Scotch eggs

Cordovan lost the plot when it became fetishized by the trad crew in orgasmic #8.

Scothgrain it is!

I've been dreaming about some color 8 cordovan PTBs as of late; unsure where to turn. Ideally, a vintage old stock pair of mid-century Hanovers would be the answer, but it's a game of time and chance, and after having done serious damage to my hooves in younger years (all those nights of frugging around in pointy toed chelsea boots) I'm leaning towards the new market. Just wanted to get some collective thought and feedback from the forum. Also, getting back to the topic at hand - is there any match more perfect than cordovan+corduroy?!?

Weirdly I just pulled the trigger on these before this thread came out

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391320377520?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Advertised as pebble grain and Cordovan

Listed as O'Sullivan but snooping around I think that's just the heels - I think Executive Imperials were made by Mason shoes based on something else I read

I think they're a cheaper version of original Florsheim - but seemed in good condition and price is low enough to avoid customs so worth a punt

I would say cordovan is more 'American'. Pebble grain and scotchgrain are pretty Ivy..  although scotchgrain is also very Austro Hungarian... Very 'Vienna'...

what Woof says is wise Ollie, Aldens should be fitted in person to see if they work for you ... they made orthopedic shoes for various problems and they all have steel shanks so they have the potential to provide good support ....

the Barrie last, which is what the plain-toe blucher is on, is very comfortable for me personally

haven't tried Allen Edmonds yet ... not sure whether Brooks carried them all those years they were selling all those Aldens but Brooks was Alden territory .....

it's a trick question though, cordovan, grain, calfskin, and bucks were all Ivy essentials as were off-white canvas sneakers

when you go to the Alden shop compare the soles of the new ones with the pics of the eBay ones, which have been resoled ....

maybe ask the people at the Alden shop if the used ones you're considering could still be resoled by Alden, sometimes they won't take them in for refurbishment if they've been resoled elsewhere ... maybe it doesn't matter if you've got a good shoe repair shop 

the price is nice with the used ones, you can try them out and take a shot, and if Alden will refurbish and resole them back to stock when it's time, that would be a cool bonus, try to find out from the shop or the company ....

Last edited by stanshall (2015-11-18 22:29:13)