Another restoration project?

[ChiefBroom]

Had never looked in here before. I'm generally not a sartorial kinda guy. But I caught Beginish's restoration project, and it moved me to pull this pair of old Paul Bonds out of the closet (much easier than getting them off my feet). I had them custom made on hand-carved lasts in 1981. They were absolutely my most prized possession.

Circa 1982

 

[beginish]

Fantastic boots, Ken. Where do you take boots like that to be restored?

 

[ChiefBroom]

Fantastic boots, Ken. Where do you take boots like that to be restored?

The only sensible option would probably be to send them back to Paul Bond. See the company's site here and the page on repairs here. I don't know if that would make any sense economically. The biggest problem is I suspect they need new vamps, if that's the right term. At least I could salvage the tops.

I'm sure the cost would substantially exceed what I paid for them in 1981, which as I recall was in the range of $350-400. At that time, if you looked at calendars or coffee table books with photos of authentic working cowboys on the legendary ranches in Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, etc., many if not most of them were wearing Paul Bonds. They'd likely have more invested in their boots and saddles than in their trucks. Paul Bond was also know as the boot-maker for the stars (see this interesting interview), but that wasn't how I learned of the boots or why I had to have a pair. I don't know if Paul Bond has managed to maintain that straddle between real working cowboys and the rich and famous. I think the brand might have come to be more exclusively associated with the latter. My guess, however, is that the boots haven't changed much in terms of quality. I'm not aware of any other maker in their class.

Mine were handmade, custom boots. They should still have my separate foot measurements on file, although I'm pretty sure my feet wouldn't yield the same measurements today.

I think I'll call and see what I can find out. Whatever that is, I'll post it here.

 

[djh]

I think I'll call and see what I can find out. Whatever that is, I'll post it here.

Certainly no harm in doing that. I'm sure that there will be plenty of us waiting to hear more.

Good luck with them Ken.