Cheap vs High End Shoe Polish

Cheap vs High End Shoe Polish - Is it Worth it?

Рет қаралды 28,583

Күн бұрын

This video compares a "cheap" readily available shoe polish, Kiwi, to a couple high end and more expensive shoe polishes from Saphir and Pure Polish Products. I was not sponsored nor paid by any of the companies to promote their products. The opinions about them are based on my personal experence with the products. The prices quoted in the video were accurate when this video was recorded, but of course, they may change at any time.
0:36 Reference to "Kiwi vs Saphir: Spit Shine Head to Head", and why I'm only examining 3 polishes
1:33: Kiwi polish ingredients
3:30 Saphir Medaille D'Or Mirror Gloss ingredients
4:38 The Executive summary of my Kiwi vs Saphir video and why Pure Polish wasn't included
5:14 Pure Polish High Shine Paste Wax Polish ingredients
6:28 Pure Polish vs Saphir: which do I personally prefer and why?
8:45 Product smell test
10:11 5 reasons I prefer high end products (Saphir or Pure Polish Products) over cheap products
12:29 Some additional technical information from Andy, the owner of Pure Polish
13:56 Closing remarks
Links to other relevant videos I mentioned:
"Kiwi vs Saphir: Spit Shine Head to Head!":
• Kiwi vs Saphir: Spit S...
"Leather Talk with Andy Vaughn from Pure Polish Pt 1":
• Leather Talk with Andy...
"Interview with Russell the Sartorial Chauffer Pt 1/2":
• Interview with Russell...
Music Credit: KZfaq Audio Library:
"Stuff" by Otis McDonald

Пікірлер: 78

@FreedomandRights4US 9 ай бұрын

This "dude with a camera doing this in his spare time" just saved me countless hours of looking into polish for my boots. Thanks a ton!

@wpl955g9 Жыл бұрын

Well, you know what Bill Murray said in Stripes: 'That's my philosophy. Hundred dollar shine on a three dollar pair of shoes.'

@douglasn.3111 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the content. Quality shoes are an investment. A proper shine makes shoe guys smile.

@stevenroche9874 Жыл бұрын

Robert, Pure Polish is a young, small company making fairly expensive and good quality all natural products with a few ingredients. Saphir has been in business since 1920 making the world's BEST shoe care products. Although they are not all natural, their vast selection of ingredients, wealth of experience, and stellar reputation makes Saphir Médaille d'Or the SUPERIOR brand for discerning consumers. Yes, I do own several Pure Polish products.

@sunhuizart3821 Жыл бұрын

Having been a fan of mirror shined shoes for many years now... I think the obsession over a perfect mirror shine is nothing more than an unhealthy fixation on details. Perhaps I have bad eyesight but the way I see it (pun unintended) is that when you put your shoes on the ground and look at them from 6 feet away, there is no significant difference whether you have a perfect mirror shine or just an okay mirror shine. And furthermore that's just you yourself looking at them.. other people will only ever get a quick glimpse (note: it's impolite to gawk at anothers shoes for more than a fraction of a second) and most of the time will only see your shoes while you're walking about. Unless you're taking your shoes off and placing them in the hands of everyone you meet.. I really don't think it matters. I enjoy spending an hour polishing my shoes, but when time is short, a quick 5 minute touch up with a cotton ball and water is more than sufficient to look your best.

@BadBart2217 Жыл бұрын

I happen to agree, and it's nice to see someone state this so plainly.

@eyeheartsushi2212 Жыл бұрын

I used to obsess over mirror shining my shoes but now only do it once in a while, but definitely like to have at least some shine.

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

To each their own.

@motivationindrive8514 8 күн бұрын

lol spend some time in basically any military anywhere…. Well for most part I think they started issuing plastic knock offs, but I believe domestic schools still have you shine proper leather shoes. Inspection will be right up so it has its place lol.

@mcshea847 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Love the way that we meet your family members from time to time. Keeping it real!!

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

LOL, thanks! The youngest of course had to cut through.

