Buckle Ghillie Brogues (customization)

[CMcG]

I'd strongly suggest attaching the buckles with snaps or velcro so they may be easily removed to polish your shoes, or to easily replace them should a pair of antique cut-steel or silver buckles come your way.

Velcro, excellent idea Scott! I hadn't thought of that. Snaps could also be easily inserted, a good cobbler could get this done, especially if one could provide a pair of buckle brogues that have this button/snap design, as a frame of reference. In any rate, being able to effectively polish the leather is very important...must have that 'spit-shine'!

Cheers,

Velcro is definitely an interesting idea. Has anyone field tested that? I've read of Xmarkers who have lost the snap-on buckles from their bar and buckles brogues...

I agree that being able to remove the buckles for polishing the leather is important. Lacing the buckles on also provides the ability to remove them but perhaps a bit of added security. In terms of ease, I usually take my laces off to polish anyway.

Besides being able to remove the buckles for polishing, are there other compelling reasons to have snaps or velcro attachment?

[Cygnus]

I don't think velcro would be secure enough, personally; especially if you plan to dance in these shoes.

I had my reservations about using the laces to secure the buckles, but I think the shoes look quite good now. I also usually remove the laces from my shoes for polishing. My only complaint is that the leather behind the buckle and the leather of the shoe are different, but, unless you attend a function for the vertically challenged, I doubt if anyone would notice.

My personal preference is for the buckle to be somewhat nearer the toe (which isn't a practical place for a buckle, but they're non-functional anyway) and for red laces - but those are both matters of taste.

[creagdhubh]

I don't think velcro would be secure enough, personally; especially if you plan to dance in these shoes.

I had my reservations about using the laces to secure the buckles, but I think the shoes look quite good now. I also usually remove the laces from my shoes for polishing. My only complaint is that the leather behind the buckle and the leather of the shoe are different, but, unless you attend a function for the vertically challenged, I doubt if anyone would notice.

My personal preference is for the buckle to be somewhat nearer the toe (which isn't a practical place for a buckle, but they're non-functional anyway) and for red laces - but those are both matters of taste.

I agree with the buckle needing to be nearer to the toe, however, it doesn't look completely terrible farther up, closer to the laces. Velcro may not be entirely strong, especially whilst dancing, great point. Perhaps attaching velcro with a super glue such as Gorrilla Glue? Maybe a wee bit extreme, and it would certainly never come off again without destroying that bit of leather! Perhaps not a very good idea there! You could just stick with the lace attachment, as it does look pretty good now. Up to you mate...still waiting to hear back from Gordy (P/M Gordon Walker).

Slainte,

[CMcG]

<snip>
My personal preference is for the buckle to be somewhat nearer the toe (which isn't a practical place for a buckle, but they're non-functional anyway) and for red laces - but those are both matters of taste.

As for the practicality of the buckle closer to the toe, you're correct that it might be a problem it was actually functional. That being said, I mentally shy away from having the buckle over the instep of the foot for the very reason that it would be where the shoe flexes. A decorative buckle shouldn't affect that flexing but it's funny how how my mind works

<snip> Perhaps attaching velcro with a super glue such as Gorrilla Glue? Maybe a wee bit extreme, and it would certainly never come off again without destroying that bit of leather! Perhaps not a very good idea there! <snip>

That is extreme! One big advantage of lacing the buckles on is that the shoes can still be worn without the buckles, which can't be said of the other methods that have been suggested.

[CMcG]

A few people have mentioned red laces and there are a couple examples in the images I posted. What about other colours?

[saxandpipes]

The cobbler is my plan B...

The advantage of lacing the buckles on would be that they can be removed and the shoes will still be wearable. And I save myself a trip to the cobbler Before I glue any leather to the buckles I'll try it out a temporary version and post pics to see what the rabble has to say about how it looks...

I suppose the cobbler-installed snap might look something like those that are used on some buckle brogues:

I'm also planning a similar conversion, but of course, I don't want to make my ghillie-brogues unwearable for the band (their otherwise purpose in life).

Very curious to see how you get on!

Cheers,

Michael

[saxandpipes]

A few people have mentioned red laces and there are a couple examples in the images I posted. What about other colours?

I've never seen (colour) photographic examples, but have heard that gold was also an option. I have seen a variety of colours on a website for dancers (where I was ultimately planning to get my red ones). I'll try to find the link...

Cheers!

Michael

http://www.highlandxpress.com/danshoe.html (the link)

and the pic:

[CMcG]

After some vigorous polishing of my scrap leather, I glued it into the buckles with Amazing Goop. After letting it set for 24 hours, it seemed like a solid join.

Lacing the buckles on hardly takes any time now that I know what I'm doing. I took pictures of the final lacing method, which has the first knot in a different place because of the leather and loops through the buckles one less time than the last set of pics.

The buckles are secure once the laces are tied up but the position can still be adjusted up or down to taste. I much prefer the look of ghillie brogues without being laced up the leg. Also, if I had used the long laces with the tassels it would have been more of a pain to lace the buckles on.

One more thing needs to be done now. When I tried them on, I was slipping all over the hardwood in my apartment! For safety's sake, I think I'll need some rubber put on for at least the heel, if not some for the ball of the foot too...

Any more thoughts on the final product?

[saxandpipes]

Well done man...

now for some red laces!

[cdarwin]

Quite impressive, indeed.