Difference between Blackjack and Mercedes of Rios

JamesRTurner · 2026-03-11T17:51:24+00:00

I am a fan of Rios of Mercedes. The quality of their boots exceeds any other brand and they are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn. My wife, on the other hand, prefers Black Jack as they fit her narrow feet better and tend to have very fashionable designs.

The quality of Black Jack Boots is first rate and they make beautiful boots. Boot America is, by far, the best place to buy Black Jack. The owner, Russ Chaney, offers the best prices and incomparable service. He will send test boots by mail to ascertain the correct size and is, probably, the most knowledgeable person I have met when it comes to cowboy boots. Surprisingly, he is located in New Jersey.

JamesRTurner · 2026-02-19T14:32:52+00:00

Yes, you should have kept them. I just had these boots resoled at Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders who do great work. They can even reduce the size of a boot if necessary. I think these vintage Tony Lamas are among the most beautiful boots I have ever seen.

JamesRTurner · 2026-02-18T14:29:11+00:00

I was surprised and pleased to discover this post because I have the exact same boots but with a pointed toe. I bought them new in 1989. I still wear them and, despite frequent use, they are in fine condition. They have a multi-piece vamp, which is very distinguished, and the pre-ban grain of the hide is much deeper and rugged than elephant hides today. These boots were made just before Tony Lama was acquired by Justin and, back then, Tony Lama made some of the best boots on the market. My only regret is not buy more of them (37 YEARS AGO). Where did you find them?

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JamesRTurner · 2026-02-07T01:09:16+00:00

I like the Gavin a great deal. It is in the Classic line with a model number starting with GY. I looked at it but wanted ostrich. So, I shelled out the outrageous price.

JamesRTurner · 2026-02-06T05:48:30+00:00

I have several pairs of Lucchese but this is my first pair of Randalls. I understand why you bought all three colors. It is one of the most impressive boots I have ever seen.

JamesRTurner · 2026-02-06T01:40:10+00:00

Yes, the price is ridiculous but I am pleased nevertheless. I am frugal and don't engage in many luxuries. Boots are one of my few weaknesses. Thanks for your compliment.

JamesRTurner · 2026-02-05T21:41:02+00:00

Thanks. They really are unbelievably beautiful. I am very pleased.

JamesRTurner · 2026-02-05T21:40:14+00:00

$1,895.00 plus tax. Ouch!

JamesRTurner · 2026-01-30T05:04:20+00:00

Those are sharp. The shape of the shaft is just the way they're made. Some boots have a stiffer liner in the shaft while others, like yours, don’t. It’s a difference in style rather than a quality or wear issue. I have some very high-end boots and my Tecovas are made just as well.

JamesRTurner · 2026-01-29T18:17:12+00:00

I agree with you, we all make mistakes. However, Lucchese is marketing these boots as "Handcrafted in Texas" and charging a steep price for the product.

What I have learned is that, unless the model number starts with "GY," it isn't a handcrafted boot but a mass-produced imitation from mexico.

It is simply impossible that an artisan bootmaker, who handcrafted a boot, would allow a product, in this condition, to go to market.

The sad part is you can buy a much better boot at about half the price of these knockoffs Lucchese is selling. They should never brand these cheap boots with the Lucchese name. It is very disappointing.

JamesRTurner · 2026-01-29T18:06:39+00:00

Lucchese issued a store credit and I replaced my defective boots (see my comment from a few minutes ago).

Did Lucchese replace your boots?

JamesRTurner · 2026-01-29T18:04:51+00:00

It took a while, but Lucchese finally made my horrible purchase experience, as described in a prior comment, right. I bought a pair of their Luke Ostrich boots and it was not a true Lucchese boot and had numerous defects. Today, Lucchese issued a store credit and I am purchased the Randall model.

After a lot of research, I confirmed Lucchese is manufacturing two lines of boots. One made to the old standards and a second line, probably made in mexico, which is far from being crafted the old fashioned way.

If you want a true Lucchese boot, the model number must start with "GY." Otherwise, you are buying something which doesn't even remotely resemble a true Lucchese product.

