Comments on: 7 Essentials of the Ultimate Shoeshine Kit

By: Kevin S.

Kevin S. — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:21:16 +0000

Great post! I miss the Lincoln Wax I used to use. Anyways, I find that using a good amount of heat really sets the wax in too. Either a heat gun or good lighter gives you ample heat to melt the wax and increase the shine when you polish. With the wax melted it can easily penetrate the pours of the leather and establish a good bond. I usually do approx 6 coats of wax before I have a shine where I can see myself in my shoes/ boots. That’s when you know you’re ready to showcase yourself as a professional from head to toe.

By: Reid

Reid — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:43:20 +0000

I agree with Michael’s comments and would strongly dissuade others from using edge dressing. It’s essentially like putting paint on your shoes. It quickly scuffs and gets dirty no matter how careful you are, and (unlike polish) there is no way to smooth it out or clean it up. You have to keep adding successive coats and eventually you are left with a nasty, sticky mess.

I don’t personally like a high gloss on the welt of the shoe, anyway. I’ve always been satisfied with just keeping it clean, or perhaps using a bit of polish on it as you would the upper. Edge dressing should be reserved for the military core-frams (plastic shoes) which are disposable anyway.

By: Justin

Justin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:11:34 +0000

Just bought a nice shoeshine kit from Brooks Brothers. However, the bristles on the horsehair brush seem to be shedding. Is this normal for a new brush or should I take it back?

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:07:08 +0000

Kiwi also make a polish called Parade Shine. I use that and after buffing finish off with a damp cloth to make the boots dazzle.

By: Nate Desmond

Nate Desmond — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:10:50 +0000

@W S Burdick – Thank you! I will have to try that method sometime!

By: W S Burdick

W S Burdick — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 14:27:28 +0000

Great post.

I have found with smooth leather shoes, to get a great shine, all you need is
1. polish
2. a soft cloth (tee shirt material) (and a rubber glove)
3. a little water in the lid of your polish can and
4. a nylon sock.

Put on the glove. Wet the soft cloth in the water. Get some polish on the wet cloth and spread it on your shoe with a circular motion. Don’t worry about getting too much. It should look dull when you finish. Do one shoe and set it aside. Do the second shoe. Then go back to the first shoe and use your nylon sock to buff the shoe. You will be amazed at the shine. Buff the second shoe.

Of course, edge dressing really looks sharp on well shined shoes.

By: Jason V

Jason V — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:27:53 +0000

I need a video to understand edge dressing. If I find one, I will send a link.

Also, my father used to use a lighter while waxing / polishing his shoes. It seems that he would dry the wax this way.

By: Nate Desmond

Nate Desmond — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:30:00 +0000

@ Jordan

I think I would probably go for creme, but I am not sure.

By: Jordan Williams

Jordan Williams — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:41:43 +0000

So Desmond which do you think is better creme or wax?

By: Micheal

Micheal — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:56:00 +0000

I just wanted to add that if you like the look of edge dressing but you do not have any you can use the black kiwi polish, an old white T-shirt and some water to create the same effect. I used this method while in the Marine Corp because I did not care for the buildup of edge dressing.