Period Shoes

[MadL]

.....still bare foot.....

That stinks. Did you get any email confirmation yet?

Actually, Aye, I did indeed. First a letter came in th' mail then an e-lectrical message that said they be put in a bottle 'n set adrift in me general direction, it said they should arrive in a bunch o' days!

[MadL]

Crooked last, Straight last....I thought about all that, then I thought how bad me feet feel even modern shoes what naught be just right, 'n with me have'n such a large difference between me two feet, 'n them be'n what have been referred t' as "Flintstone feet", 'n consider'n some painful experiences I have suffered through in th' past - I personally will go with what does NAUGHT hurt me tender dogs!

After all, I be a today pirate now, I already did me blooding blisters in th' Army....today I fight in comfort!!!

[Capt Thighbiter]

Got mine in.

Brown, smooth-outs, crooked.

Vera nicely made. SOLID like a rock. And.. they even fit me well.

Lachets went on last nite. I'll be breaking 'em in at the Down East Pirate Days, in Maine, this weekend.

Personal rating; 4.5 out of 5 parrots

PS... Lady Buxley even says that they are sexy looking... go figure!

[michaelsbagley]

Mr. Thighbiter,

Would you mind sharing some pics? I woul really like to see how the brown look, specially in rough out as that is what I am leaning towards for myself (although in straight last, assuming there is good feedback regarding that eventually).

[MadL]

Another day, th' postal cur has come 'n gone but did naught leave me shoes!

I don't think I trust that ilk, I'm gonna set out a bear trap 'n tomorrow when I get home it better have caught a BAREFOOT!!!

[Capt. Sterling]

Crewe's shoes have arrived. Went to Mad Mary's place so we should be sending in a report soon enough... as to a second order for crewe members, email Mary when you get the chance.. since this one took so long, the sooner the better.

[theM.A.dDogge]

all came in but mine....i am told of the 2 pair ordered....only 1 pair arrived.....a pair of lefts....hopeing for a pair of rights...sometime in early june.....

[Capt. Sterling]

What are ye complaining about? Ye always wanted to do that peg leg thing...

[Kenneth]

A couple people have told me they bought the Loyalist shoe and it's very very uncomfortable, has a cowboy boot like heel (tapered) and the leather is thin......I realize people gave reviews when they got their shoes and tried them on, but how bout some long term wearing of said shoes.....Any reviews? Any complaints? Any praise?

[Matusalem]

kenneth wrote

A couple people have told me they bought the Loyalist shoe and it's very very uncomfortable, has a cowboy boot like heel (tapered) and the leather is thin......I realize people gave reviews when they got their shoes and tried them on, but how bout some long term wearing of said shoes.....Any reviews? Any complaints? Any praise?

All is true....I can speak for myself.

However I was able to get some ample break-in when I recently went barhopping in full costume with a number of people during Talk Like A Pirate day.

I've worn dress shoes worse than this. the upside with Loyalist shoes is you get a pretty authentic leather sole attached with copper rivets. The upper is a softer leather, which aided in break-in. However, I question true authenticness of them as period shoes when the edges are "stitch & turn' which can be efficiently done by a stitching machine but murder to actually do 'stitch & turn" by hand, especially if the leaher is not supple enough to fold at the seams. That said, it would seem more practical to leave a raw edge at the leather's edge, thus maybe a thicker hide is necessary.

The cowboy boot heel I'm sure is accurate, however the John King shoe found aboard the Whydah wreck is more indicative of Dingo boots., and actually flares out, instead of inwards.

I'm sure Loyalist would be glad to take considerations for any re-design, however I'm slightly leery of the timing of delivery form the factory. I think it would actually be worth it to DIY in this case.

[Graydog]

I was under the impression that all shoes were straight lasted. Even civil war brogies are straight as far as I know.

The standard US issue footwear for US infantry during the American Civil War was the Jefferson Bootee, informally called a brogan. It was the first footwear issued to the US infantry in left’s and right’s. It was adopted in the 1850’s. CSA forces becomes a much more “well depends” discussion. However, straight lasted shoes were still common in the 1860’s.

Enough of the modern discussion!

