Yo, BC or WA?

 

BC!

FWIW, I waa sad to read the stories about how businesses were leaving Portland's DT.

But clearly not limited to just Portland.

 

Things are getting somewhat better. I won't get into all of the city politics here, and there's still definitely room for improvement.

Thankfully most of those issues don't extend across the Columbia River.

 

AE

 

Meetings today, broke out my very vintage Lee Kee custom Sea Turtle in black. Bought these 15-20 years ago and they date to 1960's. Hand made in Hong Kong, his shop was tops, located in the lobby of the Peninsula Hotel attracting traveling businessmen/women.

Completely leather lined, cork footbed, and steel shank. Raised apron with leather piping, Norwegian toe.

Don't wear them often, but a treat when I do.

 

Wow sea turtle! Such a rare skin to see since it's been banned for decades.

 

That was why I was buying them late 90's to early 2000's on secondary market.

Same for Sea Turtle cowboy boots

 

Blunnies! Blundstone work boots, a Tasmanian institution, owned and made in Tasmania for over 100 years, but recently manfacture has moved off-shore. Known locally, and affectionately, as Blunnies.

 

Swaine, Adeney, Brigg & Sons

Beautifully Mellowed London Tan Chelsea boot in a full grain calf

Very vintage and high quality.

Amusing story when I bought these 25-30 years ago off e*b*y, insole picture stated Hush Puppy, listing stated Hush Puppy and I said to myself, “wow, I didn’t know Hush Puppy made a nice Chelsea boot!”

Received them, removed added insole to reveal a hidden treasure, virtually new.

conditioned only since, suburb comfort and timeless styling.

 

Question for you, @TexOmega - what is your go-to conditioner for a leather like this? I keep trying conditioners that are thick and end up slightly sticky when I'm done, turning the leather into a dust magnet for a couple weeks.

(so far I have tried Cobbler's Choice leather cream, Red Wing mink oil, and one more that I can't remember right now)

 

Thank you

This is my choice for many years

This brand will not darken leather.

Clean boot or shoe( brush) then use sparingly and let rest overnight, then add a touch more if necessary.

Operative word is “sparingly”. The amount I used on each Swaine boot(right/left)would sit on top of a US quarter, and not drip off.

I use my fingers to message it into the leather, after wearing the boots. The leather will be warm and accept the nourishment.


Now, you gotta buy full grain leather boots, the “corrected grain” leather will not accept the conditioner.

good luck

 

I can't speak for texOmega but I'm not a fan of mink oil because it tends to darken leather (but its waterproofing properties are great)

I use Bick 4 leather conditioner on most of my vegetable tanned leathers and have been doing so for a very long time. I see that leather conditioner often recommended for boots like red wing, alden, whites, nicks, thursday--- &c &c. It never leaves a greasy feel behind and I don't have issues with hair wanting to stick to the boots. The only time I have had any sort of an issue is when I was first starting out with leather boots and over conditioned, which would result in the conditioner coming back out of the creases and result in a kind of white cracking that could be easily brushed away. And that was 100% my fault because I was conditioning too much. A very small amount is all you need.

Saphir for Cordovan. In the case of Alden cordovan, whatever Alden color 8 wax paste cleaner they sent me because they insist that their color 8 is slightly different.

I am very curious as to texomega's response here because I have a feeling I could learn something. The man clearly knows how to boot.

 

Question for you, when was the last time you bought a bottle? I had heard this was discontinued. I have also read that it might be a repackaged version of Bick 4! That said, I've never used it or tried to buy it so I'm not sure if what I have heard is accurate.

Edit: Google. Looks like it was made by meltonian, SC Johnson. This Thread is an interesting read:
https://www.styleforum.net/threads/...n-edmonds-leather-conditioner-cleaner.650706/

 

I'm not a fan of darkening my leather.....I either "Like" the look of a boot or not.....The London Tan boot I show is a good example. I love THAT COLOR as it mellows out over time.


Bought my AE Conditioner 15-20 or so years ago after testing a few products. Bought a few bottles.....don't need much, as I stated.

 

Twice agreed. One of my regrets was using mink oil on a pair of boots that I loved, not realizing that my actions would permanently darken the leather and give them a completely different look. I guess we all break a couple of eggs when starting out in this business.

 

Thanks for the replies, @TexOmega and @ErichPryde. It does seme like the Allen Edmonds product has been discontinued - that style forum thread is full of people singing its praises and lamenting its disappearance. It must be good stuff. ...guess I was 10 years too late with my question, haha.

I'm going to try that Bick 4 and see how it works.

As for the mink oil... yah I learned that the hard way too. Used it on a pair of redwings and the color changed completely . It was what the manufacture suggested (I even used the Red Wing branded mink oil), so I was really surprised at how much it changed the look of the boot. Oh well.

Thanks again for the info!


Side note: I often buy a multiples of a consumable product that I really like. Sometimes I think I'm being a little obsessive, but this confirms I am not .

 

I don't think you'll be unhappy with Bick 4. A lot of people in that thread liked it and it's definitely one of the most recommended conditioners I've seen, and from firsthand experience and vs. other products, I know why.

 

It's been too long to remember but I chose AE for a reason(tried Bick 4,too).

Just try any product on the heal area(there is 2 inches) and wait overnight.....only do ONE so you have one to compare.

 

One of my favorite Shell by Crocket & Jones, very vintage, very appealing WAVE

 

A wet and cold day in Vancouver so the water-proof suede Heschung NSTs are called into service....