liammcl Report post Posted March 3, 2022 Hi, I have just learnt about the different types of leather used in shoes, boots eg nubuck, action leather, full grain leather etc I bought these boots as the manufacturer stated that they are "full grain leather" these are unused boots, and it looks like the leather has creased away from the base. Is this something full grain would do? (Portwest steelite s3 thor work boots ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ljk Report post Posted March 3, 2022 Well look at that ! This is not full grain "whatever that is" one A plated finished split with a plastic or acrylic coating two Top grain plated and finished. three The above cut on the belly, the wrinkles will always show up. four Final assembly may have ironed the boot and lifted the finish. five If expensive the price was based on marketing not quality. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liammcl Report post Posted March 3, 2022 Many thanks ljk, those were £30 boots, only bought because of the manufacturer stated that they were full grain leather. https://activeweargroup.com/portwest-steelite-thor-boot-s3-fw11-p3099/s54676 Below, are pics of Screwfix Site , Nubuck leather, which lasted 3 mths.. https://www.screwfix.com/p/site-amethyst-safety-boots-brown-size-7/2274R I don't think many people, myself included, know what they are getting with "leather"! I've also some sterling steel boots which apport to being full grain...at least they smell like leather, if that's a sign of anything ! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sterling-Unisex-Adult-SS807SM-Safety-10/dp/B001U0OEB0/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeRock Report post Posted March 4, 2022 (edited) Last photo, just above your index finger nail, is that cloth showing through or just an artifact from the computer.....sure looks woven. My boots are always Red Wing 2218 loggers, and they are leather..... and marked, made in USA! God bless Edited March 4, 2022 by MikeRock Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liammcl Report post Posted March 4, 2022 (edited) Hi Mike, that's the boot, it does look to have a fabric base. I've been in touch with the manufacturer of the black boots in the first picture, and they have confirmed that they are full grain leather. There's so much confusion ! Anywho, it's been a learning experience Thanks All Liam ps on a side note, for interest, the quality is going down of old classics https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/nov/30/are-things-going-wrong-with-the-uk-beloved-dr-martens-brand solovair is supposed to be a lot better quality .. Edited March 4, 2022 by liammcl adding Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJole Report post Posted March 4, 2022 6 hours ago, liammcl said: ps on a side note, for interest, the quality is going down of old classics https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/nov/30/are-things-going-wrong-with-the-uk-beloved-dr-martens-brand solovair is supposed to be a lot better quality .. My older Dr Martens (made in UK, actual leather) are still in decent condition (though the soles are worn). The newer ones...what is supposed to be leather is not, and the fabric/leather combination has torn at the heels of both shoes. I'm tempted to just make my own uppers out of real leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisash Report post Posted March 4, 2022 Full grain, Genuine leather, Leather and so on are not quality standards they are just marketing tools, Only Top Grain means anything Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rubicon04 Report post Posted March 4, 2022 For the price of the boots you listed, you are getting what you pay for, $50 boots are for the most part going to be trash and not made from leather. You can either by a new pair of boots every 3-6 months or buy an actual pair of boots and have them for years. I typically buy boots for $200-400.00 and they will all last me years and when the soles wear out you have them resoled. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liammcl Report post Posted March 5, 2022 16 hours ago, chrisash said: Full grain, Genuine leather, Leather and so on are not quality standards they are just marketing tools, Only Top Grain means anything Thanks, I have just realised that...I have wised up ! 11 hours ago, Rubicon04 said: For the price of the boots you listed, you are getting what you pay for, $50 boots are for the most part going to be trash and not made from leather. You can either by a new pair of boots every 3-6 months or buy an actual pair of boots and have them for years. I typically buy boots for $200-400.00 and they will all last me years and when the soles wear out you have them resoled. Thanks , I know that now. I think i'll get 2nd hand ones from gumtree as new condition for $25. I'll go for the replacing in 3 mths, as I like a change of bootery Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liammcl Report post Posted March 5, 2022 18 hours ago, DJole said: My older Dr Martens (made in UK, actual leather) are still in decent condition (though the soles are worn). The newer ones...what is supposed to be leather is not, and the fabric/leather combination has torn at the heels of both shoes. I'm tempted to just make my own uppers out of real leather. yes, I was looking at making some, that would be pretty awesome. but for me, I'll make do with the cheapo throw away ones, as I use them for leaflet dropping, maybe 3 hours a day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liammcl Report post Posted March 5, 2022 (edited) fools rush in Might try these brown ones.. full grain crazy horse ...mmmm https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323070069446 *edit* changed my mind..no protective midsole Cheers All Liam Edited March 5, 2022 by liammcl no midsole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted March 5, 2022 Now we go silly . . . I needed a pair of "work" boots a couple years ago . . . but not for anything that would be considered serious work. I bought a pair of lace up . . . high top boots . . . rubber cushion soles . . . think they were like 25 dollars American . . . turned out to be full . . . absolute . . . real leather. Actually a darn good pair of boots . . . and I'm still wearing them. