Bedo: My grandfather came from Russia in 1910 and had a repair shop in Annapolis. I'm sure he didn't have a clue as to how much you can do to bring a great pair of shoes back to life. All his kids became Doctors, Lawyers, Real Estate men... You are a treasure my boy, a real artist, and a pleasure to watch. I have one Allen Edmonds pair but they were so narrow I couldn't wear them anymore. I wish I had given them to you. As stated a millions times you are and artist and a real craftsman. Maybe I will send a pair of Belvedere Ostrich or Gordon Rush pair to you when they go...Italy or England...These are wonders you preform. I love the tools and your incredible hand skills and eye. You could have been a surgeon; but you wouldn't have been so happy. What a man for all seasons of footwear.
Again and again you enlighten me ! I don’t care if I watch a brand new or in this case a 5 year old video I enjoy watching your work AND I enjoy the fact that you not only show how but in non-boring detail ! Thanx for taking the time to show and explain your most awesome work ! Thank You
The re-crafted AE Dalton Shell Cordovan pair of boots looked better than the original. I know what I am talking about because I have a pair of AE Dalton Shell Cordovan. I am 82 years old and I have been wearing Shell Cordovan shoes made by Alden, Allen Edmonds & Forsheims since 1958. Florsheims’ shell cordovan shoes were of excellent quality and it is too bad/very sad that they stopped manufacturing the shell cordovan shoes. However, it is a blessing that Allen Edmonds and Alden continued to manufacture shell cordovan shoes of various last & styles. At this age (82), I still rotate wearing 9 pairs of shell cordovan shoes on various work and/or social functions. Your work in re-crafting/repair/restoring various makes of shoes has been EXCEPTIONAL .... THE VERY BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN OVER THE YEARS SINCE 1958.
Ok, I thought I had absolutely no interest in watching a shoe being recrafted but I have now watched 3 of these videos and love your presentation and am amazed at the care and craftsmanship. Wow.
The other day I learned that shoe sizes are based upon barley corns, and now this morning I learned about the different parts that make up a shoe and their names! It's been quite the week for shoe education. There must be something afoot. You are an outstanding craftsman, sir. It's good to know that people like you are around.
This is top-calibre work. For those who are unfamiliar with a resole/recraft, the work done here is to a standard higher than AE's own factory recraft. AE doesn't use JR soles and heels; JR's, Masure's, and Baker's are the best of natural oak-bark tannage. A lot of cheap soles are artificially tanned quickly and they are not as dense and durable. In fact, some low-tier makers use leatherboard or PVC which mimic the appearance of leather but wears out very quickly. And AE does neither the toe taps nor the staining of the soles to customer's specification. What you've seen here is a lot of custom, high-touch effort that goes into this process. Personally I think a closed channel sole rather than AE's open channel is better since the thread on the bottom of the outsole is covered rather than exposed. This can be cut by hand, but it's very tricky, though there are machines that can do so quickly and precisely. If you have a cobbler who offers closed channel resoling it's worth the price.
ga gamba all very good points. Closed channel stitching is an option at a higher cost, especially on this type of dense leather (JR) I have several videos on blind stitch (closed stitch) on RU-vid your welcome to watch. Thanks again great response.👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏
Haha, I just viewed that video too. Hand cutting that closed channel is tough work, and you did it very well. You have an excellent set of skills, Steve. BTW, I'm hoping you do a resole on a hand-welted shoe that has you skive the holdfast rather than use canvas gemming and then hand stitch it all together. That's a very uncommon process from the long-ago olden days. Not many makers do so, including some highly renown makers like Edward Green and Gaziano & Girling. Of the affordable non-bespoke makers it's practiced by Enzo Bonafe and Vass, but both those makers aren't too common in the States. If you have't done so, I think you ought to join StyleForum and reddit/goodyearwelt. People are often posting questions about where to get their shoes resoled without having to post back to Europe.
