Is the cobbler dead?

[Ceezer]

I was speaking the other day about having a pair of boots resoled and asked a few co-workers if they knew of a decent cobbler in the area. The actual response I got, along with blank stares and a few laughs, was, "A decent what?"...

I remember going into the cobber's shop all the time when I was growing up (I still remember how amazing the smells of leather and polish were) and I'm fairly certain he's still there today. Granted, I come from a small town, but these people didn't even know what a cobbler was. When I explained to them what it was they thought I was pulling their leg.

Even in the Corps we could drop our boots off to have them retread/resoled (I don't know if they did it on the spot or sent them off), though none of these folks are prior military so it has me wondering if there are still any others out there aside from our beloved hometown Cobbler John.

[galopede]

There are several decent cobblers within a few miles of my house here in Cheltenham. As I have several pairs of bench made shoes such as Church, Trickers etc, I know most of them!

Gareth

[RBE17]

I had some shoes re-soled a few years ago. Finding comfortable shoes for me is difficult so I just had ones I knew fit re-soled. Part of the problem is that many of the shoes cannot be re-soled because of how they are manufactured. So much of our society has bought into the disposable philosophy that it sickens me.

[Confuzius]

I've actually got 2 cobblers within a 15 minute drive from home.
I've also got a pair of shoed that need to be resoled, but since I grew out of my "swing phase" (Music and style, not, umm, lifestyle choice) several years ago I don't have many opportunities to wear two-tone spectators and not look rather out of place so it hasn't been very high on my list of priorities.

[rm71]

I have no trouble finding them in large shopping centres. How good they are is another matter.

[Holton181]

That sucks man. I can walk to my cobbler. And they have a full service shoe shine. They even clean Timberlands (ok, I live in the hood, alright?) I don't ever need that part- I can shine my own shoes, thank you- but I think it's awesome that it's there.

[Jim]

I am a little confused, do you want a recommendation for a full service cobbler or are you lamenting the loss of a class of craftsman?

[Prince]

My wife just took a pair of shoes to get the heals fixed. Not even a 1/2 mile from the casa.

[Robxcarlson]

Somewhere in the backwoods of south carolina there's a guy in a shack fixing shoes - you've just got to go find him.

There's one not far from my house in the run down section of down town. There was an article I read not long ago in a national publication which said that people were starting to rediscover shoe repair in the down economy because they couldn't afford to just throw their shoes away. I don't think that it's a dying profession, but it probably did go into hiding.

[tsmba]

I live in a town of 3500 souls and we have a shoe shop. I cannot imagine not having one. Getting a favorite pair of shoes resoled is SO much less expensive than replacing them. Shoe repairmen also offer many other services: repairing tents, purses, etc. I take my jeans for patching jobs that last.

[infotech]

I don't think they call themselves cobblers anymore. We have a Quick Shoe Repair store around here and I"m sure there are others. When I hear "cobbler" I think of Disney...

[Ceezer]

I am a little confused, do you want a recommendation for a full service cobbler or are you lamenting the loss of a class of craftsman?

When I was asking at work, the former. When I posted here, the latter.

[slcsteve]

http://nineteen69.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/peach-cobbler.jpg

Peach Cobbler - yum!

[Obsessed]

As someone said, look for "shoe repair," not "cobbler." They're still around.

[ClubmanRob]

My experience with cobblers wasn't ever that stunning... seems like I could have picked up a new pair of boots for what they charge to do retreads now.

[mmack66]

I know what the OP is going through. The other day I was asking around about a reputable cooper and got nothing but blank stares.

[infotech]

I know what the OP is going through. The other day I was asking around about a reputable cooper and got nothing but blank stares.


The 19th century is loong gone :biggrin::biggrin:

[uberlegit]

The other day I was asking around about a reputable cooper and got nothing but blank stares.

But whom else would I commission a container from to store my salted cod?

[knlgskr]

http://nineteen69.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/peach-cobbler.jpg

Peach Cobbler - yum!


Is that the Archibald Leach aka Cary Grant?

[slcsteve]

Is that the Archibald Leach aka Cary Grant?

