Bull your boots: The art of polishing for a military shine

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  • Опубликовано: 21 май 2023
  • The term 'bulling' is used by the British military and refers to the method used to polish shoes or boots, giving the leather a shine with a mirror-like finish.
    Learning the art of bulling can take many months or even years to perfect.
    Kingsman Conan Bligh from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, who took part in the King's coronation, demonstrates how Armed Forces personnel on parade get their boots to look pristine with a step-by-step guide to bulling boots to perfection.
    More: www.forces.net/stories/how-bull-boots-art-polishing-military-shine
    #forcesnews #britishmilitary #militarylife #boots
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Комментарии • 389

  • @Pinky_Staines1947
    @Pinky_Staines1947 Год назад +630

    After labouring away on my boots during Basic i thought they were looking good, my section commander said "You got a good base, now get a shine on them 😢

    • @hasdrubal121
      @hasdrubal121 8 месяцев назад +35

      Polished a copper piece in metalwork class in secondary school to a mirror finish. Took it to show the teacher filled with hope, and he looked at it, handed it back "So when are you going to polish it ?"
      Damn near broke me.

    • @100temps
      @100temps 8 месяцев назад +4

      Mine sent me to the Drill Shed for bulling rings😂

    • @rodannapier7013
      @rodannapier7013 7 месяцев назад

      😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

    • @trazyntheinfinitehereforur828
      @trazyntheinfinitehereforur828 4 месяца назад +1

      i had the opposite issue when i brought a set of boots myself and wore them immediately so no polish at all people complemented the shine and it was partially disheartening because i thought they looked so dull

  • @PaulFrancis-SkyRascal
    @PaulFrancis-SkyRascal Год назад +439

    My platoon Sjt (rifles spelling of sgt) in training “nobody is to waste time and effort and military productivity into making something needlessly shiny, therefore if you can shoot well and soldier well, I’ll take the hit for your already shiny but not shiny enough boots on parade”
    Wisest man in the army!

    • @demobbed688
      @demobbed688 Год назад +14

      Must be a former RGJ bloke 😂

    • @tylerf5190
      @tylerf5190 10 месяцев назад +37

      My drill sgt always said “shiny boots only attract snipers, the army going to tan suede boots was the smartest descision ever”

    • @randomuser1911
      @randomuser1911 9 месяцев назад +18

      @@tylerf5190 very true🤣, UK standard issue boot for general purpose and field use is brown and they aren't polished like this, this is just for drill/ceremonial purposes when they wear their 1s

    • @1973Washu
      @1973Washu 9 месяцев назад +7

      @@randomuser1911 The field boots need to be well maintained as well , poorly maintained boots can result in damage to the boots which in turn will cause damage to the wearer's feet. It is just a different procedure to clean the new types of boots.

    • @Nothere166
      @Nothere166 9 месяцев назад +4

      @@1973Washu yeah of course, all I’m saying is that GP boots don’t get a mirror shine

  • @seanpassant3174
    @seanpassant3174 Год назад +63

    Bulling boots is an art, I found it very relaxing & therapeutic. I still clean shoes to a high standard now 28 years since leaving.

    • @MrTunwarm
      @MrTunwarm Год назад +6

      Sitting around in a group, snacks, drinks, etc, and just chattin talking bs. I miss that

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад +1

      What a melt

    • @Stanly-Stud
      @Stanly-Stud 7 месяцев назад

      What a sad man you are 😂
      Bulling shoes today...

  • @andrewcombe8907
    @andrewcombe8907 Год назад +53

    Bulling boots was introduced in the British Army in the Victorian Era to ensure troops especially in the outposts of Empire were kept busy in their spare time and kept from causing mischief. It serves no other purpose than keeping squaddies occupied. The US Army which based its training on the Prussians in the 1850's don't have this obsession neither do the French.

    • @papalegbar2303
      @papalegbar2303 8 месяцев назад +7

      The French and Americans, yeah sure we should be following their military lead! Maybe looking after your boots means that your feet are looked after and therefore you are fit to march and fight 🤔

    • @fransoosthuizen2151
      @fransoosthuizen2151 8 месяцев назад

      The only time we did that( called spit’s polish) was for significant parades-only did one in my 2 years of service so didn’t waste too much time

    • @elmodiddly
      @elmodiddly 8 месяцев назад

      What a load of rot! it has nothing to do with giving blighters something to do! Bulling boots is as much a part of leather care as it is part of an inspection to show how clean and well looked after your equipment is and for parades. If you had tack for horses you're doing it a lot!! It also instils discipline and uniformity to the equipment on parade. If you had served you'd know that, and if you had ever served with the French, you'd know what many regiments, who have amazing parade uniforms, do bull their boots for parades as well! Seeing as you obviously never served, and have no idea about the French military, I can only conclude that you have no idea what you're talking about.