@rudyhurtado8765 Жыл бұрын

Loved the crew's help with the smell test :) Great video!

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

LOL, my wife's reaction to the Kiwi was priceless!

@Bootlosophy Жыл бұрын

Always great insights!

@shoemanfu4715 Жыл бұрын

Great video Bob. I usually use Saphir. To me, it has a much easier application. There's a learning curve to PP... But I do love Andy and his philosophy towards shoe care products.

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Learning curve… good way to put it.

@thomaskraincuk9815 Жыл бұрын

Great Job, Robert! Thx 4 the insight!

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome!!

@thomashelm6931 9 ай бұрын

Excellent video! I have some nice Allen Edmonds shoes,as well. Recently on board with Saphir products. Opps! Pure Polish it is! I can't help but patronize a neighboring State of Oregon and I look forward to purchasing this product!

@eyeheartsushi2212 Жыл бұрын

Can confirm it’s easy to shine shoes using Saphir but I haven’t tried Pure Polish

@Javi_C Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comparisons

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

👊🏼

@remorrey 8 ай бұрын

Excellent information Bob. I've been a mirror/spit shine amateur for some 60 years. For the past 5 years I've exclusively used Sapphir with good results but not the glassy mirror that I dream of. I will definitely try the Pure Polish

@CobblerBob 7 ай бұрын

Thank you! Andy the owner is accessible too and willing to help.

@archtopp1 8 ай бұрын

I'm sure there's a big difference between Kiwi and Saphir. I was in basic training in the Army in 1964. We had to polish our boots and dress shoes. The only polish that was available in the PX was either Kiwi, or Griffin. Both worked well bet Kiwi was the most popular. We spit shined the toe of our boots and the toe of our dress shoes. I still use Kiwi today and i don't have a problem with it.I can honestly say that i have never had my shoes not look good and have never had any problems with the leather because of the polish i use. I am going to try Saphir just out of curiosity. I polish my shoes on a regular basis and i still spit polish the toes on my boots. Very interesting video.

@IvanSkodje Жыл бұрын

Appreciate this a lot, thanks.

@phrozenheart Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bob! More people need to know about the upsides of Pure Polish!

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

@jasirasadiq 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much I have just invested in 4 pairs of Carmina’s and 2 pair of the office of Angela Scott shoe. You helped save me so much money I was at well over $300 in Saphir products. I’m getting my shopping together now with Pure Polish.

@jmfa57 Жыл бұрын

As a guy with a decades old chemical engineering degree, I am not terribly intimidated by the organic chemicals (alkanes with 13 or 14 carbon molecules). As a degreed chemical engineer who enforces air pollution laws, I am slightly dubious of the inhalation "risks" of the Kiwi polishes, however, I've used Kiwi polish since I was a kid polishing Dad's wingtips. I recently tried Saphir products since Kiwi seems to have disengaged to a degree from the shoe polish market, and I ain't going back. Based on the information you provide, I may, however, move FORWARD. Thanks for making the point about the actual costs involved given how long a container of the product will last. Love your channel, Bob. I just subscribed. Thanks for all you do!

@siwabhongdhanabhad3568 Жыл бұрын

As a micro brand of leather care products in my country, Thank you very much for good details and good VDO. Thank you very much.

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

You are most welcome!

@philbrown5516 Жыл бұрын

I admire guys who can keep and wear shoes that long. I do well to wear shoes for ten or fifteen years. When I was in my twenties, my feet were a size smaller and two widths narrower. Plus I have flat feet. Dress shoes don’t work for me anymore!

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

Wow, that’s quite a change!

@philbrown5516 Жыл бұрын

I know. I’ve stabilized the last 20 years or so. I wear only SAS shoes because they give me the right support through the arches. But I can’t wear even their dressier shoes anymore. My shoes are like paddles. Fortunately their shoes last and I can ship them to factory for new soles and refurbishment for way less than replacement. I like that they are made in USA. San Antonio, Texas, in fact. I appreciate your tips.

