Yuya Hasegawa's ardent shoeshine dojo Part 1

This is the "Yuya Hasegawa's Ardent Shoeshine Dojo" series. In the 10th installment, Yuya Hasegawa talks about the "7th process" of shoe polishing. Yuya Hasegawa talks about it passionately.

The "Yuya Hasegawa's Ardent Shoeshine Dojo" aims to provide the world's most detailed and passionate instruction on shoeshine, but the reality is that many people are learning everything on video these days, and many people are also learning about shoeshine on Youtube. As a lover of analog things such as books, radios, and vinyl records, I would like to encourage people to grow through the process of reading texts, thinking with their brains, and practicing.

If there are any questions that come up, you can solve them at once by watching videos or actually having a craftsman polish your work. That is important. Knowledge and skills soak in differently. Speaking of soaking, this time we will give you detailed instructions on the seventh process, "cream application. This cream is a very important nourishment for leather to prolong its life, so it is important how much the cream can "soak" into the leather. With this in mind, let's learn how to apply the cream.

First, let's talk about creams. There are two main types of nourishing creams that can be applied to shoes: emulsifying creams and oil-based creams. Emulsifying cream" is simply a mixture of water and oil (emulsified cream), which gives moisture and oil to the leather. This type of cream is generally used and gives the leather a fresh, healthy luster and a very pleasant sheen. Brift H's THE CREAM is also an emulsifying cream.

Oil-based creams are oily creams that contain fats, waxes, and solvents. Many creams have a rich texture and are ideal for giving oil to leather and making it shine. However, because there is no moisture in the cream, the leather will become a little rough and heavy after long use. It may look more like lacquered leather than fresh and natural.

Choose a cream based on the above characteristics. It is also recommended to apply them alternately while using them together. If you applied an emulsifying cream last time, you can apply an oil-based cream this time. It is also fun to try different kinds of creams.

How to apply this cream?
Generally speaking, you can apply it with a brush, a cloth, or your bare hands. You can apply the cream in any way, but the most effective way is definitely 'applying with bare hands. Because, as mentioned in the beginning, the important thing is to let the cream penetrate into the leather, so applying the cream while warming it with body heat is the best way to let it penetrate into the leather and soak deeply into the leather. You will surely feel the softening of the leather on your skin.

The amount of cream to be applied at one time is about the size of a coffee bean. Apply the cream to the heel and let it soak in slowly. Massage it into the leather. When the cream runs out, apply the same amount again. Apply the cream carefully, especially to the vamp area, which is the area where the shoes will be worn in. If this area hardens, it may cause cracks, so you want to make it the softest part of the shoe.

Once the entire surface has been thoroughly coated with cream, the next step is to apply the cream to the vamp as well. The crevices tend to accumulate dust, and since this area is also made of leather, it is important to nourish it. The sole area is particularly prone to dirt, so apply the cream carefully all the way to the bottom of the sole.

After applying the cream to the entire area, use a pig's hair brush to make the cream more absorbed into the leather. The stiff bristles of a hog-bristle brush are perfect for applying the cream, and you should have one for each color of cream.

The trick is to brush with great force. If the bristles are natural, they will stimulate the leather without damaging it, and the leather will become fluffy. It is just like beating a futon after drying it in the sun to make it fluffier. If you brush along the wrinkles, you will be able to feel the wrinkles fade away.

By the way, why does brushing so hard not damage the leather? It is because the leather is worn properly. If you use a nylon brush or other synthetic bristles, the bristles will not wear out and will spread out, which may damage the leather.

A brush with natural bristles such as pig bristles can be used with peace of mind. You can clearly see that the bristles have not spread and are worn out.

It is like nurturing both shoes and tools. After this much use, the bristles themselves are permeated with cream and become like a magic brush that brings out the luster just by brushing without applying anything. It doubles the fun of shoe polishing.

Yes! So this time, I talked about the 7th process, "cream application," up to the 8th process, "pig-bristle brushing. These two steps in the shoe polishing process can make a big difference in the life of your shoes, so I would like to encourage everyone to practice this part of the process. You will notice that the leather becomes fluffy, soft, and juicy.

In the next issue, we will go on to the ninth step, "dry wipe," but since that is all there is to it, we will continue on to the tenth step, "base coat of wax," and give you instructions. Finally, we will start the second half of the entire process. Please look forward to the next installment, everyone! Oshinin oshinin oshin!