Build your own LOTRs 

"Thanks Davy!  They are still on my feet as I wander the garden, hang the wash, trim the bushes and now have lunch. They are a very special addition to my day.  Thank you for mastering your artistry!"  GP  7/2014

"Everyone is amazed and loves my sandals, good work Davy."  CO  8/2014

"I receive complements on them almost every time I wear them.  They became my regular casual slip-ons and I've really taken a lot of pleasure in them.”   DF  9/2014

"They look great! I love how they turned out!"   KK  10/2014

‘Thank you Davy, for your beautiful craftsmanship.  I know my gorgeous custom change pouch will give me so much pleasure for many years to come.  Each time I use it I will be reminded of you and my very special holiday on Pender Island."   Anne – Maple Bay, BC  7/2015

“We’re showing off our beautiful sandals to others who are interested.”   J & MH  7/2015

"Your sandals are a hit with my dentist, and he is a mormon.”    JS  4/2016

"I find when the weather is fine they're all I wear.  I love them!”   AF  4/2016

"I love my sandals and my purse and my pouch and my key lanyard, and my keyring and my bracelet.  Thank you thank you thank you :)”   JS  5/2016

“Saddle-soaped and dubbed my sandals. They look great!”   JS  5/2016  

"So kind.  Thank you so much!  I love this Sandalmaker.”   BS  6/2016

"I have saddle-soaped and dubbined my sandals about 6 times.  The strap stretched a couple inches and I trimmed it down.  I love them, my only observation is my feet have distinctive tan lines."   JS  7/2016

"Thanks again for the beautiful sandals, it was nice to spend that time with you.  I've worn them all afternoon!  My toes just have to get used to having a wedge between them, and all else feels fine."   RM  7/2016

"I have them on and they feel pretty good.”   SM  5/2017

"I will probably never make it to Pender Island, but I'm happy that someone like you exists and I appreciate so much that there's still commerce out there that requires face-to-face.”   WK  7/2017

"Your sandals look like they will last 100 years!”   JH  7/2017

"I am   i m p r e s s e d!   You earned your stars, your craftsmanship and quality are incomparable.  I'm breaking in my sandals now, and they feel wonderful, solid."  
DB 12/2018

μὴ κρίνῃ ὁ σκυτεὺς ἔξω τοῦ ὑποδήματος
“Let a cobbler not judge beyond the sandal”

Pliny the Elder 23 – 79 AD - Natural History XXXV, 85

“The foot is at such high risk for injury largely because it has so many small, frangible parts -- 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 tendons, ligaments, and muscles,
any of which can fail.”

Gretchen Reynolds  Unhappy Feet  The New York Times  Sep 11, 2008

The importance of saddle-soaping and dubbin - how to apply them

Tanning methods and the danger of using chromium-tanned leathers

Repairs, Soles & Heels Replacement

Breaking-in Your Sandals

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"Hello! Just found your page and LOVE your Lord of the Ring original style sandals."   JB  9/2016

"Davy, those sandals are works of art!  I love reading about your process and the history of the materials."   MP  9/2016

"Thanks Davy.  I have them on and they feel pretty good."   SM 5/2017

"I wore the first pair you made for me to a  costume/art competition and I'm convinced they were an integral part of the reason we won second prize :-)   People were very impressed  with them.”   OT 5/2017 

“You don't have to be Jesus to walk 10 km in Davy’s sandals.  I walked from Sydney to the airport yesterday and I’m putting them on again today for a walk.”   SA  6/2017

"I wear my LOTR sandals all the time!”   JS  6/2017

"Strap fits perfectly.  Couldn't be better.  Thank you.”   PM  7/2017

"Thank you again!  I love them!”   DM  8/2017

"Thanks Davy for the information and your talented expertise.  I was a little hesitant at first thinking of spending a lot of money on sandals until I spoke to you at the Pender Saturday Market, and until I watched and read your documentary on how they are produced and with such love and care.  The fitting today was educational and informative.  I've worn the sandals for much of the day and can't find anything to complain about.  You obviously know your stuff and I love your design!  We will keep in touch and I'll let you know how how the breakin period turns out.  I believe you will have another customer sometime soon, my wife!”   RE  6/3018

"You made sandals for me last May sometime when I came to visit Pender Island.  Words cannot express how amazing they are.  As are you and your commitment to your craft.”   HB  5/2018

"Hello, I love your work!  Davy, I've looked and looked and keep on looking but your sandals are the ones I want.  Is it possible for me to carefully measure my feet where necessary and send you the measurements in lieu of traveling 2,558 miles?”   DB  10/2018

 “Merry Christmas morning to you Leathersmithe!  I am   impresssed!  You earned your stars, your craftsmanship and quality are incomparable.  I'm dancing on leather!”   DB  12/2019

“I really like that your design doesn't use fastening hardware and that the knot is on the inside of the ankle--you are a genius! I'm definitely going to get to work soon on my first pair!  AP  5/2020

The entire epidermal layer of your skin turns over every forty-eight days

New York KikaNY Leatherdesign

Vermont Rilleau Leather 

Fine Leatherworking  page on Leathersmithe sandal-making guide

Mexican Huaraches

Sole Survivor

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While Hernando Cortes was fighting the Aztecs in 1519, he lost a sandal in the mud and could not recover it.  So he landed with one bare foot.        From Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs