Working Shoe for Young Exec

[BallGag]

Urgh, tempted.

Carmina Shoemaker Quarter Brogue Derby in Burgundy Shell Cordovan – Gentlemens Footwear

 

[thundermarch]

I'm sorry
"giving the shells a good creaming" sounds very wrong
But you get what I mean

 

[BallGag]

I think you are right. Thinking about my purchases, I think I am going to cancel my remaining order and go with Carmina

Not to deny Meermin of any business, but yeah that would be wise. "Rest" a little, and sort this little issue out with Meermin first. More shoes can wait, we only have two feet.

Classic line is still good value for money, and the recently-discontinued individual MTO service was great as well(slight communications issues aside), but once you are past 300 euros then more options open up.

 

[thundermarch]

Not to deny Meermin of any business, but yeah that would be wise. "Rest" a little, and sort this little issue out with Meermin first. More shoes can wait, we only have two feet.

Classic line is still good value for money, and the recently-discontinued individual MTO service was great as well(slight communications issues aside), but once you are past 300 euros then more options open up.

Oh well, shrugs
Thanks
Few days ago I ordered a C&J Finsbury in Chestnut. Am hoping that one turns out real nice
The folks at pediwear are very helpful
Pity I must wait for quite awhile before the shoes are ready

 

[BallGag]

On a more positive note
I also received my Carmina shell cordovan navy wholecuts and black split toe single monks.
Finishing and overall quality I think is definitely excellent.
Surprisingly the single monk in simpson last size 9 fit very nicely and was not loose in any way.
However, the shell wholecut in rain last size 8.5 was suprisingly more loose. I had a noticeable heel slip in my left foot.
I will post pictures later
But I am slightly concerned that in the long term this will cause problems with the shoe (more creasing / folding of leather at the instep / outside of the foot and ankle area)
Im hoping you Bros could give some suggestions.
Also, I intend to give the shells a good creaming and polish first before wearing them. I do not have the deer bone yet.
Is it ok to apply Saphir Cordovan creme (neutral) then Saphir wax (navy) without using deer bone?

Nah, don't do anything to the cordovan. Brush it down, wear it, love it. Cordovan doesn't need to be babied. Especially not before the first wear. Trust me on this !

 

[BallGag]

I'm sorry
"giving the shells a good creaming" sounds very wrong
But you get what I mean

First you bone your shoes. Then you cream 'em. Then - oh, nevermind

 

[thundermarch]

Nah, don't do anything to the cordovan. Brush it down, wear it, love it. Cordovan doesn't need to be babied. Especially not before the first wear. Trust me on this !

But would that extra care be beneficial to the shoe in any way?
if yes I would do it

 

[LapCheong]

This pair sold for 320 euros. 256 without tax.
This is not cheap by any means and in fact is close to a pair of non shell cordovan carminas. And the carmina shoes i received yesterday are tip top.
So i don't think i "got a really cheap deal and should accept all defects"

Din realise you're paying more for the LM line, but if i ain't wrong they outsourced their leather to China regardless of the classic and LM line right? But then again, i would be really disappointed if i'm paying higher but instead got something below my expectations.

On a side note... darn.. Surfed skoaktie and saw they got a penny loafers on sale for 310usd, sadly there's only UK8 for it

It's my first time reading in deer bone. I din know cordovan shoes need a bone to polish it.

 

[BallGag]

But would that extra care be beneficial to the shoe in any way?
if yes I would do it

The neutral cordovan polish will take away some of the cordovan's natural shine. Shell cordovan is naturally "oily" so you don't have to worry too much. Beyond that, there are many different schools of thought for how shell cordovan should be maintained, google a little bit, and go with the one that appeals to you the most. My cordovan shoes are longwings though and I use them very casually, so I just beat them up and brush them a little bit when I need to.

 

[thundermarch]

The neutral cordovan polish will take away some of the cordovan's natural shine. Shell cordovan is naturally "oily" so you don't have to worry too much. Beyond that, there are many different schools of thought for how shell cordovan should be maintained, google a little bit, and go with the one that appeals to you the most. My cordovan shoes are longwings though and I use them very casually, so I just beat them up and brush them a little bit when I need to.

Thanks man
I'll go look at some videos and have a think

By the way , anyone have experience with the Inca last ?
I think Carminas will be the way to go for me
And of course.... Vass in Oct .... I cant wait

 

[thundermarch]

The neutral cordovan polish will take away some of the cordovan's natural shine. Shell cordovan is naturally "oily" so you don't have to worry too much. Beyond that, there are many different schools of thought for how shell cordovan should be maintained, google a little bit, and go with the one that appeals to you the most. My cordovan shoes are longwings though and I use them very casually, so I just beat them up and brush them a little bit when I need to.