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liammcl Report post Posted March 6, 2022 (edited) Just an update... as the boots were going in the bin... I took the plasticy top layer off, and scruffed the base it was bonded to. I think the weakness is the covering, because as soon as it flakes or allows water , mud to ingress, the boot becomes unsightly. I was half tempted to try and "rat look" he boots by taking the plastic cover off using nail polish remover (acetone)... Ps I have a better camera for close up pics, if anyone wants one, just shout Cheers Liam 20 hours ago, Dwight said: Now we go silly . . . I needed a pair of "work" boots a couple years ago . . . but not for anything that would be considered serious work. I bought a pair of lace up . . . high top boots . . . rubber cushion soles . . . think they were like 25 dollars American . . . turned out to be full . . . absolute . . . real leather. Actually a darn good pair of boots . . . and I'm still wearing them. May God bless, Dwight That is awesome ! ps loving your site...never seen a gun holder, tbh. Looks great . Edited March 6, 2022 by liammcl offer of better quality pic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted March 6, 2022 34 minutes ago, liammcl said: Just an update... as the boots were going in the bin... I took the plasticy top layer off, and scruffed the base it was bonded to. I think the weakness is the covering, because as soon as it flakes or allows water , mud to ingress, the boot becomes unsightly. I was half tempted to try and "rat look" he boots by taking the plastic cover off using nail polish remover (acetone)... Ps I have a better camera for close up pics, if anyone wants one, just shout Cheers Liam That is awesome ! ps loving your site...never seen a gun holder, tbh. Looks great . Just a note . . . I don't know if you can get the product . . . here it is called Resolene . . . it is an acrylic leather finish. Another one we use . . . it is a floor polish . . . called Mop and Glo. Cut either of them 50 / 50 with water . . . and brush the product on your shoes. Might take 4 coats . . . let em dry a couple hours between coats . . . might make those boots last you long enough to work out the cash for better ones. There is a fellow in UK . . . don't recall his name or website . . . makes some of the most beautiful holsters for the old .45 automatic from WW1 and WW2 days. Not sure how he managed to get and hang on to a .45 auto . . . but he shows pictures with it. Good luck. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liammcl Report post Posted March 6, 2022 43 minutes ago, Dwight said: Just a note . . . I don't know if you can get the product . . . here it is called Resolene . . . it is an acrylic leather finish. Another one we use . . . it is a floor polish . . . called Mop and Glo. Cut either of them 50 / 50 with water . . . and brush the product on your shoes. Might take 4 coats . . . let em dry a couple hours between coats . . . might make those boots last you long enough to work out the cash for better ones. There is a fellow in UK . . . don't recall his name or website . . . makes some of the most beautiful holsters for the old .45 automatic from WW1 and WW2 days. Not sure how he managed to get and hang on to a .45 auto . . . but he shows pictures with it. Good luck. May God bless, Dwight Many thanks Dwight , Great ideas, there! Interesting , how it seems the boot manufacturers have put a ,quite thick, waterproof coating on the boots, which when it comes off, leaves a crater ! Maybe the "leather" underneath was unsightly, and the coating served a dual purpose. Many Thanks to all who replied, it's been a learning experience ! Cheers Liam http://www.flipping-technology.co.uk/ . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted March 6, 2022 50 minutes ago, liammcl said: Many thanks Dwight , Great ideas, there! Interesting , how it seems the boot manufacturers have put a ,quite thick, waterproof coating on the boots, which when it comes off, leaves a crater ! Maybe the "leather" underneath was unsightly, and the coating served a dual purpose. Many Thanks to all who replied, it's been a learning experience ! Cheers Liam http://www.flipping-technology.co.uk/ . Didn't see a place there on your web site . . . where we could get hold of you . . . With these stinking electronic boxes . . . always needing some advice . . . not sure we could do that phone number . . . I'm used to not having to pay for any phone calls . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
liammcl Report post Posted March 6, 2022 44 minutes ago, Dwight said: Didn't see a place there on your web site . . . where we could get hold of you . . . With these stinking electronic boxes . . . always needing some advice . . . not sure we could do that phone number . . . I'm used to not having to pay for any phone calls . . . May God bless, Dwight well spotted Dwight ! As, I print flyers on the go , at home, sometimes , I have a different number on the flyer if I am trying a new area at the weekend, in far away place (eg 100 miles lol, bet that's nothing to you guys ) When I'm not working, I spend 3-4 hours walking the streets, putting flyers out, trying to drum up business., that's probably why the boots fall apart so quick. (looking on forums , work boots have a life expectancy of 500 miles, or about 6 mths) It's a great way to get exercise and see a local area. (I'm after a steel toe cap and a steel midsole, anti shock, and anti slip, and ones that look good for customers) Thanks for all the info , everyone. It's been fascinating to learn a little about leather ! Cheers All Liam Impressed with the brown one, sterling steel ss807sm (£30) ...time will tell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