    • @TheVinceb100
      @TheVinceb100 4 месяца назад +3

      USMC Drill Instructors have entered the chat

    • @keithmarlowe5569
      @keithmarlowe5569 4 месяца назад +1

      Do lets stay busy. Idle hands are the devil's playground.

  • @michaelholt8590
    @michaelholt8590 8 месяцев назад +46

    I was taught how to shine boots by an uncle who was a Marine in Vietnam. When I went to basic training for the Army in 98. I was so good at shining them that the Drill Sergeant made me teach my whole platoon how to do it. Damn they looked good.

    • @ShadowJack4488
      @ShadowJack4488 6 месяцев назад

      What shine did you use?

    • @michaelholt8590
      @michaelholt8590 6 месяцев назад +3

      @@ShadowJack4488 Normal polish available at the PX. I used cotton balls dipped in water and then loaded with polish using a circular motion. Then using a circular motion and light pressure apply to boots. It may take several hours just to get the toes and heals mirror like so it may take you several sessions to get it. It takes patience. I was in reception for an extended time and had nothing to do.

    • @ShadowJack4488
      @ShadowJack4488 6 месяцев назад

      @@michaelholt8590 thank you so much! What was the brand of polish? Or what was it made of?

    • @michaelholt8590
      @michaelholt8590 6 месяцев назад +3

      @@ShadowJack4488 As I recall it was kiwi polish. Black of course

    • @benjaminhurley1823
      @benjaminhurley1823 3 дня назад

      How did you keep your polish from cracking I just polished my boots and the polish already is cracking. Maybe I used to thick of a layer?

  • @JG-mp5nb
    @JG-mp5nb Год назад +184

    Doing this in the military cured me of ever wanting to do this in civilian life.

    • @TeezerDriz
      @TeezerDriz 8 месяцев назад +14

      Right on. Thoughts of polishing shoes now is the last job i want to do. Such a waste of effort and polish.

    • @jaystrickland4151
      @jaystrickland4151 8 месяцев назад +13

      @@TeezerDriz During the pandemic I would touch up my dress shoes when I had to go somewhere and couldn't find a shoe shine guy. One of the last skills I thought I would use as a civilian lawyer.

    • @johnnunn8688
      @johnnunn8688 7 месяцев назад

      Yep. Brush polish on, brush polish off. Done.

    • @Crash.7434
      @Crash.7434 6 месяцев назад +2

      Boots are made to be used, not to be pretty😂

    • @KlausKokholmPetersen
      @KlausKokholmPetersen 2 месяца назад +1

      Exactly how I feel. I dont even own a pair of leather shoes anymore.

  • @fredtorres1703
    @fredtorres1703 Год назад +91

    I was a Canadian Army cadet, with the Governor General's Horse Guard. A very good looking regiment it is. This was in the late 80's. We competed on who had the best boots and we strived for a mirror finish. If boot got scuffed by someother than the bearer of said boot, the situation got tense and agresive. We were proud of our uniform and when we paraded with other regiments it showed. This clip brought back many memories. It is important wether you are in the military or a civilian to have pride in yourself, dress, conduct and especially what you do.

    • @ShadowJack4488
      @ShadowJack4488 6 месяцев назад

      What did you use to mirror finish them?

  • @cnoyes72
    @cnoyes72 Год назад +17

    That sure does bring back memories (many an evening polishing boots and service dress shoes).

  • @Jib230181
    @Jib230181 Год назад +18

    I used to love polishing my boots, I was a spit polish and a little bit of water but more spit lol. Always had nice polished boots on parade and ironed uniform and my Sgt would always compliment me on how well I did it which made me feel good as I took pride in wearing the late Queen’s uniform.

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад

      Sgts never compliment on polished boots 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 walter

    • @fredericp64
      @fredericp64 3 месяца назад

      Now what compelled you to watch a boot shining tutorial is what I'm wondering lol??

    • @Jib230181
      @Jib230181 3 месяца назад

      @@ImaSMACKHEAD982 well mine did.

    • @Jib230181
      @Jib230181 3 месяца назад

      @@fredericp64 just came across it on my homepage and thought it sounded good to watch as that’s the point of videos on RUclips is to watch them isn’t it.

  • @markbooth1117
    @markbooth1117 Год назад +32

    I still spit and polish my decent Black Oxford shoes (shoes for weddings and funerals, etc) after 30+ years as a civvie.

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад +1

      Awesome dits 😂😂😂😂😂

  • @ericanderer9199
    @ericanderer9199 Год назад +13

    I would saturate the boot with polish then ignite portions with a lighter. I would then brush it . Using warm water, i would spit shine polishing small circles. After that we would spray rubbing alcohol on it (not beeswax) to give it a mirror shine. The alcohol prevents scuffs.

  • @colinmelling6369
    @colinmelling6369 8 месяцев назад +5

    In the 70s the DMS boots had to be smoothed out using a hot spoon and candle to remove the pimples. Hours of work even before they seen polish.

