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Handmade Mocs

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Hey All:

In a couple of my posts in the past Ive mentioned some moccasins I own that were very unique and one of a kind. Originally I didnt post because I didnt have access, then I did but I forgot, and now Ive been inactive and sidetrack-in other words my own procrastinating fault. Heres the background info.

My uncle who has lived one hell of a life, Semi Pro Tennis and Baseball player. Medic in the Army where he learned how stitch/sew. Vagabond Hitchhiker, crab fisherman, logger, worked on a legal pot farm, moved to Washington State and built by hand by himself a log cabin on the side of a mountain with solar power. Worked at a leather factory at one point where the let him take scraps home. Combined with his sewing/stitching he learned in the military he started making different objects on his own. Now hes done it off and on for years and now its his sole line of work. He buys huge sheets of veg or brained tanned hides, cuts them by hand, and sews them all by hand (all by himself, no business but his own two hands and tools) either using sinew or a synthetic sinew. He has multiple varieties from boots to knee high boots and slippers. Many color and hide options. Deer, elk, buffalo, bison, rarely moose. Many different kinds of sheep skin linings or leather. Bottoms can be double leather, all mine are treaded so I can wear them outside. Its rubber cement and tire tread. As long as hes alive he will redo bottoms for you or reline the inners. So without further procrastination here is my collection.

The first pair I bought on my own as an adult are this Chocolate Brown Elk Hide with a very industrial type of sheepskin designed for warmth over comfort. These are about 6 years old and have darkened due to my using some leather products on them. As his hides are veg tanned or brain tanned but have 0 protectant/shine/gloss/finish.

chocolate.jpg choc 2.jpg

My second pair are these black buffalo or american bison with a golden deer tongue and side liner with a golden sheepskin bottom.These are about 4 years old and have faded a bit from the sun, have not had anything ever used on them.

black.jpg

Next I mixed it up ever so slightly and did this variation on what is obviously my favorite style. These are "saddle" color buffalo/american bison with a split seam back and multi color multi thickness sheepskin lining.
saddle2.jpg saddle.jpg saddle 3.jpg

Lastly I went with gold american bison with chocolate brown elk tongue and side liner with golden sheepskin liner. These are about two years old and have faded enormously in the sun. I should express I wear these ALLLL the time. In all but the wettest as not water proof or in snow. Otherwise Im always in these guys.

gold.jpg

A couple group shots to see the bottoms and stitch-work better. stitching.jpg
 

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dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
bottoms.jpg

He can be found on etsy at Redman Moccasins. His name bothers me Im sensitive to this issue, but he used to have flaming red hair and beard. Not so much anymore as hes an old man. But still kicking out these beauties.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Those are so cool!
Does he put some kind of sole on them? Or are they for “around the house”?
You can get single leather bottoms for around the house. Double leather for a bit more durability and comfort. Or like my stack rubber cement and tire tread. About 6-7 layers of it. I wear them outside almost year round minus the very wet or snowy times. They have mile upon mile or dirt road and pavement miles on them. But they aren’t very tough to say take a rock or pebble under them. They won’t break or really even scratch but you feel it. You can really feel the ground under you. Not for everyone. Most of my friends and family go for the round the house. Not me though I love them and take them on the road.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
I can post more pictures if anyone is interested in any other aspect of these. As I mentioned he also makes several different styles, I just happen to clearly have a favorite haha. And lastly other than him being my uncle and giving me a break on deals ha, I don’t work for him or have any affiliation. I simply post these cause I love them, knew others here would like/love them, and I had mentioned them once or twice and some had asked for pics. So to be clear I’m not making money, don’t work for him, and if anyone does happen to order any, dropping my name probably won’t get you a deal but hell you can try! I can vouch for how well made they are and vouch it’s literally all by his hands alone. Minus the necessary tools. So again if anyone orders them I’ll vouch for their quality but they are not for everyone.
 

breezer

Practically Family
Messages
806
Location
Scotland
Brad Pitt's outfit in OUATIH - yellow Hawaiian shirt, orange tab Levis and .....moccasins....so cool.

These are great!
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Brad Pitt's outfit in OUATIH - yellow Hawaiian shirt, orange tab Levis and .....moccasins....so cool.

These are great!
Yup! They really are conversation starters as well. I either get odd looks, or tons of compliments and questions. But ever since that came out and I saw it, definitely added a bounce to my step. Strutting around like Brad Pitt haha
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Very cool!
What I love about this style as opposed to the more slipper like ones or the actual boot style he makes is that I can wear them with so many different things. Obviously have to match up colors which is why I own them in all different colors, but they look good with jeans, chinos, khakis, Ive worn them with dickies shorts in the summer, in place of sneakers, in place of boots, with my leather jackets. Hell I have these grey jeans that look like chinos, a white dress shirt with a golden sweater over it and I can wear the golden mocs with a business casual look. They are just really versatile.
 
Messages
17,509
Location
Chicago
What I love about this style as opposed to the more slipper like ones or the actual boot style he makes is that I can wear them with so many different things. Obviously have to match up colors which is why I own them in all different colors, but they look good with jeans, chinos, khakis, Ive worn them with dickies shorts in the summer, in place of sneakers, in place of boots, with my leather jackets. Hell I have these grey jeans that look like chinos, a white dress shirt with a golden sweater over it and I can wear the golden mocs with a business casual look. They are just really versatile.
I went to his Etsy site but didn't see any of the boots...I like those better too.
 