Do you have any suggestions with regards to the heel slip on the wholecuts
Am pretty surprised since my 8.5s on the hiro / park last and the simpson 9 feel very nice.
Kind of throws me off in terms oy my sizing
My only guess is that the Rain is a pretty generous last , kind of akin to the Loake Mayfair and I should have sized down from my normal 8.5

 

[BallGag]

Do you have any suggestions with regards to the heel slip on the wholecuts
Am pretty surprised since my 8.5s on the hiro / park last and the simpson 9 feel very nice.
Kind of throws me off in terms oy my sizing
My only guess is that the Rain is a pretty generous last , kind of akin to the Loake Mayfair and I should have sized down from my normal 8.5

Sounds like you have low instep; Rain won't be good for you. If Simpson fits for you, congratulations, it's the narrowest last. This means that you should avoid Inca and Rain though. As for how to "solve" the problem, unfortunately you can't. Either use tongue pads, or just wear the shoes as they are.

 

[thundermarch]

Sounds like you have low instep; Rain won't be good for you. If Simpson fits for you, congratulations, it's the narrowest last. This means that you should avoid Inca and Rain though. As for how to "solve" the problem, unfortunately you can't. Either use tongue pads, or just wear the shoes as they are.

Dude i think you're right.
I have flat feet. The lowest possible instep. Of
Oh well. The shoes still look damn good. I think i can live with some heel slip.
Lol

 

[cheunghowai]

Hello Zackary,

Do you happen to know if there is anywhere we can buy Carminas in Singapore?

I bought before at Armoury when i was in HK, i wear UK 9 in Rain Last but im looking to get a single monk in Alcudia last but im worried on sizing. Would be great if i could try on the sizing.

Regards,
Ho

wanted to buy a pair of double monks from carmina so i decided to check out the online prices

sharing my research with you guys

1) armoury
5550 hkd including shipping
SGD $900 ~


2) unipair
679 000 KRW (not sure about shipping)
SGD $820~

3) Skoatie
3100 sek including shipping
SGD $670~

4)Gentlemens footwear
545USD including shipping
$670~

pardon me if the prices are not accurate

 

[thundermarch]

Hello Zackary,

Do you happen to know if there is anywhere we can buy Carminas in Singapore?

I bought before at Armoury when i was in HK, i wear UK 9 in Rain Last but im looking to get a single monk in Alcudia last but im worried on sizing. Would be great if i could try on the sizing.

Regards,
Ho

I have a pair of simpsons in 9. Single Monks. Apparently alcudia and simpson lasts are v similar. I dun mind letting u try

 

[thundermarch]

Hello Zackary,

Do you happen to know if there is anywhere we can buy Carminas in Singapore?

I bought before at Armoury when i was in HK, i wear UK 9 in Rain Last but im looking to get a single monk in Alcudia last but im worried on sizing. Would be great if i could try on the sizing.

Regards,
Ho

Hmm sorry on the other hand i think it wun be a good fit. On the rain im probably an 8.
Simpson 9 will be too small for u

 

[zackary]

Hello Zackary,

Do you happen to know if there is anywhere we can buy Carminas in Singapore?

I bought before at Armoury when i was in HK, i wear UK 9 in Rain Last but im looking to get a single monk in Alcudia last but im worried on sizing. Would be great if i could try on the sizing.

Regards,
Ho

we can arrange to go and see what's the selection they have at KS once they come in. in any case i'm quite ready to buy, worried about the sizes running out too soon.

 

[thundermarch]

It happens fairly frequently, among some other things, Some are fine with it, some are not, and usually get replacements or refunds in some cases. It's happened to me before, and I've also experienced some issues with the welting. For me, I don't really care, and I've never bothered with getting a replacement or refund. I understand how thundermarch feeling though.

Read the blog post below if you have time :

Managing Your Shoe Purchase Expectations – The Shoe Snob Blog

That's a good read. It's definitely written with a clear, level head. I'm just wondering now, for something under £300, what are the level of defects we should realistically expect to get.
I definitely don't want to come across as unreasonable, since, say, a £295 shoe comes to sgd 590. Which looks pretty darn expensive to me and i'd be damned if it's not pretty darn good to boot. Pun intended

 

[fumbles]

WTS - Brand New Church's Hawthorn UK7 Wide (G) - $600 (negotiable)

Hi,

I'm selling the above pair of shoes which was was bought for me from the UK but unfortunately doesn't fit. It's a great looker, and perfect for work or any special occasions!

No box as there was no space for it in the suitcase, but comes with the cloth that was in the box.

Text me at 9687O31zero if interested.

Thanks!

 

[All in a Day]

Hi,

I'm selling the above pair of shoes which was was bought for me from the UK but unfortunately doesn't fit. It's a great looker, and perfect for work or any special occasions!

No box as there was no space for it in the suitcase, but comes with the cloth that was in the box.

Text me at 9687O31zero if interested.

Thanks!

Size n brand?