  • @Happin3ess
    @Happin3ess Год назад +5

    A Back to normal RUclips video. Interesting, you learn something and it's 3 minutes. Great video : ) more please.

  • @bryantimmins339
    @bryantimmins339 Год назад +5

    Can’t beat a pair of tights for finishing up

  • @Mike-James
    @Mike-James Год назад +3

    Too many memories, I had two pair of best boots, swapped them when needed. At the end i used to run them under the cold tap and used cotton wool to harden the toe caps.

  • @paulsharp8359
    @paulsharp8359 Год назад +6

    i remember having to flatten the boots before getting to put a shine on them. a candle a spoon and time heat spoon and keep running over the boots to smooth them out.

    • @charlieyerrell9146
      @charlieyerrell9146 Год назад

      Paul the boots came whith pimples on the leather. Heat the spoon handle and smooth out the pimples. Then start bulling your boots.

  • @crowfoote
    @crowfoote Год назад +36

    I started out as a Cadet in Canada where my polishing skills began,I transitioned to a Militia unit where I finished my skills. This skill set has followed me all my life, (I was born when dirt was new) in a momentary lapse of reason I enlisted in the US military at age 28. During basic my mates were fascinated by my polishing technique as the American military doesn't seem to have the same desire to outshine their mess mates. I ended up teaching the whole group the Canadian way (British) way of doing your boots. I made a tidy sum of money by helping the group shine brighter than the other groups. The DI's were most impressed with how well we reflected their images.

    • @TheAnagnostis
      @TheAnagnostis 7 месяцев назад +2

      Amazingly, I have a similar background: RCAC, militia, later NG officer!

    • @ShadowJack4488
      @ShadowJack4488 6 месяцев назад

      What did you use to get them mirror shined?

    • @crowfoote
      @crowfoote 6 месяцев назад

      @@ShadowJack4488 nylon stocking,kiwi shoe polish, anything cotton for applicator,elbow grease...lots of elbow grease,water,elbow grease,repeat previous actions,a bit of sheepskin helps the final bit to improve shine.

  • @righteousbyfaithinChrist
    @righteousbyfaithinChrist Год назад +27

    Havent worked that hard on a shoe shine...ever. Mad skills...👏🇬🇧❤️🙏🇺🇸

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад

      Well your religious sooo

    • @thelonewolf9216
      @thelonewolf9216 7 месяцев назад +1

      ​@@ImaSMACKHEAD982Religion has nothing to do with laziness, don't be rude and judge people solely based on their religion.

  • @joannatrevino8882
    @joannatrevino8882 Год назад +4

    Well now that brought back memories 🙂

  • @davidhunter553
    @davidhunter553 Год назад +11

    Been there, done that 😂😂

  • @tooyoungtobeold8756
    @tooyoungtobeold8756 8 месяцев назад +4

    I remember doing this in the 60s. A great many spare moments were spent doing this. Then, when you went on parade you would walk flat footed to stop them polish cracking.

    • @donlarocque5157
      @donlarocque5157 8 месяцев назад

      I was in San Antonio for basic in July and the salt came through the polish and ruined it.

    • @chong2389
      @chong2389 7 месяцев назад +1

      First thing we did was to take a hot iron to smooth out he pebbled surface of the parade boots, the applying Kiwi wax polish very liberally to prevent the leather from cracking. . Someone knew how to 'spit polish' using cotton balls and Kiwi polishbut one cadet had parents who were Amway franchisees. They sold a spray that created a a patent leather effect. I did produce a 'mirror shine' but would crack across the leather behind the toe cap if too much was applied. BTW.. The ironing skills I learned at 15 years old have served me well for nearly 60 years. We only had to hear the company Sergeant ask a cadet, one time, if they had used an iron on their shirt, and the cadet answering "Yes, Sergeant" to which the Sergeant replied with an abundance of sarcasm: "Try plugging it in!" Good times! 😁

  • @warrenwoodhouse
    @warrenwoodhouse Год назад +81

    My dad could turn my shoes from very cringy to extremely shiny, to the point that I can see my face in them!! That’s one of the many great skills they teach you in the army.

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад +3

      Its not hard pal 😂😂😂😂

    • @warrenwoodhouse
      @warrenwoodhouse 8 месяцев назад

      @@ImaSMACKHEAD982 You try telling me, I can never make them shine the way my dad does it.

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад +2

      @@warrenwoodhouse You should of joined up then 😂😂😂😂😂

    • @warrenwoodhouse
      @warrenwoodhouse 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@ImaSMACKHEAD982 If I was able enough, I would of joined many years ago. Unfortunately, with my personal health issues, I would be considered unfit to join, sadly. I used to be in the 1st British Western Scout Group in Gütersloh, Germany. back in 1999 to 2004. If I was in the army, puzzles and strategies are where my mind is best served.

