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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Show us your boots

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    • tatmantallT
      tatmantall
      Joined:

      Very strange, I wonder if it is something that has changed from different runs. Mine feels sprayed with something that has gave it almost a laquer -esque feeling. Oh well

      "I know to you it may sound strange, but I wish it would rain…"- The Temptations

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        superfuzz
        Joined:

        I wonder if the "toe tracks" on Blugrass's pair is just some kind of indentation that will go away, not anything added to the leather. Just a thought. (Edit: man we are a bunch of f-in nerds!)

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • tatmantallT
          tatmantall
          Joined:

          Toe tracks, were how many people identified the use of "old world techniques and I believe we're signs of how the last was removed… I'm thinking anyways, it's been awhile since I read the info on them but something along those lines... Ed, David, or MCL might be able to chime in....but if memory serves this is what causes it, it's nothing added.

          "I know to you it may sound strange, but I wish it would rain…"- The Temptations

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • mclaincauseyM
            mclaincausey
            見習いボス
            Joined:

            Wow, never thought of that, I always thought it was cosmetic.  I thought the upper was build onto the last and THEN attached to the sole.

            Think it, be it.

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • tatmantallT
              tatmantall
              Joined:

              Here you go, this confirms what I thought. A quick article I was able to track down…

              "Toe tracks are indentations/blemishes left behind from boot lasts during manufacturing.  A flaw that would normally cause a company to render boots a “second” is recognized by collectors as valuable and can add at least another bill to the final price." -from VEB's blog.

              • though it does not say it comes form the removal but... what happens is as it was removed the point of the toe would inevitably catch on the leather because of the narrow instep and this would create said "toe track". I believe you are correct that now they are generally built on the last and then soled, but I could be wrong. This is all information I have gathered from reading as much as I can; that does not guarantee that everything I read is 100%truth, but I try.

              "I know to you it may sound strange, but I wish it would rain…"- The Temptations

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • ChrisC
                Chris
                Raw and Unwashed
                Joined:

                Interesting.  I'd like to know more about that.  I've never seen the track in any boots other than a few engineers.  I know it doesn't happen with cowboy boots, and I'd expect the construction methods and lasts to be similar.

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • tatmantallT
                  tatmantall
                  Joined:

                  ill try to hunt down some other articles when I get a chance, I have seen it on a few "pecos" style boots on the Bay in the past. Right now gotta a paper I have to finish writing but will hunt some more info down and try to talk to VEB and see if I can get his commentary in here. It was not regarded as something good way back when, and was not intentional; however now, because of its sought after aesthetic appeal to enthusiasts the process responsible is being replicated to achieve this "desirable" effect. Same thing with the tiny hole on the back of the heel counter found on John Lofgren Engineers (though unlike the toe tracks I can not account for the reason for this detail) can also be found on many early engineer boots pre 1940-50s

                  "I know to you it may sound strange, but I wish it would rain…"- The Temptations

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • BluegrassB
                    Bluegrass
                    Joined:

                    Damn T, you know a lot about boots.  Thanks for sharing.  Very interesting.

                    I am agreeing with snowy and SF though that I sure cant see or feel anything in the toes of my RC boot but leather.  Full day 2 of wear and they are feeling better by a factor of 2 - heel slip barely noticeable and toes still softening up.

                    You can see the toe tracks a little better on the right boot here…

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • tatmantallT
                      tatmantall
                      Joined:

                      @Bluegrass:

                      Damn T, you know a minute amount  of the readily available information with regards to engineer  boots.

                      fixed this for you to more accurately reflect the extent my knowledge. 😉

                      Chris has a lot of great information on cowboy boots as well, he was kind enough to share an incredible amount of his information with me a few months ago. We all have our little niches, but engineer boots are actually what sparked my interest in cowboy boots.

                      "I know to you it may sound strange, but I wish it would rain…"- The Temptations

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • grabby22G
                        grabby22
                        Joined:

                        Red Wing 2913 Lineman Boots.
                        I applied mink oil on it last night. Can't wait to wear it later!

                        Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • S
                          Snowy
                          Joined:

                          @superfuzz:

                          How are they breaking in for you, Snowy?

                          Feeling good mate. Loosening up tons in all the right areas. 2 full days, 2 evenings. May have to add a 5th notch on the strap, but so far have not had any issues with the slippage. Feel like a million bucks strutting in these bad boys.

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                          • SeulS
                            Seul
                            Joined:

                            I found the old ad for my Grensons!..

                            http://www.styleforum.net/t/98307/grenson-wwii-combat-boot-waxed-leather-us-9d-e

                            Five years later…

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                            • BluegrassB
                              Bluegrass
                              Joined:

                              handsome boots - very unique… liked the old WWII pic in the style forum ad.

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • tigerpacT
                                tigerpac
                                Joined:

                                Looking good mr pig

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • Chiba J.C
                                  Chiba J.
                                  Joined:

                                  Before and After pics of my Lofgren Engineers.

                                  Before

                                  After (8 months)

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • mclaincauseyM
                                    mclaincausey
                                    見習いボス
                                    Joined:

                                    Epic Chiba. Just epic. Congratulations on those beauties!

                                    Think it, be it.

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • tatmantallT
                                      tatmantall
                                      Joined:

                                      Those are tempting…

                                      "I know to you it may sound strange, but I wish it would rain…"- The Temptations

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • Chiba J.C
                                        Chiba J.
                                        Joined:

                                        ^^ Thanks guys. Badalassi has turned out to be a lot tougher than I initially thought.

                                        I haven't applied anything to them yet. Thinking about it though…...

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • mclaincauseyM
                                          mclaincausey
                                          見習いボス
                                          Joined:

                                          I read somewhere that the Baldalassi people say they don't need anything

                                          Think it, be it.

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • Chiba J.C
                                            Chiba J.
                                            Joined:

                                            Yeah I think I posted that. That's what I heard from Fujita at Mushmans, who heard it from Mr. Badalassi. Still thinking about putting something on though…...

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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