Handmade Shoes
… when nothing else will do
All my shoes are custom fitted to each foot individually. Each pair is custom designed (with limits) by you, my valued customer. I make no “off-the-shelf” shoes. You are the creator of the footware of your dreams (with help from your humble servant.)
The photos on this page will give you an idea of how I work, and the styles and colors I’ve made in the past. To get a closer look, click on any of the photos. New designs are ever evolving. Be sure to visit my Photo Gallery to see the styles I’m currently making, and get more information about options.
- Comfort
These shoes will feel like cushioned moccasins, and fit like soft, thick leather socks. All shoes feature very thick, very soft, self-molding insoles, permanently built-in, for unparalleled custom support. The uppers are molded upon your feet or exact duplicates for custom fit.
- Choice
All my shoes, from slippers to dancing shoes, from historical shoes to heavy work or hiking boots, come with many free options, including 20 choices of soling material, and a vast selection of leathers of varying color, thickness and texture.
- Leather
All shoe uppers are made from hand-selected top-grain cow or bull hide. I use chap/moccasin grade only. It’s very thick, soft, and a little stretchy, unlike shoe leather, which is thin and stiff. Linings, if desired, are of cow, calf, and pigskin, top grain only. Deer and elk (the ultimate) are available.
- Health
Your feet are your foundation and means of movement. Foot problems are among the most common ailments in our country, right up there with flu and colds. 75 percent of these problems are made worse by the shoes we wear, and are preventable with healthier shoes, or relievable with custom fitting.
- Arch Supports
My shoes will have about 3/8″ of custom contour and therefore support. If you need more than that, I can build it into your shoes. If you can’t visit me to have your shoes fitted, I’ll send you a special ortho-foam impression kit with which you can create perfect negatives of the bottoms of your feet. I can use these to cast exact duplicates which will show me how much added support is necessary, and exactly where to install the foam arch “cookies”. Custom arch support will add $40 to the cost of your shoes. Some shops charge up to $250 or more for custom support inserts, which wear out and must be replaced. Yours will be built in and permanent.
- Lasts
I can make molds of your feet, exact replicas to mold (”last”) your chosen uppers upon. These replace traditional lasts and are ideal for making perfect-fitting shoes, for your feet alone. These custom lasts may be reused indefinitely, for any number of styles.
- Longevity
Your shoes will last two or three times longer than most. The leather will not crack or split. My seams are strong, permanently glued and stitched with heavy nylon only thread. The sole is easily replaceable at any shoe-repair shop, with the same or different soling.
- Ordering – a reality check
Ordering my shoes will be nothing like going to a store. It will be a process, taking some time and effort on your part. It will entail at least one or two phone calls. You will visit me at least once, in my shop. I will take exact molds of your feet, from which I will make custom lasts, which will be reusable indefinitely. You and your shoes will receive almost three full days of my personal attention to every special requirement.
- Special orders
All my orders are special orders. Just email me and I’ll send you my phone number. When you call we’ll work together to fill out a detailed list of every requirement. I can quote you an exact price on the phone, and we can schedule a visit to my shop.
- Time
It may be a few months before I can get your shoes done. This is only a one-man operation, with computer correspondence help from my wife. Please be patient. I also have classes to teach, which I love, so production is limited.
- Historical shoes
I make historical-looking shoes, following historically accurate patterns. They are not made from historically correct materials except for the all-important midsole. They will look authentic, be more comfortable, last several times longer, and cost half of the genuine article. Talk to me.
- Special Orthopedic Footwear.
I have been able to help some people who have deformities or unusual feet, or who are diabetics. If you have very special needs and requirements, i.e. you cannot find healthy shoes anywhere, I may be able to help. I get immense satisfaction (and make friends!) when I can help those with nowhere else to turn. I can furnish references, however I have no license or degree. I do not diagnose or prescribe. I am a shoemaker and can accommodate feet of most any shape, but I design shoes, not corrective appliances.
- Prices
Shoe prices include special ortho-foam and leather insoles, choice of color, soling and lacing options, and deerskin tongue linings, all standard. Extras include linings, arch support and heels, as detailed below. See my Photo Gallery for examples of the styles listed below.
- New Soft Shoes, low top – $375 unlined
- New Soft Shoes, high top – $425 unlined
- Moccasin Style, linings included – $410
- Balmoral Style, linings included – $420
- Work/hike Boots, linings included – $550
- Athletic Style, low top – $385 unlined
- Athletic Style, high top – $435 unlined
- Historical Shoes, – $375 & up (talk to me)
- Leather Clogs – $290 unlined
- Extras
- pigskin or calfskin linings, low top – + $20
- pigskin or calfskin linings, high top – + $30
- Elkskin insole covers – + $15
- Elkskin upper linings, low top – + $35
- Elkskin upper linings, high top – + $55
- Deerskin upper linings, low top – + $30
- Deerskin upper linings, high top – + $50
- 1/2″ wedge heels – + $20
- Arch supports – + $40
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