BARGAIN VINTAGE ENGINEER BOOTS

Brand: Unknown
Circa: Late 1950's / 1960's
Color: Black
Measurements:
Size: Unmarked, but measures like a size 8 - 8 1/2
Length: 11 1/2”
Width: 4 1/4"
Sole: Full composition Cat's Paw
Leather: Cowhide
Hardware: Nickel
Sold For: Best Offer from $299.99

It's interesting to observe what folks consider a deal. These were up for $299.99 BIN or best offer yet they went unsold for a couple of days while other completely misrepresented vintage boots of lesser quality and characteristics sell for eight ... nine bills.

With relatively minor flaws, these were the PERFECT candidates for a trip to Role Club headquarters -- flat toe box, "toe tracks," perfectly-aged oil-tanned Cowhide (minor surface cracking) and an ideal overall profile. Brian could easily replace the missing gussets, darn the left backstay and add a new set of Bridgestones. I would have gladly paid the three bills for these and been very content ... until the next good deal came along.

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MOTO MONDAY

Rollin' out.

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READER MAIL

I just received my custom Wesco "Boss" boots. The craftsmanship, materials and build quality are second to none.

These are the specs:
-Burgundy Domain leather
-Vibram 705
-Double midsole
-Motor Patrol Toe
-extrude instep strap
-Double Khaki stitching sole/welt
*custom solid brass Wesco 1990 roller buckles on order

-Darren

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Darren, Those are phenomenal, congrats!

These are the types of informative e-mails collectors really enjoy. Wear 'em in good health!

Cheers!
John

DJANGO REINHARDT

Jean "Django" Reinhardt

23 January 1910 – 16 May 1953

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MOTO MONDAY

Also known as the "Career Jammer" ... at least during my younger years.

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MIDCENTURY HOUSEWARE SALE!

Jillian is our interior designer and has decided some vintage pieces don't fit into the room they were intended for. Not pictured is another Moss Lamp spinner with double shades. If interested, please leave a comment on Jillian's Instagram.

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1950's Carlo Of Hollywood (51" x 33")

Super rare midcentury Moss Lamp with spinning figurine

Midcentury Reglor of California underwater beauty

READER MAIL

Dear John,

I hope you are well! I want to ask two questions regarding engineer boots. I've been following your Instagram for a while and decided to solve the problem that I can't find a pair of engineer boots that fit my feet.

First, I want to learn how to wear engineer boots. I've already purchased three pairs of engineer boots, two of which Wesco and the other Viberg. However, I found them all unfit. I found that the strap on my instep seemed decorative and it couldn't prevent the heel from dropping. The size is good because I wear a pair of Wesco lace-up packer in the same size perfectly. My feet fit the inside length of my Boss boots, too. How to deal with this problem? Should I buy I pair of engineer boots in a smaller size and wear it in the way that I wear loafers?

Second, I am going to make a pair of boots with Brian. Role Club seems the only choice for me to get a pair of boots that fit my feet. I want to consult you about the style of the heels. I am 173cm high. Is it proper to have a low heel like the one of Viberg's service boots? Do you have some suggestions? I don't like a very high heel because it will make me too high, which is weird.

Thanks for reading my letter. I hope my poor English doesn't bother you so much. Hope you and your blog are well in the coming year!

Best,
Simon

www.vintageengineerboots.com

Hello Simon, 
Thank you for the e-mail!
Heel slippage is a common characteristic of Engineer Boots; however, extreme slippage should be considered unacceptable, especially with custom-made boots. Having said that, I almost always have to punch another hole or two to the instep strap of all my modern homage boots regardless of them being custom sized or not. When ordering Role Clubs, you'll be required to provide custom measurements and mine fit like a charm ... with minimal heel slippage. Again, you'll never run into a pair of Engineers that lack any type of slippage. Also, it is not uncommon to have to undo the instep strap in order to wear or remove the boots for the purpose of reduced heel slippage.
I answered the heel height question for Sam just a couple of weeks ago and since you are shorter than him, I don't think heel height should pose any issues. You and I are about the same height and I went with the full stacked Woodsman heel. Like I told Sam, "It completes the whole package" and I couldn't be any happier with them.
I hope this helps.
Cheers, John

PARAMOUNT RANCH

Had a good time hanging out at Paramount Ranch during a photo shoot by Steph Fowler of Steph Fowler Photography.

