Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Mike, the Boot Man

Mike Rust, Rust's Western Shed, Storm Lake, Iowa.

Mike is a good fellow. For Cub fan.

If boots can be fixed, Mike will do it. When I get a pair of boot re healed, he offers to use long nails, to keep me on my toes.

We buy about all our boots from Mike.

Oh, Mike hunts deer. When he can get the time.

Hey, he has an old Neon Red Wing sign....914's are all I ever wear for work...He must be a good guy !!

Does Mike like country ham?

He sells all kinds of western clothing, and will rent you a tux, if any on the 'fire dress up that is.

There's less of those guys around, too.

We used to have to have boots half soled and heels when they wore out. We didn't run down and buy a new pair...

No boots have become like TV's. When they wear out, you toss them, and go get an new pair. Sadly.

Thanks for posting about Mike! I wish him years more of successful business!

Only Sal, I think.

That feller got a loooong thumb!

I thought some of posting Mike in the apron thread. Men do wear them you know.

Cool

Just don't have anyone around here that I know that cobbles boots and shoes. Dying trade unfortunately.

And to think, we were the home of Acme Boot Co

Is he also running a side business as a mall closed circuit security monitor? 😄

Hard to find a good, pull on work boot with out bonded soles anymore.


The cobbler in the big town over west sells mostly bonded sole Red Wings......strangely.



He has an old sewing machine he is trying to sell me. It's broken, needs a motor, weighs 23 metric tons, is in his basement and he still wants 500 bucks.


Smoking deal......

There's some "old school" tools in that shop!

Thanks for sharing that with us, Richard!

Ed

Super to see someone is still in the trade. A savior of lost soles. I'm a fan of White's boots with four pair lined up against the bedroom wall. Assembled from leather, quad or triple stitching, glue, screws, and nails. They can be rebuilt with the most recent work being the third pair of heels and soles applied to my most senior purchase. That pair should last through maybe two more rebuilds across maybe 8 or 9 years. Had a fifth pair, but retired them at a WY elk campsite 3 years back. Could not bring myself to dumping them in a landfill. Hopefully they've been recycled by salt starved rodents etc.

Were I nearby, I'd be a customer for sure, and I wish him only the best. As a kid there was usually at least one shop in every town. Not aware of anyone in the trade within 150 miles of here now. Do have some saddle and tack workers around though.

Not much of a fan here of today's molded vinyl and fabric.

This all reminds me of an extremely old story as most shoe maker work was never completed on schedule. Guy took his shoes in for repairs and was drafted for WW II the next day. Some 6 years later, he found his claim slip in a dresser drawer and went to inquire about his foot ware. The cobbler scratched his head a bit, rummaged around for a good while on a top shelf, found a matching slip and shoes, blew off a heavy layer of dust, and replied that they'd be done tomorrow.

Have a good one,

I have never understood how a cobbler can stay in business.


They sure seem to work cheap.

Must be forced perspective otherwise those boots on the bottom left were made for Sasquatch

First "I'll take it" gets it!

I took my work jacket in to have Mike fix the zipper. He was eating his lunch, peanut butter sandwich, and a handful of carrots.