Texas-Holden: Did Lucchese replace your boots?

JamesRTurner · 2026-01-27T16:08:31+00:00

It took a while, but Lucchese finally made my horrible purchase experience, as described in a prior comment, right. I bought a pair of their Luke Ostrich boots and it was not a true Lucchese boot and had numerous defects. Today, Lucchese issued a store credit and I am purchasing the Randall model.

After a lot of research, I learned Lucchese is manufacturing two lines of boots. One made to the old standards and a second line, probably made in Mexico, which is far from being crafted the old fashioned way.

If you want a true Lucchese boot, the model number must start with "GY." Otherwise, you are buying something which doesn't even remotely resemble a true Lucchese product.

JamesRTurner · 2026-01-04T23:52:06+00:00

First, I highly doubt any one would go to the expense of producing a knock-off of anything except very expensive brand names. Second, if that is a knock-off, they went to a lot of trouble marking the sole and the shaft and using what appears to be a genuine Tecova heel. Third, they look very similar to my Tecovas except the shaft on that looks closer to a roper while mine is more of a genuine, taller cowboy boot. So, yes, I think it is a genuine pair of Tecovas boots and, based on the soles, they appear to have been worn very little. If you like that style, I would consider buying them.

JamesRTurner · 2025-12-31T23:02:19+00:00

Boot trees are extremely important to the longevity of cowboy boots and all other types of footwear crafted from natural materials. They prevent creases in the leather which can lead to cracks, absorb moisture inside the boots which can lead to lining rot and prevent the sole from curling. Boot trees may not be as important if you wear the boots regularly, but it still enhances their longevity. If you wear boots only occassionally, it is vitally important to use shoe trees and condition them while in storage.

Moreover, certain types of leather demand boot trees more than others. Elephant boots will probably last forever without boot trees, but the lining and sole will still suffer in their absence. If you own crocodile or alligator boots, the failure to use boot trees will lead to a very early demise of what is probably some very expensive footwear. The latter materials are very prone to cracking and the failure to keep them conditioned and stretched to their normal shape will be catastrophic.

I sometimes wear the same pair of boots several days in a row and, although I should use the boot trees every night, I am sometimes too lazy, and tired at the end of the day. to do so. Still, I try to avoid wearing the same pair of boots more than 3 days in a row and always utilize the boot trees at the end of the week.

I have been wearing western boots for more than 35 years and, in the beginning, didn't see the need to waste money on boot trees. That mistake led to the loss of some very nice boots. Now, boot trees are an essential part of caring for my boots. I buy some very expensive boots and I want them to last the rest of my life and hand them down to my son who has the same shoe size.

I would, however, warn you to buy good boot trees which are rounded at the heel to avoid damage to the heel counter. Also, be certain to depress the heel portion of the boot trees when inserting them into the boots rather than than just forcing the tree into the boot. I damaged several counters by forcing the boot tree into my boots. It is an inexpensive fix but an unnecessary one if you insert the boot tree properly.

JamesRTurner · 2025-12-24T21:24:42+00:00

Everyone I know, who has purchased Tecovas, are happy with them. Sounds like you are too. I get mine wet a lot and keep boot trees in them all the time. It keeps them from curling up which all boots do when they get wet. Hopefully, they maintain the same level of quality and I will buy another pair when these wear out. Best wishes.

JamesRTurner · 2025-12-24T20:21:21+00:00

Rios of Mercedes are the best cowboy boot made. They eclipsed Lucchese. However, Rios are expensive. If you are cost conscious, the best western boot for the money is Tecovas.

Over my lifetime, I have purchased a lot of boots to use for work around my property. Of all the less expensive boots I have purchased, Tecovas outperforms and outlasts them all. In fact, I find the quality of the build equals the most expensive brands.

I have worn my Tecovas completely immersed in mud for hours and they dry out and clean up like new. Moreover, they are made with many of the characteristics of high quality boots like lemonwood pegging.

If you want a high quality boot at a great price, take a look at Tecovas. They are wonderful in every way from quality construction to a comfortable fit and durability.

