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What Shoes Are You Wearing WSYW

TexOmega
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Blucher Boots by James “Smitty” Smith
Okmulgee, Oklahoma

Blucher Boot began in the 1910’s in Wyoming eventually making it to Oklahoma where these boots were made.

Smitty still had old catalogs of the styles they offered back then and this is one.
He took over seems like he told me in the 1970-80’s. I bought them in the early 2000’s.

Inlaid leather butterflies in Robins’ egg blue.
Deep burgundy top, brown French calf bottom.

I sent him pictures and the name inside and he confirmed he made them when the location was in Okmulgee.

Not worn much when I bought them, luckily the fit is nice for my foot.
 
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FREDMAYCOIN
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TexOmega TexOmega
Very vintage Justin in SeaTurtle
TexOmega TexOmega
Very vintage Justin in SeaTurtle
What a kicking ass boot collection you have! Congratulations. I would love to see a group photo of all your boots.
 
TexOmega
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👍
FREDMAYCOIN FREDMAYCOIN
What a kicking ass boot collection you have! Congratulations. I would love to see a group photo of all your boots.


It would have to be a large Panaramic Shot!👍
 
TexOmega
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The “other” top design of Ray J
TexOmega TexOmega
Conditioned for the season......and favorite Cowboy Boot.

A Ray Jones Boot was never signed, look for his world famous Toe Bug, White Piping, Triple wood-Peg sole, Hand stitched upper design(I also have an example of his OTHER upper design, he only had 2, and you better have bought a lifetime of boots from him to get him to produce it) and the LOOK of a STURDY, WORLD CLASS BOOT at a glance.

Bought these 20 years ago from the son of the owner, worn sparingly then and I wear them at least once a month yearly.

Luckily, his foot and mine were close enough.

Study the hand-stitched sole and narrowed, bevelled waist, a Master Craftsman.



The “other” top design of Ray Jones

And at a minimum, 3 but looking closely, sometimes 4 wooden pegs. Stacked leather heel.

Built for the Big Bear Lake Leatherslap Founder, Ray Chapman. Originator of the modified Weaver Stance.

A bit big for me but thick socks make them an occasional wearing boot. Mostly a display boot.

Ray Jones was a bookmaker/leathergoods maker in Southern California prior to moving to Texas and from the information I was told at buying, Ray Chapman moved to Central Texas at some point and carried on his friendship. These boots were made in Texas.

that-pesky-ray-chapman, far left
Edited:
 
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CalgaryJim
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nzshadow nzshadow
I was a sneakerhead before that was a term.

In the 90s I lived in Jordan 5s & Reebok Pumps (yes, Reebok Pumps 😀
I then graduated to Adidas Shelltoes, I was never an AF1 dude, Always Shelltoes.

Then I got older & graduated to Vans, I had a massive collection of originals, limited editions etc etc etc. SK8-His & Slipons were my bag.

But decades of wearing sneakers combined with neuropathy from lower back surgery means my arches are utterly shot.

I have Plantar Fasciitis as well, some mornings I cannot walk at all & have to crawl around - not exactly elegant.

I have had courses of PRP injections, Steroid shots, the works. My feet are toast. So I simply can't wear flat shoes anymore.

Cue the most comfortable footwear I have ever owned, Blundstone 545s. If you have painful feet These are a Godsend.
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These things rarely leave my feet - I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Those and my OOFOS orthopedic jandals/thongs/flip flops. Not the coolest looking footwear I have ever owned but they save me from having to crawl in the mornings. Plantar Fasciitis is no joke.

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Have you tried Crocs? If you have, how do they compare?
 
Tony C.
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I am, for a number of reasons, a big fan of the Italian brand Dolomite. I wear them mostly in the winter, as they are waterproof, and also feature unusually tough and grippy soles. The build quality is excellent throughout.

Highly recommended!

Dolo9.png



https://www.dolomite.it/global/en/
 
ErichPryde
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TexOmega TexOmega
Ray Chapman. Originator of the modified Weaver Stance


I knew that name sounded familiar for some reason.
 
Duracuir1
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I have a couple of shoe/boot stretchers in my leather shop. Have a look at these Keens (I am not very keen on Keens by the way) and look at how effective a stretcher can be.

Letting you know in case you have something that is too tight. Your local shoe repair can stretch them.
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SydR
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Got the snow boots on as up in Swedish Lapland and there is plenty of the stuff to contend with.

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ErichPryde
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Just got my Alden 403s back from Alden Restoration- they'd seen some serious wear trekking all over the PNW and needed new soles and a bit of conditioning. Super happy to have these back! My littlest one helped me lace them back up yesterday. Wearing them today and it's like having an old friend back on the foot.

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