The Story of Shoes - 1930s Thom McAn Documentary

[Johnny J]

I don't know if this has been posted but I just enjoyed watching it and it shows them making a wonderful pair of spade sole wingtips by Thom McAn.

Enjoy!

[video=youtube_share;GE7pLFA6txs]http://youtu.be/GE7pLFA6txs[/video]

 

[Short Balding Guy]

Johnny; Thanks for sharing sir. I watched this vid over some lunch and enjoyed seeing the wingtips come to life. I have never seen the vid (or others like it). The vid showcases the many steps involved. I appreciate a fine pair of vintage shoes more after have watched.

Best, Eric -

 

[cookie]

How they made a pair of spade shoes. I can see why I am still wearing mine 80 years later.

 

[Johnny J]

I can see why a pair of bespoke shoes nowadays can run pretty expensive if they don't have all of these wonderful machines! There is another video on youtube that shows how Allen Edmonds makes their shoes and it looks like they use the same old vintage machines as you see in this Thom Mcan video.

 

[vintage.vendeuse]

I enjoyed that video, thanks for sharing.

 

[Isshinryu101]

I can see why a pair of bespoke shoes nowadays can run pretty expensive if they don't have all of these wonderful machines! There is another video on youtube that shows how Allen Edmonds makes their shoes and it looks like they use the same old vintage machines as you see in this Thom Mcan video.

Actually, bespoke would be 100% andmade. That is an early Goodyear method. Superior (and more time consuming) than modern goodyear.

 

[Bamaboots]

Actually, bespoke would be 100% andmade. That is an early Goodyear method. Superior (and more time consuming) than modern goodyear.

Bespoke makers also use machines. No Goodyear welting, but they're assisted by machines during the process.

 

[Isshinryu101]

Bespoke makers also use machines some machines. No Goodyear welting, but they're assisted by machines during the process.

Which machines are you referring to?

 

[Bamaboots]

Which machines are you referring to?

Sewing, skiving, sanding and burnishing come to mind.

 

[Isshinryu101]

Sewing, skiving, sanding and burnishing come to mind.

come on now, these aren't the machines we're talking about here. Of course they're not handsewing all of the uppers (although SOME still do just that).

 

[Bamaboots]

come on now, these aren't the machines we're talking about here. Of course they're not handsewing all of the uppers (although SOME still do just that).

Perhaps not, and I understand some (very rare) still handsew the uppers but to say bespoke shoes are 100% handmade infers that no machine is ever used in the process. Simply not true.