Difference between revisions of "Bootblack"

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Revision as of 14:12, 12 May 2014

Bootblacking is in general care for somebody's boots, usually a leather of some sort, given the prevalence of Leather Culture in the scene.

Parameters

Bootblacking may consist of polishing and/or spit-shining a pair of boots (or other leather goods), sometimes as:

a gesture of submission
part of military-style uniform play
part of boot worship
to mark the beginning of a scene.

In some corners of the old leather community, bootblacking was used as part of a ritual between a dominant and a submissive; the submissive partner would shine the dominant’s boots while the dominant sat above the submissive.

Protocols

Always respect the craft of bootblacking, to be served by skill is to receive honor.

Do not interrupt a bootblacking scene by walking up and talking to someone in a bootblack's chair.
Do not sit in the bootblack's chair without asking and negotiating.
Do not assume your boots will be licked by a bootblack, that you will have a scene (erotic or otherwise), or that the bootblack is submissive, or submissive to you should you sit in the chair.
Always tip the bootblack generously.

Basic Kit

Saddle soap/pure glycerine soap/Hybrid Soap. Use the color of soap that is the color of the boot, default to yellow
A small spray bottle for water misting.
Polish; if you have a specific pair of shoes in mind, match the color to those. If you don’t know, pick up a tin of black and a tin of neutral polish. Specific brands will vary by preference. Lincoln Wax and Huberd's are often recommended.
Horsehair Daubers. You’ll want one to use for cleaning, and you may want one for polish (if you want to keep your hands clean, that is). If you want to use Daubers to put on polish, be sure to get one for each colour of polish you have.
Toothbrush for application to crevices.
Horsehair Shine Brush
A soft cotton towel – hand towel sized is fine
A shine cloth. Pantyhose work well for this purpose.

Resources

Bootblacking by Bella, KY state bootblack 2009 How to do a spit shine by black, 2002 Toronto Bootblack

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 * Always tip the bootblack generously.
-== Procedures ==
+== Basic Kit ==
-One should usually start with removing shoe laces, if any. Asking if the tongue of the shoe should be cleaned is a good idea when applicable, as that part of the shoe generally doesn't see so much dirt in comparison, and thus doesn't need to be cleaned as often. Then putting a thin layer of water on the boots to help spread the soap more easily. When soaping, you don't want to let the soap sit very long, as it may get absorbed into the wet leather otherwise. The soap is spread with a brush and wiped with a rag, generally cotton or some specialized fabric.
+* Saddle soap/pure glycerine soap/Hybrid Soap.  ''Use the color of soap that is the color of the boot, default to yellow''
+* A small spray bottle for water misting.
+* Polish;  if you have a specific pair of shoes in mind, match the color to those.  If you don’t know, pick up a tin of black and a tin of neutral polish.  Specific brands will vary by preference.  Lincoln Wax and Huberd's are often recommended.
+* Horsehair Daubers.  You’ll want one to use for cleaning, and you may want one for polish (if you want to keep your hands clean, that is).  If you want to use Daubers to put on polish, be sure to get one for each colour of polish you have.
+* Toothbrush for application to crevices.
+* Horsehair Shine Brush
+* A soft cotton towel – hand towel sized is fine
+* A shine cloth.  Pantyhose work well for this purpose.
-Next comes polishing. Note, before starting you should make sure you have the appropriate shade for the boots to help bring out their true color, as opposed to conflicting. This is generally done by hand, wearing surgical gloves or something water-tight, to help prevent the bootblack's hands from being stained. After applied, a brush is used to remove of excess. Only use it on the material, as the sole usually requires separate things for it.
+== Resources ==
-If the polish isn't toxic, and presuming permission has been given, the bootblack will be able to lick the boots, now that they're clean. This helps show how confident the bootblack is in their work.
+[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2EmFVfWXa0&list=PL6E0062A70F6ED8C2 Bootblacking by Bella, KY state bootblack 2009]
+[http://webspace.webring.com/people/ia/alleycatoronto/bootblk.html How to do a spit shine by black, 2002 Toronto Bootblack]
-Ends with replacing the lace for anything that needs it.
-It is also a very different thing doing it while someone is wearing the item and after it is removed, though either are options, depending on the situation.
 [[Category:Service-Oriented Disciplines]]