You're welcome, Steve. And thank you for keeping a heritage craft alive and viable. If people can't get their shoes resoled/recrafted then many of the remaining cordwainers will perish and we're all stuck with Geox glue jobs. Everyone ought to check out your shell repair video. Astounding work.
My step grandfather was a cobbler and I use to go with him to his shop on Saturday mornings when I was really young. I found it interesting what he did there and now I have an insight on the craftsman and education he had for a sadly scarce talent. Thank you.
My great grandfather was a shoemaker in a small northwest town in the early 1900's. He came to the U.S. from Denmark when he was a little boy. My grandma who was born in 1910 would tell me about a pair of deerskin boots he sewed with a porcupine quill needle for her when she was young. I love watching your videos showing the details and craftsmanship you put into every project. Reminds me of Sunday chats with my grandma.
Could watch these videos all day. They came amazing, and all those extra details really make a big impact to the final finish when you see them all together.
The work of a Master Craftsman. Next time I need a resole on my nice boots I'm going to send them to you. Keep making these videos I enjoy watching them.
Could watch this for hours. Vintage machines, educational narration by the craftsman...one can almost smell the leathers, dyes and polishes. Almost want my AE’s to start needing repairs so I can send them to Bedo. OK...let’s continue!
Yes, I truly enjoyed it! And as I stated in a previous comment, you DO go the extra mile and your passion is palpable! Why do a half done job when you can do it RIGHT! Right up my alley, another job beyond well done, Steve!
Excellent vids and skills. My grandfather did this back in England in the 1920's where he had three shops making shoes/boots, and repairing them. A dying skill which is so enjoyable to see is still alive...thank you.
You’re the best….a real old school craftsman and a credit to your profession !! You’re also a great entertainer !! Allen Edmonds should be paying you for vastly improving their product.
Hi Bedo I’m sitting here at home in the north of Ireland on a wet winters day with a cup of coffee watching you give the boots a better finish than the original maker did. Awesome job and that you really love what you do shines through loud and clear.Its personal to you and that come out in the way you handle the boot and how you speak of what you do.Im so glad it has brought you more trade.Best wishes. 👍🏻
Those Allen Edmonds are better now after you worked on them, than when they were new...!!! All the extra work you put in and the cleats on the toes, I mean everything is just a work of art, awesome...! Nobody does it better... You are the MASTER..! AND you're right the customer is going to fall in love with those bad boys all over again...!
At one time when I was working ( now retired) I had 12 pair of Allen Edmond shoes and when they wore out I would send them back to AE for redrafting. Never knew how much work went into them. Thank You!
I am thankful to you for sharing your craftsmanship. I had no idea the amount of work and detail involved in "just a pair of shoes". You truly are a master of your craft. Keep the videos coming as no two pair of shoes are alike, you have a bottomless supply for you to share with us.
You did an exceptional restoration on that Allen Edmonds Dalton Shell Cordovan. I cannot see a difference from the original except the brogue patterns you put on the sole!!!! Again, EXCEPTIONAL WORKMANSHIP!!!!!!!!!!
I've gotta say I love watching you work! It's very nice to see that you give a damn! True craftsman. I will add that in happy (and somewhat surprised) that you have all your fingers, because I get very anxious watching you run the blade through the stitching the way you do! Please keep making and posting videos, I could watch this all day. Funny thing is, I can't even wear shoes!!! Long story.
It is a pleasure watching a man passionate about his work, and restoring something with such care,detail, and craftsmanship....I love my Allen Edmond's...when it is time you will be doing mine...
This is incredible, could watch this all day, please talk more about proper procedure for maintenance and when we know to either change a sole or heel etc. Your so knowledgable with lots of great experience so it would be great to learn more about this. Thanks.
I really appreciate the extra detail in these videos and if you make the videos 2 days long I would still eventually see it all. In a previous video I thought that the utility knife with the blue handle looked particularly handy and managed to buy one.I couldn't be happier. Previously I had used Stanley knives and even made successful small wood carving blades from their spare blades but this a step ahead.
