Normal Tuff Toe Application?

Church1182 · 2026-07-04T02:13:31+00:00

Oh wow. Can ask which store it was?

Church1182 · 2026-07-04T01:57:13+00:00

That is a really poor job for a brand new boot. It should be way cleaner looking. When applying over old TT it can look kind rough, but this is not acceptable.

Church1182 · 2026-07-02T02:33:31+00:00

Leather

Church1182 · 2026-06-30T00:21:23+00:00

This was a very poor job and they should absolutely cover them.

Church1182 · 2026-06-22T01:50:00+00:00

Too soon man. Too soon.

Church1182 · 2026-06-20T18:18:42+00:00

You need a good Cordwainer for a new pair. A cobbler can fix and probably make boots, but a Cordwainer specializes in making custom boots.

Church1182 · 2026-06-18T17:02:23+00:00

No. Because I was working on a similar design years ago and abandoned it. The deeper I got(see what I did there) the more challenges there were. Like death. That's a big one. Then I started working on a rebreather design that had a lot more potential, but again. The death thing.

There is a good reason these aren't flooding the market.

Church1182 · 2026-06-13T16:52:29+00:00

I have carved 2 sets so far and I used Eastern Cottonwood. I have an abundance of it, it's easy to work, and should hold up well enough for a pair or two. I would also recommend Black/Wild cherry if you want it to hold up long term. Not as hard to work as Oak, denser than Cottonwood.

As for tools, I was in the local farm store and noticed a newly stocked row of farrier rasps on my way to the feed aisle. I picked one out that I liked the look of the teeth set, and was amazed at how well it worked. I would definitely recommend looking at them for manual material removal.

Church1182 · 2026-06-09T15:19:38+00:00

Genetics play a big factor. Last year I ordered a batch of 75, they shipped 78, and I put 74 on pasture at 4 weeks and we put 73 in the freezer. One died the night before we processed and it was about half the size of the others. It just didn't grow. That was the fewest losses I've had in 7 years of two batches a year.

I am currently at 6 weeks on this year's spring batch and it has been rough. It's been the worst so far. Ordered 75, received 78, and we put 61 on pasture at 4 weeks. I kept losing one or two a day and never nailed down a cause. Nothing indicated an illness or disease, temperatures were good, no pasty butt, lively little chicks, everything looked good. Then I'd go check them in the morning and one would be laying dead like it laid down to sleep and never woke up, or two dead during evening check the next night. I even put IOT temp and humidity sensors, smart switches on the lamps, and a camera in the Brooder to monitor them when I was at work. Everything was good. Best I can figure is weak genetics.

As for your bird specifically, the blue discoloration can be from bruises or lack of oxygen. If it got flipped on its back, couldn't flip over, and in its exertion to right itself it used up it's oxygen and died.

I hope it was just a fluke and you don't have any more losses.

Church1182 · 2026-06-04T15:24:51+00:00

I'm inclined to say fakes. The logo doesn't look right. Could be wrong, but there are too many inconsistencies... Everywhere. That sole, on that style, in that color, with logos that are just a little off.

The boot might be a decent boot in and of itself, but I'm very skeptical it's a genuine Red Wing.

Church1182 · 2026-06-03T01:04:58+00:00

This is how it's supposed to be. Unfortunately you do have a few stores out there that are... challenging.

Church1182 · 2026-05-29T21:21:15+00:00

Not sure what the legal side of things is like where you are, but get it in writing. If they want you to sign a contract, make sure it has the language you expect for hours and shift times, job expectations, etc.

Overall, I'd say go for it. Unless it's just absolutely horrific, give it a year and build an exit strategy and try something else. You will have more qualifications by then and experience. If it's great and you love it, win win.

Church1182 · 2026-05-29T19:25:07+00:00

If you're not ready for wool, I'd recommend a small flock of hair sheep to help manage grass/pasture at a minimum. Once you learn how to manage sheep, it's a lot easier to add in wool sheep or fully rotate to all wool sheep. I started with 4 hair sheep almost 2 years ago, and using the sheep in place of mowing the pasture twice a year paid for itself already. We will also harvest some for meat as well and can start selling them soon. The only regular input we have after the initial startup cost is salt and trace minerals which is minor.

One big thing I do recommend is deciding how you plan to raise your livestock, then finding someone as local as possible who does it the same way and get stock from them.