I got my Loyalist shoes and the measurements were so far off that it was impossible to get my foot in either shoe. I mailed them back and was given an option of new shoes or a refund. I opted for a refund and it was promptly piad. While I was dissatisfied with the shoe, I am satisfied with the prompt refund, which many a vendor has given me grief over in the past. So, while I do not recommend the send your measurements to India and get a shoe back 120 days later crap shoot, I still have high regards for Loyalist and will continue to do business with them; just not in shoes. LOL

[MadL]

Well, after much debacle over them saying my e-mail addresses did not work, yet their monthly flyer comes through just fine, they finally requested I ship me shoes back to them: Two problems are 1) way too tight, even broke a perfectly good shoe horn try'n t' get me foot in. 2) Th' left shoe had a horrible 'Hump' on th' inside that once me foot was in it was having me limp in pain within 5 min, could not even sit with it on for very long.

So, that has been well over a month ago now, sent UPS and insured. UPS tracking says it was delivered long time ago...I have not heard a word form Loyalist, not even a confirmation they received them.

This whole deal is making me weary of any further business over the boarder in the future.

[hurricane]

Strange - just never had a problem with them and I hear from them once a month or so.

This is their new email address, just in case you used the old one.

loyalistarms@ns.sympatico.ca

I've bought arms and accessories from them without a single issue.

-- Hurricane

[MadL]

I purchased me boarding axe from them (same time as the shoes) as well as a couple fine blades before that with no trouble, I also keep getting their monthly flyers with no trouble but every time they say they try to contact me about the shoes I either do naught get it or they say it got bounced back to them...?

Anyway, I just got an e-mail from them just tonight (time stamped about 10pm, must be Canada time as it is only 7pm here) they say they did send me an e-mail that they received the shoes and the factory is making me a new pair...don't know where their original message went....perhaps something supernatural, maybe Blackbeard's ghost, trying t' tell me something about these shoes - perhaps warning if I wear them I will slip 'n break me neck on th' gang plank!!!

[hurricane]

Good luck, mate!

I can tell you that once you get a pair that fits, they are virtually indestructible. I spent the weekend walking around on an ocean of broken coral and puddles and the damned shoes look spanking new still. The soles didn't have wear on them and you can't feel a single piece or coral or stone beneath your feet. That includes walking three miles up and down Duval and Elizabeth... I could never walk that far in any pair of shoes or boots I've ever owned.

-- Hurricane

[Sheila]

Good luck, mate!

I can tell you that once you get a pair that fits, they are virtually indestructible. I spent the weekend walking around on an ocean of broken coral and puddles and the damned shoes look spanking new still. The soles didn't have wear on them and you can't feel a single piece or coral or stone beneath your feet. That includes walking three miles up and down Duval and Elizabeth... I could never walk that far in any pair of shoes or boots I've ever owned.

-- Hurricane

I can tell you he is one less grouchy Captain with his pretty shoes

[Mary Diamond]

My 2 pence ~ when received, the left shoe was exceptionally painful to wear. I took it to my local cobbler, who gave it a bit of a stretch here and there (across the instep and by the big toe). I am still developing a large blister on my left heel when I wear them, though, to be fair, I have not worn them more than a weekend, yet, to break them (or my feet) in. Other than that, they feel fine, and I expect the blistering will be resolved soon, as I develop more a thicker skin in that area (or add moleskin for protection). I expect the soles and heels to withstand a great deal of abuse, though my cobbler was unsure what he would do once the shoes started showing wear, which concerned me.

I do feel the toe box is wider than is appropriate, especially when reviewing period images ~ when looking down at them, they look rather shovel-ish, though, looking in a mirror, they look better. Perhaps a slight re-design is in order?

[Matusalem]

Are we all in agreement here (Hurricane notwithstanding, ya lucky dog) that there is an entire sizing issue?.....besides delivery time.

I don't have any issues with the shoes themselves, except for the fit, and the delivery. Should we just voice our grievances to LA, instead of brushing them off? my two pence.

Edited October 23, 2008 by Matusalem

[theM.A.dDogge]

mmmm...with GREAT RELUCTANCE....i must side with ..... ....Hurricane

..... i know i know.....who sides with Hurricane????

but my Brown pair fit quite nicely......tho the 2nd piar(black)((yeah i bought both pair at the same time))....is so far...6 weeks late....with another 2 weeks to go....i recently sent 1 e-mail to them...and they responded the next day.....

sooooo......

besides not gittin both pair at the same time.....so far so good.