    • @withcheeseproductions
      @withcheeseproductions 8 месяцев назад +1

      Can't polish suede boots anymore and now they have gloss coated dress shoes

  • @xeeshaan786
    @xeeshaan786 7 месяцев назад

    Very brief and nicely explained... Thanks sir

  • @jonathanklopf7581
    @jonathanklopf7581 8 месяцев назад

    WoW now that's a shine! Great job sir.

  • @evinchester7820
    @evinchester7820 8 месяцев назад +2

    Leather Luster.
    I started using it in the early 90's rather than spending hours polishing my boots.
    I had two sets of boots.
    Field boots that were polished but not mirror polished.
    Garrison boots. Use to polish the hell out of them. Even polished shoes and boots for others. Then one day had enough and bought some Leather Luster and never looked back.

  • @user-do5hd7zb4x
    @user-do5hd7zb4x 7 месяцев назад

    Thank you officers! I was into making patting boot polish but this is genius! Much simpler. Again sincere thanks!😅

  • @african3974
    @african3974 3 месяца назад +1

    I have been trying to do this for years now. An ex-convict(big bro) showed me when he was fresh out but he told me you i need patience to do it and i honestly thought he meant SITTING IN JAIL FOR YEARS LEVEL patience and I gave up.... tried again recently but somehow I just cant get that high gloss finish

  • @agentorange5608
    @agentorange5608 Год назад +2

    I used to do something like this. Life is too short!

  • @philanderingwhitecollartra8281
    @philanderingwhitecollartra8281 Год назад +1

    takes me back to 1922 royal westminster regiment in the 90s..

  • @wagonburnereb
    @wagonburnereb 15 дней назад

    Spit shine to look good, miss those days. Oorah USMC plt 3043 Aug. 81

  • @madhousenetwork7765
    @madhousenetwork7765 6 месяцев назад +1

    1:13 you never leave the polish tin open like this in the sun to dry! there's something called a "lid" which comes with it and you need to place it on top of it to prevent it from becoming an useless brick

  • @AlecFlackie
    @AlecFlackie Год назад +3

    Days of glory. Still got my ammo boots (just in case); could probably get the bull back up after a couple of episodes of Band of Brothers.

  • @jamisonweaver3711
    @jamisonweaver3711 6 месяцев назад

    Nice job. Stay safe.

  • @jackthelad5366
    @jackthelad5366 7 месяцев назад

    Was amazed at the standard of the KCS of the Raf Regiments boots absolutely amazing

  • @nashleysk8er
    @nashleysk8er Год назад +26

    Same techniques used when I was in the RCN. Our American cousins in the USN were always shocked that we would polish our boots to get this shine when they used some plastic type shoe that came with a shine. 🇨🇦 🇬🇧

    • @locknload4691
      @locknload4691 Год назад +3

      Those plastic shoes (i.e. "corfams") were available to U.S. Chair Force personnel, too. Most enlisted personnel owned a pair to go with their Service Dress uniforms. I was an aircraft maintainer throughout my career, and steel toe boots were mandated...and I vigorously polished those boots every morning before leaving for duty with a Hershey bar and a brick.

    • @fastec5
      @fastec5 9 месяцев назад

      In the Coast Guard we can't wear Corframs on boats because if they get introduced to high heat they'll melt to your foot. Plus it's cheating.

    • @roberthudson1959
      @roberthudson1959 9 месяцев назад

      Not speaking from personal experience (badly broken leg), but I have been told that the entire military of the USA has abandoned manual mirror shines for manufactured ones.

    • @fastec5
      @fastec5 9 месяцев назад

      @@roberthudson1959 USCG still hand polished boots from dull

    • @ernstjunger714
      @ernstjunger714 7 месяцев назад +1

      ​@@roberthudson1959USN still hand polishes dress shoes and the cap of our steel toe boots. Corfams are authorized for wear though.

  • @impracticaltactics
    @impracticaltactics Месяц назад

    Served in the US Navy (us and the coast guard are the only services that still polish boots in basic). I had mirrors on my feet in training, but I've been out for a while and forgot my boot polishing technique. I recently got hired as a first responder and wanted to make a good first impression. 10 coats doing what I remembered doesn't compare to 2 coats doing it this way, which was actually what I learned in cadets 10+ years ago. Hot water and running a lighter under the polish tin to soften it up helps too!

  • @crowfoote
    @crowfoote 7 месяцев назад +4

    Polishing boots was an example of paying attention to details, in life if you walk up to someone the first thing I do is look at their shoes (details) it will describe how they are in all things they may do.

    • @robertbuchanan9234
      @robertbuchanan9234 4 месяца назад

      True, and the reason why the movie Shawshank Redemption is, in my opinion, so bliddy annoying.

  • @ronostrenski8359
    @ronostrenski8359 Год назад +3

    Epoxy gloss black spray can worked awesome for me. 30 seconds. Not glass, but high gloss. 😊

  • @daffyd5867
    @daffyd5867 9 месяцев назад +1

    My father taught me this when I was 10....I still do it....although I suspect he would say not good enough '...

