dress shoes cracked finish

[masraum]

I have a pair of dress shoes that I hardly ever wear, probably a handful of times between a few job interviews and a few trips to the theater. I think I've had them about 10-15 years, maybe worn them 10 times and have probably polished them once or twice in that time. I stuck them on tonight in the bedroom and took about 5 or 6 steps n them and then took them off. When I took them off, I noticed that the finish where the leather bends behind the toes was cracked and flaking off. That seems pretty odd to me. I can only imagine that sitting for so many years unworn and without needing a polish allowed the finish on the leather to dry and stiffen, but I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts or has experienced this sort of phenomenon.

They weren't expensive shoes, but they weren't really cheap either, probably in the $100-150 range from Florsheim years ago.

[tabs]

Where were they made?

Saddle Soap or even Heavy Whipping Cream will soften...

Shoe Trees keeps the shoes from creasing, and prolongs their life.

[masraum]

no idea where they were made, I can check tomorrow

the leather doesn't feel stiff, it seems to be the finish that cracked and flacked off when the leather flexed when I walked.

They've always had ceder shoe trees in them except when I wear them.

[tabs]

I have 2 pairs of Florsheim 5 nail Imperial Long wingtips in Pebble Black and Pebble Chocolate Brown. A pair of Pebble Black Long Wingtips, 2 pair of Slip on Imperials in Navy Blue and Cognac and a pair of slip ons in Burgundy. All made in the good ole USA and with original Soles.

Florsheimk like so many of the old time shoe mfg's moved production offshore because of cost and price point. They still made a good shoe in India and Brazil. However now I have noticed Chinese made Florsheims....

BUT WHAT IS EVEN WORSE is that Bruno Magli has a Chinese line of shoes called Maglis...can the end be far off????

[stuartj]

Are they patent leather? Its high gloss is a resin- it has a life. And if you've not been wearing them, it hardened. Fifteeen years is pretty good. Try some Mink oil- bought in a tin for shoes. But.....

[widgeon13]

If it's leather try some heat to melt the old polish off. It may have just hardened and dried out. With some heat you can take it down to the original leather finish and then polish again with new polish. Just be careful not to singe the leather.

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by tabs

...
Florsheimk like so many of the old time shoe mfg's moved production offshore because of cost and price point. They still made a good shoe in India and Brazil. However now I have noticed Chinese made Florsheims....

BUT WHAT IS EVEN WORSE is that Bruno Magli has a Chinese line of shoes called Maglis...can the end be far off????

Four years ago I bought the "retro" Wolverine 1000 mile boots. Old school, american made, leather sole, etc. Came to about three bills.

Now in sierra trading post I see some more wolverine 1000 miles boots - made in China - FOR THE SAME PRICE!!!!


So help me if Allen Edmonds starts offshoring...

[5String43]

Yep, if leather gets dry it will crack. This is why I treat my shoes with saddle soap every time I polish them - especially here in SoCal where the humidity has been so very low. Seems to help. Someone mentioned Mink Oil - that should help as well.

Seems like a lot of shoe brands have cheaped out. I used to buy Johnston & Murphy shoes. Not any more. But then, now that I'm retired, it's not like I need a lot of good shoes....

[Bill Douglas]

Dubbin is the business for dry leather Dubbin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia If you wear them like this the leather will actually crack right through.