Allen Edmonds MacNeil Recraft pictures

[AlanC]

I bought this pair of shell AE MacNeils from a guy on Ask Andy who had thrifted them, but found the B width too narrow for him. The fit was good for me, but the condition was a bit rough. Since the shoes were shell cordovan I figured I could justify a trip to AE Recrafting for them. I sent them off the week before Christmas knowing they'd likely be back by the time I returned from some extended travel. I was right--they came last week.

I chose the cheaper of the recraft options, forgoing the bags and trees, the Standard Package at $95 (vs. Prestige for $120, both include two way shipping). They came in an AE box (with my name on it) with one of the polishing clothes you get with AE seconds, so no complaints there at all. I specified that they not refinish the shell since it had developed some nice patina. The only complaint would be a small pinhole sized area where they repaired some shell that had worked its way lose from the sole. You also get a 'Before' picture from AE with the completed Recraft. The fit is a little snugger than before (not surprising), but they felt like they were opening up some with just a little wear around the house. I think with some time with trees and wearing the fit should be good.

Here are some before and after pics:

And after:

 

[Duck]

Great looking shoes, Alan. Thanks for the report on the recrafting.

 

[Dagwood]

The company did a very good job.

Not considering how the shoe is made, is there any difference in the quality of the AE shell cordovan from the Alden shell cordovan? In other words, is all shell cordovan the same? Thanks.

 

[AlanC]

Thanks for the kind words.

As far as shell cordovan goes, both AE and Alden source their shell from Horween, that is certain. I have read where some claim that Alden gets first pick from Horween. I don't know if there's any way to verify that. However, it also seems the case that Alden treats or at least further dyes their #8 shell. I suppose one might give the edge to Alden, but I think it would likely only be a slight edge.

 

[Marty M.]

Recraft.

Great post Alan. Allen Edmonds is the shoe line that we carry in our store. Our clients know about the re crafting program. We have customers drop shoes off all the time for us to send in to Allen Edmonds for them. I'm always amazed at how good of a job they do.
I just realized recently that I've been losing money by doing this service for my customers. And it's not because I'm not selling them a new pair of shoes, actually I use the Recrafting service as a selling tool. No, I lose money because Allen Edmonds charge me $95.00. And I charge my customer $95.00, he then usually whips out his American Express card and pays for it. And he walks away a happy guy. Well, I just realized that I'm losing about $5.00 each time I get paid with his credit card :eusa_doh: .
Oh well, the price we have to pay to service our customers [huh] .
Marty Mathis

 

[CharlestonBows]

Great post Alan. Allen Edmonds is the shoe line that we carry in our store. Our clients know about the re crafting program. We have customers drop shoes off all the time for us to send in to Allen Edmonds for them. I'm always amazed at how good of a job they do.
I just realized recently that I've been losing money by doing this service for my customers. And it's not because I'm not selling them a new pair of shoes, actually I use the Recrafting service as a selling tool. No, I lose money because Allen Edmonds charge me $95.00. And I charge my customer $95.00, he then usually whips out his American Express card and pays for it. And he walks away a happy guy. Well, I just realized that I'm losing about $5.00 each time I get paid with his credit card :eusa_doh: .
Oh well, the price we have to pay to service our customers [huh] .
Marty Mathis

Just bump the sock prices up to compensate, lol

AlanC -- great post. They did a great job on the recraft. It also gives me some confidence about getting some myself.

 

[anon`]

Hey... I didn't get a "before" picture when I sent my shoes back to be recrafted!

Ah well, I'll just add my postive comments here, because it's a pretty good service. I've had one pair recrafted so far (and I've got three more Recraft Paks sitting on my table right now), with the "Prestige Package" due to the fact that I have a habit of buying my shoes at Nordstrom Rack when AE updates their collections. If anyone is wondering, they sent back a pair of full-toe shoe trees with my shoes, which do a fantastic job of preventing the toe from curling.

So, yeah. It's a great service, and a lot cheaper than buying a new pair of shoes! I just wish they had an option for leather or rubber half soles as part of the package.

 

[The Shooman]

The fudge welt and the stitching of the fudge welt looked better on the pre-repaired pair. The fudge welt doesn't have the `artistic groove' that the old fudge had, but maybe that will occur when the construction settles in.

None-the-less: quite a reasonable recraft old chap. Bravo to you.

