Jackson Jambalaya

I spent 25 years as a regional divisional manager (footwear) for Belk in Greenville and Columbia, S.C. Early on in my time we visited Craddock-Terry shoe factory in Lynchburg, VA. We were taken once to their handsewn (think Bass Weejuns) in Farmville, VA. During the tour which was quiet impressive watching the lost are of hand sewing shoes. At the end of the tour three of us wandered over to the packaging area, there they were labeling, in-souling, boxing the Saddle Bred penny loafers and Cole Hann. Same exact shoe just different labels, and boxes.
Saddle Bred at that time I think were about $50. Cole Hann $125.

That is why I am a Martin Dingman only guy. The Rogue has a really good Dingman slection.

Thank you Kingfish for the education this shoe coverage has provided to me. I'm not ashamed to say I didn't know much about real quality shoes before you started this series.

$240.00 ?!?! It seems to me it would be more cost effective to let this guy custom build you a pair of shoes from scratch. I'm sure they would last much longer than off-the-rack shoes you get today.

Same old story - Small company makes a great product that commands a little higher price than the run of the mill mass market crap. Small company struggles against the crap companies but builds a great reputation. Large company or stockholders purchase small company, turn it into a mass market product, then continue selling crap at higher price.

Eventually the brand for quality products goes into bankruptcy because the investors have squeezed every last nickel out of the brand. Leaving room for a new company to build a great product until the cycle repeats.

I don't give a shit what shoes cost. I just wish I could find something comfortable. Shoes and 'shoe counselors' are the biggest racket this side of Chiropractors. And screw the lettuce heads who recommend trendy shops like The Rogue.

Not so much about the price as it is about how the shoe is made.

Rancourt. Family owned, US made, reasonable price.

I can't believe I watched it all the way to the end to find out this guy, and he most certainly is quite the craftsman in his trade, fixed Coach O's shoes.

Wow !!

That is some good info.

Now, what brands are the better quality?

Could you be troubled to assemble all the shoe posts together?

Kingfish, last year you posted a link when Johnson-Murphy had a sale. This would be appreciated if you post such a link again. My son's feet have finally stopped growing.

Nope, it was an A.E. sale.

Will you post when Allen Edmonds has a sale?

Allen-Edmods is the way to go. When they need to be resoled, send them back and for about $120 or so, you have a new pair of shoes. I have some that I’ve been wearing for 25+ years. Sold locally at Great Scott, but also on line. And screw you too, 4:48. Lose a hundred pounds and see how much better your feet will feel!

+1 for Martin Dingman and Allen Edmonds.

Kinkade’s carries MD, too, and you can find some exceptional shoes and belts there. Most of us know how to find Allen Edmonds by now. If you didn’t watch the video or aren’t sure about shoe quality/prices, here’s my bottom line: spend $350 for a lifetime with a pair of shoes, or spend $175 on those Johnston and Murphy’s and just keep replacing them every two years. YMMV.

By the way, that video was fascinating. Watched the whole thing. Asked myself... how much did he pay for those Cole-Hanns that $240 seemed appropriate for repair? No way those shoes cost $400 - they’re paper. Maybe he got married in them or something?

Thanks for sharing, KF.

Great video. Watched the whole thing. Very interesting to see a man performing his craft and explaining what he’s seeing that the layman would otherwise be missing. Thanks for sharing it.

I was at Soles & Heels yesterday. Baw in there had his boots, had beaten them to hell. Soles torn up with a hole and separated. He told him it would be $100. He took them back home. Wanted to just spend another $100 on a new pair of boots. If he had spent $250 and taken care of the damn things, he would have needed to buy another pair.

The Rogue not only has Martin Dingman, which makes excellent quality belts & shoes, but they just started carrying Wolf & Shepherd. Now those are some comfortable & well made shoes! Thanks for posting this KF

3:33: He pretty much did make him a custom shoe. That shoe is probably now better than when it shipped from the factory.

It’s wonderful to see a true craftsman. There are not many shoe repair shops around anymore. A dying art.

Client could've paid same for another shoe but these shoes had sentimental value to him, didn't want to let them go.