Shell Cordovan Shoe Shine | How to Polish Cordovan Shoes

In this video, we're taking you through the step-by-step process of caring for your shell cordovan leather shoes. In this tutorial, we're using a pair of Allen Edmonds shell cordovan loafers that a customer brought in. Not all of these steps are necessary, as we discuss in the video, but we share every step with you in order to provide the absolute best shine.
Step 1 (1:04) Brush off shoes with a horsehair shoe brush
Step 2 (2:04) Apply shoe conditioner onto shoe (Saphir Renovateur)
Step 3 (3:30) Work creases out of shoe with deer polishing bone
Step 4 (6:50) Apply shoe cream onto shoe (Saphir Cordovan Cream)
Step 5 (9:18) Apply wax polish (Saphir Mirror Gloss)
Want to have your shoes refurbished? Looking for the BEST shoe creams, soaps, waxes, brushes, shoe trees...and much more? Find it all here:
www.potterandsons.com
INSTAGRAM: / potterandsons
/ southernpol. .
FACEBOOK: / potterandson. .
/ southernpoli. .
Video edited by: Ashley Saldanha

[@JeffreyIsbell]

A consistent side by side “before and after” or a split screen would be a great addition. Great videos!

[@MarioMateo]

Hey, I'm digging your videos, but I'd like to give some constructive criticism: On the longer videos, fade out the background music eventually. Especially while speaking for a long stretch of time. It's fine for the intro, and during shots of a repair process, but after a while, the music loop gets a little irritating. Besides, if someone is watching a 17 minute video of a shoe being repaired, they are already interested in what you have to say. Don't need background music to keep us entertained. Hey, I love the videos, and keep up the great work!

[@TrentonHeath]

Mario Mateo Hi! Glad you’re enjoying the videos, and we appreciate the feedback! 👍🏻

[@nogoolag404]

Honest opinion

[@Pyridius]

Just came on this channel after the collaboration you did with Jon/The Kavalier, thanks for making this content!

[@TrentonHeath]

Pyridius Thanks so much for the sub!! We’re excited to have you onboard! If there’s anything in particular that you’d like for us to discuss in future videos, let us know.

[@llmorrisonsauer]

i love your videos. great job guys!

[@bosshogskin]

i think one of the most beautiful things about the cordovan in my collection is the different color tones and hues that develop. I would not put a colored shoe creme on mine as I prefer the Un uniformity. To each there own. For me Venetian shoe creme is only thing I use. I really enjoy all of y'alls videos.

[@meracol]

Master demonstration.

[@johnnybravo619]

Just viewed some of your videos and subscribed to your channel, love the work you guys do.... I wish I would have found you guys when I lived in Nashville.....

[@TrentonHeath]

johnnybravo619 Thank you! We offer a mail-in service through our website in case you ever need anything done with your shoes.

[@spbynum]

johnnybravo619 Oh wow they’re in Nashville? Lucky me!

[@mahmoudabdulraheem9298]

I had to revisit this classic

[@liamblake937]

Thanks, just scored a pair of shell alden tassel loafers on ebay!

[@TheStuartYork]

Hi guys. Thanks for a wonderful channel. You've given me some excellent advice. I'm a keen sporting shooter here in North East England, (U.K.), which means wet, muddy days in the field. I wear hard wearing leather "Le Chameau", leather hunting boots, which take a hammering, pushing through rough ground and woodland. I clean and dry my boots after a day in the field and then polish with... I'm sorry the dreaded Kiwi polish! The boots are around $600:00. I'd love a tutorial showing a better way to, clean protect and shine my boots. Also, when pushing through brambles and tough undergrowth, the surface of the leather acquires some deep scratches, a tutorial on fixing techniques would be hugely appreciated. Thanks. Stuart

[@machfive916]

That's a deep shine.

[@remmingtoncarpettilecleani1593]

Y’all should do before and after shots side by side when finished with a shoe

[@HeavyProfessor]

I agree except for the saddle soap.

[@funnybones203]

Love the channel. Do you have any recommendations for a starter kit for shoe care or a list that you recommend to reference? Can you post links of the products you recommend as well? Thank you!

[@TrentonHeath]

funnybones203 Thanks! Great questions! Keep an eye out for one of our videos next week. We’ll be answering that exact question, and we’ll make sure to have the products we use listed for reference. Thanks! 👍🏻

[@2028a]

Can you discuss how different environmental conditions affect shoe maintenance? From dry Texas heat to moist New England winters. Do you condone the use of goloshes? Also, tell us which procedures you remove laces, and for those you do not. Thank you. Alan in New England.

[@Clarc115]

I like your efforts here. However, Alden cordovan shoes have a factory applied acrylic finish. Can the cleaning and polishing benefit or compromise this finish?

