Thanks Seul! One final overly dramatic image…

Went ahead and waxed them.  I did a small test on the tongue and knew straight away I was onto a winner.  A couple of progress pictures, first shot showing one shoe with wax and the other without, and the second of the end result.

Really pleased with how they've turned out.

So the vintage Trickers finally arrived back from the Shoehealer.

Opted for a red Dainite sole and heal as I thought it would be a bit of fun and also stand the test of time a bit better than a leather sole.

To be honest I'm a little underwhelmed.  I had an idea of how it would turn out in my head and it isn't quite there…

I've done a pretty hopeless job of showing how the stitching isn't lined up with the previous holes in one of the pictures.  Will try and show an improved view.  This is a minor issue sure, but it's all about the details with these things!

On another note, I'm contemplating giving the suede some much need nourishing.  Possibly a go over with a wax or dubbin, tell me if you think that is a silly idea by all means.

Must say I'm a big fan of the leather sole / dainite heal combo in this image from the Viberg Tumblr:

I'm not against leather soles, but destroy dovetail heals very quickly.  leather sole / cats paw heal could also work.

@Peter:

snuff, 110, vibram 705 + cat paws. would be hard to resist..

Seconded

Thanks for posting the comparison pics.  Really interesting to see them up close and side by side.  Really highlights the refined build quality of the Vibergs.

From what it looks like, your service boots are built on the 2045 last.  I've found mine on the 2045 to be less than forgiving out of the box, but get the sense over time they'll gradually mold beautifully to the shape of my feet.

Either way, both your pairs are pretty great.

Have you been able to ascertain how old your Veldtschoens are?  I have an image in my head of my Grandfather rocking down the streets of Leeds and Harrogate busting these in the early Sixties!

Thanks for the input, the Shoe Healer has been contacted…

As alluded to over on the Trickers thread, these beautiful old shoes seemed to have a dried out (?) sole and heal.  Hopefully you can see in the picture how the layers in the heal unit have started to come away from each other.

Has anyone else experienced this before?  I'm familiar with reconditioning the leather of a shoes upper, but is this possible with the sole and heal?

Thank you.

They are pretty special.  The only problem is, whereas the suede still seems in excellent condition, the leather sole seems very rigid and 'dried out'.  I'd be interested to know if any one has found this on footwear of more advanced years?  Maybe a trip to the Shoehealer is in order…