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I come back to this video every once in a while, it's so much fun. I realized that the same amount you'd pay for a standard, brown CXL Indy boot is about the same as what you'd pay for a pair of Grant Stones in shell cordovan. That's craaazy to me.
I learned a ton here- thanks for sharing all the wisdom of Wyatt/Randy as well as the GORGEOUS landscapes of Alaska! These boots look incredible brother 🙌🏽 Proud to experience all this with you, friend
thanks so much for your kind input brother!!! yes randy and Wyatt are true masters, I am fortunate to have had the chance to hang with them and learn some invaluable lessons on leather/ shoe care/ everything else!!!!
Loved seeing this transformation you were able to achieve. Truly impressive and a testament to shell durability...one rarely seen online. Excited to get my own pair of shell brass boots soon. Kudos!
Very informative and well done video. Your passion for leather is really showcased in this piece. I agree that shell cordovan is very special and your “ restoration “ was interesting and demonstrates that this leather does not need to be “babied”. I have always been extremely careful of what Conditions I expose my shell cordovan shoes to but this proves that the leather can be very durable. Thanks for sharing this. Great content !
man thanks so much for your kind words and affirmations!!!! it is a good idea to be mindful of what we use on shell, as I would surmise most products out there aren't suited for it. Venetian is very well-reputed and as much as I was hesitant to use a wax on these, it really was the right answer. so glad you found the video informative!!!
Damn those look amazing, both before and after reconditioning. Definitely confirmed that I should go with the Brass Boot from GS. Been considering some other options, it it seems like they built a hell of a boot! Super informative video.
So nice to see a pair of shell boots used properly! Most people see shell & go "Ooh, SHINY!", and go into "protect the SHINY" mode, forgetting that shell is among the hardest wearing leathers available. It's an interesting historical footnote that until WW1, the largest consumer of shell cordovan leather was the French military, who used it for officers and cavalry boots. Not because it could be polished up to a high shine (although that certainly didn't hurt the decision), but because it was so hard wearing...
man first off thanks so much for your kind words and you're so right, I'm trying to dispel the idea that shell needs to be babied!!! that's fascinating about shell cordovan and the French military, I had no idea about that!! i was aware of horseback police being issued shell cordovan boots for a time due to their water resistance but I think they eventually quit doing that because it was so expensive.
There was a legendary writeup on StyleForum of someone going to town like this some natural shell Vibergs back in 2013 or so, nearly destroying them over the course of one winter, and then going through the process of resuscitating them. The color shift was the most amazing part, went from a very light tan to red.
Great review, Dale! Question, from a comfort standpoint, are these soles more comfortable than other Diesels that have the rubber sole? The leather b/w the lug sole seems thicker than other GS boots.
Thanks for sharing your Alaska adventure. I’ve been there twice and can’t wait to go back. I love Juneau and Skagway. I’m getting the black brass boot chromexcel this week. I too like to take care of my leather products. I have cobbler’s choice conditioner, leather honey, and Nick’s grease. As soon as get my boots which do you recommend I use. I’m not that concerned about the shine. I just want them to be “healthy”. Thanks.
Amazing!! I’d love to turn to alaska, so many great adventures to be had there!! I always recommend Venetian on Chromexcel! I would stay away from leather honey!!
Great video Dale! Those brass boots are looking good, maybe I should have jumped on that Burgundy Kudu preorder. I'm pretty sure the animal you saw was a Alaskan Marmot.
thanks so much my friend!! believe me I was so tempted by the burgundy kudu brass boots, wondering now if I should have just gotten them!! and yes I think you're right, I think it is a marmot!
just wondering about shoe care, for pairs that you wear daily, how often do you polish them versus pairs that you wear once/twice a week. And what about pairs that you don't wear, do you still have to polish them from time to time?
