Conical Caligae Hobnails

[Martin Moser]

Thanks, Matt, for all your effort. I'm sorry it seems like a dead end.
I've only recently become aware that LePrevo sells hobnails that look,to me, fairly accurate. Would it be worthwhile to attempt a large combined order from them?

FWIW, here's my take on LePrevo hobnails from personal experience when working with them:

The shaft could be longer and should be tapering right from the base, not only on the last few mm. As it is, it easily happens that the shaft bends at about any point (often close to the head) instead of right at the tip when hammered in on an anvil. For thicker soles not really a probloem, but then you are more likely to have them work lose in places in relative short time, since they aren't clenched over. Also they are cast, not forged, meaning that they are somewhat likely to break off somewhere at the shaft when hammered in directly on an anvil. This can be countered by using a piece of wood on the anvil at first and then clenching over the tips with careful hammering from the inside of the shoe. Of course this only works with relatively "open" shoes like caligae. OTOH, grinding the heads down to a true cone (tiresome work :-(