By tlmader • March 31, 2024"I overall enjoy my Leder Ogawa Shell cordovan. I enjoy the richness in color it displays, especially after a condition and polish. It does dry out quite fast and requires more frequent conditioning than my Horween shell to keep them looking top notch. But, I don't really clean or condition my pairs that often, so they often live in the dried state.
This shell was a bit more tough to break in comparing to Horween shell; it was akin to a stiff cardboard sheet, and I had some minor issues breaking in my pinky toe areas, due to the taper of the last. However, no game-breaking issues here. In the early days, I attempted to position the rolls as perfect as I possibly could, but there was no taming this beast, and I just let it do its thing.
I probably won't get a second pair with Leder/Ogawa or Shinki shell due to the aforementioned dryness combined with my lack of TLC with my boots. However I must say, with Saphir Cordovan Cream combined with 2 years of wear, the shell achieves a glorious archival appearance. Finally, I believe Leder Ogawa cordovan uniquely belongs on a creation from Goto-San—making it a truly made in Japan pair...."Read the full review