  • @hansmiller664
    @hansmiller664 7 месяцев назад +1

    When I was in the German Army (some 40 yrs. ago...) we had to spit a good amount on the brush and BRUSH these damned Boots until both arms fell of.
    The first time.
    Then, the 2nd time, again black shoe polish, this time rinse the brush with water and again BRUSHING . . .🧐🙄
    AFTER that, (again!) a sort of Bee Wax wich had to be applied by hand/fingers and polished with a cotton ,or even better, a linen cloth!
    All this had to be done late after dinner, after clearing up your Lockers a.s.o.
    Next morning doing your Bed, and Heaven helped you if you failed . . .
    At age 63, I still do my shoes and my Bed like this!
    May God be with you Guys!
    Come back healthy and safe!

  • @rbetts2022
    @rbetts2022 17 дней назад

    In the US military (army specifically, no other branch does this) only personnel attached to Airborne and Air assault units have to shine boots, and those boots are only worn in the dress uniform.

  • @johnzajac9849
    @johnzajac9849 Год назад

    The Zen of boot polishing!

  • @leanit5756
    @leanit5756 8 месяцев назад +2

    Mop and Glow floor wax works well too. I think it was probably the secret ingredient in the Boot Blacks' sauce they slathered on hundreds of boots everyday at the US Army Airborne School.

    • @ditch9802
      @ditch9802 8 месяцев назад +1

      Good as long as they didn’t get wet. Then the boots turned milky.

    • @ms.annthrope415
      @ms.annthrope415 7 месяцев назад +1

      That's what it was. The Boot Blacks aren't going to spit polish 95 pairs of boots every night. They just brush the dirt off and brush on Mop and Glow mixed with black liquid shoe polish. After 3 weeks of this, your boots were ruined. It now has 79 layers of floor shine coated on, cracking the leather, and you just throw them away.

  • @Gator-357
    @Gator-357 8 месяцев назад +1

    Alcohol instead of water will give a mirror shine without the micro swirl marks. Also a bit of genuine wool instead of cotton will make it easier to get that shine.

  • @Treesandguns
    @Treesandguns Месяц назад

    Had to do this for the fire service. Good old can of spray lacquer saved me hours 😊

  • @rustywater3219
    @rustywater3219 8 месяцев назад +1

    Cut the bristles on the long brush down to 1/2 inch or so. It works so much better.
    You can take a lighter to polish so it settles out flatter and easier to shine. Just don't catch the polish on fire, it'll get everywhere.
    For super quick shine... floor polish. But it'll Crack in a couple hours so this is emergency only.
    Also, to shine glass/ mirrors... wad up newspaper. Somehow the paper material makes a huge difference. (Gotta be newspaper).

    • @user-be2dt8eg2x
      @user-be2dt8eg2x 8 месяцев назад

      Yeah, had a guy in a Navy school who used Future on his dedicated inspection shoes. It worked, but he couldn't walk too much.

  • @khanscombe619
    @khanscombe619 Месяц назад

    Brilliant. What brands in UK to Canada or America you recommend? What does the Royal Air Force use ?

  • @garywallace8521
    @garywallace8521 Год назад

    Aah memories! Always use clean water as spit and polish will leave an oily coating.

  • @Nick-mq9on
    @Nick-mq9on 3 месяца назад +1

    Personally I judge folks by their character not by how shiny their boots are.

  • @ms-terious
    @ms-terious Год назад

    This brought back unwanted memories of depot...

  • @Brewermb
    @Brewermb Год назад +25

    I can speak Russian: "Kiwi, Cherry Blossom. Kiwi, Cherry Blossom. Kiwi, Cherry Blossom"...."That's not Russian!"..."no but it's damned good Polish" 😁😁😁😁

  • @freedomloverusa3030
    @freedomloverusa3030 4 месяца назад

    I couldn’t be happier with our desert boots.

  • @markymark272
    @markymark272 8 месяцев назад +1

    Spit and polish, the hours I clocked up doing this😂

  • @JimTimber
    @JimTimber 4 месяца назад

    It's always a pleasure to hear the Swedish accent

  • @Lucifyx
    @Lucifyx 10 месяцев назад +2

    How do you guys prevent cracking at where the creases are? Like sure you can shine that area but once you put in on and start walking, the polish at the crease area cracks

    • @billmmckelvie5188
      @billmmckelvie5188 8 месяцев назад +1

      The leather will be two to three millimetres thick so it is pretty rigid for starters. To stop your boots from creasing, after you take them pack them with brown (not grease proof) packing paper this absorbs any sweat.
      Ensure the toe and shoe before the tongue is packed solid. If you have got creases in your shoes you can press them out with an iron, using a wet clothing to protect the leather
      Search for
      'Tring Cobbler' on RUclips, he has a video showing you how it is done!

  • @donsmith2833
    @donsmith2833 4 месяца назад

    That is different than I learned here in Canada. Then again I was Navy and an officer....

