Spot on reinvention by C&J's:
http://www.crockettandjones.com/news/index/aw16-russian-grain
It looks every bit as good, and can actually be worn. It presumably has the root beer smell too.
I'd like to say that this makes a fool of all the people that vastly overpaid for the ocean bottom curiosities, but I'm pretty sure the lore was the real appeal. I'd always been skeptical of the "lost art" claim, and am eagerly awaiting the true believers to tell us how this is not the same. I don't see mention of reindeer hide but rather Ox, whatever that means.
New and Lingwood had the salty ship wreck reindeer variety back in the late 2000's, they were around GBP1200, now C&J's interpretation is eminently a more attractive solution. I'm not keen on the soles though, standard Dainite would have done the trick. I'm interested.
iGents, start yer engines....
and why limit oneself on russian leather. there must have been so many sunken ships...
Nice to see that they've basically reintroduced the Veldt model for the half shoe.
These really come at a premium price point. The upcharge from a standard Grasmere is 175 Pounds and 160 from a Snowdon, without the Veldtschoen construction.
@Hepcat
These soles are actually quite good. I think EG mostly use them for their rubber soles. They're not as invisible as a Dainite but quite usable on both rougher and slippy surfaces.
Last edited by Johnny's Lobbster (2016-10-02 18:52:52)
I have no doubt as to the proficiency of the sole, it's purely aesthetic reasons, it's a country mile too far for my tastes.
Doesn't have the distinctive beauty of the old reindeer, but it is still decent. I tried to find an excuse to order shoos in the old reindeer leather but just couldn't find the right reasons to do it.
Been waiting months for a good thread like this. I check in every day but haven't had a good enough reason to post.
http://www.museumsincornwall.org.uk/The-Metta-Catharina-Exhibition/Events/
Very few shoos look good in the old reindeer leather, but there was a brilliant reverse welted double brogue made in this leather by a top European maker and it was one of the most amazing looking shoes l have ever seen. I think it is in the Vass book.
The old reindeer leather isn't supposed to be used for shoes and they usually develop rips and tears after some wear. The were one or two examples on Styleforum some time ago and Simon Crompton's double monks don't look too good aswell.
@Hepcat
With regard to the pound, what do you think? Buy now or wait some more? Currently C&Js in the UK are about 60€ less than in continental Europe.
Doesn't that make the C&J's version much better, improving on the originals by using a more durable leather?
Of course, great to see that someone made the effort of creating a similar product. The 'original' just has a very ditinctive feel and smell so it'll be interesting to see what this is like.
I'm really suprised with the path C&J is taking. They've started to introduce lots of new models and lasts over past two years along with regular increases in price.
A fancy new marketing campaign for selling stamped leather shoes at a higher price. I wonder if the leather is corrected grain. No need for full grain leather with that stamp pattern, as any imperfections will be hidden. The whole point of the "sunken crust" leather was the fact that it was: 1) from that ship & 2) reindeer leather.
If the imperfections are hidden and if it's not going to impact longevity, what's the problem?
C&J's focus on excellence of quality and solid no-nonsense work horses, I have no reason to believe this is anything other than what they do better and more cost effectively than their much more expensive and dainty rivals.
That's true. Sometimes you could get lucky at other online stores but nowadays they're mostly sold out aswell. To my suprise my local dealer can get every model in normal time.
They're certainly milking the customers in their shops abroad. The boot from above is 650Pounds that's ~740€/830$, their asking prices in Paris/New York are 860€/1100$. I know that' be a bit simplyfied but still quite astonishing.
EG have just increased their prices again, now starting from 1k€.
I remember when a Malaysian store was selling very cheap C&J. You got their price (in Ringgits) and Pediwear would match it in sterling.
Nice little ploy. Then C&J stopped supplying the Malaysian store.
http://plal.com/store/index.php?page=crockett-and-jones
"If we don't have it, sorry we can't order it.
Crockett & Jones don't like us selling their shoes at affordable prices."
Last edited by Kingston1an (2016-10-06 14:09:59)
Reinforces that it was a wise decision to stock up on C&J's over several years: 2 x Conistans, 2 x Chukka boots, 2 x, etc, etc.
In the future there will be a C&J's awakening!
C&J is still my #1 supplier and I hope they are going to keep up the quality.