Have some gator that we took last season and the leather is finally ready to make boots.

Anyone ever have handmade boots made? Where would be the best place in Texas to get these done?

Thanks in advance

Here's an older thread talking custom boot makers.

https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2834145/1

Some of these outfits might want to sell you the leather instead of bringing it to them.

I personally have boots from M.L. Ledy's. They are out of San Angelo and also Ft Worth.

*edit to add that Ledy's aren't the cheapest, but you're getting an "experience" when buying from them.

I got mine at their Houston Rodeo spot. There's a guy that always ends up working my boots when needed for re-sole etc...and Jason knows my boots and what needs to be done with them. I have very flat feet, and he's money getting them worked right.

I love mine and am hoping to convince the wife to let me get another pair in a different color/leather this year.

Mercedes Boots in Ben Wheeler. Used to be in Ft. Worth.
Don't know if you can bring your own leather - but I have a pair from them. Love 'em.
www.mercedesboots.com

Glad this got brought up my dad is shipping back the hide from his two Cape buffalo. He wants to have boots made for me, my brother, mother and himself. Now I know where to start for the boot makers.

If you're in Houston Parker Custom Boots did an amazing job on my custom boots.

https://www.parkercustomboots.com/

Every major city in Texas has at least one very respected custom bootmaker. Pick someone local so it's easy to go in for measurements, design etc.

Thank you for the link and the recs!

Give Eddie Kimmel a call in Comanche!

325-356-3197

jwright4288 said:

---

If you're in Houston Parker Custom Boots did an amazing job on my custom boots.

https://www.parkercustomboots.com/

Every major city in Texas has at least one very respected custom bootmaker. Pick someone local so it's easy to go in for measurements, design etc.

---

Parker Custom Boots just finished my Gator boots. I killed one last season, had it tanned black and Zephan made a pair of BEAUTIFUL BOOTS...click on link below.

My son had a custom pair made last year from his gator and he LOVES them. Zephan is a true master of his craft.

https://imgur.com/a/eVZFC8U

Second Kimmel's in Comanche. They have made several pair of boots from gator hide we took to them. Awesome fit and beauty. And damned fine people.

BoerneGator said:

---

Give Eddie Kimmel a call in Comanche!

325-356-3197

---

Eddie passed away last month. I have 3 pair made by him. HIs wife announced it on FB. Not sure if the shop is going to continue or not.

Sorry to learn that.

He made s pair for me just last year. Told me then he was turning the business over to his son.

BoerneGator said:

---

Sorry to learn that.

He made s pair for me just last year. Told me then he was turning the business over to his son.

---

I am sorry to hear that as well. He just made a pair for me a few months ago. His son actually took measurements of my feet as well as Eddie so they could compare notes because his son was taking over. You will still get a great pair of boots there.

I just called my brother to relay the news about Mr. Kimmel's death. He said he bought a pair of boots over there about a month ago and talked to Eddie for quite a while. He also said that the son-in-law (not son as I previously said) had taken over already. Sad to hear of his passing. He was a heck of a nice guy and a talented boot-maker. Glad he had the forethought to pass his skills to someone that could continue the fine craftsmanship forward with the Kimmel name.

aggieheart said:

---

I just called my brother to relay the news about Mr. Kimmel's death. He said he bought a pair of boots over there about a month ago and talked to Eddie for quite a while. He also said that the son-in-law (not son as I previously said) had taken over already. Sad to hear of his passing. He was a heck of a nice guy and a talented boot-maker. Glad he had the forethought to pass his skills to someone that could continue the fine craftsmanship forward with the Kimmel name.

---

Thats good news. I'm due another pair soon, have to stop by there next time I'm back in that neck of the woods.

Thanks for all of the advice!

Clicked on the Parker link and read that Parker learned from Kimmel, among others

I need to upload my boot photos I got them back - thanks for all that recommended Parker - they look slick I will post them today.

Quick question what's the best way to store boots - I only wear mine couple times a year. Thanks in advance.

Nice looking boots. Zephan is making a pair of full gators for me as well. Should hopefully be getting the call in another few months.

Thanks, I was really happy with these - if they turn out to be comfortable will be wearing them all the time - my only other pair I own hurt my feet so much I couldn't justify wearing them.

gonemaroon said:

---

Thanks, I was really happy with these - if they turn out to be comfortable will be wearing them all the time - my only other pair I own hurt my feet so much I couldn't justify wearing them.

---

They should be extremely comfortable compared to off the shelf boots, as long as you aren't jumping out of the bed of a lifted truck onto concrete (this hurts with leather soles).

I took the plunge a couple years ago on a pair of elephants from Zephan, they became my go to boot and I wear them every day to work. They were so comfortable I purchased another pair of gators as a slightly dressier option.

gonemaroon said:

---

I need to upload my boot photos I got them back - thanks for all that recommended Parker - they look slick I will post them today.

Quick question what's the best way to store boots - I only wear mine couple times a year. Thanks in advance.

---

Why would you get boots like that if you only wear them a couple times a year?

General lifestyle - my old boots hurt my feet so much that I just couldn't wear them, work from home, live majority of the time where I wear shorts, rarely dress up etc. Nothing against boots at all - I want to make sure I store them properly reason I asked. Gator harvested from one of our farms so made boots.

Where did you go for this Gator hunt? any outfitters you would recommend?

My first pair of custom boots were from ML Leddy's. Still have them but they were always a little loose. Disappointed that custom boots should fit better (like Holick's did for my senior boots). I have a wide foot so used to have trouble finding anything that fit.

I later bought several pairs from Little's Boot Company in San Antonio. Was very pleased with them. Multi-generational family run company. Not at all "flashy" like Leddy's, just down to earth. They started in 1915 doing repairs and have been making custom boots since the 40's. They were a little less expensive than Leddy's, but you are still looking at custom boots.

Just looked them up, and they are currently closed for the Wuhan Virus. They are on 110 Division and phone is 210-923-2221.

I too have bought several pairs of boots from Little's Boot Company in San Antonio. They've all been worth every penny spent on them. In fact, I have a pair of Ostrich and Kangaroo bought 31 years ago that I wear all the time. To this day, people will stop me and say, "Those are the best looking pair of boots I've ever seen."

There are other good boot makers around but Little's is the gold standard for me. Check them out.

I had some custom hippos done this past year. they are about as comfy as I have worn.

Nice looking boots.

The guy we use up here is a great. Customs are on $800 if you up provide your own material. This hippo was one that my brother in law shot in Africa a few years back. The boot maker is a podiatrist, so they are quite comfortable. Not sure if he does super fancy custom stitching though, since I didn't ask. But the price is great for the product.

I'll PM you