This is interesting for a number of reasons and not just because I’ve just typed the words Visigoths and  “rump” for the first time in my professional career (and in the same sentence no less). At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis. We are a small family owned tannery that focuses on traditional methods of vegetable tanning processes that can take up to 3 months to produce the leather. By partnering directly with the brands we carry, we guarantee 100% authenticity of everything we sell. You do this to chromexcel leather as well right? Cordovan definition is - of or relating to Córdoba and especially Córdoba, Spain. Damn. You must log in or register to reply here. Cut the Fat: Wear shell enough and you’ll start to notice white streaks forming around the creases. The luxurious shoes in the cordovan collection boast the most coveted type of smooth leather in the world, processed by the Horween tannery in Chicago. Crockett & Jones has seen an increase in the popularity of all Genuine Shell Cordovan styles, to the point that many of our cordovan loving customers regularly ask us to develop new styles using the material. Whereas most leather companies utilize the hides from the whole cow and often divide one hide into many layers, essentially getting multiple quantities of thinner, inferior quality “leather” from one hide (though none you’ll likely read about here–we’re full-grain-leather-company people), SC comes only from horses and only from one isolated section of their posterior. Former Affiliate Vendor Threads; a Locked Forum. As for the colors this leather comes in, it’s relatively limited, and most stores tend to stock mostly a classic oxblood cordovan (aka #8) and black. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The result is a durable leather with an extremely smooth finish and beautiful shine. “For hot stuffing we start by steam-heating wooden drums, add retanned or veg tanned leather, and add a special blend of greases, waxes, and oils that are all propriety to Horween and mixed in house special for each product we make. SC comes from the flat muscle (or shell) beneath the hide on the rump of a horse, a tanning practice first explored by the Visigoths in seventh century (Cordoba) Spain. Carmina Shoes - Definitive Thread (reviews, advice, sizing, etc...). “Truth be told, there is a bit of magic involved. How do you “hot stuff” oils and waxes into leather? Shell Cordovan Wing Tips by Florsheim. Designed and built to last a lifetime. As for the colors this leather comes in, it’s relatively limited, and most stores tend to stock mostly a classic oxblood cordovan (aka #8) and black. What does a "formal" wedding dress code mean? That’s due to the way shell cordovan is made. 100% made in USA using old-world techniques. Horween Leather's Shell Cordovan is an extremely durable leather processed by hand in Chicago, USA. An Alden shoe made with shell cordovan leather will last a very long time. The leather (shell cordovan) was immediately prized for its durability. There is a science to tanning leather but sometimes it is more akin to cooking. Career and job listings in fashion, mens clothing, Reviews of Classifieds and classifieds sellers, http://putthison.com/post/5219725232...thers-are-made, http://www.styleforum.net/t/268468/the-shell-cordovan-non-alden-shoe-and-boot-thread/1995#post_8264435. Items crafted from it command a high price, with shoes usually at least a 50% premium over other high-end leathers. Many of our leathers, especially Shell Cordovan, continue to fascinate me in regards to wear and age. Image via Horween. Due to relatively limited supply and time consuming tanning process (more on that in a bit–brace yourself), there are only two well-regarded tanneries in the world producing SC: Shinki in Japan, and Horween in Chicago. But there are the others, and the names have largely been chosen by the … And while it remains to be seen who’ll be the last (wo)man standing…make that sitting, on the Iron Throne, I for one don’t need Dinklage whispering in my ear that I should bend a knee to Shell Cordovan, the undisputed King of Leather. The Official Alden Thread for 2021 - Share Reviews, Sizing, Advice, and Photos. Allen Edmonds Appreciation Thread 2020 - News, Pictures, Clothing, Accessories, etc. It’s reputed that the SC Alden uses for its shoes (don’t try them on unless you want to buy them because once you try them on you will have to buy them) goes through a six-month tanning process, and Nick Horween confessed very little to me, other than the facts that the formula they use was developed by his great great grandfather in 1905, and they still use the exact same process today. Produced with a centuries old leather tanning process that uses the highest quality raw materials and takes up to six months to complete. Shell Cordovan Boots by Alden. Often called shell cordovan, this leather is made from the “shell,“ a membrane on the part of the horse that goes over the fence last. Just last week, Viberg released a SC boot with a price tag of $1100…and it sold out in less than a minute! Most leather hides come from the entire animal, but shell cordovan is made with just the hindquarter of a horse, also … Shell Cordovan is a staple material of fine men’s shoemaking, but you may wonder what makes this kind of horse (!) The natural finish of Shell Cordovan produces an extremely durable leather, renowned for its strength and mirror-like luster. Only the leather from the rear flanks of heavy workhorses is suitable. The Barrie last is known to fit 1/2 size bigger, and it's usually... Q. Shell Cordovan from Horween. Cordovan is a rich shade of burgundy and a dark shade of rose.Cordovan takes its name from the city of Córdoba, Spain, where the production of cordovan leather was first practiced by the Visigoths in the seventh century. First things first, the word “cordovan” refers to both a color (burgundy-ish, brownish red), as well as a particular type of leather called “shell cordovan.” In the case of Wolverine’s 1000 Mile Cordovan No 8. boots, the word “cordovan” refers to the color of the boots and not the leather material. Image via Pinterest. Bored of counting likes on social networks? Each piece of (SC) leather is a natural product and the food-grade fats we use are also natural products. House Of Representatives Passes Bill To Incentivize Domestically Produced Textiles In The U.S.A. Pigeon Tree Crafting Kicks Off 2021 With Its fourth Santalum Collaboration Boot, Japan Blue Patches Up Another Indigo Bear. Accessories are less common for SC, so when you do see a maker willing to give up one of Trigger’s cheeks for a bag or batch of wallets and watch