80+ Year Old Boot Restoration | Vintage Boot Transformation
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- čas přidán 31. 12. 2021
- In this video, we try to bring some life back to a decades old, vintage pair of boots. This is the oldest pair of shoes/boots that we have ever worked on! A customer mailed these to us and said these boots belonged to her great grandfather. This was a very delicate project, but we were quite pleased with the results. Time for another restoration job!
* Jeremiah 29:11
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**PRODUCTS USED IN THIS VIDEO:
Saphir Leather Lotion - www.potterandsons.com/collect...
Video edited by: Ashley Saldanha - Jak na to + styl
This was such a fun restoration! It’s not everyday that we get boots or shoes this old. What brand and style do you think these boots are?
Would have like to see the family's reaction
First, Happy New Year Gents! Great to see another video. Secondly, they turned out great! The family should be very pleased. What were the ‘brands of the day’ for farmers boots back then?
Frye boots
I would say Red Wing or Fryre.
These look just like my wolverine 1000 miles, so that's my best guess. Especially because red wing typically has a bit more of a bulbous toe than wolverines.
I am the owner of the boots and here is a little back story
Story Behind these boots:
These boots were my grandfather’s grandfather. The last time the boots were worn was when my great-great-grandfather died in them in the 1950s. He was checking out some falling trees on the family farm and fell off his old Farmall tractor (we still have the tractor). My Great grandfather took them off his feet and put them in the back of his truck and that is where they stayed until he passed away in the ’80s. Then my grandfather put them in the back of his truck until I found them when I was cleaning out his truck earlier this year.
Because my great-great-grandfather died in them no one in the family will put them on. When I found them, I was scared to even try to do anything with them so I sent them to the professionals, and I think they came out better than I would ever have imagined.
So, the boot will now be displayed in my house so the next generations and see and enjoy them.
I got the boots in the mail today and they look great. As I was examining the boots I noticed a faint imprint that says wolverine comfort. So I guess that answers the brand question.
If I was your Great Grandfather I would be very pleased about the result. And I would be even happier if the family would bring them back into business and wear them. Especially since I loved them until my last breath. But I fully acknowledge if you got a different perspective 🙏🏼
Wow, thanks for sharing the story behind these. What an incredible restoration and heirloom.
Great story, we appreciate you sharing it.
Lauren, very interesting story. Mine and Trent’s great grandfather died on his tractor while working the farm.
Wonderful story! Glad you can protect and enjoy this precious family heirloom
I remember my parents having Cats Paw heels put on their shoes when I was a kid. I was born in 62, always loved the design with the cat on it. Thank you for bringing back that memory. Great work on the boots.
What's amazing is that we're still using the same technology repairing and building boots and shoes still today. Keep up the great work and videos, we missed ya'll.
Old cobbler here. My dad and I retired before youtube existed so it’s neat to find a subculture of survivors on here. Cats paw were still readily available to us from the warehouses through the 80s and early 90s but I can imagine they’re scarce now. Nice technique, mix of old and new tech. Keep it alive brother. 🔨 🥾
I am a old vintage master Carpenter, and I have restored hundreds of vintage plane's and many many vintage tools, but watching this is absolutely fascinating too.
Glycerine-water mixture can soften and conserve old leather. This stuff is used in museums, and works well for old relics. I used it for very old shell cordovan shoes and worked very well for me. David from the Vcleat blog also uses it regularly. It is 40% percent glycerin and 60% water. Some recipe also recommends 1% formaldehyde as disinfectant.
Thank for the info!
@Crazy Yas don't Care
@Crazy Yas Formaldehyde is normally made in the body. Enzymes in the body break down formaldehyde into formate (formic acid), which can be further broken down into carbon dioxide. Most inhaled formaldehyde is broken down by the cells lining the mouth, nose, throat, and airways, so that less than a third is absorbed into the blood.
Exposure to formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory test animals. Exposure to relatively high amounts of formaldehyde in medical and occupational settings has been linked to some types of cancer in humans, but the effect of exposure to small amounts is less clear.
What doesn't cause cancer?
