Why JR Rendenbach Leather Soles Are The Best In The World | Shoe Recrafting With Hanns Rendenbach 

Thanks for watching! If you want to learn about our Kirby Allison Certified Shoe Restoration Program: www.hangerproject.com/shoe-care/recrafting-shoe-repair.html

Just a quick note, not all JR soles have the JR stamp on it. If you buy a bend then there are no marks on the surface only in the back of the leather bend.

When I was building my shoe collection a decade ago, I was in York County, PA. There was an old cobbler who learned his craft at Hanover Shoe many years ago. He prided himself in his fluency with the manufacturing processes of all the major quality American shoe brands. No matter what I brought to him, he could bring it to factory perfection. He would always brighten when I came into the shop, and couldn’t wait to see what I was going to pull out of my bag. And every time I dropped off or picked up a pair of Aldens or Allen Edmonds or vintage Florsheim he would always remark to me on what an increasingly rare pleasure it was for him to practice his craft on truly excellent shoes. However, he always hot rodded them with a JR outsole, and he explained to me why he did that. He promised me I was wearing the toughest soles money could buy. I have found that painting them yearly with a light coat of Leather Honey keeps the fibers in top condition and actually adds a lot of durability versus ones I did not treat. I never use Harness Honey on non-wear parts of my shoes because they need all organic conditioners. But JR outsoles absolutely love the stuff and drink it as fast as you apply it. You will wear that sole out ten times faster than any deterioration that might be caused by the composition of the product. It is hands down the best sole treatment I’ve ever tried and I recommend it to anyone who walks on leather soles a lot. It is a product that is used in cold climates to keep sweaty tack from becoming brittle and breaking down due to the salts in the sweat of the horse. Bridles, reins and harness gear last many times longer with regular applications of this stuff. I do not recommend it for shoe uppers because high quality upper leather is meant to last much longer and the all natural ingredient list is a closely guarded trade secret. I don’t know what’s in it, or how it will affect the fibers over the long term. Saphir’s ingredient list is more transparent and you have a better reassurance of longevity for uppers sticking with it. However, it’s possible Leather Honey could be the best thing that ever happened to your shoes’ uppers. We will never know, since the makers of the product refer to its ingredients in only the vaguest terms. All of that being said, Kirby, I highly encourage you to test this product on your next rebuild with a JR outsole. Give it a normal break-in period, then paint a small amount of Leather Honey on the bottom of the sole, from heel to toe, with a new 2” synthetic paintbrush set aside for only this. I keep mine in a ziplock with the handle sticking out. Let the shoes sit overnight after applying, then reapply periodically (I do it more or less semiannually) and compare the wear you get from the treated sole with an untreated one you use for control. You have just taken the toughest shoe leather in the industry and made it tougher. Not more water resistant, maybe more flexible, but tougher for sure. It adds no smell. It does not make the sole slippery. If anything, traction is better. I’m still using the same jar I started with 20 years ago when it was called “Harness Honey” and it’s still more than half full. A tiny amount goes a long way. I have it on dress shoes and cowboy boots. And my Maine-built Canoe Moc slippers get it all over. When I get inside the house those things go on my feet immediately. My most worn pair of shoes. They also last longer with regular cleaning and conditioning with Leather Honey, and I can do that because their soft construction means once they wear out they must be replaced. I got an extra year out of the last treated pair. Open pore, exposed leather (like bark talked outsoles) loves this stuff. Try it.

You should do an update since they're closing/closed

Great interview, extremely informative! Hanns is such an elegant gentlemen.

Hey Kirby, thanks for a great video, you can see his passion when he talks about leather but most of all his own leather soles. The Rendenbach family make a great product that countless amount of craftsmen use all over the world. It's true what his was saying about loosing an industry to cheaper made goods, look what has happened here in the U.S.A, even though we still have very small pockets of shoemaker that refuse to submit to this change and still produce great footwear. Again Mr. Allison thank you for a great video.

Thanks for sharing! So reassuring to know the actual quality and trait difference with JR soles. Definitely worth the investment indeed!

Kirby, Thanks for educating us on the importance of high quality shoes, polish, conditioner, and so many other essentials for the well groomed gentleman. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

It's always possible to find someone who's making it for cheaper but it's hard to find somebody who's making it better.

I'm getting some boots from Carmina tomorrow, they have a JR sole so can't wait to try them on.

The video series featuring this visit to JR Rendenbach was delightful, informative, and well edited. Can’t wait to see more exclusive videos like this from The Hanger Project.

Thank you kindly for this phenomenal video

This should have so many more views

Love the information!

Love these informative videos with different manufacturers! The series with cleverly and Gaziano was amazing aswell! Any other shoemakers that you'll be visiting anytime soon that you can inform me of?

Great interview.

Very informative video, by the way, Just saying, Where did Hans rendebach made such an icredibly finished suit? Yes i am talking about the impressively fitted suit. Wish i could have known!

Enjoyed the video as always wanted to ask a question about your tie I don't see that tie for sale on hanger project any more is that going to change any time soon?

he makes some good points

Rest in Peace JR

R.I.P JR Rendenbach...

What a man

I have a question. Very nice video thank you for making it, and i know what soles i will be choosing next time. is the (Saphir sole guard oil) recommended on these JR soles also ? or does it in some way compromise the special advantages of the JR leather sole?

What soles after JR now that they’re closing

Kirby...would it be possible for you to devote a full video to an indepth discussion of cordovan shoes, including Horween, and mentioning anything you think to be important about cordovan?

You missed a trick here Kirby, sole music need, not soft jazz lol ..only joking (Fantastisch) video, have a great Christmas with your family

Kirby is it true that Rendenbach closed down?

Very sad this institution for fine shoes is coming to an end

What a tremendous interview, but to see this great tannery producing one of the best high-quality leather outsoles going down the drain is very sad.

What sole was used for your cleverly shoes`Was it JR?

So sad to hear that JR are closing their doors.

Is J.R leather used for any other leather products such as wallets or watch band's? Most of us have had the privilege of a sudden unplanned swim. For both the best and worst possible reasons.

The ending was sad af

Just read the news, JR soles is closing :(

If the leather is so good, why not make actual shoes instead of soles?

JR is closing