Shoes

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It looks like I might be tumbling down another rabbit hole!

Just got my second pair from Oblum today.
Dark Green Longwing Bluchers in Argentinian crust leather.
Double sole with the tapered heel.

Had spoken to Oblum about this shoe for a while and it took some time to get the shape I had wanted. I had requested them for a more rounded shape similar to my earlier shoe. I just had to wait as they were busy with the festive season earlier. My shoes were ready for a fitting a couple of days ago following which I was keen on trying out either a dark green or navy blue colour. After having a chat with Tarun I went with the dark green. The fit and finish of this shoe is absolutely superb.

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Posting an update on my Bridlen Derby pair that I had posted about earlier.

Due to an unfortunate mistake I had ordered the pair a half size large. Bridlen was very gracious in getting the shoes resized at no charge. The resizing was done with the kind help of their team who have been a pleasure to deal with. Unfortunately for me though, the shoe design had proportions that created a poor fit in the resized shoe. There was an overly boxy toe shape and a heel area that was too tall and resulted in heel slip. I had pretty much resigned myself to having a botched up pair of shoes.

In the meantime I had made a couple of shoes with Oblum and decided to ask Tarun if he would consider relasting the pair for me. This pretty much meant redoing the entire shoe. To my surprise Tarun was happy to do it and since they already had my measurements it was a matter of about 7 - 10 days before I got the shoes back. To say that I am pleased with the result is an understatement.

Leaving some pictures on here of my relasted Derbys ...

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Nikhil said:
From the World Championship in Bespoke Shoemaking 2024




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Click to expand...
I am curious if these shoes will fit the majority of Indian shoes. I have a friend in the shoe business ( was with Nike) who says our feet are wider especially around the toes due to most of us, across cultures/states walking barefoot a lot ( at home) unlike most other cultures where one is always wearing a shoe
 

The new Indian shoe sizing system “Bha” will not only consider the length of the foot but also the width to create a more comfortable fit for individuals across various age groups.​

In December 2021, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) collaborated with the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Chennai to develop an ‘Indian footwear Sizing system’ that caters specifically to the needs of Indians. Recently, a pan-India survey was conducted to determine the system’s effectiveness, and a report was submitted to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for approval.
Proposed to be named ‘Bha’ (भ) to represent Bharat, the initiative aims to revolutionise the way footwear is manufactured in India. Bha is expected to replace the existing UK/European and US sizing systems by 2025


The assumption may be that all the diversity of foot shapes and sizes in the subcontinent can be standardised
 
arj said:
I am curious if these shoes will fit the majority of Indian shoes. I have a friend in the shoe business ( was with Nike) who says our feet are wider especially around the toes due to most of us, across cultures/states walking barefoot a lot ( at home) unlike most other cultures where one is always wearing a shoe
Click to expand...

The shoes on display are made for competition i.e. not necessarily wearable. Shoemakers sometimes make a special shoe for the show with exaggerated design features to display their workmanship. But bespoke shoes are just the thing for those with non standard shoe sizes.

This was a shoe made by Ken Kataoka for last year's competition - a very special showpiece.

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World Championships of Shoe Patina 2024 and World Championships of Shoemaking 2024​

Award Ceremony from the event held recently in London.



World Championships of Shoemaking 2024 - Call for Competition
(for a little background on what went on before hand that culminated in London)
shoegazing.com

World Championships of Shoemaking 2024 - Call for competition - Shoegazing.com

We now open up the fifth edition of the World Championships of Shoemaking, where the final takes place during the London Super Trunk Show on May 4 2024.
shoegazing.com shoegazing.com

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The Youtube channel of 2024 winner Ken Hishinuma is really good.
Here is his video documenting all the work and details that went into his effort.



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Analogous said:
The assumption may be that all the diversity of foot shapes and sizes in the subcontinent can be standardised
Click to expand...

But, won't the effort fetch better result than using standardized US/UK sizes for all the diversity of foot shapes and sizes in the subcontinent? At least standardization would be as per local diversity rather diversity of far off islands of altogether different human race.
 
Yogesh said:
But, won't the effort fetch better result than using standardized US/UK sizes for all the diversity of foot shapes and sizes in the subcontinent? At least standardization would be as per local diversity rather diversity of far off islands of altogether different human race.
Click to expand...
Possible.
I would wait for definitive evidence that the diverse and heavily mixed gene pool we have in the subcontinent has a standard foot shape and size variation justifying this. (Kashmir to KK, Kutch to Kohima and everything in between)
It’s a big decision that should not be based on beliefs or political considerations. I would wait to see the Pan India foot survey- study first if it’s not deemed a secret.
After all it’s about the comfort of our feet
 
The point here is we were happily using/suffering a standardized shoe sizes of alien lands of alien people. For all the diversity of foot shapes and sizes in the subcontinent,

Now if an effort is being made to switch to a standard measured on people from Kashmir to KK, Kutch to Kohima and everything in between, Wouldn't it be an switch to a more compatible system? Even considering the diversity, provided that in current system, this diversity is not considered at all.
 
Interesting video on some polishes and shoe creams …the shoeshine expert is passionate and knowledgeable …sadly from experience, I tend to agree with his critique of the Saphir pommadier shoe cream polish ..
 
Tricker's Heath Golf Derby Shoes in Marron Antique, sized UK9.5 and purchased from Herring Shoes. Built on Tricker's 4497K last (bump toe version of the popular 4497S last), they come in Ridgeway Rubber Soles (manufactured by the Harboro Rubber Company, better known as Dainite after their studded rubber soles) and with all Tricker's goodies like calf leather uppers, storm welted construction , bellows tongue, etc. The last pair available was selling at 50% discount, so couldn't resist. Got them shipped to Dubai, UAE where the landing price is only 20% higher (after customs & CIF) compared to about 72% in India right now and a friend later hand-carried them to India. The shoe trees in the pics are made by Pro Premium Care.

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With regards,
Sandeep Sasi
 
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