@@Joy_56 because you went so far with your comment(which I geeked out on) I will add when people want "no nitrate" cured meats, our bodies make their own nitrates. I bet you knew that too.
Your craftsmanship is a lost art. Those boots look great!!
Nothing like starting of a cold New Year's morning with a cup of coffee and a T&H restoration vid. You guys are awesome!
I agree
Thank you so much, Joe!
I did that too!
You said it brother
When I think about all the hard hours of labor spent in these shoes, I am so grateful that you were able to preserve this heirloom & legacy.
Me too!
So impressed by your skills. Nothing like seeing a skilled craftsman performing his art.
Those sure look like Red Wing Iron Rangers to me. I have 100 year old boots that I've started to restore. My sole leather is way better condition though and though the uppers were super brittle, they have improved. I feel less bad about just submerging them in the sink after I watched this video. All I've done so far is clean them and layered on three coats of leather conditioner and one coat of leather balm. They don't feel so brittle. I also haven't worn them, but I think wearing them gently would help warm up the leather to help them absorb some more conditioner.
this is what they need to learn in school today. all the old stuff seems to be fading away. GREAT JOB
The gentleman who owned/wore these boots would be smiling from ear to ear to have his old friends brought back to life. That's cool that you were able to find an old pair of cat's paws top lifts. I'm old enough to remember those, and seeing their ad sign hanging in my local cobbler's shop... still open, and as I recall, a fourth generation of the family learning the ropes from the grandson (who's my age). I would've originally done business with the son (many years ago), then the grandson later. Yup, let 'em drink in the Bick4 until it says enough. I have two baseball gloves which were bought back in the mid-80s, and look/feel like brand new. They loved the Bick4 I poured to 'em a couple of years ago. Love that stuff for everyday leather.
We hope he is. Happy New Year!
@@TrentonHeath lol
God bless him and his service 🇺🇲🇺🇲✝️
I'm nearly 80 years old. When I was a young man, everyone had their shoes resoled or half-soled again and again 'til their shoes had to be replaced. Every shoe shop I went in had a huge 'Cat's Paw' sign on the wall. This video was a great reminder of the old times. My dad (1919-1993) used to call the shoes in this video "Brogans." That probably applied to any ankle boot or shoe.
*Those were some really thirsty boots!! Very good job on the restoration! It's incredible how you brought these back to life!!😊🩷🩷🩷🩷*
That’s art! What a gift! I have my dad’s old work boots. He retired in January 1991..was diagnosed February 1991 then passed away from lung cancer Nov.1993....
My modern farm boots might make it for 1 year before they start falling apart....
After having watched over 2 dozen episodes and counting , I have to comment on how much I enjoyed your channel:-}
I’m a 64 year young woman and am fascinated by the care, passion and craftsmanship you show toward each shoes/boots!
Having been educated by you on the finer points of excellent workmanship, I wish more woman’s shoes are as well made ( We certainly pay enough! I’m calling out the Loubs, Jimmies etc!!!)
Please continue with your excellent work and content!!!
Thank you for watching!
Love seeing old skills carried on. There needs to be craftsman schools for all of these types of restoration skills, including for building trades
Those were classic farmer boots. Lovely work and boots. The heels are awesome.
My husband and I were fascinated watching this video. We remember shoe repair shops from when we were kids (we are in our 70’s now.). Sadly, with cheap, man made materials, these shops are not needed now.
In a time where economics and poor quality make it unfeasible to repair some shoes, it is very enjoyable to watch a cobbler working at his trade with all the trade’s hand tools and machines. As soon as you said Cat’s Paw I knew what you were talking about!
Thank you!
Patrick from Albuquerque
It is so pleasurable to see a craftsman practice his trade. Keeping skills alive
I am British Army veteran. One of the first things we were told to do with our primary boots was to soak them in water for 12 hours, stuff the insides with newspaper and cover the outside with a generous layer of wax based shoe polish. Each day we changed the newspaper. After 3 or 4 days we could start wearing the boots and polish them every day. The boot leather became nice and supple really quickly and completely water proof, which was incredibly important when wearing them out in the field. At the other extreme, our secondary boots were hardly worn. They were highly polished to an almost mirror-like level. Even the soles were polished.
