An introduction to my next shoe making project, to make some simple shoes, and a look at a commercial last and discussion about whether to make your own shoe lasts, or whether to buy commercial lasts.
Fantastic series Harry! It has immeasurably helped my own shoe making journey! I would be very interested to see another series (perhaps abridged) with shoes made to the bespoke level, but with your new lasts... Keep up the fantastic work!
I'd have to make my own lasts. Commercials are based on averages, and my feet are far from it. Closest I've found is the Altberg W fit, which are a blend between the two other more standard last shapes. I'm even thinking about building my orthotic into the lasts, though it may make matching the pair more difficult 🤔
Thanks for video. I have been debating to make boots prior to your video series. The info provided in your videos are very good. They are enjoyable to watch. Merry CHRISTmas and have a great New Year!!!
Wood glue and heavy leather.. can make any changes to a last desired ... I am building my boot last..all from scrap wood boards.. over laid with leather as needed.. 22 inches tall.. . Our new commercial plastic last needed to be modified just as much as the vintage wood last I found.
Absolutely, buy a pair of commercial lasts made by a company like Springline. Then use these as a guide in making your own lasts. 1. Try making a pair of prototypes on the commercial lasts just to check the fit. 2. If the commercial lasts are off, start making your own lasts using the alignments of the commercial lasts. The alignments are the relative positioning of extreme points, e.g. heel centre, cone-tip, joint extremities, toe extremities, etc. *Under no circumstances* should you start adding or cutting off pieces of the commercial lasts as this will affect the alignments which you have to play with to understand.
'Beware of second hand lasts' you are correct about the variation in last sizes.When I was making shoes in the 1970's Italian and Japanese lasts were a narrower foot than the English last.
Really nice set of videos! May I ask how long the last bottom pattern is in mm from heel to toe and how much longer that is in comparison to your foot?
Hi Harry just like that cordwainer top very cool piece very hard to find I am a cordwainer I don't have anything like that think I'm going to make one thank you for showing that top if you need any advice to get stuff just let me know 4th generation Shoemaker thank you
I see the difference in toe lift but, when wearing, do you notice any difference between the room in the toe of commercial shoes and the ones you made?
@@harryrogers No worries Harry all good. I've been trying to narrow it down for a while now. I suppose it is PU. But I could be wrong. It's just a guess.
Those should “last” a good long while. It should be around 3am there as it’s 9:00 pm here in the southern US. I felt I could safely leave that punny comment.
