Oak Street Bootmakers
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That definitely doesn't look great, I agree. Looks like they had a trainee doing the welt on that boot. Kinda surprised that made it through QC. That said, I think the problem is cosmetic, not constructional.
The welt is cemented on, as well as stitched, so a loose stitch here and there shouldn't lead to any problems. As for the gap in the welt inside the arch, they cut it a fraction short, which looks crappy, but isn't a serious issue, as long as it's securely sewed to the sole, which it looks like it is.
If the appearance bothers you, (and it would bug me, personally) you should contact Oak Street about it and give them a chance to do something. If you were only worried about durability and don't care how it looks, I think you're probably safe.
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Thanks Chris, I agree with your assessment. The other boot looks perfect so just knowing that does bug me even if the boot is functionally sound. I've sent photos to the shop in the UK I bought them from so will see what they say. I did also email OSB and they came back fantastically quickly although the response did not agree with my assessment. They explained the boots are good in their opinion which does make me question their quality control.
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Thanks Chris, I agree with your assessment. The other boot looks perfect so just knowing that does bug me even if the boot is functionally sound. I've sent photos to the shop in the UK I bought them from so will see what they say. I did also email OSB and they came back fantastically quickly although the response did not agree with my assessment. They explained the boots are good in their opinion which does make me question their quality control.
Just wanted to update this as I've had further communication with OSB and they have agreed that on closer inspection the stitching although not compromising the integrity of the boot is not up to their own aesthetic standards. They have kindly offered to exchange the boots for another pair if I'm unable to get an exchange through the store I bought them from. Great service, I feel a lot happier.
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Indigo dyed rough-out CXL Trench Boot at the Blue Owl Workshop. So nice!
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Picked up some new Oak Streets.
Roughout Marine Field Shoes. Construction on these is just awesome – they're beefy as f*ck and feel great. They feel and look tons better than the roughout boondockers I've picked up from various WW2 reenactment sources.
And the Chocolate Double Sole PTB's. They feel really refined and it's nice to see Oak Street offering shoes slightly less rugged. I'm a big fan of the wheeled welt:
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I just received a pair of those same bluchers. Seem really nice for the price paid (sale) and since I've had no problems with my trench boots I feel quite confident about these too. Was a bit of a gamble on the size since I'm usually somewhere between a 13 and a 12 and my trench boots in 13 are quite roomy even though I wear them with a thick sock. I ordered a 12 in the PTB and was quite certain they'd be too small but they feel nice and snug with a medium thickness sock so I guess they'll be perfect with a thin summer sock since these will be summer shoes for me (leather sole and all).
Stitching is nice and uniform and pretty much flawless otherwise too on quick inspection.