That is correct. Archibald Alexander Leach,

[Shane]

I have two or three cobblers within the area. Not only are they cobblers, but they also sell a wide variety of quality shoes that I can't find anywhere else.

[Dustinl]

I was speaking the other day about having a pair of boots resoled and asked a few co-workers if they knew of a decent cobbler in the area. The actual response I got, along with blank stares and a few laughs, was, "A decent what?"...

I remember going into the cobber's shop all the time when I was growing up (I still remember how amazing the smells of leather and polish were) and I'm fairly certain he's still there today. Granted, I come from a small town, but these people didn't even know what a cobbler was. When I explained to them what it was they thought I was pulling their leg.

Even in the Corps we could drop our boots off to have them retread/resoled (I don't know if they did it on the spot or sent them off), though none of these folks are prior military so it has me wondering if there are still any others out there aside from our beloved hometown Cobbler John.


They are actually alive, well, and quite busy. Oh, and numerous.


DL

[The Nid Hog]

I know what the OP is going through. The other day I was asking around about a reputable cooper and got nothing but blank stares.

Really? Just the other day I was complaining to the beadle about the influx of tinkers into our community and he spoke to me of a new cooper.

[ClubmanRob]

Really? Just the other day I was complaining to the beadle about the influx of tinkers into our community and he spoke to me of a new cooper.

Yep, the new cooper is right across from the smithy's shop and fishmonger's stand. The flecher has opened up right next door to the ironmongery and ended the vacancy caused when the haberdashery closed down.

Does anybody even give a tinker's dam?

[chfair]

the term hardly registered as anything other than a tasty pastry. then again i may be part of the younger group on these forums.

[perry]

When I was a kid, I remember my dad saying to someone on the phone, "No, you have the wrong number, this is the Cobbler's," and hung up.

I asked him what the call was about. He said that someone had called and asked if it was the Shoemaker residence.

[slcsteve]

Whether you wanted to know - or not wanted to know.............

OBSOLETE OCCUPATIONS

Some Medieval And Obsolete English Trade And Professional Terms Used
From 1086-1400

