WALNUT shoes!

[Stetson912]

So they really are "built to last" hehe

How long will a pair of shoes be comfortable if maintained correctly?

[goody2shoes]

Oo that's a tricky question... If they are fitted correctly I suppose and your feet don't change ie  arches dropping or other conditions, a good pair of leather shoes should get more and more comfortable as the leather molds to your feet and movements... 

Its always good to keep shoe trees in them when not in use as shoes get soft and warm on your feet then cool down when you don't have them on and if they have creases in them or you leave them bent up in a wierd way they will cool and set that way and maybe rub when you put you're new days feet into them! 

Hope it helps I might just be babbling  

[Stetson912]

Makes sense, I've read that you shouldn't really wear your boots/shoes more than a day at a time and keep trees in em to keep them from changing too much. I was just curious what you found in your studies haha

[kiwican]

Those are awesome. The closest I have come to making foot ware is a pair of sandals 

[goody2shoes]

And I really struggle with sandles! Just can't get the placement of the straps right, they rub every time! 

How did you make yours?

:-) 

[Sanch]

Very nice work as you said its a labor of love and you definitely have it nailed down!! I just can't see me ever doing shoes! I've made all kinds of weird stuff even wrapped a motorcycle gas tank but shoes SHEEEW! Way out of my comfort zone! Great job!

[alpha2]

Your dedication and talent amazes me. "In my spare time I make shoes"...that doesn't even exist in my world! Good for you. In my spare time I make belts and holsters for me and bags and whatever she wants for my bride. 

I've kind of fallen into biker accessories...due to working with a Harley driver. Didn't see that one coming! I could do shoes if I put my mind to it. Hmmm.....Not everyone needs holsters, or knife sheaths, or biker accessories...but EVERYONE need shoes...

well, except for my wife. She goes barefoot in Colorado winters. That girl ain't right!

[kiwican]

3 hours ago, goody2shoes said:

And I really struggle with sandles! Just can't get the placement of the straps right, they rub every time! 

How did you make yours?

:-) 

pretty simple to make, I cut the sole rubber to the size I wanted, then cut the veg tan to cover the sole. I have one toe loop for the big toe and one for the arch of the foot. both were measured but taking a strip of leather and sizing it from one side of the toe and arch to the other. figured out how much wiggle room I wanted and then cut slits to feed the leather through. stitched them in place and then glued that to the rubber sole.

[goody2shoes]

Great, I'll give it a go! Somtimes simplicity is the way forward, I always make things so complicated I think I just enjoy getting myself in a muddle and working myself out of it 

[kiwican]

1 minute ago, goody2shoes said:

Great, I'll give it a go! Somtimes simplicity is the way forward, I always make things so complicated I think I just enjoy getting myself in a muddle and working myself out of it 

Lol that statement almost defines the British! and yes, I made mine in about an hour. Field testing has gone well!