Help! Quick opinion on Kreosote boots.

[Brandrea33]

There is no way this thing doesn't blow up. There are established means for a custom operation to operate sustainably; he not only does not follow these methods but takes pride in blowing them off. He could right the ship by taking these steps but incorrectly sees them as compromise.

(Typed this yesterday before Edward's message though I think it still holds.)


This example is an interesting one because a a bespoke shirtmaker of whom red devil and I have recently become customers was a stand-up comic in London in the 60s then decided to train up as a shirtmaker as a more stable job. When you do it right, craft is sustainable. The issue is that this Gabbard character takes pride in not having apprentices and otherwise not using traditional practices, seeing them as compromise. It's particularly silly given that it's not like apprentices are doing the work for customers' orders! They're gathering materials and working on logistics while the master craftsman drafts things (ideally freehand). And once they learn the process they can strike out on their own.

My own regret is that I didn't find a way to apprentice with a tailor instead of going to university.



To me this is a bit damning. All of this emphasis on customisation and perfect fit but it's not even a custom last? Why on earth would someone go with him over Julian?

For that matter you can have Springline make you a bespoke last and then there are a fair few RTW companies in the UK that are willing to use your Springline last to make you shoes and boots!



I really do owe him an email. We had a great hour long phone conversation a year ago when I wanted to buy one of the vintage coats on sale at his site and the man was a gem to speak with. I was going to follow up but have had the draft sitting half complete for a year.

He’s in the process of renovating his house, so his time is pretty limited at the moment.

You’re right, he’s an absolute pleasure to speak with.