Wabash Engineer Boots - Black Shinki Horsebutt

The grain texture of Shinki Horsebutt is highly variable, and will differ immensely from boot to boot. We cannot ensure your boots will have more or less grain than what is photographed as all pairs will be entirely unique. Caveat emptor. If you want the absolute best in engineer boots, this is it. John Lofgren debuted these in 2012, and every run has sold out as fast as he could produce them. Every great pair of footwear begins with a good last, and these start from a custom made last designed by John to give a 1950's silhouette to the boot (no toe bump, with a nice taper to the shape).  These are a limited edition style variation on John Lofgren's iconic engineer boots, made from a thick black tea core Shinki Horsebutt. Being a tea core leather, the black dye at applied to the hides does not fully penetrate the surface of the hides, leaving the flesh underneath undyed - over time, the black dye will wear and scuff off, revealing the brown core beneath.  Unlike other John Lofgren Engineer boots, these are finished with a flat welt (instead of the usual storm welt) giving them a slightly sleeker and more dressy profile, & with a black edge stain as opposed to brown or natural. The finishing details are as exceptional as ever - Japanese steel shanks, British Goodyear welting, and nickel-coated steel buckles made in Tokyo. Even the labels are made on shuttle looms. All of this goodness is pulled together and turned into boots at one of the best footwear factories in Japan. If you want to go really in-depth - check out what John at Vintage Engineer Boot's has to say about them. Choose 0.5 size smaller than your Brannock device size. Highly variable leather, texture may differ from what is photographed here Built on the John Lofgren 110 Last Limited edition Black Shinki horsebutt USA-made Vibram 705 sole and 700 heel Black edge stain Goodyear welted construction Approx. 12.5" height Choose 0.5 size smaller than your Brannock device size. Made in Japan Built on the John Lofgren 110 Last Choose 0.5 size smaller than your Brannock device size. Choose the same size as your Red Wing Iron Ranger or Alden Barrie last size. Choose 0.5 size bigger than your Viberg 2030 last size.