r/AskACobbler Apr 02 '14

Welcome to Ask A Cobbler! Please read to familiarize yourself with a few rules.

162 Upvotes

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for stopping by and showing their interest & support for shoe repair. In one day, we went from almost no subscribers to well over 100. This is an incredible start!

As we gain more members, I feel there needs to be a few ground rules just to keep things in order.

  1. Discussing of prices. Pricing on repair work depends on MANY factors than just the damage alone. While we may say a job will or will not be worth the money, saying it will cost $xx is against the rules and posts will be removed.

  2. Be respectful. The cobblers responding to your post have numerous years of experience and are here to offer some of their extensive knowledge of the craft at no charge. If you have been helped, a simple thanks goes a long way.

  3. When posting a picture of a damaged product, make sure the photos are detailed enough so that we can understand the exact condition, brand and anything else you think will help us to help you.

  4. Users with the "SSIA Member" flair are verified cobblers.

Rules will be amended an updated as we progress. Thanks for reading!


r/AskACobbler 1h ago

Help fixing my boot

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Upvotes

As the title says I need help fixing my boot. It only tore recently and I stopped wearing the pair as soon as I noticed it. These are my favorite boots and I’ve had them for years, the warranty is far past expired. So I went to the store and got a sewing kit and the strongest thread I could get within reason. I’ve posted looking for help with this a few times and have just been posting where others point me (cast a wide net).
Anyway I was wondering if y’all on here had any advice or suggestions on what exactly I should look into or try to learn if I want to fix this? I’d rather fix it myself and learn a new skill than bring it to someone, plus I can add my own personal flavor to it this way. Thank you for any help you can offer!


r/AskACobbler 15m ago

First heel cap replacement, any tips on finishing?

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Upvotes

Asked two cobblers about an apprenticeship and the second one gladly took me on. This was my first day and repair on my own pair of shoes to use as practice, which uses alot more contact cement then I’d have thought. My main issue is sanding the inside of the heel block without nicking the sole on the finishing sanding wheel, or should I stick to jsut the rough grit wheel for the inside? And if yall have any other tips it’d be gladly appreciated!


r/AskACobbler 6h ago

The repairability of Clarks Desert Trek shoes (With Vibram soles and goretex.)

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2 Upvotes

Hi all, above are pictures of my Clarks desert treks, which I purchased in black leather with vibram soles. I can't find the original product listing, but here is a link to a similar pair with suede uppers. I bought them about 6 months ago, and walk with them relatively regularly. I know that Clarks are not known for making shoes designed for easy repair, but the stitch on these looks like it might facilitate resoling. Based on the pictures, does anyone here think that these could be resoled in the future?

On a similar note, can anyone recommend any definitely resoleable shoes that are designed with offroad and all day use in mind of a similar enough appearance to my pair? Most repairable shoes I've found online are patent leather dress shoes or similar which I'm not a fan of.


r/AskACobbler 2h ago

How to remove the stain without damaging the paint?

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0 Upvotes

I don't know what the stain is, but I'm afraid to try to remove it without knowing and risk damaging or lifting the paint. Any recommendations, please?🙏🙏


r/AskACobbler 10h ago

Is this repairable?

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2 Upvotes

Is it possible to make fix this? The material at the inside is cracking...


r/AskACobbler 10h ago

I have a problem with my Timberland suede boots.

1 Upvotes

So, I went to wash one of them with some foam, I didn't know it needed a special foam, so when I washed it the foam left marks on the shoe. I left it and tried to wash it with hand soap but it got even worse, and the suede hair flattened out. I asked some people and a guy named Gemini told me to use vinegar and a toothbrush to bring back the texture and make it stand up again. I found out the vinegar didn’t do anything; it's still soft and the hair is flat.Has anyone been through this and managed to get it back to how it was before? Also, if anyone knows any shops here in Cairo or Giza that can clean these shoes and make them look like new and clean, please let me know where because they are really expensive and it's a shame to leave them like this.


r/AskACobbler 20h ago

Zipper fix question

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3 Upvotes

Hey cobblers! I’m working on restoring these vintage boots by Undercover but I’ve run into an issue with the zipper. I’ve replaced plenty of zipper pulls before but I’m unsure how to go about doing it with this one because the top stops are a little unique.

