Some of the finest footwear ever made, was produced by skilled hands
in the latter part of the nineteenth century -- before the wide
spread use of machinery was introduced. Boots and shoes made by hand were
often more durable and more attractive than anything being produced today.
We do not believe that it is necessary to acquire expensive and specialized
machinery to create boots and shoes of lasting beauty. To the contrary,
it is our belief that such devices tend to forever separate the craftsman
from the skills and sensitivity which is essential to good bootmaking.
As a consequence our approach is to stress theory and understanding while
teaching skills.While not necessarily or completely disavowing the
use of machinery, many of the techniques that we teach have their origins
in centuries old traditions and rely heavily on honing a certain keenness
of eye and hand.