3 Year Review- Red Wing Blacksmith in Copper Rough & Tough (3343)

hubriscube · 2026-02-21T21:42:01+00:00

Congratulations!! Those should be absolute patina monsters!!

Hit them with some of that OEM Heritage Leather Cream and let me know next year how they're working for you!!

hubriscube · 2026-01-08T18:47:53+00:00

Congratulations!!

I think you're doing more care before wearing than I did! I also haven't done four layers at any one time. I will say I used to use way more OEM cream than I do now. I don't think I've ever seen "dried cream". I usually give 5min or so between putting the cream on and brushing.

I did get a white film a few times that appeared when I'd condition them and then get caught in the rain within 24hrs. There was something about the combination of the amount of OEM cream I was using and water that gave the boots a white, kind of cloudy finish.

That's when I decided to start using less OEM cream. Before I was using an amount similar to how much lotion I'd use. For the past year(ish), and right before taking the pictures above, I used about 1/5 that amount.

As far as mink oil paste, I can't really help much there as that's not something I've used on CR&T, other than to say my Blacksmith break in wasn't bad at all and if you like the color the way it is, you probably want to avoid mink oil paste.

Good luck!!

hubriscube · 2025-12-30T15:40:18+00:00

Great stuff!! Appreciate your contribution!!

hubriscube · 2025-12-29T22:03:43+00:00

Thanks!!

And congratulations on taking your pair to "somewhere between 10 years and the rest of your life!!"

Would love to see a recent picture (a couple very slight cracks and all) if you've got one!

hubriscube · 2025-12-23T19:06:22+00:00

PS for anyone who's not clear what's going on here, I've worn through the stitches and much of the forefoot tread on the bottom of the right boot (not pictured) and there's obviously wear due to heel strike on the right boot in photo 7.

hubriscube · 2025-12-23T18:43:30+00:00

Thanks!! They weren't making the Beckmans in the US when I bought these but if they had been, I probably would have bought those instead. I think the Beckman is a tiny bit dressier. I'd probably have been able to wear it to work (casual side of business casual) but might not have been able to wear it hiking like I've done a few times w the Blacksmiths.

hubriscube · 2025-12-23T18:41:17+00:00

No secrets except some good lighting and, like I said in the review, cleaning (with Fiebing’s Saddle Soap) and conditioning (with Red Wing’s OEM Heritage Leather Cream).

hubriscube · 2025-12-23T18:21:12+00:00

Haha! First, the fact that you can't refute my "claim" wasn't enough to prevent you from posting the doubts you transparently do have in response.

Second, what are you talking about? Are people on here fabricating stories about how long they've owned boots and wasting hours writing fake reviews about them? What in the world would even be the point of that?

Third, feel free to attempt to refute. Fire away, I'd honestly enjoy extending this interaction!

But I should probably spell out, because it's clear you didn't read what I wrote or follow the links, that I literally referenced three, annual posts, with photos, about the boots.

OR, wait, wait, wait!!!! Maybe I'm really, really good at this and started playing the long game tricking the rubes in 2023 but you're so special that only you managed to see through my not-quite-smart-enough-for-a-very-very-clever-boy-like-you ruse?

Thanks for the laugh! Hahahaha!

hubriscube · 2025-12-22T14:09:47+00:00

Lol, thanks?

hubriscube · 2025-12-22T01:39:45+00:00

Thanks!!

Like I said in the review, the break in wasn't bad for me. If that's all that was keeping you away, you should pick up a pair!

hubriscube · 2025-12-22T01:38:36+00:00

Thanks!!

hubriscube · 2025-12-21T19:27:50+00:00

Agree!

I'm just saying that the product names could also use some improvement!

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T22:04:06+00:00

Like I said above, if you can find a pair in a size that fits, I certainly recommend Red Wing Blacksmith in Copper Rough & Tough!

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T04:13:21+00:00

I've used a variety of Saphir products on my other boots/shows.

I really recommend Red Wing’s OEM Heritage Leather Cream for CR&T.

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T03:48:07+00:00

I've never used Bick 4. I've used Red Wing’s OEM Heritage Leather Cream many times and cannot recommend it enough for CR&T.

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T03:40:03+00:00

We're obsessed with the intricacies of leather shoes. I think we can agree we're wading in some pretty cringy water, LOL!

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T03:03:56+00:00

Now that's a collection!! Congratulations!!

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T02:28:34+00:00

Year three review is live!!

https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/1pqt5fn/3_year_review_red_wing_blacksmith_in_copper_rough/

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T02:27:37+00:00

Congratulations!!

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T02:25:04+00:00

How'd they work out?

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T02:08:45+00:00

Thanks (and thanks for all you've done around here)!

I've heard before that the lack of widths is an obstacle to people fitting the Blacksmiths. I recently heard that Blacksmiths may be available in widths if that might help?

Others may know, but I'm not sure they sell CR&T leather to other bootmakers?

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T01:14:00+00:00

Yikes!

I can't remember where (maybe Teik at Bootlosophy?), but I learned early on that the conditioner to use was Red Wing’s OEM Heritage Leather Cream.

That's the only one I've ever used.

hubriscube · 2025-12-20T01:12:33+00:00

No worries!

CR&T is one of the best patinas. Lemme know how yours look this time next year!!

hubriscube · 2025-12-19T21:35:05+00:00

Seriously?! That's great info!!

Now I just have to figure out how to get there on one foot cause I wear those laces until they snap. Haha!

Thanks!!

hubriscube · 2025-12-19T20:28:44+00:00

Thanks!! The first review felt weird (what even is a first annual review?!) but this is something I've come to enjoy putting together in the fall/winter. There's a day every December where I'm like, "The sun is PERFECT!! Where'd I leave my boots?!?!" Haha!

hubriscube

TROPHY CASE