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MOTO MONDAY

Mechanized fire power.

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RRL's BARRIGNER

Another addition to my list of jackets to buy. The Barrigner coat is a sweet piece of gear.

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READER MAIL

Hi, John

I'm writing this email to ask you what I can do to fix a cut in my left BUCO boots as its shown in the pic attached. Although the cut don't seem too deep now because  I managed to cover it with Johnsons black shoe oil, yet I'd like to repair this open wound further.

I'm looking forward to your replies.

Regards

CJ
A big fan of your VEB blog

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Hi CJ, 

Bummer about the cut. Not to worry, though, there is an easy fix for it. 

Back when we still wore leather combat boots (aka "Cadillac's") it was difficult to maintain our spit shines while working around equipment and a lot of the time we ended up with deep gouges and scrapes on our boots by the end of the day. Rather than risk being "corrected" by anyone of higher rank for not being squared away, we quickly learned how to repair these uniform discrepancies. 

Here's what you'll need:

GLUE- Back then (over twenty years ago), Crazy Glue was my bonding liquid of choice, but after working with leather for so many years I learned that Elmer's (yes, school glue) works wonders as a leather bonding agent. There's also glue marketed specifically for leather work. 

 - Because yours is a straight forward cut and not a gouge with a flap, I'd personally use Crazy Glue. 

POINTY OBJECT (fine point) - A sewing needle or bamboo skewer point to carefully apply the glue.

SANDPAPER (fine grit) - 1200 grit should do the job

LEATHER DYE (black) 

Q-TIP

SHOE POLISH (black)

Instructions:

- To avoid accidentally applying too much glue on the leather, you'll want to squeeze some onto a piece of paper or cardboard. 

- Using the needle or skewer, dab the tip and carefully apply it along length of the cut. Don't worry about overfilling the cut - you just don't want glue to drip anywhere outside of it. If this occurs, use a damp paper towel to wipe it right off. 

- Once the glue is completely dry, use the sandpaper to even out the glue. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel and let dry. 

- At this point, use a Q-Tip to carefully apply leather dye along the length of the cut, allow to dry. You can polish the boots to even everything out, or leave it as-is if you already have a nice patina.

This is a procedure I've done many times over the years, so I know it works. 

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

John

MOTO MONDAY

Standing on the platform, the extremely intimidating Slide for Life obstacle feels like a ten story drop. Luckily for me, I've never had an issue with upper body strength, so reaching the end of the rope proved to be fairly simple. At the center, however, Drill Instructors make it a bit more challenging by shaking the rope and the only thing preventing me from falling into the pool was the idea of having to go through the rest of the day with wet boots. Good times at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego back in 1995!

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READER MAIL

Most comfortable engineer boot?

So just like the subject says, I am looking for an engineer boot that provides that will be comfortable for standing on concrete for long periods of time. I currently have a pair of Chippewa engineer boots that feel like bricks on my feet, and there is little room inside for an insole. I realize comfort is subjective, but I think I am looking for something with a softer sole and room for an insole. Any recommendations? Possibly a softer sole on the Chippewas?

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Red Wing 2970

Hi Dave,
I owned two pairs of shorty Chippewa Moc Toe Engineer Boots with crepe wedge (aka Christy) soles and they were the most comfortable boots I ever owned. They have a pleasant springy, cushiony feel to them when you walk, perfect everyday shoes/boots, perfect for dog-walking, perfect for working in and they look damn good with premium denim!

My personal pair with original-style buckles

My personal pair with original-style buckles

The newer version of these shorty boots are the Chippewa 97879, but have the newer style buckles I'm not too fond of.

I also tried on the Red Wing 2970 Engineer and they proved to be just as comfortable as my shorty Chippewas.

Another Red Wing model you may want look into is the 2990 or 2991 (brown). They have a softer Nitrile Cork outsole.

Red Wing 2990

If you're dead set on the traditional sole, you may want to consider buying boots one half size up in order to allow for thick sneaker insoles. I use thick boot socks and have been wearing boots for over twenty-five years, so there's not a pair of boots that I don't find comfortable. Thick boot socks and sneaker insoles? Forget about it - I could run a marathon with this combo.

**Be mindful that these may not be the best option to help against nails penetrating the soles.

Hope this helps.
Cheers!
John

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!!!

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