The Crispin Colloquy

It might have been technically rawhide. Salted it when I first got it, scraped the inner gunk off at some point, (fat what there was of it and loose tissue)I soaked it something, either wood ash or red devil lye, seems like it was over a week if not two. I had plenty of wood ash back then so it might have been the renderings off that. It pretty much dissolved the hair save for the courser at the nap of the neck but I still had to scrape it all. Couldn't find a fitting log so used what I had and a two by four. I never had a spare brain to do the brain tanning. I did do a few nice snake skins with baking soda and kerosene. That worked better than I thought it would. I never tried the tanning kits. I like learning from scratch. I have made root beer from kits but have never gotten past collecting the herbs in actually putting a batch together. Ditto Dandelion Wine.

Looking For...

...Someone who may use the Prime Leather Dye System and would be interested in dyeing a pair of Alligator Skin Boots, from SunTan to Dark Brown.

This is not a job for Nulife Spray.

Replies welcome.

Paul

All,

Anyone interested in ordering tools or supplies from Goetz, please contact me... frommer@bootmaker.com

This will be a new order...if there is enough interest.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

I'd like to get a pegging hammer. If you have you you would part with, let me know at: rick@romangoshoes.com

Rick,

If you are referring to a pegging hammer like I have...there's nothing like it available. It is a funky and cheap French hammer...as may occasionally be found on Ebay...that I cut down and sculpted to its present form and utility.

I did this fairly early on in my career not knowing what I was doing but vaguely knowing what I needed...

Sometimes even a blind hog will find an acorn.


Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

DW, can you post a picture of that hammer. I can't quite recall it from our lessons together.
Thanks,
Georgene

Georgene,

No problem...


Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

Mack,

Thanks for the tip (panel pins) but doing a search on the Internet for panel pin, nearly every result links to a British or Indian website. I don't think panel pins are available in the US...at least not under that name.

Anyone know different?

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

DW,
I may have a source. I'll answer you in Sources: Looking for...

Mack,

Thanks for the tip (panel pins) but doing a search on the Internet for panel pin, nearly every result links to a British or Indian website. I don't think panel pins are available in the US...at least not under that name.

Anyone know different?

DW,

A brass wire nail will probably do if you are looking for something small. Google brass wire nail, select shopping from the top of the page. If you don't mind something beefier don't look any further than my workbench
I happen to glance over and have these brass nails. It may be hard to see but the top 6 mm or so of the shank is round.
The package and surprise, surprise the manufacturer DB Gurney still seems to be in business. I'm just not sure they still make this specific nail.

The way I use them is drive the nail in most of the way, cut the head of. File the top of the shank smooth and than drive it in all the way. That way you see the shaft, not the head. Gives a cleaner look.

Rob

Rob,

Thanks I emailed Gurney last night. I also found the following link:

http://tinyurl.com/2xlh29.

I think I will call them today and see if I can't get a sample.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

DW,

Those nails seem a bit long (3/4 inch). What is a good length for such nails?

Here are some samples of decorative nails,( panel pins)from the past. I do not know a source.
Nasse.

Rick,

Maybe too long for the decorative nails in the sole but not too long for the heel. Even at the UK sites, however, I didn't see panel pins in less than 15mm length (@5/8" ).

That said and taking a cue from Rob, I wouldn't hesitate to clip them shorter if the gauge is right and the head looks good on the surface of the leather.

Nasser,

Many of your panel pins look like what we call escutcheon pins here in the US. They're readily available. But yours, as well as the ones here, have domed heads. I don't think that's what I'm seeing on Mack's shoes or any of the other European shoes I've looked at.

??

Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

All,

One more attempt to move the brass nail discussion out of Gallery Gossip so it will be preserved for future reference

I was taught to cut of the head, that would make the top of the shank the visual part, these nails are 99% decorative and the brass is kind of soft anyway so the head really doesn't do all that much. Also the head is not always centered on the shank and the final result would be crooked looking even if you place the nails carefully.

Just my

Rob

Rob,
This is exactly what I do, the heads are generally too big and if the nails are too long I just clip them to size.
As a matter of interest if you visit a London bespoke shop you will find nearly all the sample shoes have iron nails, normally very few or even blind. Brass nails were used on special decorative work but seem to have become popular on general work with some makers recently.
Regards Mack.

All,

Regarding brass nails - you may want to have a look at this website and these clinch tacks:

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&p=40384&cat=3,41306,41324&ap=1

All,

I got some bronze (harder than brass) annular nails from Jamestown Distributors today and taking a page from Rob, just clipped the head off, nailed them part way in and then filed the shank flat before driving them home.

It's not brass and not polished but I kind of like the looks--that reddish tinge--and because they are annular nails (ring shank) they're not going anywhere.

I called Gurney today and they may or may not have something that will work--at least, when I described what I was looking for they didn't just automatically shut me down.

Anyway here's the bronze nails


Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

What the h'll is "oz" - how many gramm is that?

Marcell,

"oz" is an abbreviation for ounce.

1 ounce = 28.3495231 grams


Tight Stitches
DWFII--Member HCC

Hello,
I have a burning question, and I don't think it has been tackled before--or at least not in the last months. Please correct me and point me to the correct thread if I am wrong.
I have several vintage wooden heels that I have been selectively using for women's shoes. I would like to have copies made before I use them all. Does anyone know of any person or company who does this in smaller quantities? I don't care if they are wood or plastic copies, because I will someday be desperate and shoe-heel-less! Any thoughts?

Daphne,

During this years HCC meeting Bill Harris mentioned that he was able to reproduce wooden heels during his presentation and Zoe Rios brought some samples of wooden heels. See her post for contact info.

Good luck getting them copied.

Rob

Hi Daphne, I can copy them, I'll send you an email with contact info. I have the same problem and maybe we can trade a few shapes. Glad to help if I can, Lyle

Rob, Lyle,
Thanks so much for the info!
Daphne

Looking for...

I hope you don't mind a question from a complete beginner:

I am hoping to make shoes/slippers for a toddler. The idea is very simple but I am having a lot of trouble finding a source for the material for the outsoles. I am looking for something really flexible and thin/soft. (If anyone happens to be familiar with the brands called Preschoolians or See Kai Run, I am looking for something at least that flexible.)

Here you can see a picture of the sort of sole material I am hoping to find. (The top picture with the light blue shoes.)

http://tinyurl.com/37zp6o

Thank you so much for any help you can give me!
Anumaria