Bootblacks, new and old!

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:29:35 GMT

So when I was barely dry behind the ears in terms of manning a chair (yeah, that many years ago, shut up), a travelling bootblack handed me a tin of something very special. I didn't really recognize just how special this tin was, but it seemed so, and thus I treated it so. The smell, the texture ... smooth under rubbing, easily charlied into the pores, beautiful but unpretentious shine ... <cough><cough> ... anyway ...

Now, after many years of conservative use, this lone tin is finally past any viability. I am jonesing for a refill.

Here's the problem: I can't find this stuff anywhere in the states, and the manufacturer does not sell directly to a yankee git like me. Can anyone help me out?

This magic stuff is a hardwax product by Collonil called Interpolish. Needing black (and preferably neutral too). I understand it is sold in 75 mL tins. I got the scratch to maybe buy a half-rack, but really only looking for 6 tins or so. Looking to get it shipped to Seattle, WA.

Cheers to you what can help me ... C:##/boris.

Product Question

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:51:37 GMT

I'm hoping this is the place to ask this question. I'm learning how to take care of Sir's boots and am trying to find a product (or product replacement) for him.

I'm looking for what would be used to touch up the eyelets on a pair of boots when necessary. Sir said that in the past he's used a product called M-New but I haven't had any luck finding it online. Is it still available, and if so where can I purchase it? If it isn't available what replacement product is suggested?

DATE CORRECTION MID-ATLANTIC COMMUNITY BOOTBLACK CONTEST

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:30:30 GMT

I am having to make a correction to the post concerning the Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack Competition. I posted it as being held on the 23rd of August. But it was changed to being the week before on the 16th. The time has been changed on there to be 12:00 noon. The location is being the same. At the Baltimore Phoenix.

We are looking forward to hearing from you and hope to see several of you compete for the Mid-Atlantic Region. This is an open competition and it is free The public is free to attend should they so choose. and there will be classes and seminars given on the art of bootblacking, as well as other classes about boot knowledge.

Question for you all

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:50:56 GMT

So I am getting ready to compete for my first leather title this year. I am hoping to run for NWCBB in August. I am really new to the contest part of the leather world. I am looking for advice and information about their experiance and what I may possibly expect during the event. Any information would be appreciated thank you all for your time.

Hello every one

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:42:33 GMT

I just thought I would drop a line and say HI and I am glad I found the community.
I have been bootblacking publicly for a year now. I love it. Being very blessed with two very amazing state title holders has caused me to be very busy. I am looking forward to swaping ideas and learning all I can from every one here. Congratulations to All the new title holders this year.....

HUGS

shell

Ps I am located in Portland oregon

San Francisco Boot Blacks?

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:12:59 GMT

Who represents NorCal on this blog?

--Give a shout out to Matt in SF!!

(actually livin in the Tenderloin... grrrr.)

Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack 2008

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:30:48 GMT

Hooker and Boys is proud to announce

                                                *************

   The 2008

                                  Mid-Atlantic

                    Community Bootblack Contest

                                              Honoring
                                        2007
                  Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack
                                     Eric Crouse

                                 Saturday August 23 2008
                                           in Baltimore

   2pm

   The Phoenix
                                                  1 west Biddle Street
                                       Baltimore,Maryland 21201
   410- 837- 3906

             for information contact Rik (Hooker) 410 366 5312

                        International Community Bootblack Contest
                            Columbus Day Weekend in San Francisco
                                                www.LeatherSIR.com

Local bootblacks

Sat, 31 May 2008 02:49:34 GMT

Just wondering who on here might be in the Vancouver Canada area?

Has anyone heard from...

Sat, 31 May 2008 01:42:02 GMT

Shawn Patrick Finnerty lately? I am needing to get a hold of him and talk to him about something. If anyone sees him or hears from him tell him to contact me please.

Eric Crouse
Mid-Atlantic Community Bootblack

Just in case you hadn't heard...