The before and after photos have the same "WOW!!!" reaction that really old, professionally "colourised" black and white photos have!
Fascinating topic
Love the way you used the old Cat Paw heels. Remember having a pair of then on a pair shoes as a kid. They were put on at Bill s shoe repair shop in Durand Michigan.
It’s always fun being able to find and use vintage parts.
Hey I know where Durand Michigan is. Grew up in Flushing Twp.
It's great to see so many modern boots are still made this way. And the patience exhibited in stitching the uppers, gemming and welt together always amazes me. Well done Heath, they look great!
Thank you so much, Bobby!
I wish the gemming was still stitched on. It would keep the adhesive from coming undone and the boot losing shape
Now that is a trade that don't see anymore. Great work.
I can't believe there are still cobbler's around . I live in( I live in the south Philly area) Philadelphia Pennsylvania and back in the early 1980s we had at least 1 that i know of but by 1985 there was none here . The throw away world had taken over so cobblers became extinct here . This is awesome really . Thanks !!
You guys are truly artists. Taking something so far gone and bringing it back to life. Great job.
Thank you. Happy New Year!
So impressed with his skill, attention to detail, and love with what he's able to do for this family with his gifts.
amen!
A shoe Cobbler at work is a lost art form, I really enjoy watching this, especially when the individual gives a true Damn about there work.
The real vintage gems here are your machines!
Your CZcams channel has really educated me on footwear. I was the guy who bought what I thought was quality shoes and boots. Knowing now that I was really buying junk. My closet has fewer, but very high quality footwear these days. Just got a new pair of Red Wings for Christmas! American made work boots and they are amazing.
Thanks for posting all of this information. Your craft is definitely something that needs to continue on!
Thank you so much for your kind words and watching our videos!
Great video ! I restore brass instruments as a hobby and I have never watched someone restore boots. It was very interesting watching you do your craft. Great job ! Thanks for the video!
When I was young, 70 now, my Mom used to get my dads shoes repaired at a small shoe shop. I loved going in there the owner always gave me a sucker, but I loved the smell! Not old stinky shoes, but probably the glue, and shoe polish and best of all the leather. Mmmmmm I can still smell it now. I live in a rural area now and no shoe repair shops near here. Love this story and artisan.
i can remember seeing Cats Paw heels on my Dad's shoes in the early 60s! what a blast from the past!
My grandfather was born in 1889 and wore boots like these (only black). He was a farmer but, due to an accident in the 1930's that left him half blind he quit the farm and lived with us. He always kept them polished and looking good. We were poor so, my father would re-sole (half sole) and put new heels on our shoes when they wore out. We could get Cat Paw heels at the Hardware store and as a young kid even I learned how to put heels on my shoes when needed. My father would pick up 'scrap' leather at a place that made leaher washers and such and make his own half-soles. My grandfather died in the late 60's and probably was buried with them on his feet.
What a special project this was. You restored a family heirloom for generations to come. Beautiful job, Heath.
Thank you. Finally saw the use of some of the machines my dad had in his shop. He was a Dutch shoemaker. I remember the smell of the glue and the sanding machine.
Always enjoyed the sites, smells and capabilities of my local shoe repair shop in he 1970’s.
This makes me want to get some mink oil on the my fathers 1950’s army boots he just handed down to me.
Thanks for keeping this trade alive in a disposable world.
The memories from my childhood came flowing into my mind . Momma would take our shoes to a small shoe shop for retapping and insoles. Thank you for your videos. God bless 🙏🏻❤️🐾🥾
I hope you keep doing more restorations like this. It's like preserving history. Even if it's through a pair of old farm boots.
Please don't get a job in a museum. If you think this is preserving history when it is in fact destroying it, you would be a disaster.
@@tedsmith8770 you must think restoring antique cars is destroying them then
Who is an artist? This man is. Bravissimo!
I so enjoyed this restoration. My father was trained as a cobbler beginning at age 12 when he was apprenticed in 1935. He then trained his two younger brothers, one who remained inthe this craft well into retirement. I know of cats paw and as you were gluing I could almost smell it. I could see my father working with the tools. Thank you for the memories. I will be sharing this with my children.
