Hob Nails?

[oiffirefighter]

What would be the correct size hob nails if i were going to put them on a pair of brogans?

 

[Belfoured]

What would be the correct size hob nails if i were going to put them on a pair of brogans?

These guys claim to manufacture for Civil War. Your post was a real coincidence because a few days ago I was looking into this for a completely different reason - doing some research on the "hard men" who put up a lot of climbs in the Tetons and elsewhere in the Rockies using hob-nailed boots during the 1920's-1940's.

https://dbgurney.com/products/4-8-grooved-head-hob-nails-1-lb

 

[captaindrew]

What would be the correct size hob nails if i were going to put them on a pair of brogans?

Everyone i know who put hobnails in their shoes regretted it as the shoes got worn, they killed their feet. While some surfaces they helped with traction but other surfaces turned to ice. I'd refrain from them if it were me.

 

[SethJ]

Everyone i know who put hobnails in their shoes regretted it as the shoes got worn, they killed their feet. While some surfaces they helped with traction but other surfaces turned to ice. I'd refrain from them if it were me.

As somebody who often uses brogans on concrete, gravel, and asphalt (I do a lot of walking) I couldn't think of a worse way to damage boots. Do hobnails and heel plates actually do that much damage?

 

[captaindrew]

As somebody who often uses brogans on concrete, gravel, and asphalt (I do a lot of walking) I couldn't think of a worse way to damage boots. Do hobnails and heel plates actually do that much damage?

They are meant to lengthen the life of the shoe and in dirt/soft surfaces can increase grip. On hard smooth surfaces you might as well be on ice. I've known guys who had hobnails that they could feel on their feet once the shoes were getting worn and it killed their feet. I've never personally used them but have had shoes with and without healplates. I'd just as soon not use them again.

 

[52ndFandS]

Everyone i know who put hobnails in their shoes regretted it as the shoes got worn, they killed their feet. While some surfaces they helped with traction but other surfaces turned to ice. I'd refrain from them if it were me.

The parking lot. I'd rather be in sandals on ice.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Amen to the brethren's don't even think about wearing hobnails advice.

I do, however, wear heal plates. The reason being that the heals wear out both quickly & at strange angles. I am a big guy, which is probably a factor.

Heal plates are a lot like wearing those shoes with the wheels built into the heal on smooth surfaces. For speaking to CW Roundtables or at schools in uniform I have a pair of modern brogans. An Olympic level figure skating performance on a freshly waxed foyer convinced me that nobody cared what kind of shoes I wore.

 

[Package4]

What would be the correct size hob nails if i were going to put them on a pair of brogans?

Here are a pair of original imported CS brogans that Michael Kramer unearthed in Hanover, PA. The supposition is that they were CS cavalry due to the lack of wear on the nails and the dearth of nails where the stirrups would ride. I can't explain the missing nails in other areas, did trooper remove, later owner, kids ………….

I also obtained a very nice CS French copy hard pack that was found in Hanover, had been in a chest of drawers for over 140 years.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

I can add this... If you are doing events or presentations at historical buildings, they may not allow you to enter if you are wearing hobnails or heel plates.

 

[bayouace]

Would the bare area on each sole be because that is the instep and would not touch a surface?