As a note for the future, lasted shoe trees (in cedar) are available upon request for the Balmoral Boot….price is $95. Please email, or comment, interest in this so I can decide if a further investment is reasonable.
Finally, I have worked with Saphir/Avel and they are now producing a cream designed for Shell Cordovan. The first 3 colors available are Bordo, Black and a Neutral, and I have asked them about developing the brown tones, and was confirmed that this is ‘in the lab’. Franco’s Fine Clothier has shipped alot of Medaille d’Or products, and was getting low, so they asked about putting together an order to replace and expand the offerings. I added some new products, and am excited to see the response to the beautiful Holiday Gift Box that Saphir does! As many know, I have a very good relationship with the owner of Avel, so I went ahead and placed an order that should supply them for about a year. You should be able to access this, as well as the Shell Cordovan Cream, in about a month – or less. I negotiated free shipping, so, of course, Avel put the goods on a boat. Not sure exactly how fast the boats float, but it ain’t a plane. No worries, the shelves will be stocked soon enough.
I’ve been helping them abit with the website, and hopefully will get it much more manageable soon…just trying to get everything done is some challenge. I know I need to get some links here so it’s easier to order, but please email me and I can handle any request directly until the on-line ordering is actually professional. I’m doing my best with some other issues going on as well, and I appreciate all the support and positive response to this venture! As you can see by the continual additions, things are going much better than even I had hoped.
Of course, I just paid for almost $20,000 worth of Shell Cordovan, SO BUY MORE BOOTS!
)
Ron
October 15, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I don’t know when I’ll get around to picking up bal boots, but if I did, I’d definitely be interested in lasted trees. The new creams sound sweet too.
October 16, 2008 at 2:44 pm
If I get the boots, I’m sure I’ll want the trees.
Regarding the Bal boot, have you set a price yet, and can you tell us what last it is on and describe the fitting characteristics?
Regarding the creams, I assume the new Bordo cream would displace the Renovateur/Mahagony mix previously recommended for SC #6 and #8. What about Whiskey? Is that what the neutral is for? In either case, would Renovateur still be recommended as a conditioner in addition to the new creams?
Thanks, as always, for your efforts.
October 16, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Hi Jon -
It will retail between $750 and $775….have not received the cutting report yet. The last is 3B, since I startd with last last along time ago for the future development of the line. 3B is a last that is the most popular in the Martegani line, and I wanted to stay with very Classic lasts in my own work, but the pattern of this boot just calls for this toe, IMO. I really liked the result.
3B fits 1/2 size big for all sizes under 11…sounds weird, but that, in reality, is how the lasting tape breaks down. And I have long experience with this last, so I know the characteristics. If you wear, say, 9.5 in most A/E, you would take a 9 in this one….if you wear a 12, your a 12.
As for the creams, I hope so. I’ll test it when it arrives, but it sure would be nice to have a ready made product instead of me breaking out half jars and mixing myself. I’ll know when I get it here and work on some boots. Whiskey is the color ‘in the lab’, but I don’t know what that means as far as availability time. If an Italian said that, it would be a year…the Spanish, I don’t know.
Ron
November 4, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Hi Ron,
WRT “Saphir/Avel and they are now producing a cream designed for Shell Cordovan.” I was always under the impression that Shell Cordovan requires a Wax rather than a cream becoz it contains plenty of its own natural oil, and doesn’t require to be soaked with an additional cream. So quality Wax Paste from Safhir/Avel suffice-it-to-be. Thoughts,
-Ike
BTW, The loafers are so classic
November 8, 2008 at 11:16 am
Hi Ike -
Well, I think everyone has their own methods and I certainly would not say they are wrong. For me, I have been using a mix of Saphir Renoveteur or Crema Nubiana and the appropriate color Saphir MDO Cream. I’ll make a seperate entry with some pics soon on how I work. Also, each factory finishes differently, so that can effect how care should be given as well…..we use a wet mix and sponge the boots in finishing – perhaps Alden uses a different method that paste wax does a better job of bringing out? I don’t know….for me, always a cream base. Besides, I trust Avel/Saphir completely – they are not just a company selling shoe polish, but are REALLY into the product; it’s their only business. From what I understand, the Shell Cordovan Cream was developed with the Carmina people, who have plenty of experience with Shell as well….I’ll stick with my method.
Ron
December 24, 2008 at 10:16 am
Ron,
Is the shell cordovan cream from Avel/Saphir available for order?
-Ike
December 24, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Ike -
Yes, it is here…..just a tough time to update from scratch during this week – it has been busy, thankfully! Sells for $9.50 and stocked in neutral, black and burgundy. Let me know via mail if you would like a jar or two…thanks!
Ron
December 28, 2008 at 8:07 pm
since you don’t have the color 8 yet, I’d like to order the burgundy. Should I call Franco?
Please advice.
-Ike
December 29, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Hi Zach -
Actually, you can purchase here:
cordovan cream
Ron
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