  • @obiwanfisher537
    @obiwanfisher537 3 месяца назад +2

    Gotta love the idea to spend an hour doing your boots just so they are dirty after 5 minutes of duty anyway.

  • @dghys
    @dghys 19 дней назад

    How long does it actually take to arrive at the end result?

  • @user-du4em4sm2d
    @user-du4em4sm2d Месяц назад

    what type of bees wax was used? I used murray's bees wax and it was a paste texture. My leather hasnt hardened like this video

  • @WarBovine
    @WarBovine 6 месяцев назад +1

    Imagine the time used buffing shoes to a mirror finish was instead used in conditioning, marksmanship drills, cqb drills, firearms drills, first aid training, and any other training that might help drill muscle memory into a soldier that could help save their life.

    • @joshuahedges4882
      @joshuahedges4882 6 месяцев назад +2

      I think the idea is to make soldiers aware of the need to maintain kit!! This is for ceremonial duty anyway…issued boots are a flat brown.

    • @lelandgaunt9985
      @lelandgaunt9985 2 месяца назад +1

      There is plenty of time for that training.😂

  • @_quartzee
    @_quartzee 5 месяцев назад

    Hey the RCAC (royal canadian air cadets) never told us how to get our boots shiny like mirrors but still expected us to know how

  • @ValenThePowerful
    @ValenThePowerful 7 месяцев назад +1

    my step grandpa grew up during the second great war and he taught me how to shine my shoes. he was never in the military but adored the military. he's been dead for 11 years now and I still shine my shoes like how the military does it. I don't have to but I do it anyways because I like to look presentable wherever I go. plus it shows people that you take care of yourself and not always a slob

  • @thornydig
    @thornydig Год назад +4

    Unless you can strip the boot to bare leather, dye it and apply a base of polish, you can't shine a boot. Oh? Did I mention heel and toe dressing?

  • @puggins1
    @puggins1 7 месяцев назад

    saw a couple guys actually sprat paint their boots for inspections only, doesn't last but sure is shiny for about 20mins, lol

  • @testtest-co9hk
    @testtest-co9hk 8 месяцев назад +1

    colonel : soldiers!!! we don't have wars for the rest of year so lets polish the shoes and improve out shoe polishing skills. so the enemy looks at our shoes he know how much skilled we are.

  • @Cappellano
    @Cappellano 7 месяцев назад

    After mastering jackboots, this is child’s play.

  • @oxxnarrdflame8865
    @oxxnarrdflame8865 8 месяцев назад +1

    I remember guys buying Corfam (patten leather) shoes, wussies, I alway used polish, like a man 😄.
    For quick touch ups between polish sessions I’d buff up with pantyhose I got from my girlfriend (later wife😊). I’d also store my low quarters in them.
    Oh, great job on the boots.

  • @dimsum5499
    @dimsum5499 5 месяцев назад

    More blinks-pre-while, post, color-schemes-colors-back-drops, wheels-flood-lights!

  • @pjmoseley243
    @pjmoseley243 4 дня назад

    I loved bulling my hobnail boots I used to help others with their boots for a small fee, that gave me a few extra pennies to spend during the week.

  • @garyrea2320
    @garyrea2320 9 месяцев назад +4

    The amount of stupid comments on here is unbelievable, this is more than just shining boots. It’s about being methodical in every aspect of yourself and kit. I love military life, civi street annoys me. Everyone should do national service and maybe people will start taking their appearance, fitness and life choices more seriously.

    • @VelaiciaCreator
      @VelaiciaCreator 7 месяцев назад

      Can't expect civvies to understand. Even newbies don't get it and flush out quickly.

  • @MeM_UK
    @MeM_UK 7 месяцев назад

    I couldn’t get them that good. I passed muster, but was never one of the best. Not sure why.

  • @peterrudy9207
    @peterrudy9207 7 месяцев назад

    The brand Lincoln black boot polish was the norm at Lackland AFB , Texas in 1981 .

    • @crowfoote
      @crowfoote 7 месяцев назад +1

      I was there in 84

    • @peterrudy9207
      @peterrudy9207 3 месяца назад

      @@crowfoote I also went to tech school there for Security Specialist . And got recycled during basic training , obviously made it the second time .

    • @lelandgaunt9985
      @lelandgaunt9985 2 месяца назад

      Lincoln wax

    • @peterrudy9207
      @peterrudy9207 2 месяца назад

      @@lelandgaunt9985 Yes

  • @Ogrematic
    @Ogrematic 7 месяцев назад

    "What smells like shoe polish?"
    "I'm not even supposed to be here today!"

  • @lulutileguy
    @lulutileguy Месяц назад

    ahh just go with the dubbin you know mink oil now you qualify to buff the RR on the limos heard it takes huge amount time also that is some shine alright happen to have Makita polisher if you get tired

  • @jasonstewart7112
    @jasonstewart7112 11 месяцев назад

    Never having been in the service, how long would it take to get a high shine finish like that? Hours? Days? Weeks?

