Richard Martin — Fifteen years sourcing and grading Victorian-style boots so every pair earns its price.
Background
I have spent over a decade in footwear sourcing, working directly with tanneries and small workshops that still cut leather by hand. My focus narrowed to Victorian-style boots eight years ago, after seeing how much cheap reproduction stock flooded the market. I track stitching methods, sole construction, and lacing hardware across eras, and I buy nothing I have not handled myself first.
How I Test
Every model that reaches this shop passes through my hands before it reaches a customer. I check heel counters for flex, examine eyelet spacing for wear points, and walk each pair on hard flooring for at least an hour to judge break-in behavior. I compare stitching density against period references and reject batches where the leather grain does not match the supplier sample.
My Promise
My work covers sourcing, quality control, and sizing accuracy for lace-up and button-front Victorian boots. I reject stock that misrepresents its leather content or construction method, and I flag sizing inconsistencies before they reach the catalog. Every recommendation on this site reflects a pair I have personally inspected, not a supplier description I took at face value.
Get in Touch
Have a question about fit, leather, or a specific style? Write to me directly and I will answer. contact@steampunkboots.co.uk