Aquarius (Ewer)--Waterman
Aurifaber--Goldsmith.
Avenator (Plantifene)--Hay and Forage Merchant.
Barker--Tanner.
Baxter--Baker
Belhoste--Tavern keeper.
Belleyetere--Bellfounder.
Bowyer--Bowmaker.
Brasiler--Dyer.
Burneman--Carrier of barm or water for brewers.
Cancellarius--Chancellor.
Cardmaker--Maker--of cards or instrumets for combing wool.
Carnifex--Butcher.
Carpentarius--Carpenter.
Chaloner--Dealer in shalloon, a material made in Chƒlons.
Chapman--Merchant.
Chirugion--Apothecary or Surgeon.
Cissor--Tailor.
Clericus--Clerk
Cocus (Keu)--Cook
Combere--Woolcomber
Corvisor (Cordewanarius, Cordwainer)-- Shoemaker, originally
a worker in Cordovan leather.
Cotiler--Cutler
Cuhreur (Cunreur)--Currier.
Cuper--Cooper; a barrel maker.
Dexter--Dyer.
Dubbere--Cloth dubber, i.e., one who raises the nap of cloth.
Dudder--Probably a maker of coarse cloaks.
Daunsel--Gentleman in waiting, groom or squire.
Dysshere--Probably a ditcher, or in some cases a disher.
Elymaker--Oilmaker.
Faber--Smith.
Ferur (Ferator)--Farrier or blacksmith.
Fisher (Fishdryver)--Victualler.
Flauner--Confectioner.
Fleshewer--Butcher.
Fletcher--Arrowmaker.
Forestarius--Forester.
Frereman--Servant of the Friars.
Fuller--One who trampled cloth. See alsoWalker.
Furber (Furbour)--Furbisher of armour.
Furner--Baker.
Garcifer (Garcio)--Groom, attendant.
Garlekmonger--Dealer in gaarlic.
Glassewryght--Maker and mender of glassware.
Gynour--Engineer.
Hamberghmaker (Hamberow)--Horse collar maker.
Harper--Musician (?).
Hetheleder--Provider of heather for fuel.
Hosteler--Innkeeper.
Husbandman--Tenant farmer.
Kepegest--Innkeeper.
Latouner--Worker in latten, a metal resembling brass.
Limner--Draughtsman or Artist.
Lokeer--Locksmith.
Lorimer--Bridlemaker.
Macun--Mason.
Marescallus--Marshall.
Medicus--Leech, Doctor.
Mercator--Merchant.
Molendinarius--(Muner)--Miller.
Mustarder--Growerandgrinderofmustard.
Nedder--Needle-maker.
Palmer--A Pilgrim, one who had been, or pretended to have been,
to the Holy Land.
Paneler--Saddler.
Pannarius--Clothier and Draper.
Pannebeter--Pan-hammerer, or perhaps clothdriver.
Pardoner--One licensed to sell Papal Indulgences.
Parmentor--Probably a parchment maker, or tailor.
Parcheminer--Parchment maker.
Pattenmaker--Maker of iron-rimmed pattens for footwear.
Pelliparius (Peltarius--Skinner.
Perukemaker--Wigmaker.
Pictor--Painter.
Pinder--Keeper of the Pound or Pinfold.
Piscarius--Fishmonger.
Piscator--Fisherman.
Pistor--Miller or Baker.
Plantifene (see Avernator).
Plomer--Plumber.
Pynner--Pin-maker.
Roper--Ropemaker.
Rotarius--Wheelwright.
Safernman--Grower of Saffron.
Samitere (Samite)--Maker of a kind of heavy silk suff.
Sauntere--Probaby Salt maker.
Sausere--Salter.
Seinter--Girdlemaker.
Seler (Sellarius)--Sadder.
Serviens--Sergeant.
Servus--Servant.
Sherman (Shearman)--One who raised the surface of
woolen cloth and then sheared it to a smooth surface.
Shether--(See Vaginarius).
Sifker--Sievemaker.
Sissor (Cissor)--Tailor.
Sleymaker--Maker of instruments to part threads in weaving.
Soper--Soapmaker.
Spittleman--Hospital Attendant.
Spicer--Grocer.
Spurrier--Spurmaker.
Stabler--Ostler.
Stasyon (Stawsun)--Probably a Stationer.
Sugarer--Dealer in sugar. (Grocer ?)
Sumner--Summoner or Apparitor.
Sutor--Shoemaker or cobbler.
Tabernarius--Taverner, Innkeeper.
Tannator--Tanner.
Teinter--Dyer.
Textor--Weaver.
Tinctor--Dyer or possibly a painter.
Upholder--Upholsterer; also a cheapjack and seller of secondhand goods.
Vaginarius, Sheather--Scabbard maker.
Venator (Venur)--Huntsman.
Vintner--Wine Merchant.
Walker (Same as Fuller)--Cloth trampler or cleaner.
Webster--Weaver.
Whittawer--Preparer of white leather.
Yeoman--Freehold farmer.

[airplanedoc]

I had a wedding to go to recently and when I got my shoes out to pack I decided they need a good shine, Not having time to do it myself, I dropped them off at the local cobbler. Picked them up the next day and they looked great. Had a brief conversation with him about the shoe repair business. His opinion was most people today wear "disposable shoes". If you could resole them it would be maybe once and the uppers were no good after that. Good hand made shoes are pretty expensive today, so most people do not buy them. In the end spending more for a bunch of cheap shoes than if they bought 1 or 2 pairs of really good shoes. He spent about 10 min showing me the big differences in my shoes (Johnston Murphy's hand made) and another pair of shoes that he had apart to attempt to repair. It was quite interesting. I highly recommend asking a cobbler what shoes he would buy.

AD

[slcsteve]

With the exception of heel only replacement that I take to the local sutor, I send my boots back to the boot maker that made them for me. That way the soles are replaced using my own last and will fit exactly as they did when I had them made.

[toucanlamp]

They still have shoe repair stores in most shopping malls around here. But times are different, sixty years ago a pair of good shoes ate up a significant chunk of a person's income and so they had to last and you'd get them fixed up a bunch of times probably over their lifespan.

Now today, you can buy good shoes or boots that will last several years for $50 or even less. By the time they wear out the styles have changed and you probably feel like something new, so you just chuck them.

