ScottEnglish

Thanks to you all for your observations, contributions, and thoughts. Scott

Well, I have tried the contact adhesive and ground rubber mixture for soling moccasins. On several pairs. I walk a reasonable number of miles weekly on tarmac and concrete. I find the contact adhesive and ground rubber soling wears very quickly. Too quickly. One solution for extending the life of my mocs is to make the soling thicker by spreading more layers of the mixture on to the underneath of them. But it is time consuming and the fumes are unhealthy. The other solution, which is far more appealing, is to just use thicker leather for the soling. Probably buffalo. Or bison on your side of the pond. I would like to know whether the leather soles on the moccasins made by Arrow Moccasin Company are resistant to water. My experience is that leather soaks up water once the finish on the grain side is worn off. If the soles on the Arrow mocs are not resistant to water, then why do folk buy them? Scott

Thanks for the link to the video Aven.

Thanks again fredk. Mystery solved! I am grateful for your reply. Scott

Thanks fredk! Do you think the sole on the pair of mocs in the photo that I have linked to are made this way? I ask as I think the pair pictured are made with bison leather that is chrome tanned. Scott

Hi. Looking online at photos of professionally made moccasins the soles on quite a few pairs resemble leather that has been moulded. Here is a link to an example: https://img0.etsystatic.com/065/0/5624269/il_fullxfull.786041240_he1e.jpg Does anyone know how this is achieved? Thanks. Scott

Thanks for the useful information fredk.

Thanks chrisash. I will have a look at the EVO-STIK website. juck: I thought you might have forgotten the link! Thanks. Scott

Thanks jcuk for your input. To clarify, are you referring to Woodweld when you say it is used in the shoe industry or an Abbey England product? Scott

Thanks for the reply Grumpymann. Have you used Woodweld on footwear that has become sodden during use? Scott

Hello. I bought a tin of Bison Kit contact adhesive which I have used when making moccasins. Unfortunately, when they get wet the adhesive fails and parts separate. Having just looked on the manufacturer's website, this limitation is noted. Can anyone recommend an alternative contact adhesive that does not have this limitation? Thanks. Scott

Thanks Matt S. Scott

Why are awls for making holes diamond shaped in section and not round? Ta. Scott

Thanks Aven for the information about ground rubber and Barge cement soling. And the link to the video. Sheilajeanne: I didn't know red deer were related to North American elk. Thank you. Scott

Aven: Seems water buffalo is indeed a good substitute for bison. Very helpful for me to know that before I buy more leather. Can bison/buffalo leather be moulded? Thank you. Scott