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    Cowboy boots

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    • J
      jdl1279
      Joined:

      Here's something quite unique. Pirarucu skin boots by Boulet. Not sure if I like them or not, but definitely a different flesh. Should be super tough too. What do ya think @Chris ? Need a pair for your collection?

      Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • PeterP
        Peter
        啓蒙家
        Joined:

        That's fucked up, arapaima are red listed.. Also, super ugly 😛

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • J
          jdl1279
          Joined:

          Hmmm, didn't know they were. Seems those caught in the Amazon basin are, but the fish has been introduced in other areas and is considered an invasive species in some places. Boulet is typically above the boards on where their leathers are sourced, even eliminating their line of elephant as over harvesting has become such an issue. Curious where these are sourced now, will have to look into them further

          Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

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

            Saw some at the Lucchese store; they look a lot like anteater.  The guy at the store said the hides are really thin, which isn't a surprise, I guess.  Seems like a novelty, especially if they're being over fished and are going to be listed as endangered.

            Personally, my preference is for bullhide, shark or simple cowhide.  I also like elephant, which is only sourced from national governments that obtain the hides from animals that are naturally deceased or culled in accordance with international conservation practices.  Trade is tightly regulated under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) treaty.

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

              I like kangaroo. No danger of our runnign out of roos, and a great leather.

              Think it, be it.

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • J
                jdl1279
                Joined:

                I like all skins mentioned, but a straight oiled shoulder is likely my favorite due to overall durability, ease of maintaining, and how it ages.

                I am interested at having a pair built at some point. If I can find a maker that would tackle all of what I would like put in a boot.

                Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • 4c4
                  4c
                  Banned
                  Joined:

                  Elephant is awesome. I haven't been able to put a single scuff on my elephants… Nice rolling creases too, almost reminds me of shell.

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                  • ChrisC
                    Chris
                    Raw and Unwashed
                    Joined:

                    @jdl1279, you might have to leave Michigan, but it'll definitely be possible to get anything you want.  Dave Wheeler here in Houston does some astonishingly beautiful work and he's willing to try almost anything.  The pair he made for me were fairly straightforward, but we talked about a second pair that would have been much, much more eye catching.  Some of the El Paso based companies, like Rocketbuster, will do crazy custom work too.  Only limit is your wallet…

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                    • J
                      jdl1279
                      Joined:

                      What I'm thinking is something over built like White's or Wesco, but with a truely over the top vamp and shaft. If going this route everything from toe box, to bug,to leather choice, to upper stitching would need to be exactly what I wanted. Never looked much into customs like so, though sure someone is capable

                      Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • 4c4
                        4c
                        Banned
                        Joined:

                        Something like this?:
                        http://www.wescoboots.com/wesco/info.asp
                        http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=30303

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                        • J
                          jdl1279
                          Joined:

                          Yeah, if Wesco could tick all boxes I would certainly consider it. I've not seen upper stitching or toe boxes from them like what I have in mind. I have a list of builds to get into though, and Wesco makes up a couple of them. Priorities first (kids are expensive), but getting into one of them is high ranking

                          Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • 4c4
                            4c
                            Banned
                            Joined:

                            ^ Cool. I have been surprised more than a few times of things that are done as a special request, but are not advertised as being on the menu so to speak. 😉 😉

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

                              Digging back a couple of pages, I found my first pics of my Wheeler boots. As I said , pretty simple, but the craftsmanship is just magnificent.
                              @Chris:

                              Been meaning to post these for a while, but didn't dump the pics into my Photobucket account until today.  These are my newest acquisition- custom built by Dave Wheeler, one of the finest bootmakers in business today.
                              (click on the pictures for larger version)

                              Hand hammered steel shank arch support in the instep attached with two rows of wood pegs on each side

                              Varigated stitching done on vintage single needle machine, one row at a time

                              Lovely shrunken shoulder bullhide

                              Fully lined with a reinforced heel slide

                              Really, really happy with them…

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • J
                                jdl1279
                                Joined:

                                Me too, will be fun to see and discover as I start down the boot list.

                                Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • J
                                  jdl1279
                                  Joined:

                                  I like those Chris, a nice example of a quality built traditional boot. Over build the sole (double, triple, maybe a Vibram option) slight change to the toe and your real close to what I'd like in a custom.

                                  Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

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

                                    The Travel Channel went to Nogales, AZ.  While they were there, they stopped in at Paul Bond Boot Co.  Short, but kinda interesting.

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • R
                                      Red Devil
                                      Joined:

                                      I am interested in getting a pair of boots and thought this is a good reason to resurrect this thread, hope that's ok 🙂

                                      It doesn't seem like a good idea to go for a custom when looking to get the first pair, so I was wondering what would you recommend going for.

                                      I have found Heritage Boot in my research which seems like a good bet, but considering the serious knowledge displayed in this thread, I would really appreciate any advice 🙂

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • J
                                        jdl1279
                                        Joined:

                                        What type or style of boot are you looking for? If you're looking for best boot for the money without breaking the bank, I suggest Rios of Mercedes or Boulet. Olathe is decent too, but they are more built for an arena than the others

                                        Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • R
                                          Red Devil
                                          Joined:

                                          Thanks! I am not sure what to go for yet to be honest, but I don't ride horses, so I will mainly walk with these boots, that would mean the roper style would be best?
                                          Although I must admit that I like the look of angled heels, but not sure how comfortable they are for walking.
                                          As for the toe, I am wavering between a square toe or a rounded tapered one.
                                          Does that make any sense?  🙂

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • J
                                            jdl1279
                                            Joined:

                                            If you like square toes, I would lean Olathe or Boulet and get them with a Cutter toe. It's a blunt square that gives ample room and usually has a wider base 1 3/4 heel. I have a pair that I'll try to get a pic of

                                            Bourbon: because living in Kentucky just makes you want to drink

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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