Sabre, Spiral Double Monk - Navy Museum Calf | Hand Welted Spiral Collection

Look at them, I wish I had these when I got married. It’s always a special occasion when I get to wear these.

Following up on my previous review, I wanted to share my thoughts after using the shoes for a week. I've really noticed the quality of the leather and craftsmanship; they’re beginning to develop a lovely patina with wear. The museum calf leather is outstanding, as you can see in the photos. However, I’d like to suggest a tweak to the shoemakers: the straps could benefit from being a bit wider. Right now, they feel too slim for men’s shoes; they resemble women’s sandals more than anything else.

While exploring the extensive collection of shoes on the website, I discovered a stunning pair of monk strap seamless shoes that truly captivated me. The aesthetic and exceptional leather quality, complemented by a contemporary navy blue color, elevate this pair to a new level of elegance. I’ve ordered them with brass toe taps in a customized UK 9.5 size and can hardly wait to receive my pair! Sandeep and Pradeep, the kind brothers behind this venture, possess a wealth of knowledge about the shoe industry and answered all my questions with enthusiasm. This serves as my pre-use review, and I’m excited to share another once I have the chance to wear them. I eagerly hope they expedite my order—my anticipation is growing!

What can I say about the Sabre Spiral Monk strap shoes that I recently ordered from Blackbird Shoemakers. Well first of all they are drop dead gorgeous the blue museum calf (from the Zonta tannery in Italy I believe) has a beautiful depth of colour and a subtle marbling of sorts that means the colour of the shoe looks slightly different from every angle. The craftsmanship, as always from Blackbird is faultless but when you consider that each shoe is hand made from a single piece of leather wrapped around the shoe's last it makes it all the more astounding and really is a thing of beauty. I never even realised such a shoe existed and I feel It should put it in as glass display case rather than risk wearing in a rainy British winter. The cost frankly, for the quality is as remarkable as the shoe itself, comparable in cost to the lower ranges of makers like Loake, Barker Grenson etc Yes it is a leap of faith to order blind on the strength of some online video reviews but I'm so glad I took the plunge and in just a few short months I am now the owner of over 20 pairs of their shoes and boots, which I think says it all.