There's a guy in Settle, Nelson I think is his name, he's the last of many generations of cobblers and shoemakers. His family once had shops through a lot of towns and villages around settle with other cobblers working for them. That's back when most shoes and boots were custom made.
If he's still operating he measures and examines your feet then hand carves a last just, for you. Once that's made he uses it to make the footwear you want. Years later if you want something different you can call it in and he'll dig out your last and make them. Every shoe or boot will fit your foot perfectly.
If he's retired then Mark Slee operates in Settle and he's also a time served cobbler shoemaker. He apprenticed with the older guy I mentioned above and uses similar production methods I believe.
A good, timeserved cobbler shoemaker is amazing imho but I don't think they're very common. Repair cobblers are more common but they've not got the skills of a true shoemaker because they cannot make the custom lasts.
Now you’ve done it. A ‘ cowboy’ and there are FOUR regional termsI have had a bit of cash for presents and was thinking about something I have considered a long time; cobbler made boots
Any suggestions?
Any experiences?