First post Alden boots

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 1:57 pm

Selamat Jumpa....
This is my first post, and you guys are the best. I found the wealth of knowledge and hoping to achieve some more.

I can't afford Alden boots...yet, so i gather as many Alden boots image as i could, took it to local shoemaker, measured my feet , and voila! he called just an hour ago told me it's ready.

What do you guys think? am i doing some evil copying those boots?

Regards,
Atkins

Wrightknife · Post by **Wrightknife** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:11 pm

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:14 pm

What did they cost you? I may have to have my local shoemaker do this!

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:24 pm

Yes i know...image...image...image... i'll post image in next 24 hours...i'm out of town now.

It cost me about 25 US Dollar, i think it's lamb skin because lamb skin is very available

in my country. Size 11.Russet ( reddish ) Wish me luck guys...

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 2:56 pm

Hahaha. I can't even buy a new pair of junk shoes for $25 in America. I didn't notice where you were from, but if they are quality, that's a great deal!

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:52 pm

For another 30 dollar i can have indy's jacket also in lamb...but that's a path to the darkside because the result could be disastrous...sinjce i never handle any indy jacket . Better save it for Wested.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 6:31 pm

Selamat Jumpa....

what does that mean? i recognize selamat as it's kind of like "thank you/see you later" in my native tongue.

Nicolas · Post by **Nicolas** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 5:10 am

Selamat datang !
So, you're from Djakarta ! Saya orang Perancis !

Your shoes are "Murah" ! I definitely want to see somes pics ....

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:56 am

About the boots, i'm wearing it right now,just took it from the shop. Yes i'll post pictures 12 hours from now ( gotta wait for the sunlight

) . The leather is soft, pumpkin red, tan nylon shoe lace, can't complain

. For me the main mistake is the height, i forgot to tell them it supposed to be 2inch shorter than it is now. They said it would cost me another 4 bucks to cut it lower, but i think I'll wait for your comments first.

Untuk Nicolas di Perancis: Itulah enaknya tinggal di Indonesia, semua murah! Bahasa kamu bagus, belajar dari siapa?

Regards,
Atkins

binkmeisterRick · Post by **binkmeisterRick** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:18 am

atkins, there is nothing which says you can't "copy" the Alden shoe. In fact, if you look around, you'll find mention of numerous "close enoguh" boots or other options. Magnoli (a vendor here) offers custom made boots which are identical in style to the Alden. Keep in mind that there are plenty of vendors which offer their version of the same things here (whip, bag, shirt, hats, jacket, etc.) and that there are gearheads here who seek out great alternatives to fit their budgets. It sounds like your boot alternative is a good one for you. I'd be interested in seeing pics, too, when you get the chance.

Perceval · Post by **Perceval** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:08 pm

Welcome to COW Atkins!
I'm glad you're already getting some gear!
Can't wait to see pictures

Best,
~Perceval

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:25 pm

I was toying with the idea of getting some really affordable reproductions made in the far east, I never was able to get good enough reference to forward to the bootmaker I found. Looks like you beat me to it!

Looking forward to pics!

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:35 pm

An interesting project!

$25 is certainly a great price, I'm sure many members here would love to see the results.

Al

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:00 pm

As promised....
Yes i know, it's 3 inches too tall, thumb stiches had "v" shape rather than "u" shape and the string hole was too far back....
Anyway i'm happy with the result

...it's my new day to day boots...

This is the photos i gave to the boot maker:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10077722@N02/813640617/

Da Boots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10077722@N02/813640629/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10077722@N02/813640711/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10077722@N02/813640791/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10077722@N02/813640803/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10077722@N02/813640807/

Regards,
Atkins

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 11:21 pm

well, i think you've commented on everythin that i had to say....most importantly though.....are they comfy?

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:14 am

Yes, they 're very comfortable somehow altough the maker only wrapped the flexible ruler around middle of my right foot and drew around it. The next step is to distress it a little using this NC SYSTEM darker wood stain (http://www.propanraya.com/produk_wood_eng.html). I tried it on older pumpkin red shoes and it darkened to a wonderful seal brown with nice reddish under color. Surprised at the result, i "drowned" my old shoes in bucket of water for 12 hrs and did not find any signs of fading. Yipeeee

Regards,
Atkins

Captain Ron Solo · Post by **Captain Ron Solo** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:58 pm

Wow! Not bad at all for $25.

Ron

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:41 am

Thanks Ron,

The next project is shirt and pants, the tailor called today. Picture coming soon...

Regards,
Atkins

Post by **Ken** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:23 am

When I was out in Casablanca I gave a local leathermaker my Wested overnight. The next day I had a carbon copy - the leather I am sure was inferior but it really was a perfect copy.

It made me think that if you lived somewhere with access to efficient and cheap labour like that you could almost open shop.

Ken

atkins · Post by **atkins** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:38 am

Ken, if only i could find a leather crafman that can copy of Indy's whip just from a photo, i'll consider opening a business website much,much seriously...

We have very "abundant" amount of lamb, cow, croc skin here in Indonesia....

Regards,
Atkins

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:44 pm

a leathersmith can't construct a whip....only a whipmaker can do that IMO.

i have seen offerings by saddelry shops and leather product shops here. they are typically 4 plait whips that serve only to be wallhangers as i cannot find any useful task for them.

making a whip is an art, its not constrution. my 2 cents. TIFWIW.

First post Alden boots

First post Alden boots

oops...image in 48 hours

You'd be surprised.....

Selamat Jumpa is very nice to meet y'all in Bahasa Indonesia

Comfortable

Next are The Shirt and Pants

Thank you for the idea....