^ one of those rare occasions where the balance of mass production and handcrafting methods produce a superlative product.
It starts going wrong for Florsheim in the mid-80s when it outsourced it's production and got rid of it's engineering department (which as a result stopped producing it's own lasts).
Well, I love Topys but a Rendenbach sole doesn't need a Topy... Topys are great, Viennese shoemakers of highest standards use them on good leather soles for winter shoes BUT: the construction shall be traditional with a good leather sole. Then a Topy beats a Dainite every second! (Dainites are nice for foul weather but a good leather sole with a Topy or Vibram Half sole is far superior)
Reason: the whole construction is much stronger and lasts forever - if the Topy is worn out you just change it. In case you don't want it anymore the cobbler adds a thin layer of leather instead of the Topy and the same process is possible again...
(I know this fom a friend who does business with Mr. Maftei in Vienna, who is one of the best shoemakers in Europe)
That said, the resole on a Florsheim Imperial Longwing should be done with a Rendenbach double sole IMO - just as Brody's
Last edited by Leer R. (2016-04-28 06:27:10)
I miss those stick on soles that Woolworth used to sell.
The ones that came in different shoe sizes; not the one-size-fits-all that you trim to suit.
They did a great job for a couple of quid.
Same as Blakeys or the Triumph brand segs - a lot cheaper than paying a cobbler to flush fit the metal and just as effective.
Last edited by Kingston1an (2016-04-28 08:29:53)
Wearing the penny strap Weejuns today. I love them as much as the beefrolls; I just love them differently. A certain someone, however, told me that I need a pair of loafers by Alden. I told her that I concur.
Great stuff and good to see some nice thick cuffs too!
Yep. Man after mine own heart with those cuffs, Dermeister. I go for 1.75 with my O'Connell's.
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Great stuff Derm. Unless you're in a position to shell out out $$$ for top o' the range made-in-USA stuff, NOS is the the way to go with loafers. Having said that, I get great wear out of my Dominican Republic-made Sebagos. I wouldn't pay full whack for them though...
Stockholm appears to have about 1% of the stress of London btw. The controls on rent probably help - the cost of renting in your capital is lower than it is in my not particularly desirable city (which is some distance from our capital).
Last edited by Yuca (2016-05-03 11:49:55)
I myself prefer oxblood, too. But sometimes black can work, too - especially when paired with navy suits. I never wear loafers with navy suits but I think I'd wear black tassels with a navy suit...
Last edited by Yuca (2016-05-04 07:59:01)
Black shoes are just for weddings, funerals, court appearances etc, in which case lace ups are better anyway.
Last edited by Yuca (2016-05-04 08:15:47)
I'm pro-black shoes, just for the record. But I also regard Yuca as a man of taste. So I'll refrain from calling him a big dummy.