Shoe Polishing - recommendations, process, tips, tricks??? - Page 2

Lowejackson · 11-26-07, 12:13

On another forum, someone suggested using a very (very) slightly damped cloth with 'pet stain remover' to be pushed inside a dry shoe to breakdown any unpleasant smells. I have not tried this but does this sound safe and a reasonable thing to try

Accumulator · 11-26-07, 01:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by bert31

Hmmm, the next time I am in Stuebenville, I may ask if I can swing by for a demonstration...

I'm a good ways from Stuebenville...but I have in-laws in your neck of the woods so maybe I'll make it down there instead

Quote:

Very, very good quality suits there. If I still had a job which required wear suits daily, I would probably splurge for a Hickey Freeman or an Oxxford or possibly even a Baker (another great quality suit). But since I only where a suit 8-10 times a year, I stick with my old Hartz Schaffner Marx's.

I wore HSMs for ages, they're good! Still remember a few Gold/Silver trumpeters that I really liked.

I have to have everything made for me now, and Hickey/Oxxford have nice programs for that...their patterns fit me well and I love their fabrics. Now that I'm retired I can pretty much get by with what I have, but now and then something really catches my eye

bert31 · 11-26-07, 03:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

I'm a good ways from Stuebenville...but I have in-laws in your neck of the woods so maybe I'll make it down there instead

When I heard you were from North East Ohio, Stuebenville was the first thing to come to mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

I wore HSMs for ages, they're good! Still remember a few Gold/Silver trumpeters that I really liked.

I have to have everything made for me now, and Hickey/Oxxford have nice programs for that...their patterns fit me well and I love their fabrics. Now that I'm retired I can pretty much get by with what I have, but now and then something really catches my eye

Back when I bought suits, I had them made for me too. I am too tall to buy a suit off the rack. I buy my HSM's from an old guy in New Albany, IN (just across the Ohio River from Louisville). He carries virtually no inventory. You pick the color/style of suit you like, he takes your measurements and faxes them the Hartz Marx, Inc.. The next week you get a call that your suit is ready. I can get a 100% worsted wool HSM from him for about $275. I always order a second pair of pants since I wear pants out faster so that adds another $50-75.

There are two master tailors in Louisville straight from Italy who now make suits to fit. I have never seen the suits personally but apparently they qaulity of the suits is incredible and how they fit you is unbelievable. I think one of the brothers name is Dominic DiGiavoni. I can't remember Dominic's brothers name but their reputation is unquestionable in Louisville an surrounding areas.

Accumulator · 11-26-07, 04:30

Bert31- I think I'd be looking up those two guys from Italy, but I'd be careful about the styling. lest you get something that's more "them" than "you"

MrAP · 11-28-07, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by bert31

Hmmm, the next time I am in Stuebenville, I may ask if I can swing by for a demonstration.

I went to college there!!!

bert31 · 11-28-07, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrAP

I went to college there!!!

Did you go to Franciscan University of Steubenville?

MrAP · 11-28-07, 11:39

Yes! Did you or someone you know go there too?

tom p. · 11-28-07, 12:11

Guys, I guess my primary issue is water and how to protect the leather from getting trashed in the snow and rain. Is KIWI still a good solution to repel water and the elements? Something better?

Thanks, and great topic!

Accumulator · 11-28-07, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom p.

Guys, I guess my primary issue is water and how to protect the leather from getting trashed in the snow and rain. Is KIWI still a good solution to repel water and the elements? Something better?

I dunno...they sure *bead* water great with Kiwi but I don't subject my dress shoes to the elements enough to say if they're really protected or not. When I was teaching and had to wear them while walking around campus, I'd clean/repolish every time I wore them in the winter, but even then they never got all that bad so

These days, my footwear that gets subjected to nasty weather gets oiled/SnowSealed/etc.

tom p. · 11-28-07, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

These days, my footwear that gets subjected to nasty weather gets oiled/SnowSealed/etc.

Yeah, that was my first thought, too, and it's sitting on the shelf in basement. I've used it before and it tends to dis-color the leather in a not-so-nice way

I simply don't take the time to change shoes as I move from place to place to place. I guess that's the real issue and was wondering if good old-fashioned shoe polish is still the best balance of freshening up and offer some defense against the elements.

Thx.

bert31 · 11-28-07, 02:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrAP

Yes! Did you or someone you know go there too?

I will PM you, long story.

Accumulator · 11-28-07, 03:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom p.

I guess that's the real issue and was wondering if good old-fashioned shoe polish is still the best balance of freshening up and offer some defense against the elements..

Well, with some proper attention it oughta work out OK. The University wasn't always well-cleared in the winter and none of my dress shoes ever really suffered any. I just cleaned them off when I got home and had them repolished that Friday (that was back when I still had a pro taking care of them). These days I sometimes have to walk around downtown in them during nasty weather and they're always OK after a clean-up. BTW, vinegar works well for salt stains, just don't overdo it.