Stupid value, deep joy

When my banger Blbrd MTO's failed to materialize in time, I had to scramble to find a replacement pair. While I had my eye on these lowly b-grade samples, they languished unwanted d unloved on Grant Stone site for the weeks leading up to the Thunderdome open. In my own life, I take waste product from dairy farms to turn into spirits & upcycle bamboo chopsticks & fallen trees into knife / sword grips & scales, axe handles (& wood willing, earphone cups). People seem to be really put off by the honey-apricot of what I now considered to be absolutely marvelous leather. So I had to take a chance.

Extremely smooth, as always with GS.

Fantastic, just beautifully supple & durable, deserving of better than I gave them

While not quite perfect (5th metatarsal has something to say) I really like the Leo: it's sleek enough to be versatile day to night, distillery to workshop / worksite to city & roomy enough to be comfortable all day.

Pretty durable, softer & grippier than the OG Dainite

Grant Stone is like myself, Eurasian in origin. In my case, Shanghainese & Bosnian Serb. Especially in this environment, people have not been particularly welcoming of the Sino aspect of my parentage, so I feel a kind of kinship to the experience of being dismissed, diminished & devalued because of where I come from. See gyw social media reactions to GS if you don't know what I mean. From classical fencing among black walnuts (the Academy hasn't shared the pics yet or those would have been my submission tbh) to gatherimg lion's mane in the Pinebush bog swamp, the Essex tannage on this last starts gloriously & with purpose, burnishes these Diesels into trusty companions. People stop me on the street to make conversation about the flash of color (new fencers, yay!). Hard enough as an introvert in this incredibly loud world to make new friends. What a cheat code that my footwear can do it for me. While all things are temporary, my time with these lovelies has reinforced the ethos of being where your feet are, living the day you have the best you can. Literally my only regrets are not spending more time become a better photographer / never shooting them w the sweet glass they really deserve. Next Dome, I will do better.