This was such a fun restoration!  It’s not everyday that we get boots or shoes this old.  What brand and style do you think these boots are?

I am British Army veteran.  One of the first things we were told to do with our primary boots was to soak them in water for 12 hours, stuff the insides with newspaper and cover the outside with a generous layer of wax based shoe polish.  Each day we changed the newspaper.  After 3 or 4 days we could start wearing the boots and polish them every day.  The boot leather became nice and supple really quickly and completely water proof, which was incredibly important when wearing them out in  the field.  At the other extreme, our secondary boots were hardly worn.  They were highly polished to an almost mirror-like level.  Even the soles were polished.

I wonder if Grandad is looking on as you work on his old boots? A man and his boots are a sacred thing!

Old cobbler here. My dad and I retired before youtube existed so it’s neat to find a subculture of survivors on here. Cats paw were still readily available to us from the warehouses through the 80s and early 90s but I can imagine they’re scarce now. Nice technique, mix of old and new tech. Keep it alive brother. 🔨 🥾

There must be some major sentimental value for those old boots.

I'm 72 and my great grandfather was a cobbler I have his hammer in my living room it looks just like yours 😀

There’s a big story behind why cats paw are no longer produced in the USA but they are still producing them in Canada

I remember my parents having Cats Paw heels put on their shoes when I was a kid. I was born in 62, always loved the design with the cat on it. Thank you for bringing back that memory. Great work on the boots.

I had these when I was originally 24 now I'm 31 for the 3rd time .. and I miss them

My Grandfather wore those his entire life..
He wore a size 22 and he ordered his from a catalog because no one had any in stock to fit him.

My great great grandfather had a pair of wolverines,  he passed away in 1922 with his boots on, he was with a 22 year old, he died a happy man

I am  a  old  vintage  master Carpenter,  and  I have  restored hundreds of vintage  plane's and many many vintage  tools,  but  watching  this  is  absolutely  fascinating  too.

Don’t let anybody ever tell you have to go to college to make something of yourself.   Well done.

The real vintage gems here are your machines!

The video I never knew I needed to see.

Thanks YouTube! 😊

Always enjoyed the sites, smells and capabilities of my local shoe repair shop in he 1970’s.
This makes me want to get some mink oil on the my fathers 1950’s army boots he  just handed down to me.
Thanks for keeping this trade alive in a disposable world.

Nothing like starting of a cold New Year's morning with a cup of coffee and a T&H restoration vid. You guys are awesome!

It was therapeutic just watching craftsmanship at its very best.

When I think about all the hard hours of labor spent in these shoes, I am so grateful that you were able to preserve this heirloom & legacy.

My grandparents and then my parents used Nivea cream for maintaining all things leather: leather coats, sofas, gloves, belts, and old style ski boots. I use Nivea on my leather seats, and it works wonders.