80+ Year Old Boot Restoration | Vintage Boot Transformation
2021 ж. 31 Жел.
2 366 709 Рет қаралды
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
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
Your craftsmanship is a lost art. Those boots look great!!
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
this is what they need to learn in school today. all the old stuff seems to be fading away. GREAT JOB
So impressed by your skills. Nothing like seeing a skilled craftsman performing his art.
Love seeing old skills carried on. There needs to be craftsman schools for all of these types of restoration skills, including for building trades
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.
So impressed with his skill, attention to detail, and love with what he's able to do for this family with his gifts.
amen!
It is so pleasurable to see a craftsman practice his trade. Keeping skills alive
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.
These turned out beautifully. I hope you do more really old repars/restorations like this!
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 🙏🏻❤️🐾🥾
It is very obvious that you care a lot about your work, the attention to detail was amazing and the skill involved to restore these boots was something special to see, well done indeed.
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!
You guys are truly artists. Taking something so far gone and bringing it back to life. Great job.
Thank you. 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.
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!
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 was such a pleasure to watch you restore those old boots and just enjoy your amazing skills.
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.
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.
What a special project this was. You restored a family heirloom for generations to come. Beautiful job, Heath.
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 🇺🇲🇺🇲✝️
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....
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.
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!
*Those were some really thirsty boots!! Very good job on the restoration! It's incredible how you brought these back to life!!😊🩷🩷🩷🩷*
Love it! I absolutely love seeing old, neglected things revitalized. Nice job, as always.
Absolutely amazing! Glad to see you are keeping an old skillset alive! Hats off to you!!!
Who is an artist? This man is. Bravissimo!
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
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.
Those were classic farmer boots. Lovely work and boots. The heels are awesome.
It’s not only a preservation of the items and a preservation of the skill set but also the family history that a person with the skill set shown was valued by any community. Thank you. It’s fun to watch
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
Your KZhead 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!
It's absolutely mesmerizing watching skilled artisans ply their craft here on KZhead, especially when treated to such a delightful backstory just as done here. Godspeed to all involved.
Love seeing those old machines/tools still working like they are brand new. Quality.
Fantastic work, Heath. As always, I appreciate the craftsmanship, but also the painstaking restoration work and boot history.
Stunning restoration; your efforts made these fragile, elderly boots shine in beauty. This was a terrific video, thank you!
The before and after photos have the same "WOW!!!" reaction that really old, professionally "colourised" black and white photos have! Fascinating topic
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.
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!
If these boots have sentimental value for the owner or his family, this video will bring them joy as well. Great work!
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.
These vids are as interesting and as soothing as any Bob Ross video.
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.. kzhead.info/sun/rNeQiq2JmaqlnHk/bejne.html
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!
Hand stitching the welt is awesome. Plus repurposing the shank. Such an amazing job all around!
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 !!
Pretty amazing. I had no idea you could redo old boots like these. Great job man.
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!
The artistry and attention to detail in your work is impeccable and impressive. You are a master in your craft.👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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.
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!
This was awesome to see. Great job! Love these kinds of restorations. That is going to be so cool to have as family keepsake.
Now that is a trade that don't see anymore. Great work.
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.
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 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.
The video I never knew I needed to see. Thanks KZhead! 😊
Youre a great treasured artisan!!!! You have a lot of old vintage machines! Priceless!
I think that this was my favorite boot restoration by you guys that I've seen yet. There is something awesome about bringing something old, tried and true back to life. Well done!!!!
Thank you for watching. Happy New Year!
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!
Thanks so much for a beautiful, fun, relaxing video. So much careful attention to detail. So wonderful. We are grateful to you for your craft!
❤️Flashback! My dad had these exact boots when I was a little one, I clearly remember Dad having these in “his” spot in the farmhouse entry and then, here came the Cat’s Paws! Our shoe repair gentleman JUST retired last year and I had multiple pairs of loafers resolved with Cat’s Paws way past 1960, they must have gotten them stocked wa-a-a y ahead, there’s no mistaking them. Absolutely wonderful video, thank you so much!!
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 👍
This is pretty cool and didn't know it was a thing...glad that the boots are being restored instead of being thrown out.
The attention to detail was excellent- loved how meticulously you were taking the rust off the hardware. Sourcing new dead stock for the heels was cool! Couldn’t have been easy working with such old leather; it is skin after all so a decent moisturiser will help. Have been enjoying these older shows! Thanks!
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 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!
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.
Great job - liked the fact that you kept them as original as possible.
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!
My favorite episode to date 👍. I love restorations
Thank you very much!
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.
Wow....beautiful restoration. What a pleasure to watch someone work at such a time honoured craft. Thank you!
Beautiful Job, amazing the attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into this restoration. My father was a cobbler, but he would have never attempted such a delicate restoration.
Your efforts to keep as much originality in the renovation/preservation is definitely to be commended. With proper care they will last another 80+ year
Как по мне, то это рабочее время и старание надо было потратить на пошив новых шюзов. И лайков было бы не меньше!
У меня больные ноги... лучше б ты пошил удобные туфли для ходьбы мне, а не занимался от безделья подобной хренью!
I’ve been making coustiom moccasins for 30 years, God bless what u do!! My hands ach just watching you!!!
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.
This was really interesting. Another amazing restoration, wow. 👏🏻
Thank you!
Happy New Year, guys! This video is in my top 3 favorites. Love seeing you restore a genuine antique pair of boots, and even though the leather was brittle and fragile, I am still amazed that the boots are intact after being stored for so many years in an attic and didn't just crumble to bits the moment someone handled them. With society's throwaway mindset today, it's nice to see vintage and antique items being saved. Kudos to the owner for committing to saving these boots, and to you for the beautiful job you did restoring and preserving them.
Thank you so much. It was fun working on them. Happy New Year!
You guys are such artists, craftsmanship at is finest! Well done! Beautiful!
Wow. Very impressive restoration. Lots of machines involved and nails and glue. Thank you for posting this video.
Love this video! For old timers like myself, it's a real throwback to the "good old days..." When I was growing up, the Cats Paw brand/logo was seen everywhere...as well as cobbler shops. It's a pity the uppers had dried to the point of no return...it would've been nice if those real vintage boots could've been worn...even occasionally...Nice video to start the New Year. Welcome back!
Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. Happy new year!
What a respectful refurbishing of these beautiful heirloom boots - I’m sure the owners were over the moon!
Thank you. Happy New Year!
Seeing all those tools and machinery brings me back-I did some apprentice work with an old school cobbler years ago as a kid. Loved it. Nice work.
You kept the integrity.wonderful job.fascinating to see you work at your craft, the tools and machines were amazing .
Such a cool project. Great job, Heath!
Thank you very much!
@@TrentonHeath I just watched again and noticed Heath's whiskers are growing significantly during the video...but the shirt stayed the same! Lol. Tough job coordinating shirts when the videos take multiple days, I'm sure. 😂
It must be wonderful to have a skill that brings so much happiness to others.
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.
I never knew how shoes were put together. Informative and relaxing to watch you guys . 👍