spade soles on modern shoes

[davestlouis]

I see a hint of a spade sole on modern Allen Edmonds, where it curves in at the instep. It seems to me, all one would have to do, with a new shoe, or at the time it was recrafted, would be to add a welt and sole in a spade shape, and, voila, you have a spade sole.

Am I missing something here? It seems too simple. I wonder if a cobbler could add a spade sole when a full sole is changed?

 

[The Shooman]

I see a hint of a spade sole on modern Allen Edmonds, where it curves in at the instep. It seems to me, all one would have to do, with a new shoe, or at the time it was recrafted, would be to add a welt and sole in a spade shape, and, voila, you have a spade sole.

Am I missing something here? It seems too simple. I wonder if a cobbler could add a spade sole when a full sole is changed?

lt could be done, but it's success would depend on many factors.

1). The upper shape (last) would need to be suitable to the spade sole so the aesthetic is correct , most lasts aren't suitable for spade soles because the proper balance wouldn't be there.

2). l think it highly unlikely that AE will add a spade sole because it's a mass production facility, the factory wouldn't be set up to do one off spocial orders.

3). Even if AE did one off orders, l think it highly unlikely that they would completely change the welt to a completely different welt because they would need different machinery to do it or would need to make a new welt by hand and stitch it to the gemming by hand. lt wouldn't be worth there time.


l wouldn't even bother asking AE. lt's just not practical for a mass factory to do such specialist work.

 

[Feraud]

So how does a fella get a pair of spade sole shoes today?
Custom? A lucky vintage find?

 

[Mid-fogey]

Pictures?

...and what are the advantages?

 

[fluteplayer07]

...l wouldn't even bother asking AE. lt's just not practical for a mass factory to do such specialist work.

Maybe they could do it through their custom order program? I have an A.E. store not half an hour from my house; next time I'm over on that side of town I'll ask.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I talked to a cobbler a few months back about putting some spade soles on a pair of shoes that I own. He didn't know what they were.

 

[thunderw21]

I talked to a cobbler a few months back about putting some spade soles on a pair of shoes that I own. He didn't know what they were.

Wow, that's truly sad.

 

[Undertow]

I talked to a cobbler a few months back about putting some spade soles on a pair of shoes that I own. He didn't know what they were.

lol

How unfortunate. You'd think most in the cobbling business would at least have an idea. Did you describe it to him, and then he slapped his head and say, "Oh you mean [insert different term] soles? Of course we do those!"

 

[cookie]

So how does a fella get a pair of spade sole shoes today?
Custom? A lucky vintage find?

Magnoli told me he could do it under his special order program particularly as his are made in BKK where there is a 40 year history of making cowboy boots for the oil riggers which maintain the traditional spade sole aesthetic.

 

[John in Covina]

One thing you could do is send some pictures to AE and suggest that they consider reviving the style in the future. The people that are doing designs might consider it a neat look and worth doing.

 

[fluteplayer07]

I just sent them an email about it. Maybe if enough of us ask they'll start thinking about it?

 

[Feraud]

Magnoli told me he could do it under his special order program particularly as his are made in BKK where there is a 40 year history of making cowboy boots for the oil riggers which maintain the traditional spade sole aesthetic.

Very interesting..

 

[davestlouis]

Absolutely amazing! I could see myself wearing most of the shoes pictured. Why do oil workers like spade soles on workboots? Why cowboy boots too? What is the functional benefit to that sole shape? Besides looking cool, that is!

 

[John in Covina]

I'd guess that the shape is good for using stirrups when riding horses in the case of cowboy boots. It might also be that oil workers developed a history from Oklahoma and Texas known cowboy areas and the tradition continues.[huh]

 

[cookie]

Modern Spades

I notice that trendy Italian menswear outfit Dolce & Gabbana have made some modern version of spades:

 

[Feraud]

Is D&G referencing the spade sole in selling the shoe or is this a detail to keep an eye out for?

 

[flat-top]

Is D&G referencing the spade sole in selling the shoe or is this a detail to keep an eye out for?

I've noticed this too on some other Italian footwear; not severe enough to be a real spade, but it's there.

 

[cookie]

Is D&G referencing the spade sole in selling the shoe or is this a detail to keep an eye out for?

Italian shoe makers are always trying to get a design edge.....

 

[fluteplayer07]

I just sent them an email about it. Maybe if enough of us ask they'll start thinking about it?

They got the email, and forwarded it to the design team!

 

[cookie]

Modern? Spades for sale on eBay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...&buyerid=eJGfcJBwsRLrgCykGqk1Jw==&refid=store