straps, expect to pay dearly (and be thankful). Specifically from the thickest part of the horse hide, the rump. Haven't been to a wedding since I was about 16. How do I take care of lambskin leather? Image via Style Ledger. JavaScript is disabled. To clean it up, lightly dampen a rag with a small 50/50 mixture of distilled white vinegar and water. If you are able to handle the leather, one way to identify shell is that scratches that would leave a permanent mark on calf are easily removed with a … The (non-exhaustive) list as follows, with special thanks to Keikari: Top Left to Right: Color #4 (a very reddish brown), Gunmetal (dark and metallic grey), Ravello (medium brown) Vintage Brown (darker than Ravello but lighter than cigar), Navy, and Green, Left to Right: Saddle (very light brown), Ruby (red), Cognac (mid-brown), Burgundy, Black, Green. Regions that include horse in their diet are scarce and that’s just the beginning of its rarity. I guess that’s not bad when you consider that SC is so durable (ironic that it’s almost exclusively used for non-working footwear), those Vibergs will serve their new owners for the rest of their lives, and those of their lucky heirs as well. Are Gurkha Trousers A Trend Or Here To Stay? We offer shell cordovan in amazing colours - pure aniline finishing, no pigments or varnishes are used, only natural biodegradable products, blends and mixtures. We even offer free shipping and returns, and a complimentary extended year warranty on all watches, so you can be confident you’ll be happy with your purchase. Stay up to date with the latest on new releases, features, and new shop products by subscribing to our free daily newsletter. Suffice it to say, the supply of SC leather is much lower (like all horsehide), creating high demand with prices to boot. Next, follow these six steps to polishing your cordovan leather shoes: Step 1: Brush shoes with a Horsehair Brush. Cordovan has long been regarded as one of the most exquisite and desirable leathers available in the world.The leather is cut from a very small area of the hide - the hind quarters, generally known as the "shell".This oval shaped shell has a very tightly bound grain structure, with little or no stretch. Answer (posted by @Chris Waffles): Shell cordovan leather does not form creases (or microcreases) like calf does, instead forming ripples. leather so special that it commands $500 or more per pair of shoes. The quality and desirability of SC is not opinion–it comes straight from the horse’s mouth (OK, fine…maybe a bit farther in the back). Shell Cordovan Watch Strap by Horween Leather. Image via Hodinkee. Shell Cordovan Wallet is a limited edition wallet, handmade in Chicago, IL, designed to celebrate American craftsmanship and the art of the leather tanning process. This sounds like magic! ), so it’s a natch match for shoes and boots. Above all, each piece is different. How does PayPal "pay after you receive the item" feature work? For dry shell, it just takes time and patience to get it re-hydrated. Image via Vcleat. Greases, waxes, and oils are pounded into the skins by the tumbling action of the heated mills. Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today! Image via GQ. The companies making SC shoes, etc. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Sign up for our free newsletter below! For a shoe that will last a lifetime, look no further than our Cordovan leather shoes! Truth be told, there is a bit of magic involved. are most of the usual suspects (Alden, Allen Edmonds, Viberg, Rancourt, Carmina, Winter Session, Tanner Goods), but with a price for the leather hides being somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 per square foot, this is not a material many mom and pops can afford to put on their shopping list. This video showcases the shell cordovan pit tanning process at Horween Leather in Chicago. Hot stuffing is a process done by very few tanneries in the world…technically part of a retanning process where we reintroduce fats/greases/oils to nourish the fibers of the skin. Each piece of leather is a natural product and the food-grade fats we use are also natural products. The term cordovan has come to describe the color of clothing, leather in particular; in this sense, the use of cordovan overlaps with that of oxblood. Sign up and be the first to hear about news, sales, and giveaways! Ashland Leather wallets are made from world famous Horween shell cordovan. The HODINKEE Shop is an authorized retailer of new watches from a growing but carefully curated set of brands. The shell cordovan colours below are the most popular across our customers. The natural dyeing and finishing process results in a beautiful leather with deep colors. Classic knee-high and ankle boots with elegant leather outsoles or robust rubber lug profile soles combine comfort and style. The term cordovan leather applies to the product of both the tanned fronts and tanned butts, but … (Jacket). The first step, depending on how dirty or soiled your cordovan leather shoes are, is to clean them. OK, stop thinking about it and try to strike the phrase “Hot Stuffing” from your memory. Alden Shell Cordovan shoes are made with Genuine Shell Cordovan leather from the famous Horween Tannery in Chicago. All leather tanning is a brutal, labor intensive process (thank you Youtube for giving me the willies), but with SC it’s even more so, and those who have perfected it are somewhat tight-lipped about their process. But no matter where you get your SC goods (I vote a shoe in a classic silhouette), do yourself a favor and save up to see what all the fuss is about. Check out my chat with Nick Horween about SC and his family’s leather legacy.). Preorders, Group Made-to-order, trunk shows, and o. shell cordovan will not crease. There’s one more type of shoe leather you should be aware of: shell cordovan. Image via Lord Point. Shell’s location on a horsehide. Boots. (Years ago, when I was still in college–the late’s 80’s…1980’s thank you–I bought a pair of SC wing tips from Florsheim, only to sell them on eBay after years of very heavy wear for more than I paid for them.). Each wallet's color, and the Horween Leather stamps on the wallet's interior, will be unique to the piece of Shell Cordovan used. (Yes, there are a few smaller tanneries in Italy and the UK, but Shiniki and Horween do most of the heavy lifting. ), in the land of leather, there can be but one true king. Our Cordovan Collection is made with the World’s Finest Horween Shell Cordovan leather. Shell Cordovan boots coming into their own. Cordovan leather is mainly used for high-end shoes. 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