General Shoe Repair…that’s the name!
Some jobs are better left to the pros :-)
We don’t mind paying more upfront for quality, and we like getting as much use out of something for as long as we can. That philosophy is why we have a 30-year-old washer and dryer, a 23-year-old car, and a 40+ year old pair of hiking boots from college which are still worn every Winter!
Now that Spring is here, it is time to put away the winter gear and bring out the Summer stuff…which is when we noticed that an oft-worn pair of leather shoes had gone “full hobo” on us, something which we probably noticed last Fall but subsequently forgot about.
These leather shoes are only 7-years-old, relatively “young” in our collection of everyday things.
As we really like these Johnston & Murphy leather shoes, we thought we would fix them. But after doing some “sole-searching,” (see what we did there?) we quickly realized that this DIY needed to be left to a pro.
The best way to find good local resources these days is to check in with Facebook residential/community groups. It’s what we did for the shoes, and many pointed us to what they said was a great cobbler in our area with a store named General Shoe Repair.
They weren’t wrong!
Very un-assuming in the front, full of tools and knowledge in the back.
The shoes came back BETTER than new as they:
- had already been broken in,
- were given a non-slip rubber bottom (the original all-leather bottoms were a hazard on carpeting when new), and
- had brand new heels!!!
I like it!
To appreciate the work done and the skill needed, check out the close ups of the toe, heel, and sole. Note the fit and finish of the new toe and rebuilt heel.
Perfect sizing, attachment, and alignment.
The details of the non-slip sole show why we are not exaggerating when we said the repair made them “better than new.”
A sole made for traction pretty much anywhere.
FirstSteps
We could not wait to experience the “new shoes” so we put them on right after picking them up and wore them for the day.
As expected, they were immediately and completely comfortable, and now with great traction! Really like how they now feel on carpet and on the pavement. What a pleasure 🙂
Hey, you love what you love. Asparagus, NASA, leather shoes with new soles – it doesn’t matter. Good is good.
Johnston & Murphy has been making shoes since 1850 and is still (STILL) a great brand today. This particular style is the Ellsworth Monk Strap and comes with the following:
- Antiqued brass roller buckles;
- Leather lining;
- Removable, molded polyurethane cushioned insole; and
- Leather sole
Really, really good shoes, and now with terrific soles.
Shoe Care
With the soles renewed, we thought it was time to rejuvenate the uppers of our favorite leather shoes.
Go on, say it – they’re a little bit “down at the heel.”
The repair shop had buffed them a bit, but the shoes needed actual polishing as they had faded and the color really needed to be evened out.
Definitely polished; not so sure about the spit.
Our Kiwi polishing kit contains the following:
No kiwis (bird or human) (or fruit) were harmed in the making of this kit.
The brushes are made of horsehair with soft bristles and wooden handles. The small round ones are used to apply the polish. The longer ones are for polishing. For the final shine, buffing with the large cloth is a must.
The process:
- Dab on polish with a brush;
- Spread polish and let dry;
- Buff with polishing brush;
- Apply a lighter second coat of polish and repeat; and
- Final buff with the cloth for shine
Get buffing!
These Johnston & Murphy Monk Straps are now ready for another seven years of service.
We look forward to walking the miles ahead and hopefully be able to continue to extend their service life for as long as possible!!!
Very spiffy indeed.
Links to items mentioned:
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