I spent some time with Don Walker (Spring City, UT) at this year’s Bootmaker Round-Up. This video clip feels bit like takin’ home a souvenir.
Tex Robin Boots (Now)
This trip to Texas I retraced some very special steps.
When Tex Robin moved his shop a couple of years ago, I admit I got all sappy and nostalgic over him leaving that old brick building in Coleman.
…but I’ve come to my senses. Welcome to Abilene! Gone are the fire hazards and all the pesky walk-in-and-out traffic. And look! …the walls go straight up and down, and there is my favorite display case…and look over there, there’s even a working electrical socket dedicated to Tex Robin’s guitar and amp.
Tex is doing some beautiful bootmaking. Killer inlays or one-row stitch patterns… doesn’t matter, all good…really good. But be warned, ordering boots from Tex is not for the thin-skinned or the faint of heart. By appointment only. Long wait… and if Tex doesn’t like your design, he’s gonna tell you so. That’ll never change.
Tex Robin Boots (Then)
In July 2000, I went to Coleman TX to learn bootmaking from Tex Robin. I stayed a month. I made 2 pairs of boots…and I drank Tex’s Y2k coffee stash still leftover.
The whole reason I started this blog was so I could share my trip to Tex Robin’s shop.
These are some of the photos I took back then. Here are some more.
Tools of the Trade: Crimp Break
A crimp break belonging to Tex Robin (Abilene, TX.)
Custom bootmakers will “crimp” the vamp (the leather across the top of the foot and toe of a boot) before attaching it to a cowboy boot’s sole. A crimp break takes away much the stretch from the leather using the pressure from the crank handle…and gives the vamp its curve. The vamp is then removed from the break and placed on a crimping board for even more shaping and drying.
Cowboy Boot & Saddlemaker Round-Up 2008
Once a year America’s boot and saddlemakers meet up in Wichita Falls, Texas. There is a swap meet, and a boot and saddle contest. It’s a cross between a trade show and a family reunion.
This year was extra special with two days of seminars/classes on bootmaking, clowns, and a night of karaoke (I kid you not.) Next year’s show will be October 2-3, 2009… you may need to bring your own clowns, so call ahead. See you there!
Here are the winners of this year’s boot contest…
Journeyman (built fewer than 15 pairs:)
Winner – Ephraim Glueck (Waco, TX)
Runner up – Bruce Bowers (Krum, TX)
Working Cowboy Boot:
Winner – Mike Vaughn (Bowie, TX)
Runner up – Alfred Reynolds (Wickenburg, AZ)
Artistry:
Winner — James Redman (Mertzon, TX)
Runner up – Alfred Reynolds (Wickenburg, AZ)
Dress Boot:
Winner — Alfred Reynolds (Wickenburg, AZ)
Runner up — C.E. “Cowboy” Loveless (Hugo, OK)
Master’s Class:
Winner — Carl Chappell (Saint Jo, TX)
Professional’s Choice:
Winner — Alfred Reynolds (Wickenburg, AZ)
You can visit my Flickr page to view larger versions of the photos, and to post comments and notes on top of the photos.
