New Weltline Penny loafers

We just added two new penny loafers to our collection. They are called “weltline” penny loafers because the penny strap (also known as the saddle) goes all the way down to the welt line and is stitched between the midsole and the upper. They are both in beautiful calfskin with matching stitching so they can be worn for more formal occasions. Find them in our shop under the “dress category”

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New Color 8 belts available in our online shop

We are now offering two new belts, color 8 chromexcel and color 8 shell cordovan, both are lined and have nickel plated brass roller buckles. Keep in mind that if you plan to buy the shell cordovan belt, they are made to order and it will take about three weeks. Also, shells are very small so we have to splice them to make the belt, therefore there is a seam in the middle. We can also make belts in black, navy, green, and tan (saddle) shell – you can order the color 8 belt but specify in the notes section which color you’d prefer.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Christmas / Holiday orders

today, Tuesday 12/13, is the last day to place orders and receive by Christmas using ground delivery, especially for west coast customers. Orders placed after today should select express services – “FedEx Next Day” or “FedEx 2day”

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Lactae Hevea Sole

One of the most unique products that we offer on our shoes is the Lactae Hevea outsole, manufactured by Reltex in France. While they offer many patterns and styles of lactae hevea outsole, the raw material is the real star. Lactae heavea is the milk from the hevea tree, which is harvested by hand (see picture below). It is important to note that harvesting milk from the trees is a sustainable process, it does not damage or kill the trees. After harvesting, the milk is shipped to the Reltex plant where the liquid is poured by hand into outsole moulds. There are no machines or harsh manufacturing processes used, just the passage of time. The result is a 100% natural outsole that is lightweight, durable, and extremely comfortable. Trust us, this will be the most comfortable pair of shoes you will own. We have one option available now and another coming soon. In the meantime, feel free to contact us if you want to put a lactae hevea sole on any style of shoe in our shop.

Posted in FYI, Lactae Hevea | Leave a comment

Bourgeois Guitar Workshop – Lewiston, ME

Yesterday we took a little field trip to Bourgeois guitars (http://www.pantheonguitars.com/) down the street here in Lewiston, ME. Located in a nondescript space of an old mill building (the town is filled with them as Lewiston was built by the textile mills), the level of craftsmanship lurking behind their walls is mind blowing. It is difficult to find a machine in their shop, most of the work is done by hand using rudimentary hand-tools. They source the absolute best materials in the world – select pieces of wood costing thousands of dollars apiece. Their guitars start at $3800 each and can cost as much as $30,000. With Rancourt & Co., Quoddy, and Bourgeois all located in the same small town of Lewiston, ME, I would venture to say that Lewiston is one of the great meccas of craftsmanship in the United States.

Posted in Maine | 2 Comments

Rancourt and Taylor Stitch – San Francisco, CA

It’s been a while. I’ve been traveling, San Francisco last week, New York this week, my back is feeling it. We launched a made-to-order collaboration with my good friends at The Common in SF (same guys who own the Taylor Stitch brand). You can walk into the shop, pick your style, pick your leather, your outsole, and all other details, and we’ll make the shoes for you in about three weeks. So if you are in the SF area, please go visit them at 383 Valencia Street in the Mission district. I wanted to share some pictures from the trip.

Posted in Taylor Stitch, Travel | Leave a comment

Rancourt & Co. on Urban Daddy

After Urban Daddy so graciously posted an article on their site about our shoes, (and subsequently crashed our site!) we have been working with them on an exclusive two-style sale of some very traditional hand-sewn patterns – the 4-eyelet Ranger moc and the 2-eyelet boat shoe. They can now be purchased on Urban Daddy, and only on Urban Daddy (sorry!). Buy them now at http://perks.urbandaddy.com/national.html

We used color 8 chromexcel for both shoes. The boat shoe has a siped white rubber boat sole and the ranger moc has a vibram outsole and leather midsole.

Posted in New Shoes, Press | 4 Comments

New Colors – shell cordovan Beefroll Penny

Tomorrow the Shell Cordovan Beefroll penny loafer will be available in two VERY limited colors, Navy Blue and Dark Green. We have enough leather to make about 20 pairs of the green and only about five pairs of the navy. Check on our shop tomorrow to order a pair.

Posted in Horween Shell Cordovan, New Shoes | Leave a comment

Customer review – Portland, OR

About two weeks ago a customer, Bill G. from Portland, OR, visited our factory. His family was vacationing in Maine. I spent some time showing him the operation and fitting him for a couple pairs of shoes. He ended up purchasing the brown chromxecel boat shoe and the brown chromexcel beefroll penny loafers. He received them yesterday and sent me an email:

Hi Kyle,

When I arrived home from work yesterday I found that my shoes had arrived safe and sound. You were absolutely correct, they do look great. Although I haven’t really had time to wear them, I wanted to let you know I have received them and the fit appears to be good. I also wanted to comment on the superb craftsmanship of your shoemakers — the quality and overall attention to detail on display in these shoes is spectacular. Please pass along my thanks to everyone involved in producing such an impressive product. I’m really glad that I found out about your company. In addition to a great product, you guys have a great story/history to share. Thanks again for taking me through your factory while I was in Maine and showing me everything involved in making the shoes. I especially wanted to thank yourself and your father for sitting down with me and figuring out how to get the best fit and answering all of the questions I had. Your actions and the finished product have exceeded my expectations.

All the best,

Bill

Posted in Reviews, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New products added

We added the boat shoes in brown chromexcel as well as a new style, 2-eye chukka boot in Brown mimosa calf and color 8 shell cordovan. Also, an update on the moccasin chukka.

Posted in New Shoes | Leave a comment