    • @nycytc8055
      @nycytc8055 11 месяцев назад +6

      A couple of hours each week. The more you do it, the less you have to maintain it.

    • @diogeneslantern18
      @diogeneslantern18 10 месяцев назад

      If you use Preston Soto's method it should take 30 minutes. Definitely under an hour.

    • @VelaiciaCreator
      @VelaiciaCreator 7 месяцев назад

      From a fresh boot or dress shoe(if you want formal snazziness), you could bang out a pair of decent gloss in a few hours. Mirror shine after a few such sessions. That of course is with the special techniques I know. Particularly to avoid spit in any form in the mix, and replace the water with after shave.

    • @chong2389
      @chong2389 7 месяцев назад

      Maybe an hour, depending on how scuffed they got in the day's training. Yes, we were issued one pair of ankle boots to train in and wear on parade.

  • @fifa_darts_football3785
    @fifa_darts_football3785 Месяц назад

    Does it work on brown boots

  • @bernardsmith1329
    @bernardsmith1329 Год назад +5

    No hot spooning? That's progress I guess!

    • @MikeH-sg2ue
      @MikeH-sg2ue Год назад +1

      We would hot spoon combat boots,
      to get ride of the bubbles.
      Bring them up to a great shine also.
      For the finale shine, we would use aftershave with the polish,
      for the alcohol, as it would evaporate faster!

    • @Mr__Chicken
      @Mr__Chicken Год назад

      @@MikeH-sg2ue What''s hot spooning?

    • @MikeH-sg2ue
      @MikeH-sg2ue Год назад +3

      @@Mr__Chicken
      With new combat boots, the leather was covered in bumps.
      We’d sit with a candle (some used lighters),
      put a spoon over the flame so the bowl was upside down over the flame,
      then while very hot we’d press the curved spoon over the bumpy leather
      smoothing out those bumps, after this process,
      we’d get a nice shine on even combat boots.
      Only had one shiny pair, they were for parades!
      Day to day combat boots were just blackened to SOPs.
      Hope, that explains it for you, Russell.

    • @Mr__Chicken
      @Mr__Chicken Год назад

      @@MikeH-sg2ue Thanks for that info!

  • @billyvinilly8104
    @billyvinilly8104 Год назад +1

    A silhouette cloth? That’s a second crate surly?

  • @Tragicide
    @Tragicide 8 месяцев назад

    Wish I knew this as a Civil Air Patrol cadet.

  • @nervousnellyterencemorton
    @nervousnellyterencemorton 8 месяцев назад

    Oh the joys of bulling a pair of 'bang bangs'. Still practice on a pair of gibsons just for relaxation purposes.

  • @Dantheman2019
    @Dantheman2019 7 месяцев назад

    What boots are they

  • @jepense82
    @jepense82 10 месяцев назад

    Can someone explain the beeswax trick to me? Is it a base coat? Should i use it on Highland regiment issued pattent Oxfords or brogues?

    • @Wouter-lf4gn
      @Wouter-lf4gn 10 месяцев назад +2

      No. Use Saphir mirror gloss on those to get a good shine on it.
      Be mindful of the broque, you don't want to gunk it up.

    • @jackthelad5366
      @jackthelad5366 7 месяцев назад

      The beeswax is melted into the leather with a blow torch to make the leather smooth, you also need your boots to be a size too big to allow for shrinkage the toes turn up due to the heat, also the boot must be packed tightly with newspaper to keep their shape, the beeswax doesn’t make the boots shine it makes them smooth and stops the boots creasing

  • @user-cc6rw9he9m
    @user-cc6rw9he9m 3 месяца назад

    Tornado nose cone paint on the toecaps of raf shoes.

  • @donmcc6573
    @donmcc6573 8 месяцев назад +1

    Cotton balls always worked best for me.

  • @davidwilson9568
    @davidwilson9568 7 месяцев назад +1

    It has to be kiwi shoe polish and a saucer of warm water.

    • @gont183
      @gont183 6 месяцев назад +1

      The lid from the kiwi polish works well for the water.

  • @ditch9802
    @ditch9802 8 месяцев назад

    I learned to melt the shoe shine wax with a lighter and then rub it in with the wet cloth.

    • @VelaiciaCreator
      @VelaiciaCreator 7 месяцев назад +1

      That treatment is the fastest to melt in the sun. So many stories of someone's boots melting on parade.

    • @ditch9802
      @ditch9802 7 месяцев назад +1

      @@VelaiciaCreator All I can say from my experience is that it never happened on my Jump boots. Always looked like a mirror. As close to patent leathers as the real thing.

    • @VelaiciaCreator
      @VelaiciaCreator 7 месяцев назад

      @@ditch9802 Fair enough.