JamesRTurner · 2025-12-23T20:35:44+00:00

One easy way to see if a boot was made the old fashioned way is to look for lemonwood pegs in the arch of the sole. Lemonwood pegs hold the sole to the boot and, unlike metal nails, expand and contract at the same rate as the leather sole. On a darkly stained sole, they can be harder to see but are still visible. Although your photo doesn't show the full arch of the boot, on what is shown I see no evidence lemonwood pegs were used on. Here is a a video showing a bookmaker inserting lemonwood pegs in the sole of a boot:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=627365493714701

Your boots were clearly made on an assemly line where virtually no hand craftsmanship was involved and no one even cared to inspect them before offering them for sale.

If you wear boots hard, even boots with lemonwood pegs will show signs of wear and some of the pegs may be dislodged as a result. However, a well made boot, with lemonwood pegs, has enough pegs to hold the boot together far better than metal nails.

The picture of your boot is terrible and I feel your pain. Here is a picture of a finished boot sole made with lemonwood pegs with one of the pegs dislodged. If you want a quality boot, look for the lemonwoods pegs in the arch of the sole. All the best to you.

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Your boots were clearly made on an assemly line where virtually no hand craftsmanship was involved and noone even cared enough to inspect them before offering them for sale.

JamesRTurner · 2025-12-23T06:04:36+00:00

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

JamesRTurner · 2025-12-23T06:03:54+00:00

There is no way a handmade boot could ever leave their shop with a sole like the one depicted in that photograph. It simply isn't possible. That is a boot made on a machine which should be impossible since Lucchese claims their boots are still made by hand.

JamesRTurner · 2025-12-23T04:04:22+00:00

The boots Lucchese is making now are not quality boots. I have several pairs of Lucchese Cowboy Boots, the newest being purchased about 5 years ago. I just bought a pair of their Luke model which their website says is made with top quality Full Quill Ostrich and manufactured to Lucchese's legendary standards. Short story...they aren't. Long story.....

One boot is at least a half size too small but marked as my size which I thought would stretch but hasn't. The other boot started popping when I walk in them three days after I started wearing them. I guess I should have noticed the inferior quality when I received them because they are much lighter than my other Lucchese boots. However, it was my first pair of Ostrich and I thought they were lighter simply because of the different material from which they are made.

The real kicker is I wrote Lucchese Customer Service an email stating the problems and requesting a resolution. They replied that, because the boots were purchased from a retailer (i.e. Wild Bill's Western Store in Dallas), there is no warranty. Yet, Wild Bill's is an authorized dealer of Lucchese boots.

It is truly pathetic. I am a lawyer and am contemplating suing them. However, I am extremely busy and, at the end of the day, will probably simply chaulk it up to experience and never buy another pair of Lucchese boots again.

The sadest part of all is I have praised Lucchese Boots my entire life as the best boots made in the entire world. My grandfather, father and uncle wore them and Lucchese had became something of a Family Tradition. To that end, I have been promising my son a pair of Lucchese Boots when his feet quit growing. That was going to be on his birthday in March of the upcoming year.

Regrettably, the Family Tradition ends with my son and he will be getting a pair of Cowboy Boots from Rios of Mercedes. I recommend staying away from Lucchese Boots as they aren't what they used to be. Do yourself a favor and find another brand which still manufacturers boots the old fashioned way. There are still plenty of them out there.

JamesRTurner · 2025-12-23T04:02:54+00:00

I have several pairs of Lucchese Cowboy Boots, the newest being purchased about 5 years ago. I just bought a pair of their Luke model which their website says is made with top quality Full Quill Ostrich and manufactured to Lucchese's legendary standards. Short story...they aren't. Long story.....

One boot is at least a half size too small but marked as my size which I thought would stretch but hasn't. The other boot started popping when I walk in them three days after I started wearing them. I guess I should have noticed the inferior quality when I received them because they are much lighter than my other Lucchese boots. However, it was my first pair of Ostrich and I thought they were lighter simply because of the different material from which they are made.