@philbrown5516 Жыл бұрын

The missus did not look thrilled to be on camera!

@eyeheartsushi2212 Жыл бұрын

Nope.

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

LOL, she agreed without me having to twist her arm, but yeah, not thrilled, LOL.

@avisitorhere 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comparison Bob, I just upgraded to better shoes and was looking at these types of products.

@mariog4707 2 ай бұрын

I loved the reaction from his wife - clearly not a fellow shoe polish enthusiast. Comedy gold.

@denbo74 Жыл бұрын

Good video. One thing I did notice switching from Kiwi to Saphir a couple years ago was water resistance. Even with a decent coat of wax, the Saphir shows water drops where Kiwi beads water. I’ve been tempted to apply a light coat of clear Kiwi for rainy days in the city.

@Mully_Shaves 7 ай бұрын

Hi, Bob. I’ve been searching for a cheaper alternative to Saphir and when you gave your opinion on Pure Polish I thought “Fantastic!!”. I live in Japan. Right now a jar of Saphir cream is about 18 dollars and the Pure Polish is just behind it at $14.00. Also, they don’t sell PP here so I’d have to order from the US. Throw shipping into and now we’re well past Saphir. Oh well! Thanks for the honest review though. If I was back home in the US, Cincinnati actually, yay, Ohio!!, if I were in Cincy I’d probably go with Pure Polish. Thanks again.

@CobblerBob 7 ай бұрын

You're welcome! Japan, eh? That's where I was born! My mother was Japanese. Enjoy the food and culture!!

@Mully_Shaves 7 ай бұрын

@@CobblerBob Yeah, I’m 55 years old. Been here since I was 23. Matter of fact, I landed exactly one week before my 23rd birthday. 32 years. I don’t think I’ll ever be back in the States again…..to live I mean. Bob, good to see you replying. All the car stuff recently I thought you had pushed the shoe stuff to the side. I hope you’ll be back. Cool ride though, man. I bet you’re not enjoying filling it up though. What kind of mileage does that American Muscle get, like 3mpg? Hehe!! I bet you’re really having a great time with it though. Don’t forget us over here in the shoe world. BTW, you spoke of your mom in the past tense, condolences. Which part of Japan was she from/were you born? Father military? Sorry for the personal questions. Hope to hear back from you.

@richyclubsport5155 26 күн бұрын

After trying 100s of different polishes over the years, for scuffed or faded shoes, Angelus perfect stain polish, and for the best shine, without doubt Saphir.

@joshtinkler8191 Жыл бұрын

Great vids! Do you know which saphire brown closest matches Kiwi dark tan? There’s so many shades 😩 Many thanks!

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

No, I honestly don't for sure, but for my walnut (lightest tan shoes) I use Saphir #3 Light Brown cream polish, or Pure Polish Products Light Brown Water Resistant Cream Polish. The Pure Polish Walnut is a little darker than the Pure Polish Light Brown. The next shade darker I've used in Saphir is #37 medium brown. Nothing is stopping you from mixing them either! PS, I've found that polish will not recolor a shoe, but just tint it. For lighter color shoes, I think it's best to use too light rather than too dark, unless you're trying to darken them. The problem with darkening a light shoe with polish is that it tends to congregate in the wrinkles, creating dark wrinkles that can accentuate them.

@timgaskey2258 8 ай бұрын

I use some from the Dollar Tree... Actually its very good and gives a great shine...

@joalvarez6252 3 ай бұрын

Hello Mr. Powers! What polish/cream do you recommend for goat skin Lucchese black cherry boots?

@fdsfs665 Жыл бұрын

I get mine from the 99 cent store. I bought a pair of 100$ black shoes I’ve been wearing for the last decade and it gets the job done every time.

@asadb1990 11 ай бұрын

Which brand are you referring to?

@timgaskey2258 8 ай бұрын

Same here! Good shine for $1 polish!!

@kelvinthenedy Ай бұрын

Have you ever tried Kiwi Parade Gloss Prestige, I hears it's all natural with no silicone? Thank you in advance!