  • @Bazza_5968
    @Bazza_5968 Год назад +1

    Hard to beat spraying them. Saves a hell of time and look just as gud if not better

    • @howarddavies6685
      @howarddavies6685 Год назад

      ‘Morello’?

    • @Bazza_5968
      @Bazza_5968 Год назад

      @@ImpendingJoker ur obv not doing them right then

    • @ms-terious
      @ms-terious Год назад

      Every waller that I knew that went down that route got caught out.

    • @Bazza_5968
      @Bazza_5968 Год назад +1

      @@ms-terious havn’t been caught yet and been doing it 12 yrs

    • @Jimmythefish577
      @Jimmythefish577 Год назад

      Must be a crab….

  • @keithad6485
    @keithad6485 8 месяцев назад

    Don't like spit polishing boots? Join the Aussie Army. Since the Aussie Army adopted the RM Williams elastic sided black boot as the standard Parade Boot, a few years back, no spit polishing is permitted. When I enlisted in the 1980s, spit polishing my GP boots was required.

  • @undercoverbrother67
    @undercoverbrother67 Месяц назад

    All those random people who insist on saying "thank you for your service" will keep them boots nice and polished 👅

  • @Tain950
    @Tain950 6 месяцев назад

    I wonder what kind of boot polish he’s using

  • @scraphaulin
    @scraphaulin 8 месяцев назад

    How about a video of the beeswax process

  • @jamesdunlop8704
    @jamesdunlop8704 4 месяца назад

    Do officers shine their own boots or have the rank do it for them?.

  • @linabasilisk1955
    @linabasilisk1955 Год назад +3

    Thanks for posting this! I have long admired the polish on British boots, particularly those of the Guards regiments. I use boot polishing as a stress reliever (I also take pride in having shiny shoes). Now I need to find a source of beeswax. Does anybody know if there is a particularly good brand? I use Kiwi shoe polish, but have never seen beeswax for shoes for sale here in the States.

    • @diogeneslantern18
      @diogeneslantern18 10 месяцев назад +2

      Saphir Medaille d'Or

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад

      What the hell are you talking about 😂😂😂😂😂

    • @linabasilisk1955
      @linabasilisk1955 8 месяцев назад

      @@ImaSMACKHEAD982 I was inquiring about a source of beeswax and a kind person replied with a brand name. I take pride in having well shined shoes and boots.

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад

      @@linabasilisk1955 good for you i take pride too but i spend most of my time outdoors in the forest so i only need to apply the polish not take it off

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад

      @@linabasilisk1955 just get guardsman gloss no need for beeswax ... i think its weird that you want to apply beeswax to civvi shoes unless you actually cut about in ammo boots which again is a bit weird

  • @nikiTricoteuse
    @nikiTricoteuse Год назад +5

    Wish we'd seen this when my daughter was still an Airforce Cadet. She loved polishing her boots and would happily spend hours doing so. Used to get what we thought was an amazing finish, until l saw these. I nearly had a heart attack the first time l caught her with a lighter until she demonstrated how she used it to shine her boots - melt and buff, melt and buff

    • @diogeneslantern18
      @diogeneslantern18 10 месяцев назад +1

      Maybe she wants to try an alternative:
      Apply 8 layers on each other.
      Wait.
      Get a bowl and put an ice in. Spray ice cube with hand sanitiser once.
      Dab cloth on ice cube.
      Rub dabbed cloth _lightly_ over the wax.
      Dab cloth on ice cube as and when necessary.
      Ultra gloss!

    • @nikiTricoteuse
      @nikiTricoteuse 10 месяцев назад

      @@diogeneslantern18 Oh wow. Great tip. Thanks. Sadly, she left Air Cadets years ago due to lack of time for school study.

    • @ImaSMACKHEAD982
      @ImaSMACKHEAD982 8 месяцев назад +1

      What a melt

  • @ht-ve9fe
    @ht-ve9fe 8 месяцев назад

    Is this really what they do? Over 20 times?
    I used to be able to get my boots very shiny and super durable by doing a 30 minute polish with a few brushes and cotton wool. Not dunking my hands in shoe polish.

  • @archstanton6310
    @archstanton6310 7 месяцев назад

    Proper soldering by 🎩🎩🎩🎩

  • @zozita.
    @zozita. Год назад

    👍👍👍

  • @1stMartialSageUnderHeaven
    @1stMartialSageUnderHeaven 4 месяца назад

    Good trick is to complete the boots once and then add a nice layer of yacht varnish and you will never have to labour like this again or at least till your next set of boots 😉

  • @TomFynn
    @TomFynn 2 месяца назад

    Standard comment about how no army ready for combat ever passed inspection.

  • @VelaiciaCreator
    @VelaiciaCreator 7 месяцев назад +1

    I personally prefer to skip the buff step and build up layers of polish manually. If you use aftershave instead of water, you get a VERY even distribution and the polish doesn't start to abrade like eraser bits. They also smell nicer than polish does(though I grew fond of even that smell).