Afternoon squire! I used to teach army cadets how to properly polish and shine their boots. I like to think that knowledge and habit will adhere to them through life. Also when I walked as a Doorman for several years, I was actually known as Shiny Shoes! Brilliant tutorial Ash, I shall definitely be investing in several of the featured Saphir products! 👍🏻
Thanks Ash! Cheers from Florida, USA. The only thing I'd do different is take off my Rolex before doing this 🤣, but hey, I know you have a reputation to uphold.
This video was very useful as I have been trying to get a mirror shine on my toe cap with Saphire pat de lux with Limited results I didn't realise Saphire did a mirror gloss finish but I have ordered medium brown and black from ebay and will work my way through my collection 😀
Hi Ash great video I've been cleaning and polishing shoe's and boots since 1975 (x Royal Navy) Instead of a cosmetic pad try using cotton wool balls in basically the same way.
Interesting way to bully the toe cap. Just a cosmetic pad folded and layers of polish and no hours with a cloth. I'm so going to give this a go on my officer Wellington boots but Sanders Thanks again Ash for another excellent video
Good luck with the boots, I've tried many differing ways to achieve that sought after mirror shine and to date, I have found that the cotton pad achieves the best results, super-fast.
@@TheChapsGuide Ash just to let you know I used your method and Wow that tip took hours out of the job. I've attained the results I want in a third of the time. Thank you for passing on that amazing tip. I might even do the wife's shoes now as your tip makes it so easy.
Another enjoyable half hour, even though i already knew most of the subject matter, its almost impossible to stop watching .. maybe it's good for the sole :) you've inspired me to do something similar, waiting for a pair of Crocket and Jones loafers to arrive from ebay.. hoping a refurb will achieve achieve a nice result. One thing you didn't mention, how do they fit ?
They fitted very well, but sadly they were with me for only a very short period. I sold them along for a healthy profit and reinvested the wealth in an even better pair. I consider such activity as a bit of sport and have even called the activity 'laddering' (as I aim to climb the ladder of shoe hierarchy in this manner).
Very nice video, and good quality on the recording! I will say one thing, though...I think you very easily CAN over-apply cream polish, as excess can build up and begin to sort of flake off on flex points like the vamp if you put too much. Other than that, great video and great find with those shoes! And you mentioned getting complements from strangers...even before I learned how to mirror shine (though I still used conditioner, cream, and wax), there was one time I was walking out of the grocery store wearing my Allen Edmonds Byrons, and this lady flagged me down and asked me how the heck I got my shoes to look the way they did. Again, these had just the basic brush on the wax; no mirror shine yet! And yet it still caught someone's eye! I use Saphir's entry level line (Beaute Du Cuir) myself for the cream and wax, and I think it does a wonderful job. Easily affordable for just about everyone, too!
Thanks for the sub and positive comments, its good to know that someone is watching and hopefully enjoying the content. I absolutely agree that well shined footwear is a good window into the character of the person standing in front of you. I have frequently been complimented on my various shoes over the years, perhaps less so in England, as people are a touch more reserved. But I vividly recall stepping into a lift (elevator) in a hotel in Providence when speaking at a conference in Rhode Island and my fellow passenger for the journey was a rather rugged-looking American chap, who eyed me up carefully as we descended. As we both exited the lift at reception he turned to me and said "I hope you don't mind me asking sir, but how in the hell did you get those boots to look that way?" It tickled me at the time and initiated a pleasant conversation about shoe polishing. It's a strange world! Take care - Ash
You are quite safe applying (wasting) too much shoe cream... it will not crack the leather at the vamps. Wax will crack if to many layers are applied on any flexible part of the shoe though. Cream is not a problem. Too much wax on, other than the top puff area or heel is a problem though.
I was so lucky that I'v bought Loke 1880 black cap toe oxfords with no obvious signs of wearing for £25. In Moscow, Russia people don't usually wear second hand shoes, so you can find exceptional deals like almost brand new John Lobb for £150.
I always get my shoe trees from ebay, very cheaply, just make sure you get cedarwood. Brushes can also be obtained at a modest price, just make sure that horsehair is your first choice.
