Requesting Input: Shoe repair service

[crabby]

We need input from all of you for a potential service. Please let us know how you deal with wear and tear on your boots and shoes, both military and civilian. Ladies, your feedback is most welcome also. We are interested in the level of interest for a period correct shoe repair service.

Thank you,

[FloridaConscript]

Re: Shoe repair service

brother crabb,
Recently I had a pair of CS shoes resoled by their original maker. Said vendor is a known quality in our community, but not an approved vendor. the shoes are about 115 new. I bought my pair used about 10 years ago. he charged 45 bucks to put on new soles. I covered shipping their, he paid it coming back.

[PogueMahone]

Re: Shoe repair service

John,

Are you considering doing repair at events as part of the sutlery? Or through the mail? Or both?

I think the last time I got soles and heels I used a local guy that was willing to peg them for me. Prior to him, I used a local bootmaker that handmade boots for country music stars. He learned the skill in the Oklahoma State Prison. It has been several years since I've had the need, though.

[41strifleman]

Re: Shoe repair service

While it would be interesting to see someone doing shoe repair at an event, the possibility of being overwhelmed quickly comes immediately to mind.
I would think that if you are thinking of doing period shoe repair you would first need to consider how quickly you can turn the repaired shoes around.
I have extra jackets, pants etc. Units have loaner muskets, but shoes seem to be the achilles heel (pardon the pun).
If you could turn them around quickly and get them back I would say go for it.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Shoe repair service

John,

Shoes can be a sizeable investment. Good shoes/boots can cost from $120 to almost $500. However, they take some time to wear to the point of needing repair. By that time, the original maker may be in the shoe biz anymore. So, to answer your question...
I'd probably seek out the original maker first. After that, any option for repair (starting with the most historically accurate) will be a substantial savings over a new pair.

Would I be interested in an authentic shoe repair service? You bet!!

[Possum]

Re: Shoe repair service

I desperately need to get my shoes repaired, so any kind of shoe repair from a reputable maker would be a welcome sight.

[PetePaolillo]

Re: Shoe repair service

I would love to see someone pick up the art of old time shoe and boot repair, using period techniques, materials and tools. It is becoming a lost art even in the modern era. We used to have quite a few great shoemaker/ cobblers in the area that could tackle repairing old boots and shoes. Now I only know of two in my county. They are not cheap either.

[TheRegularsDrummerCo.H]

Re: Shoe repair service

After my left sole came off I sent them back to the maker, and he fixed them for free. I tried a local Cobbler first but he said it was to far gone. So back to the maker it went.

[Rob Walker]

Re: Shoe repair service

I have sent tham back to makers but in some cases it was a pain to do so. I have also bought new shoes to replace worn out ones. I am in a situation now where I have a great pair od shoes in need of a few stiches here and there and new heels. Bottom line is, yes I would absolutley use an authentic shoe repair service.

[Grabenkater]

Re: Shoe repair service

If I cannot repair it myself, I take it to someone who can repair it. I can do most repairs to my own shoes. I actually added handforged heel irons to my new brogans this morning.

[Spinster]

Re: Shoe repair service

John,

Most definitely, mail or on site.

While my last resole should last a good while, it took a long time to find someone to do it right, and the feller also made me a pair. They are my favorite now, but I'm being careful where I even wear them, as the maker, well, God Rest Him.

[Outrider]

Re: Shoe repair service

John,

That would be a most welcome service Sir!
I've got a pair of hard luck boots you can start with right here...

Just waiting on the green light.

[Fenianboy]

Re: Shoe repair service

Had a local guy who learned pegging in Italy.Unfortunately he became ill and had to retire.I was all set to mail one pair out to Chambersburg to a guy Chris Daly id'd only to learn he was no longer doing them. In short I'd love a quality mail order service backed by the AC standards.

[MarkTK36thIL]

Re: Shoe repair service

I would say all four. It really depends on the type of repairs needed.

Something more serious like replacing a shoe sole would make me send them back to whomever made the shoe or maybe an authentic service. Minor repairs would mean I'd go to my local cobbler and put some temporary work in them until they really did need some sort of overhaul.

I don't know when I'll buy new again, but I would probably say when I just wanted to have another pair or when the shoes were beyond repair.

[sf46]

Re: Shoe repair service

I go to a local shoe repair store that has an older gentlemen working there who is able to do what appears to me to be an original looking repair job. Now I'd be interested in considering other options if I could get as good as or better work and a comparable or better price.