Cobblers?

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GarethS

·Aug 16, 2025

Greetings All,

I recall reading a great thread some years ago regarding favourite footwear. One member had a seemingly endless collection of fancy cowboy boots made from all manner of fauna.

Anyhow, I also recall there was some great advice given on shoe repair

I have a comfy pair of Clarkes brogues with plenty of life left in them but are a bit loose at the seams.

I took them to my local Timken's, UK members will be familiar with the high street key cutting, shoe repair and miscellaneous bodgers

The chap used a sewing machine to stitch a new seam. Worked great but lasted only about 6 months, before letting go

I don't think another machine seam is a good idea as the leather will end up too punctured so I'm thinking of hand stitching them.

Any advice as to what stitch & hand tools I should use?

Many thanks in advance
Gareth

 

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Davidt

·Aug 16, 2025

I can’t help other than to say have you tried to find an independent cobblers nearby?

I usually have a half decent pair of brogue boots (Grensons, Loakes etc) and I usually need a new sole every couple of years. The quality varies hugely (similar to watchmakers) so it pays to be picky about who you use.

 

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Evitzee

·Aug 16, 2025

Good cobblers are probably rarer than a good watchmaker these days. Ask around for a reference.

 

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GarethS

·Aug 16, 2025

Hmmm, a search for cobblers in Brighton/Hove, UK yields little except the usual high street key cutting, engraving types. I suspect the good ones keep to themselves. I shared a couple of beers one night with a local chap who made bespoke shoes. Never seen him since - should have asked for his number...

I have only a few inches of repair to make plus the existing holes so was planning to have a go myself with some decent waxed thread and the right tools

Question is what tools?

Hey @gatorcpa any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share?

 

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MRC

·Aug 16, 2025

GarethS

Hmmm, a search for cobblers in Brighton/Hove, UK yields little except the usual high street key cutting, engraving types. I suspect the good ones keep to themselves. I shared a couple of beers one night with a local chap who made bespoke shoes. Never seen him since - should have asked for his number...

If you're not far from Brighton Racecourse, even Epsom itself where there are many big stables, why not ask around where the jockeys get boots, saddles and other tack repaired?

 

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gatorcpa

·Aug 16, 2025·ΩF InvestiGator

GarethS

Hey @gatorcpa any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share?

This is way out of my lane. Besides, I’m not in the UK.

I do have a local shoe repair guy who is pretty good. I don’t know what he would recommend with those damaged uppers.
gatorcpa

 

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TimeODanaos

·Aug 16, 2025

GarethS

Hmmm, a search for cobblers in Brighton/Hove, UK yields little except the usual high street key cutting, engraving types. I suspect the good ones keep to themselves. I shared a couple of beers one night with a local chap who made bespoke shoes. Never seen him since - should have asked for his number...

I have only a few inches of repair to make plus the existing holes so was planning to have a go myself with some decent waxed thread and the right tools

Question is what tools?

Hey @gatorcpa any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share?

Only @Duracuir1 knows...

 

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Duracuir1

·Aug 16, 2025·Never Used A Kodak

A shoe repair shop will result in a perfect job. The closer you are to the toes, the more challenging it will be for you to hand stitch.

But since you feel adventurous.

Get barge cement. Small tube…

Get an awl…

Get Coats Extra
Strong nylon thread (brown spool).

Use your awl to rough up the pieces that you will join together.

With a toothpick, apply the Barge cement to both pieces.

Let the cement breathe for a minute or two, then press both pieces together.

Once set (see drying/curing time on tube), stitch.

Look up saddle stitch… you will need two needles. There are several videos for your reference.

Use your awl to perforate the existing stitch holes.

Apply shoe polish, put on a nice watch, some decent clothes, and enjoy the repaired shoe!

Edited: Aug 17, 2025

 

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GarethS

·Aug 17, 2025

Thanks @Duracuir1 for the advice.

Looks like all those materials are available here in the UK.

Time to search saddle stitch on YouTube

I’ll let you know how it goes

Gareth

 

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Waltesefalcon

·Aug 17, 2025

I used to have a good cobbler who lived about half an hour from me. He retired about five years ago and now I have to drive about an hour for my new one. He's an excellent cobbler but his wait time is always around two months because he has so much work.

 

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Charlemagne1333

·Aug 17, 2025

I have the same boot with the same issue.

We should start a support group. If you have any success would you have a go at mine, too? 😉

 

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Danwales

·Aug 20, 2025

There was an article recently about how cobblers in the UK are declining. A combination of fast fashion and people preferring to buy a pair of next to new shoes on vinted rather than spend £40 on a resoling. I used to be very big on Goodyear welted footwear and kept my local cobbler busy but iv had a little trouble with my feet and now sadly wear Clarks Original shoes which cant be resoled.

 

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GarethS

·Aug 21, 2025

Same shoes, same problem. Hmm. Perhaps a class action is in order.

 

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vbrad26

·Aug 21, 2025

Oh. Wrong thread...

 

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sheepdoll

·Aug 21, 2025

I was on a cruse once and a shoe fell apart. When we got to port I grabbed a tube of shoe fixing cement. Had to take it out on the balcony due to the fumes.

I used to have shoes resoled then took a shoe making workshop. Useful when I started making watch straps, since I already had many of the tools.