Shoes and wood-pegging.

Wood-pegging is one of the oldest shoemaking techniques. Originally it was just used for heavy-duty footwear like mountaineering or military boots, or working shoes, but the end of the 19th century saw the introduction of the first wood-pegging machines for general production – at the same time as the first Goodyear machines that allowed welts to be screwed on mechanically. The introduction of these machines to replace old, time-consuming processes meant that good shoes came on to the market for the first time at a commercially viable price. They have in turn been superseded by ‘Ago’ adhesive material and ‘Ago’ machines (since the 1950s).

Production.

Our classic gentlemen’s shoe is handmade, and comes from a small firm in Wels, Austria. They have a workshop in the Czech Republic that still possesses a working 90-year-old wood-pegging machine that they use for the classic shoe we offer here.
The production technique involves boring two to three rows of holes with an awl in the soles and driving in the wooden pegs. Steam is then used to press the layers of sole together and give the shoe its form. The protruding peg ends are then removed with a rasp. Metal tacks are used for the heel-tips.

Repair service:

Your wood-pegged shoes can be done up or re-soled by the makers. We’ll be happy to arrange this.