Coal Miner Boots Restoration | From Falling Apart in the Mines to Indestructible
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
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In this video, we tackle a pair of Matterhorn coal miner boots. A coal miner from Alabama mailed these to us and was having issues with the soles coming apart. We completely take this pair of boots apart and rebuild them to make them sold and extremely durable. With new welts, Vibram rubber soles and some added layers of durability, these boots will hold up to the mines for years to come. Time for another restoration!
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Video edited by:
Ashley Saldanha
Ashleysaldanhayt@gmail.com
IG handle - AshMedia_org
Hey guys, these are my boots. I'm simply blown away at the effort they went to to get these boots like I want them. I've always been impressed with their craftsmanship. That's why I send them my boots. But to make new steel sole plates and sandwich that sole together, awesome. I just sent them in and told them I wanted the soles reattached because they keep coming off in the back half.
I'll try and address a few of the comments: "Why didn't he buy new boots?" Matterhorn was bought out by Danner. Until the day before this video came out, I was unable to find a replacement pair. None of the avenues I'd searched had any of the Matterhorn Mining boots available. To the point I thought they may have discontinued them or gone out of business. For those interested, the day before this video came out I was able to find the new version of this boot at Bootbarn. It's brown now instead of black. Retail was $399.99.
He should buy some White's or Nick's - I probably could have gotten one of these companies to custom build these boots. One thing Trenton and Heath didn't mention was the metatarsal guard. I have looked and there are options in these boots that are not offered online by Nick's or White's. Puncture resistant steel sole plate, metatarsal guard, Gore-Tex liner (that sock they mentioned in the video), none of those are offered on-line on their websites. I might could have called them and gotten them to add them but I figure that would have been a $700+ boot then.
Dirty - These boots come out from underground covered in thick mud and a layer of white power called rockdust. It's crushed limestone. It's used for safety purposes in the mines. Once outside, we wash our boots off with a high pressure sprayer. That was done for these boots when I wore them last. However, there was still a fair bit of coal dirt around the base of the boots. During the washing in the sink, most of that was removed but the worst part was between the soles and the mid-soles. I couldn't do anything about that. I do supposed it makes for a better video but it also makes a guy feel like he let them down on the cleaning part.
Weight - These boots do weight about 5 lbs each. They aren't that heavy compared to other boots that carry the same protection. You don't really feel it too bad walking around underground.
Again, thanks to Trenton and Heath for taking the time to make a video of a really cool recrafting, at least in my eyes.
Thanks for what you do for us and your family
I work in West Virginia at a coal plant and most of us wear Matterhorn minus the socks and guards as we don’t have the same risks of getting crushed but it’s a shame to hear the company was bought out
I work underground in australia, and i wear a pair of custom made red wings, they are so good. $500 aud per pair but its so worth it.
I work underground in West Virginia, these boots last about 5-6 months before you need a new pair... (if they even last that long.)
Well said, man! They're great boots, well worth preserving as long as possible. Edit: you got any updates on the boots? How are they doing for you? I bet they've been great.
This is probably about the nicest pair of boots a man will ever wear underground, great job gentlemen.
Deservedly so too. In a culture of complaining, interesting you dont hear a peep from people in the toughest conditions that keep this country running
Where can I buy it? What model is it?
@@DG-kr8pt Vote Trump 2024, so we can take America back! 💪
@@DG-kr8pt I hear you've never hung out with miners lol
@@brushemteeth9159That looks like a Matterhorn MH12255. I think they run about $400 Retail.
A couple of centuries ago when I wore a blue collar, I had to wear similar boots. The environment I worked in was principally jet fuel but also took on the notes of diesel and gasoline. I say all of that because of the fact that besides water, the gentleman stepped in hydraulic fluid which is a pretty strong solvent. I applaud the use of additional stitching and major upgrades you performed. Maybe he should routinely apply a chemical resistant sealer periodically as well.
As a boot enthusiast, I routinely clean, condition and moisturize all my boots every 6 months.