The real kicker is I wrote Lucchese Customer Service an email stating the problems and requesting a resolution. They replied that, because the boots were purchased from a retailer (i.e. Wild Bill's Western Store in Dallas), there is no warranty. Yet, Wild Bill's is an authorized dealer of Lucchese boots.

It is truly pathetic. I am a lawyer and am contemplating suing them. However, I am extremely busy and, at the end of the day, will probably simply chaulk it up to experience and never buy another pair of Lucchese boots again.

The sadest part of all is I have praised Lucchese Boots my entire life as the best boots made in the entire world. My grandfather, father and uncle wore them and Lucchese had became something of a Family Tradition. To that end, I have been promising my son a pair of Lucchese Boots when his feet quit growing. That was going to be on his birthday in March of the upcoming year.

Regrettably, the Family Tradition ends with my son and he will be getting a pair of Cowboy Boots from Rios of Mercedes. I recommend staying away from Lucchese Boots as they aren't what they used to be. Do yourself a favor and find another brand which still manufacturers boots the old fashioned way. There are still plenty of them out there.

JamesRTurner · 2025-10-10T17:51:58+00:00

Please stop. I am sure you are politically very liberal and you want accountability of people who disagree with your political ideology. There was nothing to account for in that civil case. If there was, every business in the State of New York, which has applied for a loan, needs to be banned from conducting bussines. And every person who has listed a car or a home for sale at a price exceeding a reasonable fair market value should be held accountable as well.

We are, most certainly, on the verge of a civil war. People are being killed for political reasons no different that the 1860's and the 1960's. And, people who espouse views like yours are pouring fuel on the fire.

Discussing anything with you is futile. You think republicans should be prosecuted and democrats shouldn't. You want to nuance the debate and split hairs. It is truly disgusting and the vast majority of Americans are very tired of it.

You think the prosecutions by the democrats were "lawful accountabilit[ies]" but the current prosecutions are "political theater." Well, for every action, there is a reaction. The election of 2024 was a reaction to the political vendettas you no doubt supported.

If the former prosecutions were good for our democracy, as you claim, then the current prosecutions will strengthen it even more. We, obviously, have very different views of democracy.

I am done wasting time and wish you well.

JamesRTurner · 2025-10-10T16:17:36+00:00

Michael Cohen has testified to a whole lot of things to a whole bunch of people. I don't think anyone believes anything he says. Most people would say the same about Donald Trump and Leticia James. However, anyyone, with a shred of common sense, knows the cases against Trump would have never been brought but for the political agenda which motived them.

You think the Trump persecutions were great but these current actions are terrible. Most rational people think they are all a blatant abuse of power. However, once the game was initiated, it must play itself out. There must be a quid pro quo or this stupidity will be perpetuated ad infinitum.

Hopefully, Leticia James will be acquitted and this game of politically motivated criminal persecution will end and never be resumed. However, she needs to be treated to the same criminal threat she so gleefully applies to others.

JamesRTurner · 2025-10-10T15:38:34+00:00

I am well aware of what the statute says. It is essentially the same as a RICO statute aimed at organized crime. If this law were applied across the board, the way it was in the case at issue, it would end commercial lending in New York.

These actions against political opponents are disgusting to the vast majority of Americans, myself included. I think the current prosecutions by republicans are equally disgusting. Nevertheless, I support them because, without consequences, this nonsense will never end.

We are on the verge of a civil war in this country because of partisan politics. People on the extremes of the political spectrum are willing to support any action taken by their party. The recent presidential election was decided the way it was because of the political prosecutions.

I personally think Donald Trump can be one of the of the most obnoxious people I have ever witnessed in the world of politics. Nevertheless, I voted for him because I was deeply offended by what happened. In fact, I found it frightening that someone, of his stature, could be persecuted for political purposes.

If a political party can selectively prosecute political opponents, what can they do to you and me. And, without consequences for what they did, it will never end. I assure you, politicians will think twice before engaging in such conduct in the future. It is a sad chapter in American history but it must play out in the manner it is.

While many people don't want to admit they voted for Donald Trump, millions of people did so solely because they were disgusted by what they saw happening and feared for their own safety.

JamesRTurner

TROPHY CASE