Wed, 28 May 2008 02:27:12 GMT

x-posted from my LJ

I has a husband!!!

Yeah, I know you never thought you'd see those words here, but it's true. I got married Sunday while in Chicago. He's sweet, handsome, hard working and dedicated. What more could a boi ask for right? We even share a love of boots and bootblacking.

Here is a picture of my husband...my sash husband, Bootdog International Mr Bootblack 2008!!!

Congrats Bootdog!! I'm looking forward to being on the road with you this year!!

**********

I realized that I have been sorely remiss in posting here so this is my first attempt to change that. More post will follow, but I do have a question to pose to the group now. Do you ever bootblack publicly?

Mon, 26 May 2008 05:30:47 GMT

congratulations to bootdog, your new IMRBB 2008!

go bootdog!

www.imrl.com/

Breaking In

Sun, 25 May 2008 16:18:52 GMT

Hi. I'm Aaron and new to this community and to blacking.
Just one question for now: I just bought a pair of Harley Davidson boots (previously owned but never worn). They're a good fit but uncomfortable new since the leather needs to be broken in. Any tips on the breaking in process, or is it just a matter of wearing them, wearing then, wearing them and putting up with the heel blisters in the meantime?

Thanks.

"new" boot black in SF

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:00:06 GMT

Hey what's up!

I'm Matt and blacking at Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom (between 9th and 10th), SF.

After some searching and several google look-ups, I've found you guys, so it's a real honor to find my community.

Does anyone know anything about the Northern California Community Bootblacks and/or how to join?

Thanks so much everybody!

Matt

A Sad Day in the Bootblack Community

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:30:36 GMT

Reposted with Permission from the author.

It is with great sadness that our community and our boot black community has
lost one of our own as well as a boot black advocate.

I just received word that Bob Ehrlich International Mr. BootBlack 1999 past
away last night. He also helped co-found my alma mater the MAL Boot Black
Contest. He was a very sweet guy and loved the boot black community and leather
community. Please keep warm thought for him and his family.
I don't have details or funeral information but as soon as I hear I will
pass it on.

It is also with a very heavy heart to say we also lost my fellow great lakes
brother and neighbor Dan Clark. He passed away last evening after suffering
2 strokes this week. He was Mr. Drummer 2000 and Co-Founder as well as one
of the brain trust for Great Lakes Leather Alliance Weekend. He was a strong
boot black advocate and was the motivation behind the first Great Lakes Boot
Black Contest.
Please add him and his family to your thoughts as well. He as well was a
very sweet guy who did a lot for the community.
As soon as I have details and an address where to send cards I will let you
know.

With Great Sadness,
Cristo Webb

bootblack chair purchasing advice pleeease!

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:53:50 GMT

Hi ALL!
I'm a weekend/bar bootblack and I'm looking for a portable chair or stool for blacking. I would love some purchasing advice, net searches revealed nothing substantive. Any advice would be much appreciated!
xo bugaboots

A. M. Kroop & Sons

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:02:40 GMT

Part1: the interview for the Dream Job

So I showed up for the job interview and this little lady in her 50's opens the door and this is the owner of the boot factory. Her name is Randy Kroop. I walk in and after apologizing for the misadventure, I ask if I could just stand there and just smell. It smelled exactly like the family shoe repair shop used to when my great grandfather was alive. It was wonderful. She starts off by asking about the family business, what we did and why I was no longer working for my father. and then shows me some of the different machines and everything. It was wonderful! She then showed me some of the boots that they were in the process of making. I took a good look at them with the eye of a cobbler and a bootblack and gave high praise and was instantly in love. It took so much will power not to sit there and lick the police boot that she was showing me. WOOF!

So needless to say I got the job.

Part 3: Going home

So I afterwards, walked around to the saddlery and talked to the owner and thanked him for referring me. and he said no problem. and he reiterated the idea that he would like to start something up with me doing the shoe repair.

Hmmm.....

