Alden Shoes – Aging of Color #8 Shell Cordovan

16 Responses to Alden Shoes – Aging of Color #8 Shell Cordovan

1. Forest on February 13, 2009 at 3:01 pm

   Lovely. Will you enlighten (intended) me as to the manner in which they were kept and thereby lightened.

   Reply
   • Tom on February 13, 2009 at 3:13 pm

     Forest,

     Thank you for the comment. These shoes were never treated or polished with wax remarkably. They were also left out in the indirect sunlight for a few months during 2007 at my home.

     Aloha,

     Tom

     Reply
2. sri on February 16, 2009 at 11:34 am

   Tom, pleasantly surprised to see these shoes posted on your website … they make a great addition to all the nice new aldens you have The shoes are almost cigar-like in color, the patina is beautiful. My #8 PTBs are nearing the 1 year mark and they have lightened up a bit, but I have a long way to go … hoepfully they will turn out like yours someday.

   I really hope that you will post pics of your other aldens too, the aging of shell is very unique and always beautiful.

   Reply
3. Speedmaster on February 28, 2009 at 1:10 pm

   Beautiful!

   Reply
   • Tom on February 28, 2009 at 2:06 pm

     Thanks Sri, Thanks Speedmaster!

     Aloha,

     Tom

     Reply
4. Zach on March 16, 2009 at 5:05 am

   They would look very different if you polished them. I regularly polish all my shell cordovan shoes and they are extremely shiny. (I know people advise against this, but I have never experienced any “buildup” of any kind.

   Reply
   • Tom on March 16, 2009 at 8:49 am

     Zach,

     Thank you for the comment. Yes, they would. I regularly polish my shell cordovan shoes too. This particular pair was kind of an experiment.

     Aloha,

     Tom

     Reply
5. Mark on May 29, 2010 at 6:04 pm

   I like shell and own 2 pair of Alden and 1 pair of Ron Ryder. My question for you – do you actually ever wear your shoes? Mine all have scuffs and nicks, etc., because I wear them.

   Reply
6. Tom on May 30, 2010 at 1:13 pm

   Mark,

   Not sure if I understand your question. I wear my shoes 5-6 days a week.

   Aloha,

   Tom

   Reply
7. Nadeem Ahmed on September 19, 2010 at 7:25 pm

   Tom,
   This is a great example of how the shell cordovan ages. What I am wondering is that in the absence of any wax, how long cordovan leather can remain soft and supple, as is its characteristic. Don’t you think, without any wax, the leather will get dried and hard eventually, though far later than calf leather.

   Nadeem.

   Reply
8. Tom on September 19, 2010 at 8:04 pm

   Nadeem,

   If you get a chance to visit our Hawaii store you will see that this pair is still supple and very nice even without polishing much. Wax will not soften or make shell cordovan supple. It will only bring out a shine and color on the top surface.

   Shell cordovan is really a unique and wonderful leather!

   Aloha,

   Tom

   Reply
9. Nadeem Ahmed on December 12, 2010 at 12:12 am

   Thanks, Tom, this is a great learning about the characteristics of this wonderful material.

   Nadeem.

   Reply
10. Ryan on April 1, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    Tom,

    Is there a way to speed up the aging process? Love the color these have developed.

    Ryan

    Reply
    • Tom on April 1, 2011 at 5:13 pm

      Ryan,

      Leaving them in the direct sunlight would help.

      Aloha,

      Tom

      Reply
11. Panerai Straps on May 9, 2011 at 11:39 am

    Gorgeous shoes…cant wait for my shell watch straps to develop a lot of patina!

    -Daniel

    Reply
    • Tom on May 9, 2011 at 11:43 am

      Thank you Daniel.

      Reply