shoes

[ScottishShoemaker]

Well done mate that was very good, a lot of words I've not heard in along time, when I first started out there was 10 shoemakers working in the workshop, now its only me. Once again well done.

[RedBeard]

Thank you for posting all those incredible photos and your incredible craftsmanship

[be da veva]

Truly amazing. Thank you.

[The Barry]

Those shoes are simply amazing, and very dangerous for a willpower-challenged shoe-whore like myself!

[rodandy]

WOW. I sit here with my "deer in the headlights" look, dumbfounded. I had no idea just a few weeks ago that there was anyone left who could do this kind of work...

[DWFII]

Thanks to everyone who read and commented about the essay.

As for people still doing it...25 years ago there were probably fewer than there are now. Times have changed. In my generation quite a few young makers...when we were young...were frustrated by the secretive and closed-lipped attitude of a generation that grew up in the depression. And we set out to change it. People (myself included) devoured every known source and some that were almost unknown. Then they (myself included) began teaching and sharing to a degree that probably had never happened before.

As a result there has been a minor resurgence of interest around the world...but most importantly here in the States where history, "traditions," arcane skills, and almost extinct Trades, are less valued than abroad.

That said, there are still many bespoke makers working in old, long established shops in England and the continent. Handmade shoes never seemed to go out of fashion in London, Paris, Rome or Budapest.

[Rob Wright]

DWFII, thank you for the essay and pictures, I thoroughly enjoyed the information.

Rob

[Cerebite]

DFWII thank you for the lesson in Cordwaining [?sp].

Could you comment on Hobnails and whether they are still done or used at all or completely lost to a flood of "Vibram waffle out soles "?

Would they have been the only or preferred method of adding traction to a shoe or were/are there other methods?

[DWFII]

You are welcome.

Hobnails...hoo hum...been a long time since I've seen hobnails used. As to whether there were other methods of adding traction or not, I can't say for sure. I've never seen nor heard of any other method prior to the advent of traction soling like Vibram. But the Victorians, in particular were endlessly inventive...coming up with devices and implements...at a rate that would astound the casual observer today.

I suppose that the "caulks" that were, and are still, used in loggers boots might fit into that category of "added traction."

Hobnails are still used today. You just have to find someone who has access to a box of them. They are just 'nails' after all and can be driven onto a good bark tanned outsole quite easily. I still have a few, as well as a few "Hungarian nails," which are similar but square headed.

Any shoe repair shop in a major metropolitan area can go to his local "finder" and ask for them. He might very well have a better than suspected chance of turning a box or ten. These places are almost archaeological digs in themselves with dark basements where tons of nails and rubber soles and all sorts of arcane materials that are no longer in common use can be found.

PS...I may be getting hobnails and Hungarian nails mixed up (it's been a while)...I was out in the shop this morning and digging through my own midden heap uncovered a box of "cone head" Hungarian nails. They look a lot like what I remember hobnails looking like.

[vorpallemur]

Any shoe repair shop in a major metropolitan area can go to his local "finder" and ask for them. He might very well have a better than suspected chance of turning a box or ten. These places are almost archaeological digs in themselves with dark basements where tons of nails and rubber soles and all sorts of arcane materials that are no longer in common use can be found.

New hobnails are made today. Civil war reencators and the like are the main market, I think.

Beautiful work ,by the way!