People also used to endlessly mend their clothes and so there were a lot more tailors out there. The availability of high quality, inexpensive consumer goods which has really exploded over the past thirty years has made a lot of old professions obselete or at least uneconomical.

[SiBurning]

Whether you wanted to know - or not wanted to know.............

OBSOLETE OCCUPATIONS

Some Medieval And Obsolete English Trade And Professional Terms Used
From 1086-1400

Aquarius (Ewer)--Waterman
Aurifaber--Goldsmith.
Avenator (Plantifene)--Hay and Forage Merchant.
Barker--Tanner.
Baxter--Baker
Belhoste--Tavern keeper.
Belleyetere--Bellfounder.
Bowyer--Bowmaker.
Brasiler--Dyer.
Burneman--Carrier of barm or water for brewers.
Cancellarius--Chancellor.
<snip>


No pencil polisher? Saw that one in an old census.

My neighborhood has a cobbler who also cuts keys, a butcher, baker, and even a candlestick maker. Sadly, there's no soper here.

[knlgskr]

That is correct. Archibald Alexander Leach,


Yep that b him 4 sure, left out the Alexander for the sake of brevity.

[Ceezer]

Ok, I get it, Cobbler is an outdated term... :wink: I hope I didn't offend anyone, though, as that's just what I've always called them. I didn't make the relation to 'shoe repair' when asking around, but I guess that would be like looking for a barber and asking for a good 'hair dresser' (to me, anyway).

[gone down south]

I think the difference is that cobblers have fairies come in overnight to finish up, while shoemakers do all their own work.

[Dustinl]

I think the difference is that cobblers have fairies come in overnight to finish up, while shoemakers do all their own work.

HAHA! Actually last week I was bottoming a pair of boots and had to do a little top stitching. The next day I posted on my Facebook page that I was exhuasted from working late the previous night and that I wished I had Keebler elves on the payroll to do the late night work for me.

Are Keebler elves the same as fairies?:lol:



DL

[mparker762]

They're around. Here in Houston there's a chain outfit called Houston Shoe Hospital that seems to be almost as ubuiquitous as Starbucks, and there are smaller one-man shops scattered around as well.

The big Shoe Hospital store at Westheimer @ Chimney Rock also sells Alden Shoes (http://www.aldenshoe.com/), which I took to be a big endorsement. Aldens have since become my favorite brand of shoes. The one time I needed a heel replacement it was I think $18, which didn't seem too outrageous.

[Chimensch]

Are Keebler elves the same as fairies?:lol:



DL

Absolutely not! All the elves I know are straight!

[Mr Peat]

We had one in town but with Walmart and how cheap they sell shoes, it drove the shoe repairer out of business. Its unfortunate as I have a pair of combat boots I would love to get resoled. They are a pair of custom made combat boots made just for my wide feet.

I'm also up for a new pair of shoes. I wore my last pair out in Moscow last year. The leather is fine but the sole is done in. Thus I have been putting off spending a $150 on a pair of shoes that I can actually wear.

[Doc4]

Just about every cobbler I know is getting on in years ... perhaps that's why the English always talk of a "load of old cobblers". :001_rolle

Most shoes sold today are incapable of being repaired by anyone; they are simply disposable footwear and usually priced accordingly. I suppose there will always be cobblers so long as there are people who want good shoes fixed, but fewer and fewer, unfortunately.


But whom else would I commission a container from to store my salted cod?

If your cod is properly salted, you can just hang it from the rafters over the winter without ill effect.

[knlgskr]

Fenstermacher: Windowmaker
Eisenauer: Swordmaker, have seen several Eisenhower swords
Brunner: Well digger, also Brown Warrior
Steinauer or Steiner: Stonecutter
Eichenauer: Woodcutter, usually oak (Eich)
Schneider, Schnittker: Tailor
Brewster: Lady brewer
Weinbrenner: Brandymaker
Zuckermann: Sugarmaker or Confectioner
Pffermann: Peppermaker or spice merchant
Weiner: Wine Merchant
Oberlies: Keeper of the Swans
Armbruster: Crossbowman
Meyer, Meier: Servant
Obermeyer: Head Servant
Untermeyer: next in line to Obermeyer
Coiner: Coin maker, sometimes a Counterfeiter
Silbermann: Silversmith
Kesseler: Kettlemaker
Ritter, Reiter: Knight
Broder, Broter: Baker, Breadmaker
Wooster: Sausagemaker (usually)
Mauer, Mowrer: Stone Mason
Rattenfanger: Rat Catcher (Pied Piper of Hamlin)