Part 4: the first day.

she started me off by having me scrap the roughed up side of insoles, gluing them, and such. I got to use a clicker (Tiger these things are awesome! if you ever have the opportunity to need one or get one, DO IT!). while I was roughing up the insoles for gluing, I cut my wrist (tis a flesh wound and not bad. I've had worse.) I nicked my finger on the grinding belt, and I got to work with the lasts, and see how the welting machine worked and so many other things. I am so excited. and then, she said that if I stick around long enough, she was going to give me a pair of riding boots.

We got to talking bout the Bootblacking (although I did not give her all the glorious details) and she made the comment that she might just give them to me early for advertising (EEEPPP!) she said that I could bring my pole climber boots in to be worked on and such, and I just thought: THERE IS A GOD!

and if anyone has seen the movie Seabiscuit, She made all the boots in that.

any one ever hear of

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 07:03:45 GMT

A.M. Kroop boots? Its a brand name like Dehner (mmmm.....Dehner) or Wesco (mmmm.....Wesco) or such.

Hmmm...

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:27:45 GMT

Two pictures of a new pair of 'project' jump boots under the cut - just wondering, is it common to have a sole in one sizing and the inner boot in another?

Supplies

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 01:37:27 GMT

So I had talked about the bum brush that I got earlyer this week from my local shoe repair store. Does anyone know of a good store online or in the Portland OR area that would sell good quility bootblacking supplies.

Intro and Question

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:03:27 GMT

So before I ask my question I thought I would introduce myself to everyone, and let everyone know how my service is going or what kind of leather dynamic I am in at this time. This past Hanukkah well actually the day after Hanukkah ended I was offered a full 24/7 owner/slave contract rather than a training contract. I was thrilled at the opportunity and of course signed. Now, I am officially owned by my Trainer which allows me to be apart of the pack aka the household which twylightdove is apart of the pack (she is my mentor in service.) So that is my exciting update as of right now. I had a question though to pose to the community mainly those who do boot blacking or shoe polishing. I have just bought a new horsehair brush for doing the buffing and well its falling out all over the place and making a mess. Is there anyway or anything to put on it that will stop that or will it always fall out? If anyone has any questions for me I am really open to answering.

Thanks all

Ugh...

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:19:39 GMT

Well, I wanted a nice pair of Fluevogs for my winter wear and the ones I want are out of stock, well.. everywhere which is unfortunate. So I've decided to try once again with Doc Martens. My big complaint is they are a BITCH to break in (understatement....) so before I take on this horrid task, any advice?

Usually I try to wear knee high pantyhose under my socks to help ease the break in period and that's about it. So other than that, any ideas to help this not suck... that WON'T damage the leather of course.

Boot Love and Thanks,

Your fairly absent community owner.

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 05:59:11 GMT

Can anyone recommend a good place to order kit supplies online? Particularly Fiebings products?

Thanks,

West

teamwork?

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:23:32 GMT

Has anyone heard of bootblacking contests as a team - 2 people blacking together..?

Just curious, my boy & I had an amazing time this past weekend tag-teaming many pairs of boots - wondering if this might be something we could plug in to the greater community somewhere.

edit 9/21/07: We'll be testing this out in public a second time at a local group's October Vendor's Fair & Swap Meet - looks like we indeed found a place to plug it in. :)

switch

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:46:54 GMT

sometimes i am the puppy
at the foot of my Master's bed
Somtimes I am the Master
patting the puppy's head

Sometimes I want to hold him
and rock my sub to sleep
sometimes i want to be held
so much I want to weep

sometimes i want to to feel
the lock around my neck
Sometime I want to collar him
to keep the boi in check

Sometimes I want to rest
my boots upon his back
sometimes i want to polish
His boots until they're black

models sought for boot shoot!

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:40:18 GMT

Midori, the rope bondage artist, is looking for two female models for a boot-oriented photo shoot to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Ms. Bootblack title. More info can be found here.

(And if someone can post this to the Bootblack forum list, unless it has been already, that would be great.)