The Texas Photos...page 2

positioning the last in preparation for taking the first drafts in the "lasting" process

"hoisting"--heel of boot is tacked in the "seats up" position before forepart is lasted

lasting the forepart of the boot--taking a "draft" at the "joint"

comparing the foreparts before proceeding further--are the "toe bugs" lined up?

preparing to inseam--twisting a hog's bristle onto the "taw" (tapered tip) of a "waxed end"

stitching the welt to the insole (inseaming) with awl and "waxed ends"

paring the shank cover to blend into the insole shape

soling leather must be soaked and then allowed to "temper" in a cool place

sizing and clicking the outsoles from tempered "bend"

tempered sole being run through "tug" roller to harden and shape the outsole

cementing the boot and the outsole prior to attaching...note the cupped shape of the outsole

hammering and rubbing outsole channel to close

rasping the heel lift to level it up

shaping the heel stack with a heel shave

cementing the rubber toplift on the heel stack

the moment of truth--will they fit?

the makers and the boots

the master...historically the word "master" referred to the owner of the shop