D, White Hand made shoes?

[Ken]

Anyone familiar with this gentleman? The photos of his brogans look very good.

http://dwhiteshoes.com/index.php

[DougCooper]

Re: 1858 Bootee run from Colonial Williamsburg shoemakers

Anyone familiar with this gentleman? The photos of his brogans look very good.

http://dwhiteshoes.com/index.php

But the description gives one pause, to wit:

"The arches are reinforced with brass clinch nails, not exactly common practice for the period but it is certainly authentic and the extra strength insures the boot will withstand more abuse.

The heels are stacked from good solid leather and fastened securely with 30 to 40 square iron nails around the edges. Although authentic, these heels can be slippery on modern paved roads and sidewalks. At no extra charge, a modern less slippery rubber heel can be substituted for the final heel lift and the nails omitted.

Finish:
I like to make shoes and boots rough out, it just makes sense. A rough out boot puts the grain side of the leather against your foot and makes for a more comfortable shoe. I have read that U.S. contract Jefferson Shoes were supposed to be delivered smooth out but in an un-lined shoe like a Civil War Brogan I do not know why you would want to make it that way. Almost all 19th century shoes and boots designed for hard use that I have seen were made rough out. Some were made from very nicely finished leather and looked at first glance like a smooth out boot but on closer inspection the grain side was definitely on the inside. However, if you want a smooth out shoe give me a call and I will make it smooth out."

$275 is still a lot of money...but I see no evidence that the maker is using an original shoe or shoes for the reproduction. I would rather go $475 with Williamsburg and have no compromises or $200+ for MJN and a long wait for an excellent shoe.

Lastly, this is a tough one if you want to return them: "They must be in new condition and a restock fee of at least 20% will apply." Ouch - $55.

[AZReenactor]

Re: D, White Hand maade shoes?

I've broken this topic off into its own seperate thread from the 1858 Bootee run from Colonial Williamsburg shoemakers thread.

[ohpkirk]

Re: D, White Hand made shoes?

Doug,
The inclusion of the rubber heel might be so that interpreters at park sites will be able to wear them and not slip, etc. I know that several Texas Historical Commission sites here use the rubber heels for the brogans of the employees that aren't interpretive rangers (i.e. maintenance techs, curators, etc.) so that they can also look the part but not have to worry about falling their back while, in the instance of the maintenance tech, climbing ladders, etc., on the job.

[CJDaley]

Re: D, White Hand made shoes?

Doug,
The inclusion of the rubber heel might be so that interpreters at park sites will be able to wear them and not slip, etc. I know that several Texas Historical Commission sites here use the rubber heels for the brogans of the employees that aren't interpretive rangers (i.e. maintenance techs, curators, etc.) so that they can also look the part but not have to worry about falling their back while, in the instance of the maintenance tech, climbing ladders, etc., on the job.

Cody's right on the mark here. I know OSHA regulations at some historic sites mandate rubber soles and heals. We have historic ships at our museum and interpreters aren't allowed on board unless they have non-skid soles. Because they climb rigging and walk on the wet decks of the ships, OSHA and the insurance companies require this. So we have shoes specially made with a layer of rubber on the bottom.

I think people in our hobby would balk at rubber soles, but the shoes we have made have authentic uppers and an authentic sole, but have a rubber 1/2 sole and heal. Unless they are walking on their hands, it's hard for the visitor to the museum to tell the difference.

[prestontoprail]

Re: D, White Hand made shoes?

I inquired for some photos of his boots and shoes and did get some different pics and angles. Although the photo is in black and white (which detracts from the detail) , there still seems to be something interesting going on there.

For your viewing pleasure....

[J.H.Berger]

Re: D, White Hand made shoes?

Well judging from the pics I think he is not that bad. The heels of the shoes are too high( if uissue bootees) but the sole looks right, the ridge at the instep caused by the shank is correct, clinching nails used at the instep WERE used on some shoes during the CW. The shape of the last looks right too. More pics would be more helpfull of course.