I thought I was tough on boots I have nothing On coal-miner Put them through. Enjoy your videos now I’ve learned a lot when I’m buying boots I don’t buy any of that Have rubber to rubber like my Georgia boots I drive a truck and I was at a lot of farms dealing with a lot of mud and water and they came apart other than that they were great Boots Now I pay more attention to the construction of the boots before I buy a pair
This is semantics but hydraulic oil is not a solvent.
Loved this one. As a desk jockey, I couldn’t be further from a coal miner but I can only imagine the pride I would feel strapping those on each day knowing the quality of the work done to one of my most essential tools of the workday… my boots. Keep up the great work.
Love your videos. I had a pair of Matterhorns when I was stationed in Germany. I gasped when you showed what you were using to cut that metal. Please purchase a pair of red, yellow or blue handled snips at a hardware store. You will have you pieces cut in less then a minute and you will never have to worry about lopping off your fingers ever again. Happy Holidays!
I had matterhorns when I was in Rheindahlen , Germany too. Issued for Bosnia and Kosovo in 99. Still got them now for snow here in England.
Don't worry, I was really careful to protect my fingers during the cutting process. That's why I had Trent hold the sheet. J/K.
Red, yellow, and green. Red, yellow and blue is Tip Top Bread.
@@meme4one did you get to kill in bosnia ?
@@voosum no, we were there to ensure people got fed in the winter and didn't kill each other. My friend did shoot a wild dog that went for him though.
My great grandfather was a coal miner in Scotland! He would have loved to have a pair like these!!! Great job, gentlemen!!!
❤️❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
You just made this miner’s life much better. Great job. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
@@TrentonHeath nice
@@TrentonHeath great work
Man, I hope he comes back and gives a review of these. Would love to hear how much better they are for real
That was fascinating to see you guys go above and beyond on these boots. Sometimes you need boots that work for you , not a fashion statement. A lot of work , skill, and effort guys. Best wishes from the UK to you both, and the miner who will be working in those boots.
My dad wore those same boots for many years in the coal mines of eastern Kentucky, always complained of his feet getting wet. Good job fellas!
Something about you ironing the cork onto the soles that’s so satisfying. 🤤
Dirty hands = clean money. As a coal miner myself I love this rebuild
Thank you for your work.
I LOVE this episode. These boots are going back to work after rehab and to me there’s no better honor to a cobbler. And this is way different than how I’m used to seeing you do boots. This was fun.😎
These are looking very solid! I'd be interested in knowing how they fare over time. Great work! 👍😊
I’ve went thru two pair of these boots one made of leather the other nytek they both were some of the best boots I’ve worn..mine were the lace to toe version.. they were like walking on clouds ..
Man you guys did an awesome job on these boots! Wow! What a transformation.
Thanks for doing what y'all do. You guys are truly talented!
I still have my Matterhorns from when I joined the military. They are over 25 years old now and only had to have the sole replaced three times. These things are beasts and will last for a long time. They they cost quite a bit more but buying one pair of boots every 25 years is a lot cheaper then replacing every year or two. Just make sure that when they need work you go to a place that can do it right.
OMG.. i knew you aren't going to let him disappointed ... WOW.. stunning Job
Love this video and the practicality by which you went about the resole, given the environment this customer works in.
Nice work! I’ve got a pair of Matterhorn combat boots that have a lot of motorcycle miles on them; nice to see they’re so well-built, which makes me all the more tempted to send them in for some work.
I'm only used to seeing you two in these videos. I saw the guy with the beard at 7:05 and freaked out for a second!
Forrest the apprentice
Matterhorn is about the only brand of boot I can stand to wear. They fit like tennis shoes and are truly waterproof. And man do they last a long time. I'm a union pipefitter and work in refineries a lot all over the country. I have an old pair of mt910's I've got about 3 years in. I picked up a pair of danner boots in superior wisconsin couple months ago while working at the husky refinery cause i got a small hole worn where the sole meets the leather. I still have my matterhorns and I'd love to have you guys rebuild them. Lots of various chemicals but mainly water. They aren't in too bod of shape but I've worn the soles nearly flat. Tread is almost gone. Anyway, hope to be able to get them to yall. You really do beautiful work and you are a true craftsman to your trade. Fine stuff.