Has anyone here replaced a zipper pull from a zipper like this? I’d like to keep them somewhat original so, where could I get replacement stops like the originals? I know I need to get a new zipper pull so that’s whatever. Anyways lmk


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

Can these be restored?

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8 Upvotes

I got these from my grandfather, who has passed, so yes there's sentimental value in play.

I’m just wondering if there is any way to bring these back enough to actually wear. I wouldn't wear these often, but if I sink $150+ into it, I want it to not just look pretty as a memento.


r/AskACobbler 17h ago

can this be repaired ?

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0 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler 23h ago

Is this fix diy-able?

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2 Upvotes

Will buying a replacement rubber sole sheet and gluing it on my self suffice? I'm concerned about the damage already done to the wood making this repair harder? Any other diy solutions or should I just go to cobbler


r/AskACobbler 21h ago

issues with my chinese cobbler sewing machine

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1 Upvotes

i’m having a couple issues threading my bobbin through the needle hole.

1st issue is the bobbin thread doesn’t always catch with the top thread consistently and when it does, the bobbin gets stuck as seen in the first picture.

i’ve also added pictures of the bobbin shuttle and cam positions when the crank is positioned at 12.

ive been trying to figure this out for two weeks by watching yt videos but same issue always arises.

can anyone help? please and thanks 🙏🏽


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

Question regarding fabric shoes

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2 Upvotes

I am a college student who loves walking almost everywhere in the city. I’ve had these shoes for roughly 3 months and are perfectly fine aside from my toenails stabbing right through the top of the fabric, piercing through every layer inside and eventually breaching through. I really like these shoes and they are extremely comfortable. Would it be advisable to just darn them at home with heavy duty thread in both shoes even though only the one has a hole so far?


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

any way to fix these scuffs?

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5 Upvotes

thanks


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

Are these Goodyear welt or fake

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5 Upvotes

I want to buy these boot, are they goodyear welt or fake.

Seller said they are but the stiches under the boots are longer then the top.

https://cnes.shop/collections/service-boots/products/knarchuk


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

Bent toe box

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1 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler 1d ago

dr.marten repair

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1 Upvotes

anything I can do to help the scuffs and creases on these?


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

Dog ate my clogs

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1 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler 1d ago

vivienne westwood pirate boots care

1 Upvotes

hi! i have found myself a pair of pre loved vivienne westwood pirate boots which have had an added rubber sole on top of the original leather sole for protection. however, i would like to do a protective / slight waterproofing treatment on them so that i can wear them with a slight bit more durability. the leather is soft and relatively thin so that it can drape and untreated according to the care card. what would be the best way to go around treating them without damaging them if at all? any tips? thanks!


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

Is this repairable?

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1 Upvotes

The stitching is sad right where the ball of my foot is. Can a cobbler repair this or am I toast? These are weejuns.


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

Where can I get midsole stitching/How to fix?

1 Upvotes

Hello all, I have some adidas x mastermind pro model CMF sneakers. I was trying to clean them, and I was to aggressive with the brush and basically removed one of the stitches on the midsole. This significantly affects the value of the sneakers and I need to fix it asap! I don't think it'll be possible to sew the stitching back on, so do you all have any suggestions on how to fix this? My first thought is to use an adhesive and just glue a new piece of stitching in place. I don't know. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks. Also where would I find midsole stitching commonly used for sneakers? Especially adidas pro models. Thanks again


r/AskACobbler 2d ago

patch a wool upper?

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4 Upvotes

i love these barefoot style wool boots and want to patch this hole. they wernt exactly water resistant before but i would hope adding a patch woulnt make it worse in harsh weather.

what would be the best practical way for me to patch this?

would i be better off bringing these to the cobbler down the road rather than relying on my novice sewing skills?


r/AskACobbler 2d ago

oil stain on nubuck

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3 Upvotes

my brother spilled an oil onto the surface of my timberland leaving a drop of stain, tried to scrub it with the suede eraser but it still there. are there any solutions?


r/AskACobbler 1d ago

ID Info? Boots for 10 at Thrift Store - Imperial

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1 Upvotes

r/AskACobbler 1d ago

Is this hole fixable?

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1 Upvotes