After having years of experience purchasing and wearing Horween shell cordovan shoes I purchased a pair of color #8 oxfords in what I believe to be Shinki Hikaku shell. Night and day difference. The Shinki Hikaku shell feels so much like plastic that I was hard pressed to believe it was shell cordovan. I really think Shinki Hikaku applies a significant coating on their shell that gives it a corrected grain appearance. Needless to say the shoes were immediately returned. Never put a foot in them. I honestly believe Horween is making the best shell in the world as I have yet to see anything close.
Yeah I got to see shinki (they didnt say shinki but said it was japanese) shell hide locally in emerald and ruby. The 2 shells looked very shiny and plastic. I am 100% sure they add a synthetic coating. I have italian rocado shell in a wallet, and horweek shell (cognac, and bourbon) both scratch easily and have tremendous color depth. I also had Color 8 daltons, and color 8 Alden's (Aldens shell color 8 looked similar to Shinki's but not as bad).
Right, especially if you remotely ordered the shoes. These days if I purchase something expensive, I rather pay the direct shipping other than using a forwarder.
I have boot/shoe shining tip for you and it works will work with Cordovan leather. This is a 3 Step suggestion. #1. Clean and condition the leather at the same time with a products such as "Scout Leather/Boot Conditioner". It cleans as it conditions so unless you stepped into a mud hole there is no need to worry with Saddle Soap. But the main point is: you want the surface to be clean before the forthcoming shining process. #2. Work the Scout(or other brand that you may prefer to use) conditioner into the leather and allow to sit for about an hour. #3. The "Secret Ingredient": any brand will do..Apply Creamy Petroleum Jelly to boots in the same manner as you did the conditioner. The first thing you will notice is the shine. Rub it in and allow to rest as in the previous step. You fill find that not will the boots look shiny they will be extra water resistant! This works will most NON SUEDE leathers and synthetics too.
$440 for a shell boot with oak bark soles is REALLY GOOD, but then again, you get inferior material to what you'd get with a pricier Horween-sourced article. These are still really nice boots though man.... congrats.
I really like the HOK last, my favorite of Meermins. I like the Meermins wingtip boots because they do not have speed hooks which I hate. They get loose and spin or when I cross my feet they hook each other.
I always wanted a pair of cordovan, But I am so afraid to have them break in, I don't wear my proper shoes everyday, by rotation I probably wear all of my shoes only a few times in a year or so. A whiskey cordovan penny loafer from Alden would be my next project.
Go for it! Not much breaking in at all. The only thing i worry about is all the water spots. Shell is pretty comfortable too.. well the pairs that i own.
Breaking in is actually totally easy, even easier than breaking-in full-grain calfskin leather in my opinion. All due to the amazing plasticity of Shell Cordovan.
Actually, you don't need any wax to get your Cordovan shiny. In fact, I avoid using wax on my Cordovan shoes. I only use special Cordovan polish from times to times, that's it. What you require is a good hairbrush and around 20 to 30 min buffing per shoe. Intense buffing is that what makes your Cordovan shoes shine like plastic.