Blackadder
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Shiniki as a tannery produces different types of leather. But there were not that many makers using Shinik back then. So when I referred to Shiniki, I am only thinking about the Shiniki RM, RC and FW use which I like very much. I have never handled any Himel or Goodwear or Fields. Also being the Outerwear section, we don't talk much about shell cordovan. Admittedly, Shiniki's shell is not that impressive. Other forums however do have groups of Shiniki fans (who would buy any leather from Shiniki) and Shell Cordovan fans (who would buy only shell cordavan shoes) but not here especially not in this section.
There would be bad batches of Shiniki just as we have seen that there have been bad batches of CXL (I remember a fellow member has complained about his Aero CXL fading after a few wear a few years back). QC of Shiniki IMO is still quite acceptable.
Anyway, I prefer "Shiniki" (those used by RM, RC and FW) to leather used by say LW because "Shiniki" does age quickly to look like vintage leather. The Shiniki of my RM J-24 would look like my vintage Buco J-24L after some wear but the leather LW J-23 (which I sold) would never turn out like vintage Buco. For one thing, LW has a blueish core. I can understand why LW uses chrome tanned leather but I often wonder why LW does not overdye their russet brown with black to create a more vintage shade that would fade like vintage leather.
There would be bad batches of Shiniki just as we have seen that there have been bad batches of CXL (I remember a fellow member has complained about his Aero CXL fading after a few wear a few years back). QC of Shiniki IMO is still quite acceptable.
Anyway, I prefer "Shiniki" (those used by RM, RC and FW) to leather used by say LW because "Shiniki" does age quickly to look like vintage leather. The Shiniki of my RM J-24 would look like my vintage Buco J-24L after some wear but the leather LW J-23 (which I sold) would never turn out like vintage Buco. For one thing, LW has a blueish core. I can understand why LW uses chrome tanned leather but I often wonder why LW does not overdye their russet brown with black to create a more vintage shade that would fade like vintage leather.
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