Mainz Caliga Pattern #3

[Neuraleanus]

One issue is figureing out how to lace these caligae. Unlike my Valkenburg pair there are many possibilities with these. The objective is to have all of the toe straps meet at a single point. However, if you do that you get a high lump of leather that doesn't look all that good. Though it does work, my foot is securely held in place at the ankle, heel, and toe, the toe section still needs some adjusting.

[M. Demetrius]

Nice work, Lee!

[Senovara]

Lee, great work! Well done.

[Magnus]

Hey Lee, you can always sew that long toe strap near the end to close up the lace hole a bit.

[Neuraleanus]

Hey Lee, you can always sew that long toe strap near the end to close up the lace hole a bit.

I actually wanted the strap to come back a bit further on my foot. As it is, together with the straps on the other side my foot is being held in quite securely. I need to play with it some more. There is much more to do, the back reinforcment strap and the sole are still to be stitched on.

[Martin Moser]

Good work Lee, looking forward to see the finished boot.

[Neuraleanus]

I have the back reinforcement in-place and the sole is stitched on. I also discovered that by simply lacing the caliga somewhat differently the toe section fits me much better.


Next are the nails.

[Neuraleanus]

With the strap length adjusted and nailed. I used the new hobnails that I received from Matt Lukes. As they were a bit too short to properly clinch, I first glued-in the in-sole using Barge Cement. I found these nails to be somewhat difficult to nail in. They would go in nice and straight and then bend unpredictably once the nail hit the anvil.

I've added a sequence of photos showing my construction steps to my caliga HOW-TO page:

www.geocities.com/legio_tricesima_cohors_tres/campusMartis/MakingCaligae/MakingAuthenticCaligae.html