Caligae

[Eric_Methven]

Just finished these Roman sandals (Caligae) for a couple of members of Roma Antiqua.

The customers will be fitting their own hobnails. The soles are four layers thick. Lovely comfortable shoes they are.

Eric

 

[clcuckow]

I love them.

They think I am mad at work as when I am not suited and booted I ware Teva sandals all year round and I have always fancy making myself a pair of Caligae but have never got round to it because I have never found a supply of hobnails.

You might have just inspired me to dig out the plans I found and get making

 

[Eric_Methven]

Hobnails from LePrevo leather £3.23 for 100gr or £21.54 per kilo (approx 400 hobnails) You'll need 200 - 250gr per pair of Calgae.

You can easily make a pair of leather sandals similar to the Teva type.

Eric

 

[clcuckow]

Thanks Eric. It just shows me how long its been since I last orderd anything from LePrevo as I am sure I look for some but didn't see any. I might do some digging for some Teva style plans as from memory my last leather pair (and yes I am wareing them no, in the office) cost me £90.

 

[clcuckow]

Hi Eric,

I got some hob nails from our friends in Gordie Land. Can you give me some pointers on fitting them? I thought that it was just a case of making the hole, pushing the nail in then peining the end over but when I tried it on a couple of nails it just broke off at the root.

 

[Eric_Methven]

I don't make holes first, I just hammer them straight in. Generally the soles I do them on are at least triple leather so they don't come through and don't need peening. The friction from hammering them straight in holds them in place (it also makes extraction easier when they wear down). Even army ammunition boots back in the days before DMS boots had triple thick soles, so I don't know of a reliable fixing method for thinner soles.

Eric

 

[clcuckow]

Thanks Eric,

I have not started the project yet as I am a bit short of leather at the moment, enough for a few sheath project but not for a pair of Caligae and I might look a bit daft with just one So I think that I will take your advice and go with a triple sole rather than the double I was planning on.

 

[Eric_Methven]

Actually, now that I think about it, there's 4 layers altogether. The caligae layer itself, two layers below that and another one on top like an insole, but full thickness veg tan. The bottom layer should also be hard soling leather rather than the softer stuff used for the caligae and mid soles.

Eric