But yes, it is. Mainly I think because it takes a craftsman to do this and there are very few professions that still employ craftsman today. Can’t say I have ever heard of John Lobb $1500 shoes but I did find the video interesting.

John Lobb Refurbish

I wear Chippewa boots. I send them out every two years to get rebuilt. New soles, new welts, repair stitching. Fresh coat of polish, new laces and new insoles (I also polish as required).

I've owned them since 2012. Been "overhauled" 4 times. Best boot I've ever owned. Paid $375 back then new for the made in America steel toes. An overhaul costs $110 and that's with return shipping (shipping out is free). Cheaper than a new boot and I could probably go 3 years but I just started doing 2.

I expect I got another dozen or so years left in them.

Not rich man shoes but I like them.

So I have/had a shoe addiction. Those John Lobb are great. Believe it or not, they’re high end for ready to wear, but on the lower end of the cost of dress shoes. If you go with some bespoke shoes, you’re looking at $3500-$5000.

That said, I have refinished (patina) quite a few pairs with decent results. I’m far from artistic, but I seemed to have a talent for this. Some were okay when done, and some were excellent. Here are some pics of the recoloring, and refinishing that I did. It doesn’t fit everyone’s taste, but I loved them. I still have quite a few of these. I just don’t have anywhere to wear them.

So most are before and after pics. The last couple are just the after. The first pair started life as solid tobacco brown.

Did they not call these repair craftsman cobblers? Some of those old school pliers and wide face hammers have been seen at the local Flea Market. I had mistaken those nippers for tile or glass nips. There is a similar tool. Those guys do nice work.

I've watched this guys shoe restoring videos before. It's interesting the technique, the tools, the materials and the skills needed to do it properly.

I work on electronic hardware and need to fabricate things as needed. The ability to work with your hands and use a vast array of tools and materials is fascinating.

quote:

Florsheim- one of the most expensive Restoration I’ve done on Florsheim’s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5so3WN3gB0

Good Gravy Beancooker!!! Now don't I feel inadequate. I own three pairs of footwear. My Chippewas, a pair of flip flops, and a pair of PT shoes.

Man some of your shoes look beautiful! I like the old fashioned look myself, not so much the colors. But wow....

Mbinky, I have never owned more than 50 pairs. When I get close, I donate to the local church. But yes, I have a shoe issue. Nowadays, I wear either my Asolo boots or a pair of Topo Athletic shoes. If we are going somewhere nice, I have a pair of Lucchese boots, or a pair of Nocona boots. While I love my dress shoes, I live in an area that wearing dress shoes, is like wearing a Patek Philippe at the homeless shelter. So when I want to step it up without being too “fancy”, I opt for the cowboy boots.

Now the rest of the pairs... lots of Converse. Most are custom ordered with custom colors and soles of my choice.

I have always believed that shoes are the foundation of your outfit. As long as the shoes are solid, the rest of the clothing can lack, and ride on the footwear.

How about some standard military black dress shoes....I learned to slick those up in about an hour each...just need a lighter, some water, kiwi and a cotton ball

Beancooker, I have never owned a pair of dress shoes. I am a work boot kind of guy, have been most of my life. BUT, I can certainly appreciate a businessman's needs for them, and I did indeed appreciate that video!! Craftsman are far and few these days, and it takes a good man to know that. Keep that in mind, because they are a vanishing breed in all trades!!

Nice work Beancooker.

quote:

How about some standard military black dress shoes....I learned to slick those up in about an hour each...just need a lighter, some water, kiwi and a cotton ball

Lol I still have my issued leathers, and I can spit shine the HELL out of them, but Coraframs are so much easier

Bean, shoes are like watches to a man's dress I agree. My mom passed away suddenly last year and I had to fly to Boston on short notice. I had trousers, a shirt, a tie, but I had to spit shine my boots. I felt awkward at the wake, not gonna lie. I tried to get my sister to take me to a men's shop on the Cape but she kept telling me "no, mom would like it".

I do need a good pair of shoes.

Okay, that guy is an amazing cobbler. Wow. What a job he did to restore those shoes.

I know that Louis Vuitton isn’t nearly the shoemaker that John Lobb is, but this is a pretty amazing and awesome video of a pair of Louis Vuitton loafers being made.

In Todays society and economy it's nice to see things repaired and back in service.

I really don't like this made in china el cheapo crapola junk that has pretty much taken over everything.

Hate to say it, but I can't believe customers will pay these prices. Comfortable footwear can and will be had for much less in my world.

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
I've watched this guys shoe restoring videos before. It's interesting the technique, the tools, the materials and the skills needed to do it properly.

I work on electronic hardware and need to fabricate things as needed. The ability to work with your hands and use a vast array of tools and materials is fascinating.

quote:

Florsheim- one of the most expensive Restoration I’ve done on Florsheim’s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5so3WN3gB0

I ran across that video several months back and was completely amazed at the cost. I can't imagine spending $900 to restore one pair of shoes even if I could comfortably afford to do so.

My dress shoes are "handsewn on the last" and get restored on the same 'last', the same shoe mold/shape. It's neat to have ten-year-old shoes with broken-in comfort, in otherwise new condition.





The Redwings, I've resoled once; new soles are hot-poured onto the boots with the original manufacturing equipment. But for the cost vs. results, I'll consider go with new #953 8" boots if I want another pair. We'll see.

Dayum!!!

Beancooker you have more pairs of shoes than my wife!

Definitely some talent in here, good craftsmen are a joy to watch at their trade. Pros & talented amateurs also.

While I appreciate the craftsmanship, I find dress shoes of that style atrocious. I guess I’m an old man but nope, nope, nope. You’ll see me with a man bun first.

That being said, you have done very nice work on your shoes.

When I was in the Navy, we had a cobbler shop on one of the ships I was on. A buddy ran it and taught me how to resole a pair of shoes. It was an interesting process and he was very good at his job, doing a number of pair every day. That was in the day when we wore a pair of shoes forever. Today, when they need a nice polishing, we throw them out and buy a new pair.