Fascinating to see how these high-end items are made, but even more fascinating to watch Steve using his schools so they end up better than when first created.
Fantastic work - it's reassuring to know there are still some people who have so much passion for their work and do it to such high quality.Keep up the great work!
Really wonderful to see the pride in workmanship you have.....it really gives your work "soul". That's what is so sadly missing in a lot of work today.
Beautiful job. I so appreciate a cobbler who takes so much pride and passion in his work. I’ll be sure to send my Allen Edmonds to you when it’s time. God Bless...✝️
Wow, is the devil ever in the details. Thank you so much, Steve (?)! I've seen quite a few shoe restorations on RU-vid,; you are the first person to demystify the process. It takes a REAL master to not only explain how he does his thing, but also why.
These two videos are outstanding, as is your work and attention to detail, old school service and craftsmanship. Just wish I wasn't across The Pond I have several shoes and boots that could do with your repair and renovation.
In every sense of the word you truly are an old world craftsman!!!! I just love the way you take such pride in doing every little thing to perfection!!! RESPECT!!!!!!!! Just LOVE your vids!!
Great Job! A true artist! I have a pair of shoes that I have had redone 3 times over the years. Not real expensive shoes by todays standards but when I purchased them in 1969, I paid $60 for them ( Hanover Wingtips) which was a lot for me at the time. Now retired I rarely where them but when I do, it's like finding a old friend again.
That Brouging pattern on the bottom is...is.....just spectacular stuff my friend. I'm loving the little touches you throw in. It's the stuff I always want but can never find. I hope your business quadruples from these posts. You've earned a subscriber.
Super impressed by your videos, especially this one. Love the longer videos - the broguing on the sole was awesome. I’ve never seen that before. Nice work!!!
That turned out absolutely beautiful! A true masterpiece created by a professional. Thanks for creating the video. It was impressive and enjoyable to watch!
Truly a master level craftsman doing top tier work. A practiced eye, a steady hand, and sense of scale and proportion are required to practice the cobbler's art at this level. Thank you for sharing your superior craftsmanship and also educating your audience at the same time.
I have been looking at all of your past videos I have to say I really really enjoyed this one it was like watching a class instruction on shoe repair from start to finish I wish other cobblers had the passion you have. Sorry to say they don't. There are a few other cobblers on you tube I won't mention names but they are so behind you on craftsmanship is incredible..
Good to see great craftsmanship still alive . Prices see very reasonable for your skil I am 70 yrs old was always taught to by quality it saves in the long run. Thsts what i have stressed with my boys .. Fun to watchl
We are amazed what a fantastic job you do repairing those old shoes. Here in Armenia we have never seen professional work like that, although Armenia is famous for its shoemaking. Bravo!!!
Thank you for tus video, my mind is always racing and I truly feel a sense of peace watching your work. Your attention to detail and talent is out of this world thank you again.
Fantastic. I could watch you work and listen to you talk for hours. Pure pleasure, I wish you all the success you deserve. But then again you have already succeeded, doing work that you love is the best success of all.
If I had this kind of craftsmanship on my feet , you know I'm crossing my legs every chance I get and sitting with my feet up on the desk pointing towards the door , No doubt
This amazing work! This might be my favorite video because of the detail and you explaining. I really enjoy the sound of your tools as you work. I also very much appreciate that you are "artsy fartsy" as you call it. :D I guess that (and your obvious skill level) is what identifies you as a true master craftsman. I am thoroughly impressed and entertained, nay, enthralled by your work.
Thank you for sharing this restoration and especially your passion for shoe repair with us. And calling it shoe repair is not doing it justice at all. This is upgrading already top of the line shoes to the next level. From waxing the sides with the little lip (great finish) to the coloring and broque effect on the soles, I love it all. It has certainly given me some new ideas on how perfect shoes should look like. The only downside is that you’re not located in my country (The Netherlands) as I would have a couple of pairs of shoes that are worthy of your passion. Keepmup thee passion. Thank you.