My favorite episode to date 👍. I love restorations
Thank you very much!
I love that yall are restoring old boots and shoes and keeping them around. We live in a disposable world and I prefer the old way when things were made to last and could actually repair and not just throw away. I love your using the old school machines and tools. Hand crank style and even industrial machines that have a single task use. That's awesome. I appreciate the craft of cobblers and blacksmiths and other old school ways. Good stuff. New sub. Y'all take care now.
This is pretty cool and didn't know it was a thing...glad that the boots are being restored instead of being thrown out.
Watching those old machines was very cool!
These turned out beautifully. I hope you do more really old repars/restorations like this!
I love old boots and these sure are old boots. I love how they were restored, no idea why I was so drawn in, but it didn't disappoint. Gorgeous craftsmanship!
These kinds of trades are going to be very very important going forward.
The one good thing that comes out of hard times is that people get very creative and begin to care of preserving things and making things that will be functional for decades with some maintenance.
Youre a great treasured artisan!!!! You have a lot of old vintage machines! Priceless!
These boots reminded me of the ones that looked like the owner used them as brakes on a motorcycle.
You did a fabulous job restoring them
Thank you very much, Paul!
It's a pleasure to watch a skilled artisan perform his craft at such high level! Thank you for a very enjoyable and informative video!👏👏
There must be some major sentimental value for those old boots.
Love seeing those old machines/tools still working like they are brand new.
Quality.
If these boots have sentimental value for the owner or his family, this video will bring them joy as well. Great work!
It was such a pleasure to watch you restore those old boots and just enjoy your amazing skills.
The video I never knew I needed to see.
Thanks CZcams! 😊
UNIQUE idea! 'LOVED seeing this!!This family will have A WONDERFUL momento; LUCKY family!! 👍👍😃😁👣
I would love to hear more history lessons. You guys did a great job. The owners story is good to read in these comments. Love it when people keep the stories alive in there families.
I knew nothing about how shoes were made until I came across you guys. I have learned so much from your videos!!! Thank you for such great content, and how awesome of you to do such a special restoration. Looking forward to watching more!!
It must be wonderful to have a skill that brings so much happiness to others.
These vids are as interesting and as soothing as any Bob Ross video.
Love it! I absolutely love seeing old, neglected things revitalized. Nice job, as always.
The transformation was unbelievable. I can only imagine how happy that family is with these restored boots. Great work!
This video was fabulous especially with a great story to these boots ..
Check this guy out in LA he also does some great restorations..
czcams.com/video/ysWZIQbxoiA/video.html
I'm a mechanic. You don't really think of shoe production as a skilled trade nowadays. This video shows it once was and still is in a limited capacity. It's great to watch.
I bought cheap boots for years, they'd last 4-6 months at best w/ feet and back pain. They couldn't up to the automotive environment. I then invested in a pair of Thorogoods built similar to these old boots. They've lasted over three years now and still going. Unheard of.
My family has lived and worked on the same small South Carolina farm for seven generations. Sadly, we have very few personal items owned by our male ancestors. (Fortunately, we DO own cooking hardware used by the women, including a two hundred year old skillet.) I would love to have a pair of my great great grandfather's work boots. At least I got to watch you make this family happy. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely amazing! Glad to see you are keeping an old skillset alive! Hats off to you!!!
Beautiful work, done with respect for the originals. If some boot trees are added and the boots are stored in a shoebox at normal room temperature (not attic temperatures), they should look good for many more decades (especially if the leather is conditioned periodically). I could have watched a good three minutes more of footage of the restored books. Excellent content. Thanks.
Thank you so much for watching. Happy New Year!
I must have been a cobbler in another life. Shoes have been my passion and your show is what I consider a great movie. Who knows what soul walked in those beautiful boots. Thankyou for caring.
I’ve been making coustiom moccasins for 30 years, God bless what u do!! My hands ach just watching you!!!
You know your craft well. I imagine stitching on a machine that way takes a lot of experience. The shoes looks great and restoring them is a wonderful way to celebrate the clients great great grandfather.