@rix5301 Жыл бұрын

Nice Info

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

@harry9392 7 ай бұрын

As a young soldier in the British Army we were told the best polish was Kiwi we brush shined our boots and then we coated our boots with bees wax got it smoothed and started to bull ( spit shined )our boots with kiwi if done correctly man they are like glass, I know Americans like us made stuff ,it may take longer to shine, but the result is great if you see how the Guards Regiments of the British Army do their boots you will see the best of the best ,I was Royal Irish Regiment and we did similar,

@zefdin101 Жыл бұрын

Pure Polish, for me, seems to give you a faster shine. I like it alot, but Saphir (in my opinion) give a deeper , more glass like luster. Also, while Saphir may not be all natural, I love that pine tar smell. But then again, I like acetone smell also… lol, that tells you alot 🤪

@williamnettleton3413 Жыл бұрын

I'm gonna get pure polish. Love saphir but as a shoe store manager I want to carry local American brands and found great work boot stuff but not dress shoes. Gotta have a high quality product instead of just Lincoln and kiwi which everyone knows.

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

You can actually talk to the owner Andy too! I hope it works out!

@thomashelm6931 9 ай бұрын

Excellent business plan! I am using Safir products and like them. But I respect Bobs videos and would love to buy American, like Pure Polish to provide good leather care.

@JonBrown-po7he 2 ай бұрын

To the narrator, the function of a solvent is to facilitate the dissolution of one or more ingredients, thus creating a homogeneous emollient. 😊In other words, create a creamy consistency.😅

@michaelz6870 4 ай бұрын

I love how long it takes her to close her eyes and how many times he had to ask. 😂

@eyeheartsushi2212 Жыл бұрын

My wife also doesn’t want me stinking up the house with Number 2 😉

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

LOL!!

@spotsill Жыл бұрын

Until I start getting scuffs I just clean and condition the leather. My dress shoes I polish to a higher shine.

@hanwenyap Жыл бұрын

You really should try Boot Black High Shine products. Blows Pure Polish and Saphir out the water any day. Their High Shine Cleaner is the absolute best in the industry, and I've used Saphir and Pure Polish before

@flaircraft 4 ай бұрын

1:03 "I'm just a dude with a camera" Right on brother!

@pendragonfilm 3 ай бұрын

Natural turpentine - is what old bare knuckle boxers used to soak their hands in after a fight . Could be good for leather , I’m not sure

@KavicsZrt 4 ай бұрын

Ok, and Tarrago?

@vikingsmb 16 күн бұрын

kiwi black is the best, avoid parade gloss as too waxy

@dgale1023 7 ай бұрын

I think the reason people buy Kiwi is because of the price, just like they dont spend 300.00+ for a pair of Allen Edmonds shoes. It works and always have, People aren"t necessarily cheap, they just want the biggest bang for their buck, and Saphir isn't it. Most of the Saphir touters on you tube ard gettting a kickback in one way or the other IMO. Because if channels are successful they are doing better than others. I can afford Saphir and Allen Edmonds but over the top almost worshiping these products is a bit much. Granted Kiwi smells like a gas station that is the only reason I quit using it, biy I will look for something else. Thank youi

@hickorydickory 5 күн бұрын

MSWS PRODUCT NAME WILL GIVE YOU THE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN QUANTITY

@tonygray7751 9 ай бұрын

in the smell test you were being parroted by the women taking part in this test

@CobblerBob 7 ай бұрын

LOL

@LuckyStrike-ov9cd Жыл бұрын

Kiwi it's been there for years but everybody is promoting Saphir and other crappy brands don't fall for this crap don't waste your money

@CobblerBob Жыл бұрын

Hey I appreciate you being a loyal viewer, but I think you’re gonna be in a small camp with this opinion. You’re certainly able to have it and vote with your purchases though.

@peakseamus Жыл бұрын

Kiwi fine for crap shoes. For shoes one intends to keep decades the little extra investment in creams and wax polishes is nothing but good sense.