Florsheim Shoe Restoration

[strop]

Thirty years ago, I only wore Florsheim shoes, partly because that's all my father wore, and partly because I had access to a Florsheim outlet store where I could get good deals. Eventually I moved to J&M, and more recently to AE.

This is the last pair of the Florsheim remaining. They are at least 15 years old, and have been recrafted at least once and maybe twice (I really can't remember). The last time it was by these guys.
http://www.cobblestoneshoerepair.com/locations.shtml

They did a great job, and I was extremely happy with their work at the time.

Since Florsheim does mot offer recrafting on their site, I emailed customer service to inquire, and was given two options. http://www.nushoe.com/ and http://www.resole.com/. I chose to go with NuShoe because their website was much more complete and easier to navigate. They have similar options as B. Nelson, AE,Alden, etc. I chose The Chairman which includes heels and soles, of course but other rebuild as needed on heel liner, or heel counter. The leather is refinished, and it includes shoe trees, bags, and polish.

I requested the mailing envelope, though could have printed out a mailing label. They said to expect the prepaid mailer in 3-5 days. It took 4. These will go out in tomorrow's mail. They say to expect return delivery in 2-4 weeks.

After I sealed the bag I realized I had not taken a picture of the sole. Nothing special there. No hole, just starting to feel a little soft over the ball of the foot.

​

 

[johnniegold]

What's better than another shoe restoration thread?

Looking forward to seeing the results.

 

[jumper]

Subscribed

What's better than another shoe restoration thread?

Looking forward to seeing the results.

 

[MichaeltheRomanHistorian]

I, too, await with bated breath. Out of curiosity, why not send them back to Cobblestone or is this just an attempt for us to keep adding more cobblers to our list of 'good 'uns'? Sadly, I'm nowhere near wearing down most of my English shoes. Anyone want to wear down Edward Green, Church's, Cheaney, or Loake?

 

[mark the shoeshine boy]

isn't cobblestone in your backyard?....

 

[strop]

an attempt for us to keep adding more cobblers to our list of 'good 'uns'

This.

Sadly, I'm nowhere near wearing down most of my English shoes. Anyone want to wear down Edward Green, Church's, Cheaney, or Loake?

I'm 10.5D. Pick a pair and I will happily make the sacrifice.

isn't cobblestone in your backyard?....

Used to be, which is why I used them. IIRC, I paid about $120 several years ago. This did not include shoe bags or trees.

 

[MichaeltheRomanHistorian]

This.



I'm 10.5D. Pick a pair and I will happily make the sacrifice.



Used to be, which is why I used them. IIRC, I paid about $120 several years ago. This did not include shoe bags or trees.

You are too generous but, alas, I'm an 11.5D so they probably will not help you. However, thanks for biting the bullet on this as I've read about those two and wasn't sure how good they were (I just get my Florsheims half-soled locally). I'm looking very forward to the photos, though. Good thing shoe repair can't be an AD, right?

 

[strop]

Not sure. I think it is subAD of ShoeAD!

 

[johnniegold]

Did these shoes ever come back?

 

[strop]

Finally! On the 16th. I'm hoping to get the pics and story posted soon.

 

[johnniegold]

Finally! On the 16th. I'm hoping to get the pics and story posted soon.

 

[strop]

The shoes arrived on the 16th. I've finally been able to get some pictures to post.



Continued.

 

[MichaeltheRomanHistorian]

The shoes arrived on the 16th. I've finally been able to get some pictures to post.

View attachment 327436View attachment 327437View attachment 327438View attachment 327439View attachment 327440

Continued.

Hey, Super Prime leather soles, nice. Have you broken them back in yet and how would you say you feel about the quality of their work?

 

[strop]

So, after mailing the shoes off on March 4, I finally got them back on April 16. Overall the quality of workmanship was good, and comparable to what I've had done in the past, elsewhere. They are, after all, almost 20 years old, so I didn't expect them to look new. No change in how they fit, which is important. My only point deduction comes from the black dyed soles. They were brown originally and I think looked better with brown than black.

The shoe trees were a pleasant surprise and better than I expected. Full heel and split toe. The laces though are more suited for casual shoes than dress shoes, as they should be waxed laces, IMO. No worries here, though, since I already have them in another pair of more casual shoes. The Meltonian shoe cream is self explanatory. I have some, and it works well. The single large shoe bag, though, seems almost worthless for shoes. What's the point of putting them together in a single bag and letting them scuff each other? I'll find some use for it, but not likely to store a pair of shoes.

The issues have to do with the process rather tahn the result. Home page of the website says "Ordering is as easy as 1-2-3". 1)Fill out order form. 2)Mail us your shoes. 3)Wait 2-4 weeks for return delivery. The whole process took a little over 6 weeks. I used the shipping bag they sent, which arrived in 4 days (they said 3-5) so that was good. There is a way to track your order, so when nothing was showing up after 7 days (as they instructed) I called. I was told it routinely took 8-10 days, and that the large Priority Mail lettering was old, and they used a different shipping service. I haven't investigated how that works, since I dropped it off at the Post Office. The shoes were thru QC on April 3, but not picked up by UPS until April 9, when they provided me with a tracking number. Shoes arrived to me April 16.

I was a bit surprised when the UPS notification showed that they were shipped Cross Border. Customer service confirmed when I called that the factory was in Mexico, but that she could see it out her window. The website clearly states the factory is in San Diego California. To say that the site is misleading is an understatement. I can think of many other adjectives to describe it. Now don't misunderstand. I have nice shoes that were made in Mexico. I knew that when I bought them and made the choice to do so. My issue is with the dishonest information provided on the website. And BTW, the CS person let it slip that the factory was moved over a year ago, so I don't buy the "We're working on the website" stuff.The quality of the materials and work was on par with anything I've had done over the last 20 years, but I personally will not be doing business with them again.

 

[johnniegold]

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate backstory. As for seeing the factory from their window, are they using the Hubble telescope?

Nevertheless, the shoes look great. I think the contrast between the black outsole and the upper makes it pop. Unfortunately, the company should have maintained the same color of the shoe as when you sent it to them. Although you just paid to have them re-done, if it really makes you unhappy, I'm sure any local cobbler can rectify that and it should be inexpensive.

Hopefully, you're dissatisfaction with the company will be outweighed by the many years of enjoyment that you will get from a great looking shoe from a company that was once at the forefront of American shoes and still is held in high regard today.

(Go on ebay and see what a pair of vintage Florsheims go for. )

And thanks for the write-up on your restoration experience.

As for Resto jobs, I think we now have:

Alden
B. Nelson
Cole Haan

and now.... NuShoe

I think we have enough for a compendium.

 

[Doc4]

Thirty years ago, I only wore Florsheim shoes, partly because that's all my father wore ...

... shoe from a company that was once at the forefront of American shoes and still is held in high regard today.

Growing up, my father always held Florsheims in high regard. Listening to him talk back in the 70s and 80s, you 'd think they were the "ne plus ultra" of shoes.

Anyone want to wear down Edward Green, Church's, Cheaney, or Loake?

... I'm an 11.5D ...

Is that a US 11.5? If so, I can put on thicker socks and help you out. My motto shall be "Cheaney delenda est!!"

 

[MichaeltheRomanHistorian]

Growing up, my father always held Florsheims in high regard. Listening to him talk back in the 70s and 80s, you 'd think they were the "ne plus ultra" of shoes.






Is that a US 11.5? If so, I can put on thicker socks and help you out. My motto shall be "Cheaney delenda est!!"

They are indeed US 11.5 and I am always gratified when a fellow forumite is willing to take one for the team here... For the Restoration of the Shoes!