Grant Stone Brass Boots were the first pair of handcrafted boots I received. The Maduro Shell Cordovan was sold out; mine are Crimson Chromexcel. They are still a bit clunky, as I wear them around the house and use them for my work out boots. The heavy weight of the Brass boots seems to ground me and gives me better balance as I am doing squats, planks, push-ups, etc. I plan on them seeing me through many sets, reps, and developmental strides as I continue along my fitness journey.
If two years was worth waiting I guess I can wait until the end of the month for more storm kudo Ottawa’s. I talked with Randy and he recommended a 7.5 or 8. They were out of 8 so I crossed my fingers and tried the 7.5’s but they just too tight.so now I can to wait for the 8’s
Excellent review, I’m now subscribed. Do I go same size as for Red Wing? Grant Stone advises to size down 1/2 from sneakers, but I size down 1 size for Red Wings.
i would say sizing the same as redwing is generally good advice! i find my RW mocs fit pretty much the same as my grantstone mocs! these shell cordovan mocs however fit a little bit fuller due to the lasting and non-stretching properties of shell. if you go for a standard brass boot however the fit should be pretty much the same
Another awesome and informative video, especially about Cordovan! Those look killer. Have you ever used a deer bone on your Cordovan? How do you have so many creases since you use trees? Is that another Cordovan thing? For the welt/mid-sole, I do a light sand, re-dye, wax, and silicone seal. No conditioner. Very consistent. 👍🏼 Bonus points for using "deleterious." 💚
In some of your hiking over streams, did you ever "swamp" the boots (get water up past the gusset/tongue/top)? I worry about using some of my nicer boots for hiking because of soaking the corkbed midsole.
Hi Dale. Thank you for your videos! I just pre-ordered the Brass boot in shell. How would you compare the sizing to alden indy and the Iron Ranger? Will shell stretch?
hey man! shell does not stretch at all ! i take the same size in the grantstone brass boot as i do the alden indy. the brass boot will be the same length but have just a bit more volume in the toe box because of the raised walls
@@DalesLeatherworks Thanks 😃 After mailing with Josh, I went for E insted of D. My Indy 10D is both too short and tight, even after a stretch from a cobbler. I think 10.5E in the Brass Shell will be perfect.
Do you have recommendations for a woman’s 7.5 size foot for black grant stone boots? I really want a pair!!! I need to be able to wear them to work but kind of all around.
I wear a Women's shoe size 8.5 Wide. In Grant Stone's, I wear a Men's size 6.5 EEE in the Brass Boots and in the Diesel Boots. In the Oak Street Bootmakers Trench Boots, I wear a Men's size 7 (standard width). The Oaks actually fits even better than the GS Diesel's, which I did need to stretch a little across the instep. So far, that is the extent of my upgraded boot collection. I think the Tricker's Stow 4497 Commando in Black will be my grail boots; probably in Men's UK size 6.5.
Man, to be fair if you do the same thing to that boots in the stichdownpatina boots contest you might be at least 3rd placed 😂😂and When are we allowed to see your new leather apron and backpack? 🤩🤩.
hahahaha man that is a great idea!!!! I'm definitely excited to participate in the Stitchdown thunder dome!! I'm working on those videos as we speak my man!!
Please , could you tell me if you were to do that hike = Times Ten ... with Grant Stones Brass Boots ... whould you go with the Shell Cordovan again ... OR would you maybe go with their Kangaroo...
Hey, just a heads-up: neither of those are a moc toe. Sperry, Sebago, Quoddy, Yuketen are moc toes. Look up Yuketen if you want some neat, cool, quality moc toes. Quoddy for time tested high quality, but not as cool
Something about that front end looks so wonky and bulbous that precludes it being a great looking boot. Does anybody else prefer the 875, and if not, why?
That little creature was a very rare, thought to be extinct, munchkin yeti. It's worth millions. You fool. You should have grabbed it. P.S. , they are lethal. Known to kill polar bears with one swipe.
Great thing I watched this vid before buying these. The way these wrinkle in the toe box is horrible. Im not buying these. That happens because of the single toe box panel.
