Cowboy Boots

[George Dombeck]

another shot. Thanks for any help. geo

 

[George Dombeck]

 

[Bamaboots]

View attachment 149890 View attachment 149892 Boot/skin identification needed. I bought these on Ebay for $35.00, (goodwill price on heel $6.99). They were advertised as "Crocodile". Anyone tell me what these are? Brand is Botas Jaca .

George, I know nothing of the brand Jaca, other than it is Mexican. I couldn't find anything on the Co. but saw quite a few of their boots for sale on the secondary market with several pair I looked at described as having a stamped or printed leather.

Your boots appear to be a printed leather that's designed to "maybe" simulate Caiman as that's the closest hide I could think of it even coming close to.

I could certainly be wrong but I've never seen leather similar to this out in the wild.

 

[George Dombeck]

If its "Printed" its really good because the scales are deep.

 

[Bamaboots]

Turns out they are Paul Weller boots, I contacted the company and Paul's son Dave told me they were made by his dad and that entry level models were about $2500/pair!. He repaired the boots for me and hopefully they'll last me a long time.

Rob, that's a couple pair of legacy cowboy boots to collectors. To have been made by Paul Wheeler and worked on by his son as well is pretty cool as Dave is no longer taking orders as he prepares for retirement. There will be no more Wheeler boots.

 

[Bamaboots]

If its "Printed" its really good because the scales are deep.

As I said, I could be wrong but I don't see scales, I see what appears to be a print to simulate it.

Caiman Lucchese boots

 

[Hurricane Jack]

If its "Printed" its really good because the scales are deep.

It's a print. There's no individual scales there at all. You bought what we used to call a "Velvet Elvis".

 

[George Dombeck]

There are "Scales" as the leather has a flap. This is a better picture. I lifted the flaps as I cleaned them, flaps of skin on the heels as well. I still say, if it is "Printed" they actually cut into the leather to make the scales. Also, I have not seen this type of leather. Velvet Elvis!

 

[Hurricane Jack]

The flaps as you call them are not scales. Scales would also be running up & down diagonally. The flaps would be made up of segments. To me they don't much look like Caiman at all. If the print wasn't so big & if the vamps were made up of 4 smaller pcs then I would say they look more like lizard. But it would be one big lizard to get a skin that big.

Believe what you will; I'm going to leave it at that.

 

[George Dombeck]

Well, I'm confused at to what they are supposed to look like. Ive never seen a skin like that before. Seems like a lot of nonsense to make fake skin on leather soled, wood pegged boots. I think if anyone asks what they are , Ill make something up. Thanks for the feedback, I'm here to learn. geo

 

[Hurricane Jack]

Seems like a lot of nonsense to make fake skin on leather soled, wood pegged boots.

Really? You don't think there is a market for faux exotic boots based on their price point? What about faux ladies designer handbags we hear so much about? Faux electronics, faux pearls, faux furs?

 

[George Dombeck]

Well, i'm glad my price point was $35. I just saw a "replica" Rolex at the antique store the other day, $55. From now on I'm sticking with known brands.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

It's not about the skin anyway. The real art of a boot begins with the lines of the boot regardless of the stitching or gingerbread that comes later. This boot by Tex Robin is among my favorites. Note how the vamp & the top flow together to almost look one piece. You have to really look to see where they join together. And if you were to see the boot turned more to it's side you would see how the top curves inward above the heel counter just like the natural lines of a human foot, instead of rising straight up like a roper. That not only goes to art, it goes to a good fit.

All hand stitched.

 

[Bamaboots]

Seems like a lot of nonsense to make fake skin on leather soled, wood pegged boots.

I think HJ makes a great point about the market for faux articles. Not knowing anything of Jaca boots, I spent a good bit of time looking at their boots on eBay and other sale sites. I looked through all 21 listings on the bay and those that were not smooth leathers were stamped/printed patterns.

 

[George Dombeck]

That's really nice. I love when its all smooth like that, (forefoot to heel). My favorite boots grab my foot when it "pops" on. Boots that have a nice line seem to fit better. I have ropers for winter wear and they sure don't grab my foot, as you said, above the heel it goes straight up instead of curving.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Rob, that's a couple pair of legacy cowboy boots to collectors. To have been made by Paul Wheeler and worked on by his son as well is pretty cool as Dave is no longer taking orders as he prepares for retirement. There will be no more Wheeler boots.

I know that, I had to talk Dave into repairing them as he had told me he wasn't doing new work. They should last me the rest of my life and then I'll pass them on if the uppers hold out.

BTW, I saw your small treatise on Tiny Lama history and labels back on p150 of this thread, is there something similar for Lucchese labels to tell me what's worth seeking out?


thanks,

Rob

 

[Bamaboots]

BTW, I saw you small treatise on Tiny Lama history and labels back on p150 of this thread, is there something similar for Lucchese labels to tell me what's worth seeking out?

Rob, I don't have a lot of experience with Lucchese as I've only owned one pair. The pair I owned were the Classics and they were stamped as such on the inside of the shaft and I think that is typical of Lucchese's.

The only Lucchese's I would be interested in are the Classics and I keep an eye out for the San Antonio made boots as they are highly thought of. There is some confusion about their labeling since Lucchese's have the 1883 models and the Classics and all Lucchese boots have "Since 1883" on them somewhere and I've seen a lot of 1883's listed as Classics in the secondary markets.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Got it, thanks.

 

[belfastboy]

Rob, I don't have a lot of experience with Lucchese as I've only owned one pair. The pair I owned were the Classics and they were stamped as such on the inside of the shaft and I think that is typical of Lucchese's.

The only Lucchese's I would be interested in are the Classics and I keep an eye out for the San Antonio made boots as they are highly thought of. There is some confusion about their labeling since Lucchese's have the 1883 models and the Classics and all Lucchese boots have "Since 1883" on them somewhere and I've seen a lot of 1883's listed as Classics in the secondary markets.

I own two pair of Lucchese Classics and both are clearly stamped as "Classics"

 

[Recoil Rob]

Thanks for the help.
A couple more if I may, What are "Lucchese 2000"?

And are all Tony Lama "El Rey's" quality boots or does it depend on when they were made?


thanks,

Rob