Cowboy Boots

[Hagwood]

I'm wearing my Tony Lama Full Quill to work today. I've had these for almost 35 years and they still look new. They've been re-soled 3 or 4 times and never abused, I only wear them out on the town or to work occasionally and never ride the motorcycle with them ! Real Tony Lamas made in El Paso, before Justin bought them out and moved over half of their production to Mexico and China. Not a big Justin Fan because of what they did to Nacona....

 

[Bamaboots]

An IG link but worth a look just for the fun of it. This guy will do anything you want with cowboy boots. Not that I would do this.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2qGJDonUyB/

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I'm wearing my Tony Lama Full Quill to work today. I've had these for almost 35 years and they still look new. They've been re-soled 3 or 4 times and never abused, I only wear them out on the town or to work occasionally and never ride the motorcycle with them ! Real Tony Lamas made in El Paso, before Justin bought them out and moved over half of their production to Mexico and China. Not a big Justin Fan because of what they did to Nacona....


View attachment 186071

Justin didn't move Tony Lama to China. That happened after Justin Industries was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway in 2000.

Justin Industries & Nacona were always the same family. Justin moved from Nocona, TX for better rail service & Enid Justin stayed to start up Nocona Boots in the old Justin plant. Not sure what you mean by "what they did to (Nocona)..."

 

[Robieman]

Any of you fellas tried the Tecovas brand boots? Been seeing ads on TV. The prices seem reasonably.

 

[Bamaboots]

Any of you fellas tried the Tecovas brand boots? Been seeing ads on TV. The prices seem reasonably.

I've seen them, Rob and they have a lot of fans and the prices are reasonable. They don't produce a style I care for. Made in Leon which is not a bad thing. They started slow and and I think they're getting a foothold as they're offering different skins now and 2 options on the heel. There's a Reddit thread on cowboy boots with a lots of first time Tecova buyers on there and most seem happy with them.

 

[Bamaboots]

That happened after Justin Industries was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway in 2000

And the boots were just part of the deal, right Jack, because B H only wanted the brick business but Justin wouldn't sell unless they took the boot business as well?

 

[Robieman]

I've seen them, Rob and they have a lot of fans and the prices are reasonable. They don't produce a style I care for. Made in Leon which is not a bad thing. They started slow and and I think they're getting a foothold as they're offering different skins now and 2 options on the heel. There's a Reddit thread on cowboy boots with a lots of first time Tecova buyers on there and most seem happy with them.

Good to hear. I've been "kicking around" about getting a pair. Thank you sir.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

And the boots were just part of the deal, right Jack, because B H only wanted the brick business but Justin wouldn't sell unless they took the boot business as well?

That's right, Buffet wanted Acme Brick which was owned by the Justin family but John Justin said all or nothing. Buffet began to move production to China in an effort to increase profitability.

Tony Lama always fit a bit looser than Justin & Nocona boots because they were an independent company before Justin bought Lama ~1989-1990. Tony Lama had their own lasts. There's not much difference in the fit between Justin & Nocona.

 

[Hagwood]

Justin didn't move Tony Lama to China. That happened after Justin Industries was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway in 2000.

Justin Industries & Nacona were always the same family. Justin moved from Nocona, TX for better rail service & Enid Justin stayed to start up Nocona Boots in the old Justin plant. Not sure what you mean by "what they did to (Nocona)..."

Justin.... Justin Industries, they still moved production to China and Mexico.....

Enid Justin devoted much of her live in civic activities in Nacona. Enid died in 1990 and in 1999 Justin closed the Nacona plant after over a century of boot making there. It devastated the city and was against Enid's wishes.

I have many pair of old Nacona Boots, and they were exceptional, and I have also visited the plant there.


The plant is now re-opened and making Fenoglio Boots. The Fenoglio family has been in Nacona since 1886, so it's nice to see them back in business.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

John Justin moved production from Nocona to El Paso. It was Berkshire Hathaway who moved it to China, along with Chippewa & all the other brands he acquired.

 

[Hagwood]

John Justin moved production from Nocona to El Paso. It was Berkshire Hathaway who moved it to China, along with Chippewa & all the other brands he acquired.

I understand that. Not a fan of Justin for what the brothers did to Nacona, and even less of a fan now that the modern Justin (BH) has moved production to China and Mexico. I know it's all business, but I can still be old fashioned.....

 

[Hurricane Jack]

I understand that. Not a fan of Justin for what the brothers did to Nacona, and even less of a fan now that the modern Justin (BH) has moved production to China and Mexico. I know it's all business, but I can still be old fashioned.....

OK then.

 

[Hagwood]

OK then.

LOL

I haven’t bought any new boots in a while since I have so many old pair made in TX, but if I do it will be a TX or at least US made boot. Been looking at the Fenoglios from Nacona.

https://www.fenoglioboot.com/our-history/

 

[Recoil Rob]

Better like square toes, right now they offer 33 men's style and only one is "western" (pointed) toe.

 

[Hagwood]

Better like square toes, right know they offer 33 men's style, only one is "western" (pointed) toe.

Yeah, I noticed that too. Square toes aren’t for me. Looks like they have a full quill ostrich in a medium round toe. Guess I’ll just stick to vintage.....

 

[Recoil Rob]

I just can't wrap my head around those duckbill toes either...are they a new development, say last 20 years? I never see vintage boots with them.

 

[Bamaboots]

I never see vintage boots with them.

And you wont, Rob. Not unless you find some museum examples when boots were made with no left or right and were essentially shrink to fit. I don't remember seeing these type boots since then until Ariat came on strong, with a few others promoting wide square toes and double/triple sewn welts.

 

[Hagwood]

And you wont, Rob. Not unless you find some museum examples when boots were made with no left or right and were essentially shrink to fit. I don't remember seeing these type boots since then until Ariat came on strong, with a few others promoting wide square toes and double/triple sewn welts.

Exactly. I seem to remember when I bought most of my boots in the 70's and 80's that there were 3 basic toe shapes:

J Toe was the very pointed toe that we always called 'Sh*t Kickers' when we were kids, LOL.
R Toe was the medium round toe that I liked the best, that's what my ostrich above are.
U Toe was a wider rounded toe.

And with these newer square toes also seemed to come along the Crepe sole from Ariat and such, that I am also not a fan of.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

^^^^they remind me of those ridiculous looking square toe’d dress shoes that look like flippers. If i want to wear flippers i’ll go scuba diving that way i don’t trip over my own feet and look stupider.
But hey, maybe if i had no shoes.
B

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

While i’m here.
Grey Nocona’s today.
B