[@vladapt]

Gentlemen, thank you for your good work and plenty of very useful info on your channel. Since shell cordovan is not a proper leather, but rather a connective tissue or a membrane, I have a question about its performance in this regard. In your experience, how would you compare shell cordovan vs. calfskin boots for breathability? I'm considering a new pair of cordovan boots for a late autumn European trip where I will walk quite a bit. So, the breathability is of major concern in this case. Thank you again.

[@TrentonHeath]

As far as breathability, calf over shell, but moisture inside the shoe is going to happen regardless. As long as you put your trees in them and space out your wears, you'll be fine with either. I would make sure they are broken in if you're going to be blazing a trail from Paris to Prague. Have fun.

[@vladapt]

@@TrentonHeath Thanks a lot for your prompt answer. You, guys, are the best in terms of being attentive to your viewers/subscribers' questions! All the best to you both, your business and your channel.

[@user-nr4je1mv1i]

Hello! can i use Saphir Creme Universelle on cordovan shoes?

[@Qubnomil]

So if you have cordovans that have only been waxed for years, would it need to be stripped using renomat, have renovateur applied, then rewaxed (like your calfskin video)? Should it even be waxed in the first place?

[@edwardpack3294]

Great video. I just bought a Shell Cordovan pair of similar loafers. Can I use Venetian conditioner on it in lieu of Saphir Renovateur? I also looked on P and Sons and I can't find deer bone, am I missing it on your site? Thank you both and your dad! ed

[@bluegrasskid4835]

Hello sir. Is it OK to use the same horse hair brush that you used for buffing off the excess leather conditioner that you use for buffing off the excess shoe cream off that you use for buffing the excess wax off with? Or should a separate brush be used for each step. It appeared you used the same brush for each step but I guess you could have grabbed a new one during breaks in filming.

[@jeffwalton7693]

Hi guys Could you please show how the leather weave around the top of the tassel loafer is fixed. If you cannot include it in a video I would very much appreciate a written reply

[@smhne8]

Excellent video! Can you use the deer bone on non-cordovan leather to remove creases/wrinkles in the vamp???

[@TrentonHeath]

Sean Hames Thank you! Yes, you can; however, leathers such as calfskin and others don’t have as dense of a fiber structure as cordovan leather. In short, that means creases can’t be worked out as much as they will on cordovan leather. Usually the deer bone will work best on thicker, more dense leathers.

[@TrentonHeath]

Sean Hames Thank you! Yes, you can; however, leathers such as calfskin and others don’t have as dense of a fiber structure as cordovan leather. In short, that means creases can’t be worked out as much as they will on cordovan leather. Usually the deer bone will work best on thicker, more dense leathers.

[@gymwars1244]

Another great video. I also have a quick question: will using the Renovateur regularly result in a wax buildup that will ultimately limit the shoe’s ability to absorb conditioner, and therefore, need to be stripped off of the shoe periodically? Thanks.

[@TigerDuDe77]

Hi, I believe the Renovateur and Shoe Cream both have solvents that help breakdown previously applied layers, so there is no need to strip everything off

[@roskes]

Wonderful video, thanks so much!... a QQ, in your opinion and experience, does rain damage Cordovan shoes more or less than calfskin?

[@liamblake937]

less

[@Tinyten]

Are you using the regular renovateur or a special cordovan version?

[@kevinprajwal2912]

does burgol cordovan pomade work equally good?

[@gress12000]

Is this only for Shell quarter than or can you use it on cxl

[@igornyoman9840]

Great video, so on point and punchy. A question -- which one would you prefer for a tassel loafer shell cordovan: Alden or Allen Edmonds? Thx!

[@TrentonHeath]

Igor Nyoman I’m going to have to go with Alden. Alden is just known for their shell cordovan shoes. Allen Edmonds, I believe uses JR soles/heels on their shell cordovan shoes, which is a nice plus, but I think the overall construction would lean more toward Alden. That’s my “professional” opinion.

[@igornyoman9840]

Trenton & Heath thank you for the opinion and keep up the good work with the video!

[@igornyoman9840]

@@TrentonHeath btw i have been awaiting your cedar shoe shine kit being available for sale as it is out of stock (i'm from Indonesia)

[@coltm4a186]

Trenton & Heath is it a bad idea to put saphir cordovan shoe polish cream on cognac colored shoes to change type color from cognac to cordovan? I want a maroon color for my shoes without having to buy new shoes. I would appreciate a response. Thank you.

[@karenholmes2764]

In a previous video you talked about stripping the wax from the shoes. If cordovan leather shouldn't be exposed to solvent, how do you strip the wax?