If you bought any of my shoes they would all have a "toppy" nylon rubber sole. I have all my new shoes with leather soles covered with a toppy, had one pair for 25 years, toppy replaced once and still completely intact unworn original sole.
My usual routine would be: 1. Clean shoe with saddle soap or just wipe with water if clean 2. Apply Saphir Renovator cream (more than once if needed) - brush to shine 3. Apply Saphir Pommadier cream polish in colour of choice - brush to shine 4. Apply 1 or 2 coats of Saphir Medaille d'or Polish in colour of choice - brush to shine 5. Use Saphir Mirror Gloss to form high-shine (mirror shine) on toe cap I rarely ever deviate from this system and have never failed to achieve a great mirror shine.
Its funny, as I was not really a big fan of shoe polishing during my time in the military - I found it more of a chore then, now I find it a calming activity akin to the joy my wife seems to find in gardening.
I always apply a final layer of Pate de luxe over mirror gloss, it seems to add depth. This will be particularly valuable if using neutral mirror gloss.
6:30 Did you just say "a lot goes a long way"? Ever the master of language! I do enjoy your humour.
Afternoon squire! I used to teach army cadets how to properly polish and shine their boots. I like to think that knowledge and habit will adhere to them through life. Also when I walked as a Doorman for several years, I was actually known as Shiny Shoes! Brilliant tutorial Ash, I shall definitely be investing in several of the featured Saphir products! 👍🏻
Best tutorial ever!! Thanks Ash👊👊👊. No need for a cobbler now!
I love my local cobbler dearly, but he doesn't do a mirror shine!
Thanks Ash! Cheers from Florida, USA. The only thing I'd do different is take off my Rolex before doing this 🤣, but hey, I know you have a reputation to uphold.
This video was very useful as I have been trying to get a mirror shine on my toe cap with Saphire pat de lux with Limited results I didn't realise Saphire did a mirror gloss finish but I have ordered medium brown and black from ebay and will work my way through my collection 😀
It makes life so much easier - good luck with your shine
Very clear and informative, thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very much enjoying your videos
Hi Ash great video I've been cleaning and polishing shoe's and boots since 1975 (x Royal Navy) Instead of a cosmetic pad try using cotton wool balls in basically the same way.
Wow, fifty years on the scrub! They must be gleaming :) this is a great tip, thanks- I'll give it a try, I need all the help I can get haha
Well done sir. Thanks for some great and useful information.
Thank you for your kind comments dear chap.
Well done!
Superb video, and about as much as your average chap needs to know for long lasting shoes.
Many thanks, got a few nice shoe-related videos on the way, hope you enjoy.
Interesting way to bully the toe cap.
Just a cosmetic pad folded and layers of polish and no hours with a cloth.
I'm so going to give this a go on my officer Wellington boots but Sanders
Thanks again Ash for another excellent video
Good luck with the boots, I've tried many differing ways to achieve that sought after mirror shine and to date, I have found that the cotton pad achieves the best results, super-fast.
@@TheChapsGuide Ash just to let you know I used your method and Wow that tip took hours out of the job.
I've attained the results I want in a third of the time.
Thank you for passing on that amazing tip.
I might even do the wife's shoes now as your tip makes it so easy.
@@gordon7005 Great to hear that it worked for you. Although, be careful in doing the wife's footwear - don't want to make a habit of that!
Another enjoyable half hour, even though i already knew most of the subject matter, its almost
impossible to stop watching .. maybe it's good for the sole :)
you've inspired me to do something similar, waiting for a pair of Crocket and Jones loafers to
arrive from ebay.. hoping a refurb will achieve achieve a nice result.
One thing you didn't mention, how do they fit ?
They fitted very well, but sadly they were with me for only a very short period. I sold them along for a healthy profit and reinvested the wealth in an even better pair. I consider such activity as a bit of sport and have even called the activity 'laddering' (as I aim to climb the ladder of shoe hierarchy in this manner).
Thank you for the information
I use navy polish on my black shoes- they sparkle
Very nice video, and good quality on the recording! I will say one thing, though...I think you very easily CAN over-apply cream polish, as excess can build up and begin to sort of flake off on flex points like the vamp if you put too much. Other than that, great video and great find with those shoes!
