Peg and awl

Posted on April 27, 2018 by customboots

125 little wooden pegs in the boot sole

About customboots

I'm a custom cowboy boot maker. I own a business, Sorrell Custom Boots, and I create bespoke cowboy boots using vintage machinery and hand tools. I also own www.sorrellnotionsandfindings.com, a company that specializes in tools, supplies, and leather for the boot and shoe making trade.

View all posts by customboots →

This entry was posted in boot maker, Cowboy Boots and tagged bespoke, cowboyboots, leatherart, lisasorrell. Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to Peg and awl

Mark A Dawber says:

April 28, 2018 at 9:31 am

Fascinating! I’m curious: what is the function of the wooden pegs? Are they simply “traditional”, or are they the only way to do the job, or better than alternatives?

Reply
- customboots says:
  
  April 28, 2018 at 5:08 pm
  
  It’s a combination of things. Yes, a pegged sole is traditional for cowboy boots.
  
  Historically, the glue used to attach soles to a boot or shoe was not strong enough to hold the sole on alone; that’s why the sole was also stitched on through the welt. (Today’s glues have a much stronger bond, but we still stitch and peg.) Men’s dress shoes are typically stitched from the front of the heel all the way around the front of the heel on the other side. Cowboy boots can be done that way as well, but since they have a higher heel, it was discovered that pegging in the shank area instead of stitching reinforced that area more and made it stiffer and less flexible.
  
  Reply
  - Mark A Dawber says:
    
    April 30, 2018 at 9:03 am
    
    Thanks for a very well-written explanation!