Fantastic work, Heath. As always, I appreciate the craftsmanship, but also the painstaking restoration work and boot history.
Can't wait to wear down my 1000miles when I watch these guys work!!!
They look like my old blootcha boots. I loved them old shoes they saved my life out in the Scrub I trud on a snake and I'm pretty much sure it hit my blootcha boot it didn't penetrate my skin or flesh I have always believed these boots saved my life back the day. You truly did do a fantastic job on them old worn out blootcha boots.
Your so awesome to do these boots with all the care you gave them. Memories of people who we love are unique and that these boots can still be there for the family is better that I'm sure they can express! Thank you for them, and from me too!
This was awesome to see. Great job! Love these kinds of restorations. That is going to be so cool to have as family keepsake.
From an age when a working man repaired his own boots..my Dad did!!
Pretty amazing. I had no idea you could redo old boots like these. Great job man.
Like the restoration of an old painting. Really well done. Especially finding the Cat's Paw, which seemed to be the exact same one on the old boot. Also, can't forget the great story behind these boots and what a wonderful tribute these are to the family's heritage. I hope to see a few more of these restoration projects in the future.
I’m 76. These look like my grandfather’s railroad boots from the 1950s.
I am not a cobbler or even have any shoes that will ever need your services, but can not quit watching. I love watching true masters do what they do well. Thanks for the Video!
Easily my favorite restoration/preservation you've done yet. What a gorgeous pair of boots. You can tell the original manufacturer took pride in making them.
Thank you very much. Happy New Year!
Trenton and Heath, I love to watch your program, it brings back memories of my childhood when my friend's father was a shoe repairer, I use to see all the work he did on old shoes and even I remember all tools and materials he used. I enjoyed every minute of this video.
You do a teriffic job on these old boots. They look like my old Air Force brogans from 1961 but mine were black. I envy your skills.
It was therapeutic just watching craftsmanship at its very best.
I did shoe repair for 5 years around 03' 08' and the shop I worked at still had some cats paws, old green cork soles and golden oak leather soles definitely don't make em like that anymore. Excellent work by the way 👍
Stunning restoration; your efforts made these fragile, elderly boots shine in beauty. This was a terrific video, thank you!
I know these boots! They are from a brand called Wolverine, my guess is they are Wolverine Comfort Horsehide boots, they have been around since around the 1880's, they gained massive popularity in the 1920's with the peak of their production in the 1930's, these are most certainly closer to 100 years old rather than 80, the 1930's model were much more modern looking, so yeah, my guess is somewhere in the 19teens. Amazing heirloom shoes, probably worth quite a bit of money too.
i love watching craftsmen working
Really enjoyed this restoration! The Cat's Paw heel lifts were a nice touch. Great job. Happy New Year!
Thank you for watching. Happy New Year!
I just turned 66 and am proud to see two young American Men uphold the tradition]n of an AMERICAN professional cobbler. Our Country will never turn in a wrong direction if we have good men like you andd your brother. I’m a retired Police officer 36 yr carrer with twi]o sons who have followed my footsteps. I am the son of a Teamster, Truck Driver….
My grandparents and then my parents used Nivea cream for maintaining all things leather: leather coats, sofas, gloves, belts, and old style ski boots. I use Nivea on my leather seats, and it works wonders.
Very interesting trade! I worked at a shoe factory in Newville Pennsylvania in the mid 70’s. This nicely done video really brought back the memories for me. Older machinery here but all doing basically the same steps. Thanks for a great video!
What a great restoration on the boots. They seem to have a lot of history behind them. Happy New Year. Thanks for a great video.
Thank you very much. Happy New Year!
All respect to all shoemakers who keep this special craft alive today
I just found this video by accident and have spent the morning watching Trenton & Heath videos. I was amazed at the work they do! I am 68 years old and my grandfather, born in 1895, worked in a shoe factory in the Midwest after he came back from the war.(WWI) Who knows, he could have made those boots! He later went on to become a farmer.
What a way to start the New Year gentlemen! These longer-form videos are so awesome.... Heath, you're a master at what you do! Wishing you and your families a very happy 2022
Thank you so much, Kevin. Happy New Year!