Back in the day, people used to buy shoes and wear them until a cobbler could no longer fix them. These days, shoes are made cheaply, sold cheaply, and thrown away when there’s even the slightest imperfection.

Redditor rk5n eschews this throwaway culture in favor of making their own footwear. The master shoemaker just made a pair of boots completely from scratch using a delicate, slow, and time-honored process that dates back over a century.

First, two identical shapes of leather are cut from different hides.

The rest of the insole is measured and cut, with nails added to keep everything in place.

The next thing that’s cut is the leather for the inside of the shoe.

The same is done for the exterior.

Those pieces of leather are then assembled and stitched.

Next, the insole is nailed in. At this point, the inner and outer portions are attached.

Things are starting to look pretty now.

All portions, including the tongue and side panels, are sewn together by hand.

The toe is formed with a metal mallet.

Here’s the progress up to this point.

Now, the sole has to be added.

How awesome is this custom tread?

All excess materials are then trimmed away.

All finished!

These things are so amazing.

(source: Reddit)

I never thought I would try my hand at shoemaking, but after seeing this, I’m ready to give it a go. After all, I’m in the market for a new pair of boots. The ones I have now have survived ten winters, but I think it’s time for us to part ways.