[@JayWalkerOnline]

There are special cleaners made for shell cordovan leather.

[@jmdylan4448]

What brand and size is that shoe shine brush you are using?

[@fairwaywoods]

Where does one buy a deer bone? Can you use a deer antler?

[@chelseal817]

do you do leather wallets?

[@gbdoc100]

Great video, thanks! And it works, I just did it. But just one thing: rather than warning not to use the sharp edges on the deer bone, why don't you just sand them off to begin with? BTW, since I don't have a deer bone, I used the round handle of a table knife.

[@ruperttmls7985]

No es lo mismo, el hueso de venado se emplea por los aceites que emite, una vez que el hueso de venado está completamente seco ya no sirve para manejar el Cordovan. Saludos

[@stephensparkman3072]

Will any deer bone do, or does it have to be treated with something? I hunt a lot so I may start keeping all the deer bones from now on LOL.

[@baberoot1998]

I've always been told...to never use regular shoe polish on shell cordovan. Had a friend who used Kiwi Black shoe polish, on his shell cordovan black Allen Edmonds Dalton's and ruined them.

[@pianofry1138]

Sometimes wax especially cheaper wax cracks up on cordovan. Have him see if he heats the shoe up and wipes the wax off if that works to restore it.

[@junaidmudaliar9685]

Do you have any recommendations on what to do with brand new shell cordovan shoes? Anything similar to what is done on calfskin leather shoes in your other video?

[@chantakzee]

Its the same for any shoes other than suede/nubuck really. Clean up the dust, moisturize with lotion, add some shine & color with cream polish and a thin layer of wax polish for more shine & protection.

[@georgesontag2192]

Most of the shoe cream companies do not say if it has " solvents " in them. Sometimes you can smell turpentine, sometimes you can't. They all keep it a secret. You should tell us the exact name of the shoe cream you used.

[@syrah96]

another fine video. so I have a pair labeled Horsehide Cromexcel. so, do I use Cordovan cream because it's horsehide ? or do I use Saphir Greasy Leather because it's Chromexcel ? on the other hand Horween seems to like Venitian Leather Cream ? thoughts , comments, appreciation in advance thx

[@TrentonHeath]

Herb D We haven’t run across many of these horsehide chromexcel leathers, but from what we can remember, they’re on the shinier side, correct? My chromexcel leathers are a duller, oil feel. If that’s the case, would definitely recommend something like the Venetian cream or Saphir cordovan cream. I think the Saphir Greasy Leather balm would definitely dull the look of your shoes. Horween, from what we’ve read, is right down the street from the Venetian facility. Both have been Chicago staples for generations, and Horween has been using and selling their products for years.

[@syrah96]

@@TrentonHeath thx for the info, looking forward to more great videos

[@muhammadmujeeb2928]

Hi. I have these gorgeous leather boots. I saw these mirror shine videos and decided to try it. I used Kiwi leather cream, kiwi polish and hush puppies beeswax polish. I applied the cream and buffed the shoe and then I applied the wax with a damp cotton cloth. The problem now is that the toe cap of my boots looks way too dull, cloudy and feels so dry to the touch. Try as I might, I applied numerous layers of both the cream and the wax but to no avail. Ultimately, I picked up a blow dryer and tried to heat the toe cap in order to melt anything on there which may be causing the issue but it only made a minor improvement. Any suggestions for the cloudy and dull toe cap would be much appreciated.

[@WWYD0]

It's takes a lot of patience and layers to build up a good mirror shine. Give it another try and build many thin layers.

[@hayfire2]

Hi there, shouldn't you use a little brush to get into the joint (welt) between the sole and the upper? You are leaving out that area with the method you are using is this video.

[@syrah96]

Horween sells Venetian shoe cream and Saphir creme cordovan ?

[@canadiansensei]

Horween, Zoes (company that makes Venetian Shoe Cream), and Saphir are three seperate companies, but Horween often carries Saphir renovateur and VSC. You can find Saphir at a quality shoe care/ cobbler shop, but VSC is a little harder to find at shops. If you're in or around the US, your best bet is probably to order direct from their website (Zoes).

[@ianflem6489]

Is shoe conditioner equal mink oil? and shoe balm the same as shoe cream? I'm confused here. Please help.

[@TrentonHeath]

Hi, Ian! No, not all shoe conditioners have mink oil. The Saphir Renovateur is mink oil based, but it’s on a different level than most other conditioners. As far as we’re aware, most shoe conditioners and shoe balms are fairly the same...more of a liquid with conditioning agents. Balms are definitely not shoe creams. If you’re looking for a high quality shoe conditioner for your shoes, including shell cordovan, most Saphir conditioners are good, as well as Venetian shoe balm, which Horween leather sells.