 

[cookie]

The fudge welt and the stitching of the fudge welt looked better on the pre-repaired pair. The fudge welt doesn't have the `artistic groove' that the old fudge had, but maybe that will occur when the construction settles in.

None-the-less: quite a reasonable recraft old chap. Bravo to you.

I felt that too.... on the shoe heel wall... the finish looked a bit rough

 

[jgilbert]

I have 4 pr of AE's all about 8-10 yrs old and time has come to either do the re-craft or replace. From readiong the posts, it would appear worth the time to try the re-craft on at least one pr. before replacing.

Thoughts Gentlemen?

 

[AlanC]

If your AEs are of a classic style I would certainly consider recraft. If they're shell cordovan (as these were) then recraft makes even more sense. I think your strategy is good: choose a favorite pair, have them recrafted and see if it's worth it to you. Let us know how it goes.

 

[reetpleat]

Great post Alan. Allen Edmonds is the shoe line that we carry in our store. Our clients know about the re crafting program. We have customers drop shoes off all the time for us to send in to Allen Edmonds for them. I'm always amazed at how good of a job they do.
I just realized recently that I've been losing money by doing this service for my customers. And it's not because I'm not selling them a new pair of shoes, actually I use the Recrafting service as a selling tool. No, I lose money because Allen Edmonds charge me $95.00. And I charge my customer $95.00, he then usually whips out his American Express card and pays for it. And he walks away a happy guy. Well, I just realized that I'm losing about $5.00 each time I get paid with his credit card :eusa_doh: .
Oh well, the price we have to pay to service our customers [huh] .
Marty Mathis

Not to mention the processing and other labor involved. Although I suppose the price is not a lot if it brings in an already proven cusomer to your shop. A great chance they will buy somethign else while they are there and keeps them coming to you.

 

[reetpleat]

Question, I notice ae's get worn in to fit the foot of the wearer mroe than any sho I have ever seen. Is this considered a good thing. I can't imagine that that could ever fit anyone else once those deep grooves are worn in around the toe and ball.

Does recrafting do anythign about that?

I ask because I see ae's in the thrift stores all the time. Often they are in quite good condition but I don't pick them up becaus I imagine that they would not be desired by anyone else. Ofthen they are five to ten bucks and I would not mindd passing them along to lounge members or anyone else for a cheap price. But would anyone want them if they have started to wear into someone else's foot?

 

[Jovan]

I imagine years down the road, I'll send these in for recrafting...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230215378373&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

Just pulled the trigger. I think it was a worthy investment, no? Especially when I have a quality vintage suit that needs quality (and not corrected grain) shoes worn with it.

Nice, Alan. No pictures of the new soles?

 

[AlanC]

Nice, Alan. No pictures of the new soles?

You might want to refresh. The penultimate picture is of the soles.

 

[Jovan]

Okay, I see it now. Very nice.

 

[Marty M.]

Twin brothers of different Mothers.

I imagine years down the road, I'll send these in for recrafting...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230215378373&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

Just pulled the trigger. I think it was a worthy investment, no? Especially when I have a quality vintage suit that needs quality (and not corrected grain) shoes worn with it.

Nice looking shoes Jovan. I own a pair of Fairfax in Merlot color. Other then the fact that you're younger, taller, thinner, better looking and your shoes are of a different dye, we could be twins .
Marty Mathis

 

[cookie]

Nice looking shoes Jovan. I own a pair of Fairfax in Merlot color. Other then the fact that you're younger, taller, thinner, better looking and your shoes are of a different dye, we could be twins .
Marty Mathis

He's my bruvva from de uvva mudda!

 

[jgilbert]

reetpleat I too have wonder the same thing. I know that when I move to a new pr. of running shoes, there is a short time period where they just dont fell the same. However after about 50 miles or so (No not all at the same time) I feel right at home.

So try them for a short period and if you feel a problem or two have them relined.

 

[reetpleat]

I have the opposinte problem. When I buy a new pair of shoes, the yfeel fine. but after a while, they develop those ridges that I feel and can be annoying or even painful. I have certain stance tha results in my toes contracting and squishing a bigger ridge than some others might have.

I recently bought insoles and remove the soft insole of all my shoes nad place the insert in. Way more comfortabele, arch support etc. great for my back. I am planning on getting custom.

Since I only wear my vintage shoes for short time periods, I cna do that. But if I wore dress shoes all the time, I would probably buy a half size bigger and buy the dress shoes inserts.