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September 10, 2009
A good shine is a thing of beauty
I first learned how to shine a pair of shoes the right way back in boot camp; the recruits spent hours with little cans of black Kiwi polish, old t-shirts and cottonballs, arguing over the merits of water versus spit as we smoked and squinted, peering closely at our handiwork, gauging if it was good enough to get us through inspection.
The habits and techniques learned almost thirty years ago have become second nature, including lacing shoes the regulation way: right over left, right over left -- for no discernible reason, other than that was the way our drill instructor told us to do it.
I even have my old horsehair brush, black with three decades of polish, to use on my wingtips.
If, however, you despair for the sad state of your bedraggled brogans, check out this link for tips on getting a good shine. And don't forget to read the comments, where a fellow who served in the Household cavalry mounted regiment in London tells you how the Brits get it done.
Posted by Mike Lief at September 10, 2009 11:08 PM