polisher:

https://www.shoecaresupplies.com/product_p/electric-polisher.htm

 

[konoyaro]

Did anybody else have any recs (preferably in SF itself)?

Hey, hope this is the right place to ask:

Does anybody have recommendations for cobblers in San Francisco (or the Bay Area)?


Looking to get a couple of pairs of shoes "topy'd" or have sole guards applied.

It seems like it's something any decent cobbler can do from what I've read, but I enjoy the peace of mind that comes with going to a reputable place.

I used to use Anthony's Shoe Service and they have been ok. I felt they did better work when they used to be on Geary St.

Recently I've tried "Shoe Repair" on Polk St. Small, one man shop and so far, so good. The owner, James, is a nice guy and easy to deal with.

 

[Don Murray]

You said you tried to buff it out with a brush? That looks like a comb to me.