Hand made shoes

With the extra time I've had on my hands I've been educating myself (watching YouTube) on the ins and outs of shoemaking. 

Never knew the UK was the home (Northampton area predominantly) to some of the best made shoes in the world.

When we are finally released from our enforced incarnation I've decided to treat myself to some decent footwear, thinking a nice pair of Chukka and Chelsea boots.

Does anyone on here have a recommendation of brands they have owned, there are dozens to choose from, I'm liking the look of Cheaney, John Loeb etc and the pricing of Loakes. A lot seem to sell by mail order, personally, I reckon I'd want to see, try on, compare etc before parting with £300 - £500 on a pair of shoes.

I've got a pair of Loake brogues, great quality but not cheap.  My Father's Grandfather, his Mothers side, owned 3 shoe factories in the Rushden area but lost them all in the Depression

Part Timer said:

I've got a pair of Loake brogues, great quality but not cheap.  My Father's Grandfather, his Mothers side, owned 3 shoe factories in the Rushden area but lost them all in the Depression

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Loakes are about as reasonably priced you can get for a pair of English made, Goodyear welted shoes. Probably what i'm likely to try first.

Danfire said:

Loakes are about as reasonably priced you can get for a pair of English made, Goodyear welted shoes. Probably what i'm likely to try first.

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£250 for a pair of shoes is £200 more than I usually pay ?

Proper clobber ?. Although they need a shine since last skanking and stomping in them

http://sohopixels.agency/2019/05/01/rays-of-sunshine-charity-x-tommy-mallet-footwear/

http://sohopixels.agency/2019/05/01/rays-of-sunshine-charity-x-tommy-mallet-footwear/

http://sohopixels.agency/2019/05/01/rays-of-sunshine-charity-x-tommy-mallet-footwear/

I know this is not shoes but so proud on my late little who  passed RIP last year he loved fashion and wanted to be a shoe/trainer designer was lovely to see the end result but unfortunately he passed away before they were manufactured. 

https://mallet.com/blogs/mallet-journal/mallet-x-fredi

https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/tommy-mallets-heartbreaking-tribute-boy-2883585

Den said:

http://sohopixels.agency/2019/05/01/rays-of-sunshine-charity-x-tommy-mallet-footwear/

http://sohopixels.agency/2019/05/01/rays-of-sunshine-charity-x-tommy-mallet-footwear/

http://sohopixels.agency/2019/05/01/rays-of-sunshine-charity-x-tommy-mallet-footwear/

I know this is not shoes but so proud on my late little who  passed RIP last year he loved fashion and wanted to be a shoe/trainer designer was lovely to see the end result but unfortunately he passed away before they were manufactured. 

https://mallet.com/blogs/mallet-journal/mallet-x-fredi

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Sincere condolences for the loss of your son and thank you for sharing this. I'd never even heard of this sneaker designer, the UK is full of talent that most of the general public have never heard of. I only wish now that I bought quality footwear that's repairable decades ago. I've been buying a similar style for the last thirty plus years but it's always been thowaway stuff, I would've definitely saved money if I'd bought quality in the first place.

Danfire said:

Sincere condolences for the loss of your son and thank you for sharing this. I'd never even heard of this sneaker designer, the UK is full of talent that most of the general public have never heard of. I only wish now that I bought quality footwear that's repairable decades ago. I've been buying a similar style for the last thirty plus years but it's always been thowaway stuff, I would've definitely saved money if I'd bought quality in the first place.

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Little nephew not son ? perfect human apart from his cystic fibrosis ?

Den said:

Little nephew not son ? perfect human apart from his cystic fibrosis ?

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Sorry to hear about your nephew,poor guy, it was good he had a talent and personal drive in designing trainers.

For fancy shoes try this shop shipton and heanage

Shipton.com 

I haven't bought any, but I know the window cleaner I bought the round off, has bought many pairs of shoes from them. 

windowsurfer said:

For fancy shoes try this shop shipton and heanage

Shipton.com 

I haven't bought any, but I know the window cleaner I bought the round off, has bought many pairs of shoes from them. 

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Very nice, another great manufacturer I'd never heard of.

Jeffery West - they do a 'high street range' but their roots are handmade you can even return them for re-heeling and repairs

https://www.jeffery-west.co.uk/jefferywest/section.asp?section=shoes-and-boots-4  they are my go to shoe supplier lot's of 'wacky' styles but many more sombre - well made and really stylish...

NoName said:

Jeffery West - they do a 'high street range' but their roots are handmade you can even return them for re-heeling and repairs

https://www.jeffery-west.co.uk/jefferywest/section.asp?section=shoes-and-boots-4  they are my go to shoe supplier lot's of 'wacky' styles but many more sombre - well made and really stylish...

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That's spooky, my landlord mentioned this brand yesterday. They have some amazing looking shoes for sure. Bit too bold for me but pretty amazing products.

Shoe related. Does anyone remember Blakey’s? A metal thing we used to put in the heel of your shoe or boot to stop them wearing out. Used to make quite a noise as u walked. Ideal for a loud walk down the school corridors when we were younger!

Markyboy 50 said:

Shoe related. Does anyone remember Blakey’s? A metal thing we used to put in the heel of your shoe or boot to stop them wearing out. Used to make quite a noise as u walked. Ideal for a loud walk down the school corridors when we were younger!

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We called them segs, our school banned them because the school assembly hall was wood

Yeah I remember them ?

Yep - not sure why - but they would make you 'walk' like John Travalota (Saturday Night Fever) or Clint Eastwood in any of his westerns - full swager ? 

steve garwood said:

Proper clobber ?. Although they need a shine since last skanking and stomping in them

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I remember me first pair of these, brown, only 8 hole but i was only 12. size 4 if I remember. Some of the older lot called them baby doc ?

My favourite Northumbrian handmade shoes/boots ?

Jeffery West   (lhs)                                                                         Grenson (rhs)

NoName said:

View attachment 19975View attachment 19976

My favourite Northumbrian handmade shoes/boots

Jeffery West   (lhs)                                                                         Grenson (rhs)

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Trouble is with those black ones, i got wide feet and look how pointed they go. I made the mistake of having too tight a shoe in the past and you dont half suffer for it. Ideally need to wear them about and walk about for half hour or more.