Under the Cuff

I always like to see what bootmakers wear on their feet.

These are Al Reynold's boots inlayed with the tools of his trade... a boot last (yellow), a french hammer...even a needle and thread.

Click here to see a little more of the boot.

 
CONTACT:
Old West Leather
Alfred R. Reynolds
Wickenburg, AZ 85358
(928) 684-3134
E-Mail: bootguy1@cox.net

New Blog Features

I know my weblog has many regular readers... so I'm asking for your advice.

I can now add "labels" to my posts. If you like one of my entries, these labels (tags) will make it easier for you to find more information on the same topic.

These are the labels I've come up with so far...

audio · books · collecting · common questions · contests · custom boots · repair · travel · video ·

What do you think? Please use the comment link below. I'd loved to hear your suggestions for new tags to help organize my blog.

Book Buying

I'm a much happier person now, since I gave up trying to buy books on eBay.

If I do find a book on eBay (BUY NOW at $35.95)... I go straight over to abebooks.com to search for the same title.

This time, I was looking for a copy of "Shoe Repairing" by Henry Karg. At abebooks, I found multiple editions at reasonable prices for both hard and softcover copies.

I own one other shoe repair book. I picked this book because I want to read it's advice on "The repairman as a businessman." and...

Chapter 14: Operation and Maintenance of Shoe Machinery. (Including...curved needle stitcher, straight needle stitcher and patching machine) General operation, rules to observe, trouble chart, replenishing thread, causes or broken/stranded thread, and causes of broken needles.

I actually bought two copies... one 1947 edition and another 1975 edition. (I want to see if there are any differences between the two.) I paid less for my two copies, then the one on eBay.

Do you need a copy of that old Texas Boot Book?

Travel: Following the Bootmaker Trail

Hit the road with Western writer Johnny D. Boggs. In his article "Following the Bootmaker Trail" Boggs travels from Guthrie, Oklahoma to Phoenix, Arizona... visiting at least fifteen bootmakers along the way.

This article is full of quotes and stories that showcase the personality of each shop. Don't overlook the article's sidebar. It's loaded with current information about base prices and delivery times.

• For more online articles visit my "Bootmakers in the News" page.
• For help planning your own trip visit my list of custom bootmakers and the "Happy Trails" part of my bulletin board.

Collectors can purchase this issue of True West magazine (October 2006), by clicking here.

Photo of Paul Bond courtesy of True West.