[@flipflat4814]

I thought saddle soap was a No-No on Shell Cordovan? How do I get a musky mildew basement smell out of my Shell Cordovan shoes?

[@VWbobby94]

Is the deerskin bone good to take off creases from a pair of calfskin shoes? Or is it only for shell?

[@emidyl24]

just shell

[@pianofry1138]

It will work a little on calf skin. If you're buying it for calf skin try using a shoe horn or spoon first to smooth things out.

[@tommoschitta8779]

I have Crockett & Jones Cordovan shoes. I got caught in the rain today, so the leather has water spot marks and they won't polish away. How should I go about removing those marks? I am accumulating Saphir products, so if I need to buy something special, I will.

[@Paka1983]

Use saphir renovateur and after that brush. That's it.

[@JayWalkerOnline]

Would Bick 4 be an acceptable conditioner to use on shell cordovan shoes?

[@TrentonHeath]

Jay Walker I haven’t used it much, but I’ve heard it’s good stuff. From what I’ve read, it doesn’t contain any solvents, so that’s a good thing when it comes to shell cordovan.

[@Eiramilah]

HOw do I know if a shoe is cordovan leather? I bought a pair of Florsheim imperials (not wing tip) and the colour is similar to cordovans.

[@pianofry1138]

You can look at the creases. Cordovan doesn't crease like calf skin and kind of 'folds' instead.

[@Eiramilah]

@@pianofry1138 thanks

[@isaiahedgell3017]

is there a reason for using the deer bone rather than a wood dowel or something?

[@Canadasaboot]

natural oils in the bone help the process, you can use leather conditioner like lexol and the back of a spoon as an alternative.

[@kimlin920]

Can you use the saphir with your finger and not a cloth?

[@TrentonHeath]

Absolutely! We do it all the time. Just wash your finger really well afterwards. 😉

[@kimlin920]

Awesome! Even for the RENOVATOR? Also is cloth vs finger any better than the other?

[@ung0liant]

hold up, renovateur is water based? I thought the entire point of saphir reptan was that it was water based for use on lizard instead of renovateur which was petroleum based? did i get that wrong?

[@somerandomperson8282]

He says in the video it is mink oil based and you can see the ingredients on the website.

[@aaronbaek2050]

Bordeaux color? Not Burgundy?

[@dosetti]

Alternative to the deer bone?

[@TrentonHeath]

dosetti You can also use the rounded side of a spoon. Just make sure you’ve conditioned the cordovan very well before do it.

[@dosetti]

@@TrentonHeath Thank you sir.

[@markdunaevsky8134]

@@TrentonHeath Has anyone tried a smooth wooden dowel, like a small rolling pin?

[@timothythomas1626]

can one use a chicken bone? Or a hammer handle?

[@RanjitSingh-pl6rw]

Sir how much you charge for the resole?

[@TrentonHeath]

Ranjit Singh You can find all of our prices on our website potterandsons.com.

[@jesusacovarrubias1390]

I was under the impression that cordovan color shoes were more of a reddish color. The pair you polished looked like a dark brown.

[@clintonleonard5187]

"Cordovan" is not a color. The reddish burgandy color is called "color #8" or "color #4."

[@freddieslaughter1107]

That shoe polish cream is very expensive, what other shoe polish cream is a good choice for the normal person?

[@EnlightenedRogue24]

“Normal” people use “normal” shoe products like Kiwi and get “normal” results. ☝️🥴👞

[@unknown81360]

If you're going to pay the price for Shell Cordovan, I'd recommend you pay the price for the right way of taking care of it too

[@jc-ux7sy]

brushing the left shoe right above the right shoe...

[@MrDavidaslv]

do you sell shoes? may I place an order for shoes?

[@PhilVerryChannel]

A lapel microphone would really help this video over the top.

[@stevenroche9874]

Wax polish, especially Mirror Gloss, should be buffed with a little water and a polishing cloth only. No brushes !

[@martinlazar83]

I can't seem to find a deer bone on Amazon...sigh. Now, I have to shoot a deer to get a bone, so I can shine my shoes.

[@wt460]

Martin Lazarov try Abbie Horn out of England. I ordered both the deer bone and a sleeping bone for my shell cordovan shoes. I can only say I ordered them there as I have yet to receive them. Sorry I don’t have all the info for a recommendation, but I felt good enough about it to try them.

[@samlopez6721]

99% sure those are Alden’s

[@williamsmith7603]

You guys need to work on you audio quality and consistency. I am pretty sure I have come close to blowing out my speakers, because you introduction segment is at a level of 2, then your logo and music comes in at a 15.