[Mary Diamond]

Are we all in agreement here (Hurricane notwithstanding, ya lucky dog) that there is an entire sizing issue?.....besides delivery time.

I don't have any issues with the shoes themselves, except for the fit, and the delivery. Should we just voice our grievances to LA, instead of brushing them off? my two pence.

Actually, I did send my comments to Loyalist Arms ~ I rather thought everyone else would, as well? Otherwise, how will they know?

[MadL]

Are we all in agreement here (Hurricane notwithstanding, ya lucky dog) that there is an entire sizing issue?.....besides delivery time.

I don't have any issues with the shoes themselves, except for the fit, and the delivery. Should we just voice our grievances to LA, instead of brushing them off? my two pence.

I wrote them right away when I got mine, but told them I would work with them for a few weeks to see if they would break in. Now they just wrote me again, and again apologized for the mail issue they are having (I have assured them at every level that I have investigated this issue from my end and there is NO problem with my ISP's mail servers - after all, I was a tech support specialist for Earthlink for 5 dang years, I KNOW how a POP server works!)

I don't know about 'brushing them off', especially with how much I paid and how long I have waited....and I don't think me coin flow is gonna get any better any time sooner

(especially now that me co-pirate employer has announced that we be look'n at more layoffs pending the outcome of our...uh...possible new tax situation outlook on th' horizon - see me "Early Christmas Gift" blog on MySpace)

[blackjohn]

The important thing here is, imo, to let Loyalist know your grievances. Sitting around having a gripe session is fine if it makes you feel better, but does it solve the situation? Probably not. So my advice, contact Loyalist.

Also, as merchants I would hope they realize that "word gets around." If they want to have a successful line of leather shoes, not only do they need to work out the bugs in production, but they need to show the community at large that they care.

I hope all of your issues with the shoes eventually get solved.

[MadL]

The important thing here is, imo, to let Loyalist know your grievances. Sitting around having a gripe session is fine if it makes you feel better, but does it solve the situation? Probably not. So my advice, contact Loyalist.

Especially if ye have ordered custom shoes elsewhere with no issues to they know ye know what ye do'n.

As I pointed out t' them I have ordered custom shoes from two others in th' past 'n they came with perfect fit right out'a th' box so it naught like I have never measured me own feet before - 'n as they pointed out t' me, they use th' same measure'n system as CAboots, except in metric, and as they be one where me boots came perfect me measurements should be spot on....as I point'd back!

[hurricane]

I have to agree with Blackjohn. Eventually, this becomes an issue between the individual customer and the company. Airing disappoints or pleasure here isn't really fixing any of the issues some people are having with the shoes.

Like most things in life you either like what a merchant does or you shop elsewhere. If you don't like Walmart you shop Kmart or Target. It's the same here.

Sorry for the problems some people are having but I have to say I doubt seriously there's anything else to be gained here by going around in circles...

If you don't like the service or the product, take it up with the company directly. Otherwise it just turns into a pissing match that gets nowhere.

My two pence.

-- Hurricane

[MadL]

I will have t' agree that a public piss'n match tis never a good idea, but also on th' other hand I do like t' have a place o' genuine users o' a product that share true 'n unbiased personal experiences. I do really hate it when I go t' purchase something, have a bad experience, then find there is a whole host o' past people who too had a bad experience and just say "Well ye should have asked us first.....we would have told ye....." and would have saved me a whole lot o' pain, and in some cases coin.

With this product being brand new, this fact was never hidden, all us who placed orders knew we where entering virgin territory (a most favorite exploration o' many a seadog now would naught ye say?!!). So I would say that all Good as well as Bad experiences should be shared for the benefit o' th' community....however I feel they should be shared in all truthfulness, honesty (aye, honesty even goes fer pirates), and where there be any 'bad' cases all claims must be backed up with details and facts, NO slanders, or intents t' just rag.....after all, Loyalists have already proven customer support t' many, including my ownself, which twas one reason I put me own coin in the box on this venture.

With that said, I must also add that Loyalist is still working with me t' get a proper fit shoe, and without that painful lump on the inner soul. Loyalist at this point has naught let me down, it just be taken a bit longer then expected.

As for Good and Bad reports t' any product - I say let the people hear Both side and then they can make their own opinion (unless th' community rather go th' way o' CBS 'n NBC - in which case I just shake me head and take me leave embarrassed t' have ever partaken part)