Upper
Leather
The upper leather used to produce my shoes is French Calf. This does not
mean the leather is only from France as it can be sourced from various
European tanneries. The leather is described as an Aniline skin, which
means that you are able to see all natural characteristics of the skin
which lends itself superbly to a genuine article.
The tanning process is called "Chrome Tanning" which ultimately
produces a super glazed finish with improved water resistance and increased
durability.
Lining
Leather
All my shoes are leather lined throughout - from toe to heel including
seat socks and insoles.
The lining leather is produced differently from the upper in that it is
"Vegetable Tanned". This is a very traditional and natural tanning
process, producing a skin which has greater absorption qualities than
Chrome Tanned leather. As this leather is used on the inside of the shoe,
it is a significant benefit.
Leather Soles
It is my experience as a shoe maker and repairer, sadly, that even great
shoes can suffer from inferior soles and heels!
I have gone to great lengths to make sure that the soles I have selected
are the finest in the world. They are produced using a process called
"Oak Bark Tanning". This may seem like another "glib shoe
statement", but in real terms, these soles have taken 12-18 months
to produce. The net result is a sole which has fibres so tightly interwoven
that it's durability is truly second to none. Additionally they are "flexed"
to make them comfortable in the extreme.