You know that a work environment is something else when it's eating up a pair of Matterhorn boots like that. Never seen saw the anti-puncture plate in the sole just crumbled to rust. This and the fire-boots-to-dress-boots are probably my favorite videos on this channel.
Love the video. I live about 50mi from where those Matterhorn boots are made in Martinsburg, Pa. My dad was a coal miner and loved those boots. I have a pair for construction in the winter. Warm and waterproof. Keep the videos coming. Thanks
Those boots look cool as heck, I have never seen anything like them. Everything you did to them even made them look better.
I’ve wore those Matterhorn boots underground and and for the price of them, they do not hold up as well as they should and I’ve seen guys wrap tape around them everyday trying to get by and the soles always come apart before any other problems with them!! I’m sure that you be getting plenty of business as the word spreads repairing others!! Great job!!
Lol figured I was the only underground coal miner that watched this channel! Good job
This was a great one. Dude is gonna be so happy with them I'm sure.
Fantastic job. Fascinating to see how you tackle something like this and the quality of the finished product is just stunning.
Thank you for a great video. The resole will definitely help him out. Thank you gentlemen.
I work at a mine too and I had my boot for about 16 years now and needed a bit of repair. Wish you were near!
I’m curious how well they’re holding up after a few months. Great work!
Good video.
I worked over 40 years for a mining company, when our boots got that bad we would throw them away!
It was one of the costs of making a living.
Diesel mechanics too, I'd wear the leather off the steel toes in like 18 months. Knee pads saved my body but the boots were sacrificial.
they used to be disposable boots, but not anymore!
Now that’s a work boot, hell yea, good stuff
Awesome job and pure poetry in motion 🤩
Damn, I actually have a really similar pair of these with the metatarsal guard! Totally did a double take when I saw the video thumbnail. Great work fellas! I'll have to send you my pair next, now that you've had a trial run and all...
A lot of work there! I think this was the best thing, custom construction with his job in mind, rather than off the shelf. I loved them unusual ridges on the upper.
Whatever you get paid to repair boots like that….it’s not enough. It is a pleasure to see true craftsmen! I have a friend of mine that make custom trumpets, much the same. Real detailed orientated.
Thanks…glad you enjoyed!
I am from central Pennsylvania and I wore those type of boots when I was a coal miner years ago.
Awesome job. I didn’t think this one was going to be possible once you pulled that boot apart. Metal shears might be easier to use in the future when cutting out patterns.
"oh it's dark as a dungeon.. damp as the dew.. danger is double.. pleasures are few... where the rain never falls.. and the sun never shines..." 🎶
Johnny Cash.....
as always, you gentlemen hit it out of the ballpark. Good job.
Thank you! We appreciate you watching.
This was fantastic! Love seeing a durable workhorse!
We've been using snow seal and a heat gun on our hunting boots. It works great, it sucks it all up when you hit it with the heat gun.
Great video loved how you rebuilt them
Awesome 👏 guys. Never seen a metal plate sandwich between soles. The toe looks evil. Love it.
I work with solvents and surfactants. When I was in Texas, they brought plumbers in to change bulk tank lines from PVC to Stainless, and the plumbers both lost new boots to the solvent attacking the glue of their boots, and only the boots with a welt even stayed together. One also had waterproof boots and the surfactants negated that. GoreTex becomes a wick. No coal dust to deal with, though.
This is really cool, I would love to see these boots after a year of wear to see how they are holding up.
When I was a coalminer in the UK I was lucky if a pair of boots lasted for 3 months, your boots where a great pair much better than we had.👍
What brand(s) did you try..& were you mostly on the ground?