For laughs: Katzenellenbogen (Cat's Elbow) big bend in the Rhine River

[rth97601]

I understand that shoe repair and tailoring are making a comeback as people try to save during this downturn. I know of several such businesses here in Rochester, and many of my friends have their favorites (I'm in grad school, so I do run with the kind of poor-but-professional crowd that would patronize such businesses). Funny thing is, many of the tailors/cobblers I know of (including my own favorites) seem to be foreigners who learned the trade elsewhere, or really old, or both. Not a good sign for the future.

Hopefully, these small-shop trades survive another generation. It's nice to be able to buy quality shoes and get them revived when they wear thin, or keep quality clothing fitting well and in good repair. Knowing that you can maintain your wardrobe gives us poor folks the incentive to buy high quality stuff instead of the cheap and disposable. These professionals are sometimes the only thing standing between me and polyester-n-plastic.

[LeverTime]

Like others have said, there are lots around, but the signs often say "shoe repair."


My experience with cobblers wasn't ever that stunning... seems like I could have picked up a new pair of boots for what they charge to do retreads now.

If you have a quality pair of shoes or boots it is almost certainly cheaper to have them recrafted than to buy a new pair. I've bought used shoes for almost nothing and had them recrafted. The end result is a high quality pair of shoes for as much or less than a pair of the "shoe-shaped objects" that most department stores seem to carry.

[rgc]

I am just about to send a pair of Alfred Sargent (for Brooks Brothers) loafers off to B. Nelson in N.Y. to be re-crafted. I just figured these days you need to look where the demand is to find the pros. I don't think would trust my local cobbler with re-crafting these. I do trust him with the occasional pair of heels and will try him out with re-crafting a pair of Allen Edmonds in the near future.

rgc

[galopede]

Just about every cobbler I know is getting on in years ... perhaps that's why the English always talk of a "load of old cobblers". :001_rolle

Cobblers is Cockney rhyming slang for testicles!:eek: Cobbler's Awls...

Bet you wanted to know that!

Gareth

[blantyre]

I believe that shoe menders are experiencing good business - in a recession people repair shoes rather than throw them away and replace them once the heal wears a few mm. I use a local chap who complains endlessly in a strong accent about practically everything but does very fine work, including leather resoles and restitching.

[Deltaboy]

I have a nice one that keeps my boots and dress shoes in fine order.

[mk-ultra]

Not dead at all. I use Shoe-A-New in Minneapolis, MN. http://www.shoeanew.com

[DSB]

I visit the cobbler 2-3 times a year. Just google "shoe repair" in your area.

[adfischer]

I know I'm a little late to the post but I had to laugh because the same thing happened to me. A fellow co-worker stepped on my heel and damaged it. I made the comment that I needed to find a good cobbler to fix them and they all laughed at me, made jokes, and talk in old English all through lunch. Of course all of them were wearing Chinese made shoes purchased at a discount store while I was wearing a pair of handcrafted Johnson & Murphys.

The problem today is that we live in a 'disposable society.' We go for what is fast and cheap, not what is good quality and lasting. The thinking is very short term. It's all about what is the impact TODAY rather than in total. Who cares if the shoes will only last 6 months, I can go buy some more because they are cheap - right?

I have been wearing the same high quality shoes for many years and they still look like new. Not only that, I would bet my feet feel much better than theirs at the end of the day. To top it, but I have pride in what I wear. Most of these guys shoes are scuffed, stained, or badly worn (after a short time). For a modest investment and a little time to keep them up, I can have great looking shoes that last a very long time. It's actually cheaper in the long run, but hey, its all about TODAY.

[The Mick]

I live near a Marine bass so all those types of places exist around here. Lots of Barbers, Tailors and Cobblers here.