Shoemaking is a traditional handicraft profession, which has now been largely superseded by industrial manufacture of footwear.
Shoemakers or cordwainers (cobblers being, historically, those that repair shoes) may produce a range of footwear items, including shoes, boots, sandals, clogs and moccasins. Such items are generally made of leather, wood, rubber, plastic, jute or other plant material, and often consist of multiple parts for better durability of the sole, stitched to a leather upper.
Most shoemakers use a last—made traditionally of iron or wood, but now often of plastic—on which to form the shoe. Some lasts are straight, while curved lasts come in pairs: one for left shoes, the other for right shoes.
The shoemaking profession makes a number of appearances in popular culture, such as in stories about shoemaker's elves, and the proverb "The shoemaker's children are often shoeless". The patron saint of shoemakers is Saint Crispin.
Some types of ancient and traditionally-made shoes include:
- Furs wrapped around feet, and sandals wrapped over them: used by Romans fighting in northern Europe.
- Clogs: wooden shoes, often filled with straw to warm the feet.
- Moccasins: simple shoes, often without the durability of joined shoes (although different types of leather have different wear characteristics).
The Society for Creative Anachronism offers some advice about making period shoes.
Current crafters may use used car tire tread as a cheap alternative to creating soles.
Chefs and cooks sometimes use the term "shoemaker" as an insult, implying that the chef in question has made his food as tough as shoe leather.
Rabbi Yochanan Hasandlar, a famous sage of the Third Century AD, might have earned his living as a sandal maker, though the nickname might also indicate that he was a native of Alexandria.
Pope Urban IV, born Jacques Pantaléon, was the son of a cobbler of Troyes, France.
See also
- Order of the Knights of St. Crispin, an American labor union of 50,000 shoemakers c. 1870
- Cordwainer
- Sandler
Maimonides, mentions this 'last' (Heb. אימום) in his Yad Chazakah Hilchos Shabbos 26:12. The reference was to whether a shoe may be removed from such a last on Shabbos, as it may involve 'completion of work' on the Shabbos.
References
- ^ LISTSERV 15.0 - MISHNAHYOMIT Archives
External links
- Shoemaker's Workshop - The Canadian Museum of Civilization
- "Bespoke Shoemaking a guide to handmade shoemaking"
Biker Leather Boot Chains
Mens and Ladies Boots >Pants / Boot Clips ... Kid's Long Sleeve Tees · Kid's Short Sleeve Tees · Toddler Tees · Kid's Leather
Australian Boot Company ::...
Elastic sided dress boot. Yearling calf upper, kid leather lining, sewn welt leather sole, chisel square toe & leather stacked flat heel.
Leather Country Boots
The Welligogs Sloane and Ranger boot ... Sloane Black Leather Country Boot; Ranger Leather Country Boot; Our Famous Wellies; Sold Out - See New 2007 page for new boot; Rainmacs Kids
Timberland kids :: Search Results on KidsFootLocker.com
Timberland Big Kids Field Leather And Fabric Oxfor ... Timberland Little Kids 6" Field Boot
Durango Boot Kids Cowboy Boots - Free Shipping & Return Shipping ...
Narrow Results for Durango Boot Kids Cowboy Boots ... Cowboy Boots are normally made from cowhide leather but are also sometimes made from ...
Kids Harley Davidson Harness Boot
Smooth upper. Full cushion sock liner. Rubber outsole. Cement construction.
Pocono Mountain Leather - Patches, motorcycle apparel, motorcycle t ...
Patches, motorcycle apparel, motorcycle t-shirts, leather ... Kid’s Jacket - K100 2 4 6 ... Iron Cross and Flame Boot Chain - BC120
Kids Leather Jackets Department
San Diego Leather Jacket Factory we have Kids leather jackets for Boys and ... boots, leather bomber jackets, discount leather jackets, womens coat, brown boot ...
Kids Harley Davidson Boot Brake Light
Kids will love to look just like mom and dad in these boots made just like the adults Harley Davidson Brake Light boots.
Durango Boot Kids - Free Shipping & Return Shipping - Shoebuy.com
Buy durango boot kids with a price guarantee and top rated customer service. ... Durango Boot BT804 - Tan Distress Leather (Infant/Toddler Boys') Durango Boot BT256 10" Legend (Infant ...