I’m inspired and am going to take my Alden Shell Cordovan PTB’s to my local cobbler for a resole. They did a very nice job on my Norwegian Split Toes a few years back. I splurged on the Jos Rodenbach soles and will do so this time too.
Alden Shoe Restoration v. B. Nelson Shoe Restoration
- Thread starter johnniegold
- Start date
Can you imagine how "hard" this man was on his shoes?Thank you, James. Hey, I had some time on my hands so I figured...
What the heck.
View attachment 1229354
- Thread starter
- #263
Would love some before and after pics ( who wouldn’t?
). As for the soles, hopefully they are available and that the new owners maintained the same high standards these soles were renowned for.
News - J.R. sole leather recipe sold to Kilger tannery - Shoegazing.com
After the news that the oak bark tanned sole leather tannery J. Rendenbach were to close down, many people hoped for some sort of solution for the
shoegazing.com
Bob, only you could make a 10 year saga on shoe restoration interesting enough to spend 45 minutes reading the thread through from the beginning.
Thanks!
Thanks!
- Thread starter
- #265
Although, I did use ghost writers over the last four years.
... and he would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for these pesky kids.
sent a pair of shoes into Alden for restoration in December. I still haven't got them back. I looked at the email they sent me acknowledging receipt...current turnaround time...10-14 weeks, not including shipping time. 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 months Seems a bit ridiculous to me. We'll see how much longer I have to wait.
I guess it's good that I have a dozen other pairs of dress shoes I can wear in the interim =)
I guess it's good that I have a dozen other pairs of dress shoes I can wear in the interim =)
- Thread starter
- #268
That does seem to be an inordinate amount of time. It’s been my experience that 6-8 weeks was the usual turnaround time.
- Thread starter
- #271
There is nothing better than a “new” old pair of shoes.
May I be so bold as to suggest that if you’ve owned this pair of shoes for a decade or so, that the original cost plus the cost of the refurbishment may still be less than a pair of new ones today.
I hope you are pleased with the results. They look fantastic.
I was extremely pleased with the result. I contemplated just wearing the soles through and tossing them. Glad I didn't. Definitely worth the $189. Now they should last longer than I do. Who knows, maybe my kids will have the mortician dress me in them for the final journey =)
I’ve been using Alden Restoration Services for years. While it takes awhile, the results are spectacular, particularly with shell Cordovan.
I fine this thread funny about shoe restoration service.
Growing up in late 40’s early 50’s almost every area of town had a Craftsman who repair, re-sold shoes, or did taps or lifts on your leather shoes. They were called Shormakers, actual went to school to learn trade, then Apprentiships.
Then came chap shoes/disposable shoes, repair shops disappeared, and no one went to school to become what we called Shoemaker.
Recall in another life owning two pair of Florsheim Imperials, cost like $50.00 a pair in late 60’s. One Black, one Oxblood. Shoes got restored couple of times, they lasted over 20 years.
We have one such place shoe repair shop with in walking distance of home. Run by an Asian guy I will not trusty with my boots.
Twenty five mile up the road is old time Shoemsker, he is fair, honest, and work is good. He and son run shop, are always busy, and something like full rebuild of dress boots is 2 - 3 weeks.
Clients are people who own, work on ranches, or live Cowboy life style.
Nothing new about repairing good fine quality handmade shoes. People just don’t dress up for work no longer. Stared with casual Fridays, that became dress down Fridays. Soon dress code will be anything goes, or dress like you like.
Growing up in late 40’s early 50’s almost every area of town had a Craftsman who repair, re-sold shoes, or did taps or lifts on your leather shoes. They were called Shormakers, actual went to school to learn trade, then Apprentiships.
Then came chap shoes/disposable shoes, repair shops disappeared, and no one went to school to become what we called Shoemaker.
Recall in another life owning two pair of Florsheim Imperials, cost like $50.00 a pair in late 60’s. One Black, one Oxblood. Shoes got restored couple of times, they lasted over 20 years.
We have one such place shoe repair shop with in walking distance of home. Run by an Asian guy I will not trusty with my boots.
Twenty five mile up the road is old time Shoemsker, he is fair, honest, and work is good. He and son run shop, are always busy, and something like full rebuild of dress boots is 2 - 3 weeks.
Clients are people who own, work on ranches, or live Cowboy life style.
Nothing new about repairing good fine quality handmade shoes. People just don’t dress up for work no longer. Stared with casual Fridays, that became dress down Fridays. Soon dress code will be anything goes, or dress like you like.
