26/04/2024
Embark on a journey of unexpected turns and intriguing transformations as we sit down with today’s guest, Kenneth McClure, the sole operator of Noble & Whylie, a maker of handmade shoes based in Sheffield. Kenneth’s story is a testament to the twists and turns of fate, starting from a desire to create, studying fashion, and exploring various avenues before stumbling…
17/06/2021
One of the most fundamental pieces of human knowledge is tying knots, and even more so when it comes to our footwear. Lacing and tying shoes is something we learn at an early age and most of us use this knowledge daily all our life. My guest today is Ian Fieggen, self-styled Professor Shoelace, inventor of better knot and keeper…
25/12/2020
By popular demand, we have recorded a special festive bonus edition for your enjoyment. Featuring regular co-hosts Shaun, Dachi, Jon and Nick. We reached out to listeners to ask for their questions and suggestions for topics, so what is delivered here is clearly the pinnacle of what committed listeners of Garmology want to hear more about! We get into what…
15/06/2019
It’s a universal truth, that shoes made in the UK are good, very good. They are well put together, sturdy, made with materials far superior to that of a mass produced shoe that you would find in a High Street “Fashion Emporium. They generally look better too, are more substantial, a better shape, and a better and more standardised fit.…
21/09/2018
Shoes can be all sorts of things. Yet when it comes down to it, the ones you love the most are the ones that manage to combine the magic properties of being both good looking (which isn’t that hard) and comfortable (which is harder). That elusive combination that makes for good looking comfy shoes is hard to find though, and…
08/09/2018
I have to admit, shoelaces can be a major frustration to me. You’d think the ones included with a pair of shoes or boots would be the absolute pinnacle of shoelace technology, to match the outstanding footwear supplied by the dedicated craftsmen that have carefully and lovingly designed, decided and crafted the footwear you are holding, using all their years…
07/09/2018
These days I’m doing a fair bit of travelling for work, an arduous task that provides ample opportunity for doing a spot of people-gazing. Or as is more often the case in these days where you should not catch anyone’s eye, looking at what people are wearing on their feet. Seeing how many Norwegian men wear really awful shoes, even…
25/03/2018
Welcome to the eleventh instalment of the “Garmsman Dozen” question and answer session. The response so far has been tremendous. Did you miss earlier ones? There are links at the end of the page. This week we welcome to the Garmsman Dozen Liam from Great Britain! Who are you, where do you live and what interests you? I am Lee…
08/05/2017
Marcus de fits nicely into a recurring theme of late: A very small company wanting to realise a very clear idea. In the case of Marcus De, the owner Miguel, comes from a family that made shoes. Miguel himself, London born and bred, is a cordwainer by trade, as was his father and grandfather. It wasn’t his first port of…
02/04/2017
If you’ve been following this blog for a while you can’t have failed to notice that there is a lot of love for the traditional leather shoe. A hand worked leather upper with a solid Goodyear-welted sole results in a solid, long-lasting piece of footwear. If there is a downside, it does also make for a fairly hefty piece of…