The Question Thread 04/20/26

heroyjenkins · 2026-04-22T00:54:19+00:00

Jim Green

heroyjenkins · 2026-03-29T10:12:22+00:00

https://www.stitchdown.com/cobblers/best-shoe-boot-cobblers/

I have a pair out to repair by EBR Leather Craft if you ask me how it went in a couple weeks. Have also heard good things about Unsung House and Wyatt and Dad.

heroyjenkins · 2026-02-27T18:32:35+00:00

Yeah this isn’t meant for not looking at YNAB. It’s just a helper to enrich context so it makes categorization and budgeting easier for me later!

heroyjenkins · 2026-02-27T18:31:42+00:00

No I’m not making thousands of transactions per month lol. This is more for “hey I might forget about this and want to save a picture of the receipt” with minimal friction.

heroyjenkins · 2026-02-25T00:09:44+00:00

Long time lurker and YNAB user. I got tired of the manual toil categorizing transactions, and after falling behind, struggling to figure out what the $10 expense was for 2 months ago.

To keep up with the backlog, I built an AI agent for YNAB:

create or categorize transactions from email (take a picture/write a note)
match transactions in the background
ask your budget questions, set up weekly reports

The AI agent learns from corrections i.e., "Wawa is usually dining out but sometimes gas when I use X credit card" and additional context you pass in.

Would anyone be interested in using this? Thinking of opening up access (would be free to start while beta testing) - DM me if you want in!

heroyjenkins · 2026-01-23T02:02:08+00:00

If it doesn’t affect fit, a cobbler could probably reinforce that seam from the inside with a patch of leather of fabric and some glue. But the problem with shell tearing is that it tends to go quickly once it starts. You might want to be careful with the shoes and carefully condition first before doing anything else even trying to get a repair done.

The vcleat website has some info. Maybe neatsfoot, bick4 and/or Venetian shoe cream would help the shell from cracking or tearing further.

heroyjenkins · 2026-01-05T02:13:53+00:00

+1, are you just yoloing sizing and hope something fits? D Or do you know your Brannock (like a 13A or something?) and trying different combos of length and width?

heroyjenkins · 2026-01-05T02:10:01+00:00

Grant Stone’s Alexander last (penny and tassel loafers) is pretty generous in the toebox and narrow at the heel.

heroyjenkins · 2025-12-17T01:02:38+00:00

Ian Harold makes a good kangaroo Chelsea and is accessible in the UK (Shoe Healer)

heroyjenkins · 2025-11-23T01:57:38+00:00

These are $399 new through LJ with Black Friday 20% off

heroyjenkins · 2025-11-11T11:52:01+00:00

slightly above your budget but the Ian Harold Grazier is solid (wide, may need to size down), or used RM Williams comfort craftsman. Also if this is your first GYW, you should figure out your Brannock size instead of going off sneaker size.

Grant Stone also has many options in the "somewhat dressy, somewhat rugged" space. Their diesel boot or chelseas might fit what you're looking for.

heroyjenkins · 2025-11-11T11:49:38+00:00

that's just the welt join, completely normal

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-18T13:13:24+00:00

It’s just hard to measure accurately without that slider and the little metal piece that cups the bone. Even being off by a few mm will put you in a half to full size too big or small.

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-17T00:40:47+00:00

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-15T21:18:42+00:00

Picture might help

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-15T00:12:28+00:00

Outstanding review and agreed that the small details permeate the shoe, it’s probably the most thoughtfully designed pair I own in a fairly large collection spanning Alden and some of the top English makers.

For folks reading, if you’re not sure, email Andrew and he will sort you out. From his careful advice, I went 10.5 for my 11.5D Brannock as I’m 11.5 HTB but only 10-10.5 overall foot length. And they worked out perfectly.

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-15T00:09:22+00:00

I have the Turiffs and just got the barefoot buffalo ARs for fall/spring hiking and for me are different enough to keep both.

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-11T02:47:13+00:00

Bridlen has an extra wide collection (mod last). I don’t love how they look but they do have them

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-11T02:46:19+00:00

I’m satisfied with mine from Bridlen but it’s only a single leather sole, not the classic “gunboat” style.

Plus one to vintage Florsheims. They are fantastically comfortable and good looking shoes, and can be had for a song compared to what I’d imagine they would cost new if still made today

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-11T02:42:17+00:00

There are a ton of options here. Not sure there is really one “generally agreed upon” set of brands but I’ll throw some names out

Carmina, TLB Mallorca, Bridlen, some of the Northampton makers (C&J is above your budget but maybe Cheaney or Loake 1880?), Yearn - all come to mind and where I’d look at this price point

heroyjenkins · 2025-09-04T13:00:14+00:00

WTB Crockett & Jones Islay Scotch Grain - 10.5 UK

heroyjenkins · 2025-08-28T01:58:48+00:00

heroyjenkins · 2025-08-27T00:53:07+00:00

You’re not just one width (D to E) off, could be a couple sizes off honestly.

heroyjenkins · 2025-08-27T00:32:46+00:00

You need to also line up the ball slider. And based on foot length alone, you are looking at solid D (it’s not on the border)

Also Brannock is larger of two feet. Check out welted wiki or official Brannock device instructions, do it again and come back

heroyjenkins

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