Didn't catch how long these were in the mine before this overhaul/upgrade?
Great work!
I worked for British coal, our boots were provided by the coal board. I believe they were made be a local Nottinghamshire company called Betts and Broughton. They were descent boots, infact I still wear a pair for working in garden and garage 30 years later.
It was just the conditions, water, oil, fluids etc. Plus crawling and working on our hands and knees.👍
Get some tin snips boys, heck of a lot easier than that old jig saw. Great job.
Matterhorns. Those toe caps are distinctive. I have bought a couple of pairs over the years for those really messy and sloppy days.
Old California Angels hat!!! I grew up a stone's throw from the Big 'A' and have a hat just like that!!!
Can't wait to see the video of him getting a sole replacement.
Awesome beefy construction great work 👍
Epic upgrade! Y'all need a pair of metal snips for doing that kind of work.
8:44
I feel relieved that I am not the only person in the world that enjoys putting delicious whole grain oats into my boots as well. 🤤
Yep, looked like granola to me!
What is it; cork, chopped leather bits..??
Heath went well above and beyond on those boots. Terrific to see you're supporting coal miners. I'd be happy to pay for whatever the work cost him so he doesn't get charged.
We've got it covered, but thank you for the offer. Very kind. Happy Thanksgiving.
hum I just got a pair of these boot for my new work boots. I normally wouldn't go for these but the Matterhorn was the only thing that fit me at the Martinsburg outlet store. when you store at the factory outlet you you get what you get. you really can tell these are made to be a fire and forgot boots.
great having you guys back!
Had the same Matterhorn boots for work in metals mining, the glue came off the same as the pair in this video. I ended up gluing mine the same as our coal miner of this story. Matterhorn markets their boots for industrial/mining type work. They used to be excellent boots about 15 years ago, lately though, they are banking on the historical quality and manufacturers name. At $200.00+ USD, not an easy or light investment for the blue collar man, I have owned my last pair.
They are 379 now. Got my job to just pay for mine. 1275 is the sole on them now.
A video explaining the tools and machines would be great. Thanks.
Amazing job would be an understatement, you guys just gave the man a new pair of feet.
Another one!! Absolutely amazing Job guys! Reminded me of “Nicks Boots” resoling.
Wow those are crazy boots! Great job guys!!!
Normal Matterhorns are, themselves, fairly crazy boots.
The additions for mine work just kicks it to a different level.
And the resole? Considering that NEW Matterhorn mining boots are $400-500 a pair? Even spending that much on an EXISTING pair of boots to resole in this fashion? COMPLETELY worth it. Because just getting another pair opens you up to the same problems after a short time.
Nice job. Kick A$$ Job. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family
Awesome work guys, you sure don't skip any steps! I love your level of attention to detail!
First time on my feed, you are an artist my friend. Excellent work although I really don't know but it looked awesome. Lucky guy to have those refreshed boats.
This is superb 👌🏾 a real work of art!!!
That was an excellent job. Those turned out nice!
Impressive and very interesting “cake”, good to discover new stuff. Thank you guys!
One of my favorite builds/projects from y'all ever - THANKS for a cool vid!! I bet he'll love 'em!
Great work! I'm a fan of rubber over leather. Seems like quite a bit of work went into this. I'm sure it would be on the top end cost wise if it's something you will offer. Steel plate work and hand stitching seem like they would be what would drive the cost up.
Major upgrade! Good job!
Something to consider if you do start seeing more steel toed boots, you may want to get a verticle bandsaw, and see if you can source an old pirahna metal worker. With those 2 additions to your shop you could make pretty much anything out of metal that you could think of needing for boots.
Incredible work, guys! Much better than new!!
Hey guys great repair. we repair boots like these on the daily we live in a coal mining town we actually hand stitch all the way around the boots to the heel and nail it down on the inside. Buddy that coal miner's mud get in everything!!
Another super awesome job! Quality all the way around. Keep up the great work.
