The master craftsmen that judge North America’s top shoe-repair competition consider more than just the look of the sole, the heel and the finish. They will close their eyes and run their fingers across the edges of the shoe, feeling for the invisible.
Nijdam, a third-generation cobbler, is the first Canadian to win the top prize. Making his win even sweeter, was the friendly — but real — competition with his son, Patrick Nijdam, who brought home silver in the graded bronze, silver and gold categories. “We were sort of looking at each other’s shoes, but we made a point of not helping each other,” said Ronald, who learned the trade from his own father in the Netherlands. “When he wins, I want him to win fair-and-square and on his own merits.”
Patrick, 27, also set himself a high bar, selecting a pair of Fry men’s dress shoes with a unique design on the sole: a flower with fine lines that look like wood grain. For the contest, Patrick had to carve an exact copy of that design in a new sole, tooling the leather by hand. It’s the kind of craftsmanship and detail work that keeps their shop “crazy busy all year.”