Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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* Dave's at oldspeedmfg.com
Here's why he prefers stitchdown: youtube.com/watch?v=gEg_nK074k4
* Want to become a bootmaker? Here are the resources that were so helpful to Dave's journey:
@customboots (that's Lisa Sorrell)
youtube.com/c/MarcellMrs%C3%A1n
oneandawl.org
reddit.com/r/Cordwaining
stitchdown.com/join-stitchdown-premium

Full article: stridewise.com/how-to-become-a-bootmaker

00:00 Intro
00:45 Before He Shed His Chrysalis
01:28 What Did Your Friends and Family Say?
03:14 How Did You Learn to Make Boots?
06:14 Did You Find a Teacher In Person?
07:25 What Were Your Startup Costs?
09:19 What Machines Did You Buy?
10:27 How Do You Get Designs and Lasts?
11:18 What Surprised You When You Started Out?

Here are some videos I showed of my trips to...
* Indonesia's bootmakers: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNld8fx1SmnkNYSh7we345L0m5Wg-XEai
* Carmina's factory in Spain: stridewise.com/carmina-chelsea-boots
* Tricker's in UK: stridewise.com/trickers-shoes-factory-england
* Blkbrd in India: youtube.com/watch?v=i-Gu8d_rMUM
* Bridlen in India: youtube.com/watch?v=A2qaqGGcyTo
* Thursday's designers in Mexico: youtube.com/watch?v=3LypdsExWp0