April 7, 2011 26 comments By

Paul Bond

In 1932 Paul Bond, a rodeo cowboy and trick rider, started a business hand making custom cowboy boots. Almost 80 years later, he continues to operate his business (where everything is still done by hand) and is considered one of the best boot makers in the world. After years of contemplating a trip, a few gals and I finally made the journey down to Nogales, AZ to each get a pair of Paul Bond cowboy boots. It was the most unforgettable experience: having measurements of our feet taken, choosing and designing every single detail of the boot from the leather to the stitching to the toe and heel shape, watching the artisans at work, walking around the iconic barn from which the business is run, and most incredibly, meeting Mr. Bond himself. We all left feeling so exhilarated, having gained such an appreciation for boot making. I hope that this form of craftsmanship never dies. And now, I wait 6 long months for my boots to come in the mail! Thank you for the trip of a lifetime, Rebecca! xx

(all images by Honestly…WTF)

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26 Comments

  1. january wrote:

    amazing idea!! it’s so nice to see things like this still alive, craftsmanship like this is dying on the whole. you must be so anxious to get the boots, i can’t imagine!!

    january, x
    jessicajanuary.com

    4.7.11
    Reply
  2. Behind the Lashes wrote:

    Wow, what a great experience. I hope you show us those fancy boots when you get them!!

    4.7.11
    Reply
  3. Jessie wrote:

    amazing how different it is in the middle of the country. thanks for sharing these photographs!

    http://wordbyjessie.com/

    4.7.11
    Reply
  4. Collections wrote:

    wow. This is so awesome and such a great idea. Those boots are amazing, I’m so jealous of you right now! Anything you can get personalized is incredible.

    I’m having a $100 dollar Shopbop giftcard giveaway on my blog! Come check it out 🙂 It’s open to international bloggers as well.

    http://www.fashionablecollections.blogspot.com

    4.7.11
    Reply
  5. Kate wrote:

    This is beyond cool. What a great idea for a road trip with friends, and in 6 months you’ll have custom-made boots the likes of John Wayne and Johnny Cash endorsed. 😉 Great post!

    4.7.11
    Reply
  6. faithsalutes wrote:

    I miss my desert home. I have to go and get some boots made pronto.

    I hope you made it to Bisbee.

    4.7.11
    Reply
  7. Fleur wrote:

    Wow, this is amazing! I wish I could experience that once. I’m still looking for some cowboy boots for this summer..

    4.7.11
    Reply
  8. *winter wrote:

    Impressive I want to visit too!

    4.7.11
    Reply
  9. Carrie wrote:

    Those boots are works of art! I can’t wait to see which ones you picked.

    4.7.11
    Reply
  10. marla wrote:

    your pics are amazing. love seeing real craftsmanship still alive. enjoy your boots!

    4.7.11
    Reply
  11. Naomi wrote:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE x934,254,693!!
    Has it been 6 months yet???

    4.7.11
    Reply
  12. Jacqueline wrote:

    So so cool!

    4.7.11
    Reply
  13. Alice wrote:

    Wow, this post is making my life… I so want a pair! Paul Bond’s are the way to go, I understand. I’m so jealous and cannot wait to see the final result.
    Just a Silhouette

    4.7.11
    Reply
  14. Nomadic D wrote:

    Those look amazing. What a great experience! I know how amazing a perfect pair of boots can be, I got my Luccheses 6 years ago and they still make me smile every time I look at ’em.

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

    4.8.11
    Reply
  15. Anne wrote:

    Yeahhh this is truely awesome, it must smell so nice in there!!!

    4.8.11
    Reply
  16. paiiige wrote:

    wow wow wow i love everything about this! please share what they look like when they come in the mail! now adding a road trip to Nogales, AZ to my must-do list…

    4.8.11
    Reply
  17. Bobbypin Bandit wrote:

    I am so happy to see that you visited my hometown! Can’t wait to see your boots!

    4.8.11
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  18. i'm an Ashlee wrote:

    such a great story. really inspiring. there’s nothing like true craftsman ship.

    4.21.11
    Reply
  19. noelle wrote:

    stumbling upon this story makes me laugh, i grew up in nogales and had no idea about this! i remember seeing the barn and the paul bond sign everyday on my way to school and never had a second thought about it. im eager to go back and finally take a look for myself!

    5.20.11
    Reply
  20. Christina wrote:

    I love this amazing work. The photos are absolutely stunning. As a portrait photographer myself I appreciate vision when I see it. Thanks for sharing.

    8.19.11
    Reply
  21. Paul Bond Boot Co. wrote:

    Stumbled upon this article. Thank you for sharing your experience at our barn with your friends! It’s always an honor when folks have great things to say such as yourself! We love our visitors!

    1.16.13
    Reply
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    9.18.14
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