brogues?

[Highlander31]

+2 from another Marine. No kidding, one of my nicknames in the Corps was Kiwi. My spitshines were legendary. My dad, (old school Marine) taught me to spitshine when I was about 15 or so. I made a LOT of extra cash and free hootch doing other guy's boots and shoes (in my day, we had black leather.. none of this cool desert suede).

My secret weapon was finishing with Kiwi Neutral. Added a bit of depth, like a clear coat. And forget anything you read about alcohol, lighters, cotton balls and other "shortcuts and tricks". Kiwi, a well worn T-shirt, and no fear of black fingertips will give you something you can shave with in very little time.

In basic, I watched the guy in the next bunk set fire to his boot while trying to melt the paste into the leather with a lighter. Left a mark on the toe of the boot. When the DI saw it, he politely explained (as only a DI can) the error of the particular recruit's polishing method.

[creagdhubh]

In basic, I watched the guy in the next bunk set fire to his boot while trying to melt the paste into the leather with a lighter. Left a mark on the toe of the boot. When the DI saw it, he politely explained (as only a DI can) the error of the particular recruit's polishing method.

I knew Marines that would do the same thing; i.e. - placing a lit flame underneath a tin of Kiwi polish, allowing the polish to actually melt into a liquid, then apply the liquified polish to their boots - too messy, and a waste of time. When I was on active-duty in the Marine Corps, I never understood it. I always saw it has taking precious time away from the actual 'polishing', and just seemed superfluous.

Semper Fidelis,

[Pleater]

Keeping the shoes in a canvas bag (sole to sole) or wrapping them separately in similar fabric seems to help keep the gloss.

After wearing check for soiling and remove if necessary, let them stand for 24 hours after wearing to get the air, dust them off and then cover them.

To save my dainty fingers - I play guitar so those joints are already under pressure, I use a spoon as a polish cloth presser.

My dad used to wear brogues as his best and second best shoes, and they lasted for years. He used a matchstick to get polish out of the pattern of holes. He also put on thin rubber stick-on soles and heels as soon as he bought them and renewed them regularly. That meant they never needed mending.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[EagleJCS]

Keeping the shoes in a canvas bag (sole to sole) or wrapping them separately in similar fabric seems to help keep the gloss.

When packing my dress shoes for traveling, I use old athletic tube socks (I prefer the over-the-calf length as the crew length falls down too easily). Slip in one shoe per sock and voila! - your shoes are protected from scratches and your clothes are protected from any residual shoe polish/dust/dirt that may rub off.

After wearing check for soiling and remove if necessary, let them stand for 24 hours after wearing to get the air, dust them off and then cover them.

Allowing your leather shoes to rest after wearing is always a good idea. When I was working, I would alternate wearing my loafers, black dress shoes, and a dressy/shiny pair of boots (the office was "business casual", which we all know is basically "almost anything goes as long as you don't show too much skin").

My dad used to wear brogues as his best and second best shoes, and they lasted for years. He used a matchstick to get polish out of the pattern of holes.

When the brogueing needs polish applied - the spots inside start to get dull - I use an old worn-out toothbrush. The toothbrush is too soft for using on my teeth/gums, but not too stiff for the leather. If there's residual paste left in the smallest holes, I use a toothpick to get it out.