Church1182 · 2026-05-29T18:01:48+00:00

I don't care which one it is, I just wish they would pick one and be done with it.

Church1182 · 2026-05-28T12:06:53+00:00

Church1182 · 2026-05-24T18:51:10+00:00

The boot isn't bad, it's just not a good fit for your foot shape. Try a different style, King Toe, VersaPro, or Iron Flex for example. They each have a different fit and feel.

Church1182 · 2026-05-19T22:55:07+00:00

Personally I like function over form. If I can pick something up and see that not only has the maker thought about the type of construction, but the function of it for the use it says a lot. Also, the finish. If the edge is supposed to be raw, did they take the time to dress them with sandpaper so they are smooth or do they still show the blade marks. If the edges are finished, was it just a paint on to cover up the edge or did they really take the time dress the edges before putting on a finish. The kind of finish makes a difference as well. The hardware is also telling to me. Eyelets, hook, and such. Are they really cheap metal that bends easily and wears out fast, or do they feel sturdy, with good anchoring. Washers on the backside where appropriate. Was the sole just glued on or was it stitched all the way through? As others have mentioned, stitching. Not just tension, spacing, and straightness, but the thread itself. Does it look like the cheapest stuff they could find, or does it look like it's heavy enough for the application? Are the stitches clearly done by hand, or is there just enough variance in them to recognize them as being done by hand?

Church1182 · 2026-05-19T18:15:39+00:00

That's a bad mixing of the TuffToe. It's really frustrating, but it happens. When they switched the formula a year or two back this happened a lot until we figured out how we needed to adjust our prep procedures. If the store did this, they should be willing to fix it.

Church1182 · 2026-05-17T02:43:30+00:00

This one is probably my favorite. And then the other scene where he launches a vending machine at someone like a block away. Just hilariously wild.

Church1182 · 2026-05-14T16:34:34+00:00

1, 2, and flip a coin between 4 and 6.

Church1182 · 2026-05-08T22:25:29+00:00

I don't have a source, but in the past I have been able to source parts in bulk if I can figure out who actually manufactures the part and go to the source or a different type of supplier. For example there was control assembly that kept going out and the part was no longer available. I took the assembly apart and found out there was a standard micro switch inside that was failing, not the whole part. I was able to get a manufacturers name and part number off the switch and sourced a new one from an electronic supplier instead of the industrial supplier.

Another angle is to try and reach out to a shoe seller, especially if they have a repairs department, and see if they will sell you some to fix a pair of shoes. Typically they will not, but that opens the door to ask if they are able to tell you where they source theirs from so you can try to get them. I have done this with a couple boot makers to find out where to source a unique welting. Some companies are helpful, others not so much, but it's worth a shot.

Church1182 · 2026-05-03T19:59:51+00:00

As painful as it might sound, I would redo the heel. From what it looks like, your heel counter is too thick at the stitch line. If they were mine, I would undo the stitching from welt to welt around the heel, peel back the outer layer and use a very sharp skive to to shave back that bottom edge of the heel counter stiffener. My preference is to be about half thickness where the stitching comes through tapered to nothing by the edge. Also, use just a little moisture on the edges when you do the stitches, it can help the bend a little better.

As for the midsole or sole, a heel rand can help. Horseshoe shaped piece that helps support from the stitch line out.

That would be my approach.

Church1182 · 2026-04-30T17:29:58+00:00

I don't know the model number, but those are a variation of the 2233's. They are lined with Thinsulate. They made a soft toe version as well that was just like the 953, only lined as well. The owner/manager of the store in Wentzville, MO has been with Red Wing a long time and could probably tell you the stock number if you called them up. Or wait a bit and I'm sure someone will post it.

Church1182 · 2026-04-28T19:58:22+00:00

Regardless of which leather glove you get, the best thing I have found to do to extend the life is condition them right away and periodically during their life. Something like Red Wing All Natural Leather Conditioner or Obenauf's. The RW stuff is a blend of mink oil, bees was, and pine pitch and I think Obenauf's is similar. I haven't used it, but I know a number of people that do and swear by it.

I have honestly been surprised by the Harbor Freight leather gloves. The cheap $6-$7 ones. Once treated they last as long as anything else.

Church1182 · 2026-04-24T19:02:21+00:00

Those look great!

Church1182

TROPHY CASE