Suggestions for boot repair?

[ickmann]

Looking for a good cobbler (not peach) to repair an original pair of 1944 British dispatch rider boots. Repairs are need to the upper shoe/in-step on both sides which are cracked. My local guy said he could resole them, but would not even want to touch the major repair. Any referals to a good shoe maker/repair shop would be greatly appreciated. Thnx.

Ian

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[Peter Laidler]

Maybe you ought to go and see a saddler/saddlery/horse tack repairer. Modern cobblers are just glue and stick merchants! I live near horsey country and a saddler here will chemically clean leather so that it's super clean AND then dunk it overnight in a neat lanolin bath. Comes back supple and like new.

[Paul S.]

Peter is not wrong about modern day 'cobblers' being glue and stick merchants. Regrettably, the days when being a cobbler meant being a 'boot maker' are long past. Today's cobblers can dye, re-sole, possibly restitch and not much more.

My wife used to have shoes made by a bloke - now long retired, at Auburn who could take a casting of your foot, make a last from that, and the make you a beaut pair of boots that fit perfectly.

[ickmann]

Good suggestion. There are a few tack shops around here that I can check in with. Thnx!

[ickmann]

Found a good old fashioned cobbler..a REAL one. Took one look and said " I can do that "

[Peter Laidler]

Let us know how you get on. A few before and after pics might/could bring him some more business