Generally, there are 3 brushes made in different bristles for shoe care. Most commonly used is horse hair as it is multi purpose for cleaning and polishing. Then there is boar bristles where it is stiffer than horse hair and more suitable for shoes with broguing or grain to be able to remove excess cream/wax from the crevices/holes. Goat hair is the softest among all and is for light brushing before and after wear, as it is soft enough to not ruin the mirror shine.

This post has been edited by phrozenheart: Oct 22 2020, 10:03 PM

Hi guys, I am a Saphir reseller on Shopee!! Do drop by if you need anything.

https://shopee.com.my/phrozenheart?smtt=0.0.9

This post has been edited by phrozenheart: Oct 22 2020, 10:08 PM

Vass is on sale now!
https://vass-shoes.com/


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Have not tried them, but you may check out Rose Anvil's review on them.

https://youtu.be/HfEqq7hG450

Personally, I believe in buying lightly used/like new for a bigger discount from retail.
It also depends on your budget and the brands available.
I have some pre-loved shoes on my Shopee for sale, do check it out.
www.shopee.com.my/phrozenheart

What colour is your shell?
Have your tried Saphir Gentle Cleaner or Renovateur to remove as much as you can?
Then apply Saphir's Cordovan Cream to recolour the spot.
I have the Black, Dark Brown & Burgundy Cordovan cream on my Shopee if you need.
www.shopee.com.my/phrozenheart

Would you mind sharing the bundle shops? Would like to check them out too. What style are you looking for? Yeah...I'm afraid Malaysia lack of really skilled cobblers.

Your situation is a bit tricky if you seldom wear the shoes.
Cemented dress shoes are like sports shoes, it will eventually open mouth when not worn often.
Of course you may glue them back, but leather uppers used on cemented shoes are normally bonded leather.
Whether you wear them or not, the leather will dry out and crack eventually.
So you may be paying more money buying a new shoe every few years, even if you don't really wear them.

Within the RM300 budget, Clarks may be your best choice when they have big discounts or at Outlets.
Look for the Blake Stitched ones instead of cemented if possible.
Lift up the insole and see if you can see stitches around the front, example below.

No problem...I'm just a shoe enthusiast trying to help.
Outlets as in Mitsui or Genting Premium Outlet those kind, that's where you get the best deals.
Some/most brands also have their own designated shops that are used to clear their past season stocks.
A friend last year told me that Clark's at Aeon Shah Alam Stadium there were selling RM180 a pair, can't find that price at their other outlets.
Of course will have to be fast and hunt for your size, especially if you are within the common sizing UK 8-10 range.

Hi guys, I've started an online community for Malaysians who love and enjoy quality shoes, shoe shining and a platform to buy/trade/sell. Feel free to talk about the brands you enjoy and own, share tips and tricks and show us your shoes!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2027967557343207/

If you already have a mirror shine, a goat hair brush is soft enough daily to remove dust without ruining the mirror shine.

If your mirror shine has been on the shoe for quite some time, the leather may need nourishment/conditioning but don't want to remove the whole base, can use the Saphir Gentle Cleaner to maintain the base of your mirror shine and open the pores to accept conditioner/cream/wax and then mirror shine again.

If you don't do this just because the mirror shine didn't crack, so happen the mirror shine is left there for months or long intervals before you remove the whole mirror shine to start over, the leather may dry out/crack. It is like girls putting nail polish on nails without removing them to let the nails breathe.

Just came across this and would like to clarify - oils used in shoe care products are refined differently to be absorbed into the leather. Hence, it wouldn't feel like the normal cooking oil or motor oil that feels greasy and can't penetrate the leather. Saphir sole guard is made 100% vegetable oil, if it is like the cooking vegetable oil we know many would have slipped, fell down and sued Saphir.

You may check out this review:

https://thelibrankl.com/2021/06/07/buying-g...for-malaysians/

Unfortunately, Malaysia don't have anyone with this expertise yet, not that any of our shoe enthusiasts know of. Will have to send overseas to do.

I'm assuming you're asking about goodyear or at least Blake stitched shoes, in Malaysia you can find new ones at:

https://plal.com/2shop/

For pre loved goodyear and Blake stitched shoes, you may try:

https://shopee.com.my/thelibran.kl

Well, it depends on what the person is looking for. To briefly summarise the article, chrome tan is more water and scuff resistant but won't be as long lasting due to its softer and looser fibre structure. It doesn't age as well either.

Veg tan is stiffer, needs breaking in due to its denser structure. Hence, it lasts longer and age better with a beautiful patina IF cared for properly.

Simply put, one needs less care, may not age as gracefully or last as long. Another may last a lifetime, if not many when one knows how to take care of it.

There are exceptions of course with Chromexcel leathers and many veg tan leathers are finished nowadays to increase its durability against the elements.

Finally, there is no right or wrong whichever you choose as long as it's an informed decision. Here is a photo of my 36 year old vintage Florsheims still looking as good as new. Cheers!

Depends on the type of toe plates you are looking for? Normal ones are just screwed onto the soles. These can be done a Cobblerman, can't remember if he uses plastic or metal ones.

Then there are lulu or triumph toe plates that are installed by skiving the sole, then screwed on to make it flush with the whole sole to avoid snagging on carpets, scratching floors, etc.
You will have to buy the lulu or triumph toe plates yourself, afaik nobody sells them here.