Ernest P Shackleton

One Too Many
Messages
1,247
Location
Midwest
Love this and love to hear about handmade moccasin makers. My camp shoes are moccasins. A heavy luxury when talking miles, but when the boots come off, there's nothing finer.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
I went to his Etsy site but didn't see any of the boots...I like those better too.
Honestly havent been on there in ages. And being my uncle even when I do want something I usually just text him ha. But Hes got really great reviews so Im assuming hes very responsive and would answer any questions for anyone. And again dont quote me because maybe he only agreed cause its me, but he was going to do a completely custom build for me until the leather sourcing fell through. But if say someone wanted something made with a particular leather or stitching as long as they provided them I do believe he would be open to it.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Love this and love to hear about handmade moccasin makers. My camp shoes are moccasins. A heavy luxury when talking miles, but when the boots come off, there's nothing finer.
Hes such a craftsmen in so many ways. Built a cabin alone by hand. Makes these along with pouches, necklaces, teddy bears. Rolls his own smokes, and forged his own bullets at one point. I love that people keep these various things alive. Theres just something really special about it to me. I mean thats why were all here, whether its boots, jackets, or fedoras and suits, chasing that old classic vibe, or those new makers who have the drive and start doing it in their garage/basement and just working their butts off. A couple of years ago I tried to get him to let me buy half his non-existant company ha. But really I truly believe there is a market for these, a good price point for the materials used, and the amount of labor he puts in by hand. I told him I knew the social media game, a bit of web designing and the stores locally that might carry a line for him. Clearly it didnt work ha.
 
Messages
10,848
Location
vancouver, canada
Hey All:

In a couple of my posts in the past Ive mentioned some moccasins I own that were very unique and one of a kind. Originally I didnt post because I didnt have access, then I did but I forgot, and now Ive been inactive and sidetrack-in other words my own procrastinating fault. Heres the background info.

My uncle who has lived one hell of a life, Semi Pro Tennis and Baseball player. Medic in the Army where he learned how stitch/sew. Vagabond Hitchhiker, crab fisherman, logger, worked on a legal pot farm, moved to Washington State and built by hand by himself a log cabin on the side of a mountain with solar power. Worked at a leather factory at one point where the let him take scraps home. Combined with his sewing/stitching he learned in the military he started making different objects on his own. Now hes done it off and on for years and now its his sole line of work. He buys huge sheets of veg or brained tanned hides, cuts them by hand, and sews them all by hand (all by himself, no business but his own two hands and tools) either using sinew or a synthetic sinew. He has multiple varieties from boots to knee high boots and slippers. Many color and hide options. Deer, elk, buffalo, bison, rarely moose. Many different kinds of sheep skin linings or leather. Bottoms can be double leather, all mine are treaded so I can wear them outside. Its rubber cement and tire tread. As long as hes alive he will redo bottoms for you or reline the inners. So without further procrastination here is my collection.

The first pair I bought on my own as an adult are this Chocolate Brown Elk Hide with a very industrial type of sheepskin designed for warmth over comfort. These are about 6 years old and have darkened due to my using some leather products on them. As his hides are veg tanned or brain tanned but have 0 protectant/shine/gloss/finish.

View attachment 215659 View attachment 215660

My second pair are these black buffalo or american bison with a golden deer tongue and side liner with a golden sheepskin bottom.These are about 4 years old and have faded a bit from the sun, have not had anything ever used on them.

View attachment 215661

Next I mixed it up ever so slightly and did this variation on what is obviously my favorite style. These are "saddle" color buffalo/american bison with a split seam back and multi color multi thickness sheepskin lining.
View attachment 215665 View attachment 215666 View attachment 215667

Lastly I went with gold american bison with chocolate brown elk tongue and side liner with golden sheepskin liner. These are about two years old and have faded enormously in the sun. I should express I wear these ALLLL the time. In all but the wettest as not water proof or in snow. Otherwise Im always in these guys.

View attachment 215668

A couple group shots to see the bottoms and stitch-work better. View attachment 215670
Damn, these are killer. Which hide has the strongest grain, elk or bison? Which is the hardest wearing? I am going to order a pair just want to be clearer on what would be best choice. Thanks,
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Damn, these are killer. Which hide has the strongest grain, elk or bison? Which is the hardest wearing? I am going to order a pair just want to be clearer on what would be best choice. Thanks,
In my experience. Again don’t quote me as I’m not affiliated with the business and don’t make them. Just a frequent buyer and purveyor. The Elk seem to hold their color the longest and be pretty resistant to scratching or fading. But the Buffalo seem to come in the thickest mm/oz and be the beefiest/warmest. So I kind of went best of both worlds with the Gold Pair. Golden Bison with chocolate elk liner. Although the gold has by far faded the fastest. So give and take on what you want out of it.
 

dannyk

One Too Many
Messages
1,812
Damn, these are killer. Which hide has the strongest grain, elk or bison? Which is the hardest wearing? I am going to order a pair just want to be clearer on what would be best choice. Thanks,
Oh and again usually but not always bison has the biggest grain. Elk and deer have some but it tends to be very tight and kind of drown out in the dye. Where bison you can still see. Check out my black pair above. That’s bison and in black and you can still see that grain.
 
Messages
10,848
Location
vancouver, canada
Oh and again usually but not always bison has the biggest grain. Elk and deer have some but it tends to be very tight and kind of drown out in the dye. Where bison you can still see. Check out my black pair above. That’s bison and in black and you can still see that grain.
Are both the Bison and Elk tough hard wearing leathers?
 

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