And you mentioned getting complements from strangers...even before I learned how to mirror shine (though I still used conditioner, cream, and wax), there was one time I was walking out of the grocery store wearing my Allen Edmonds Byrons, and this lady flagged me down and asked me how the heck I got my shoes to look the way they did. Again, these had just the basic brush on the wax; no mirror shine yet! And yet it still caught someone's eye!
I use Saphir's entry level line (Beaute Du Cuir) myself for the cream and wax, and I think it does a wonderful job. Easily affordable for just about everyone, too!
Thanks for the sub and positive comments, its good to know that someone is watching and hopefully enjoying the content. I absolutely agree that well shined footwear is a good window into the character of the person standing in front of you. I have frequently been complimented on my various shoes over the years, perhaps less so in England, as people are a touch more reserved. But I vividly recall stepping into a lift (elevator) in a hotel in Providence when speaking at a conference in Rhode Island and my fellow passenger for the journey was a rather rugged-looking American chap, who eyed me up carefully as we descended. As we both exited the lift at reception he turned to me and said "I hope you don't mind me asking sir, but how in the hell did you get those boots to look that way?" It tickled me at the time and initiated a pleasant conversation about shoe polishing. It's a strange world! Take care - Ash
You are quite safe applying (wasting) too much shoe cream... it will not crack the leather at the vamps. Wax will crack if to many layers are applied on any flexible part of the shoe though. Cream is not a problem. Too much wax on, other than the top puff area or heel is a problem though.
I was so lucky that I'v bought Loke 1880 black cap toe oxfords with no obvious signs of wearing for £25.
In Moscow, Russia people don't usually wear second hand shoes, so you can find exceptional deals like almost brand new John Lobb for £150.
Wow, thats some great bargains to be had there. I wish I had access to such a market (although I have far too many shoes already!!)
Could you please in form me whether should I purchase shoe tree and horse hair shoe brush? I can't wait until I hear from you. Thanks.
I always get my shoe trees from ebay, very cheaply, just make sure you get cedarwood. Brushes can also be obtained at a modest price, just make sure that horsehair is your first choice.
If you bought any of my shoes they would all have a "toppy" nylon rubber sole. I have all my new shoes with leather soles covered with a toppy, had one pair for 25 years, toppy replaced once and still completely intact unworn original sole.
Hello, Ash,
Does anything about your process change, other than the color of polish, with a brown shoe?
Yes, just the colour of the polish.
@@TheChapsGuide Great, thank you
Ash, out of the two mirror shine videos you have done, which routine should one adhere to as I notice you use different Saphir products? Thank you
My usual routine would be:
1. Clean shoe with saddle soap or just wipe with water if clean
2. Apply Saphir Renovator cream (more than once if needed) - brush to shine
3. Apply Saphir Pommadier cream polish in colour of choice - brush to shine
4. Apply 1 or 2 coats of Saphir Medaille d'or Polish in colour of choice - brush to shine
5. Use Saphir Mirror Gloss to form high-shine (mirror shine) on toe cap
I rarely ever deviate from this system and have never failed to achieve a great mirror shine.
@@TheChapsGuide Then that’s just what I’ll do to! Now, time to invest in Saphir 👍
It is a little pricey, but will last for many years - unless you become a professional shoe polisher!
good video thanks
Delighted that you enjoyed it old chap
You could get a job as a DI instructor / consultant at Cranwell
Its funny, as I was not really a big fan of shoe polishing during my time in the military - I found it more of a chore then, now I find it a calming activity akin to the joy my wife seems to find in gardening.
I got neutral mirror gloss. Is that any good, or do I need to apply a wax layer (pate de luxe is what I have) on top as a last layer?
I always apply a final layer of Pate de luxe over mirror gloss, it seems to add depth. This will be particularly valuable if using neutral mirror gloss.
@@TheChapsGuide
Thanks. That’ll save me having to buy another two coloured tins of it.
Where
Medaille d'or means gold medal.
Mystery solved - thank you.
Fake leather dress shoes are an abomination I'd surely say.