Great job guys this coal miner will be safe and comfortable in your new boots.
When I was working in coal mines here in WV I wore only MATTERHORN BOOTS. They are by far the best. I retired 2 years ago. Instill have my boots. You did not by them you invested into them. Quality one for sure. Love the videos guys keep doing.😏
Nice work Gents, it would be good to get an update in a couple of months, to see how well they held up.
You only get 1 pair of feet, best protect them!
Solid work fellas!
Those boots came out awesome
They must be mad heavy!!
Another great video guys, showing your skills and superb quality. Wish you guys were based in the UK, but then my American cousins would surely miss you. Keep up the great work.
BR
Jonathan
I enjoy watching you return something worn out to serviceable or better than new. I also wonder how many times you've had stitches and ER visits because "oops" happens?
Good job! You made those boots really designed for the long haul. It would be great if you could buy them like that, but it would probably triple the price.
Gents! I've given my thought on your work many times ... absolutely impressive from the simplest to the most refined! This -- THIS right here... for me, takes the cake and then some. One hell of a re-construction to address the issues this man was experiencing. WTG guys!!!! Be Safe
Thank you
Would be interesting to get a followup...a year later to see how these hold up on the job.
Awesome video/ wokmanship
Can't imagine how heavy those boots are!!
Boots are a consumable especially in mining... Never seen a pair of the work boots we use in Aus deteriorate like that
Wow, great job. I have a pair of those boots. They are in need of some TLC . Unfortunately I don't have the funds for the repairs. Cool video. It's a lot of work to repair or make boots. Wow.👍👍⚓⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲
Thank you for posting.
Wasn't expecting a video on Sunday but was a nice surprise. I do wonder why when the Vibram soles have to be roughed up to make them adhere better when you glue them on that they don't come that way to begin with. Have a Happy Thanksgiving guys.🦃🍠🥧
Some Vibram products do come pre-roughed up and others have to be sanded, cleaned and roughed.
Nice! If you get to wear cutting metal like that becomes a common task, looking into a Milwaukee PortaBand saw with a SWAG off road table. Also available in Dewalt, or Harbor freights Bauer brands. I have a Milwaukee and a Bauer that I use to cut knife blanks out of steel stock. You can catch the Bauer for about $80 once in a while. great investment if you have the need to cut often. Great work guys!
I would like to see a follow up on these boots. Like after 6 months of work in the mines. I may have something similar done to my Danner wildland firefighter boots I use on our placer and hard rock gold mines.
Interesting repair. Was this the first time you repair with a steel plate? That coal miner will surely be happy with the result!
First time, we've had to replace the plate.
A coal mine is a VERY harsh environment for footwear. Believe it or not, there are still a lot of dirty jobs out there like Mike Rowe highlights on his show. Even if your job is not a dirty job, other trades are not friendly to footwear either. The number of miles, and the number of hours just beats footwear up. I live on a ranch in South Texas. From day to day, my boots get treated hard. I wear Thorogood 8" moc toe boots with the Vibram soles because of flat feet from fallen arches and my desire for comfort. I get two or three resoles per pair and then the rest of the boot is starting to fall apart, and the pair gets retired. Soles last about a year or less. I try to keep three pair serviceable at all times in order to rotate and dry the insides out. (I am too old and broken down to wear cowboy boots these days) Thanks for taking time to highlight WORK boots.
These used to be my favorite work boots. There was a period where the quality went downhill and they would just fall apart way too fast. Redwing Truwelt 4499s are best value out there for a long wearing mine boot with metguard imho, but you can’t deny how cool the matterhorns look. Now everywhere I work is so wet I just stick to rubber boots 😢
This made me nostalgic for my old matterhorns tho!
Great video, gentlemen! Very entertaining!! We even got a cameo from a ginger bearded gentlemen as well! 👀😀
Happy Thanksgiving! ✌🏾🙏🏾❤
Forrest the apprentice
Happy Thanksgiving