The history of this product is more than 100 years old, but such a device has not lost its relevance in our time, because it allows you to extend the life of shoes. Some time ago, a shoehorn had fewer material choices, but each item was unique.
Features
Most often, the product was metal with various forged elements. Many of them had various decorations, and some were gilded. Such an item served for a long time, since it was made from quality materials.
A shoe shovel was considered a luxury item, since only wealthy and wealthy people could afford to wear shoes.
Now such an item is rather a necessity, and it is easy to replace it. You can buy a shoe shovel in any shoe store or in a shopping center.
Appearance story
A shoehorn appeared in the 16th century in England, in the homes of wealthy people, since it was quite difficult to remove and wear narrow satin shoes. Due to the fact that they used it only in rich houses, one could see a shoe spoon in ivory with a long handle or in silver. The item was decorated with various images of animals or flowers.
The shoe horn was already widespread in Europe after shoes ceased to be considered a luxury item., and she could afford middle-income people. It has become fashionable to give such a gift for any holidays.
The purpose of the item is to protect it from deformation of the backdrop and preserve the original appearance of the shoe.
Since the beginning of the XIX century, a metal shoehorn began to be produced at shoe factories. More accessible materials were also used to create this item.Currently, one rarely sees a spoon for shoes with decorative elements - more often preferred inexpensive and convenient things.
How to choose?
The first thing you should pay attention to is the length of the product. It is better to choose an object with a length of 50 to 60 cm. In this case, a person does not have to sit down or bend down to shoe shoes or sneakers. Such a horn length, like 80 cm, is extremely rare. Blades 30-40 cm long are also quite convenient for use. It is convenient to take spoons 18-20 cm long with you when traveling or on the road.
The second important factor is the shape of the product.
To understand that the product is of high quality, you need to pay attention to the end of the scapula - at the end it should expand and have the shape of a heel, and the edges should be rounded.
For convenient use of the horn, he has a pen. It happens that instead of the handle a hole is made in which a lace is inserted. On expensive models, it can be genuine leather, and in the budget version textiles are usually used. Sometimes the pen can be made in the form of the head of an animal.
Kinds
When choosing this item for its use, you should pay attention to the material from which it is made. Currently, a shoe spoon can be:
- metal;
- plastic;
- wooden.
Plastic horns
Perhaps the most common type of horn is plastic. It is a budget option and is easy to replace. Such an item looks rather boring and cheap, but it performs its functions. This product is lightweight and flexible.
A plastic shoe blade can easily crack and break, after which its use is not recommended, as it can cause injury.
However, the undoubted advantage of such a horn is a huge selection of colors, which will surprise even the most picky buyer.
Metal Shovels for Shoes
Choosing a metal shovel for shoes, a person makes a choice in favor of a durable product. Such an item will cost more, but will also last longer. A shoe iron spoon can be heavy and lack flexibility. If the product is made of low-quality metal, then over time it can deform and bend. Most often, a metal shoe spoon is chrome-plated, which is in the spirit of minimalism, and always looks stylish and relevant, and most importantly - fits into any interior.
Metal products can be premium and quite expensive. It depends on the method of manufacturing the item and on the raw materials used.
Often, a forged blade is more expensive than a standard metal blade. This is due to the fact that manual work is always rated better. Often, such shoe horns are sold on a stand with a holder, which makes it convenient to place it in a room. In some dressing rooms you can see accessories in the form of a scapula for shoes made of brass or bronze. Such a brass product can be an excellent memorable gift for any occasion.
Currently there is a shovel for shoes on a magnet - this makes it easy to use and store the product. Such blades are usually made of steel with plastic elements. Many metal spoons can be decorated with various elements. For example, in stores you can find a product with a horseshoe, owl or in the form of a bird.
When choosing a shoe product as a gift, you should pay attention to the golden horn.
This present will not only pleasantly surprise the future owner, but will also become a great piece of decor in the interior. You can present such a gift in a leather case that always looks stylish and tasteful.
If a person often travels or is forced to constantly travel on business trips, a folding shovel for shoes is an excellent option. In this case, you do not have to carry a long product with you, and this kind of horn will take up little space in a suitcase or in a bag.
A pocket spoon for shoes of the Soviet era has an amazing character. It comes complete with a leather case and fits comfortably in any pocket. For those who are fond of collecting various unique and unusual things, such a product will be the "highlight" of the collection.
In addition to its main purpose, the shoehorn is also suitable for removing shoes from the foot.
Natural horn shoe spoons
Some types of shoe blades can be made from natural horn. Such an item will decorate any dressing room. Horns from the horns are unique - none of them are like the other. They are very pleasant to the touch and quite durable. However, the price of such a product is much higher than plastic or metal.
The main manufacturer of such products is the English company Abbeyhorn. The history of the company began in 1749, and since then the company has long passed from one owner to another. Due to the fact that almost all products are made by hand, and also because of the materials used, they can be attributed to the high price segment in the market.
As a raw material for products, antlers of deer, cows from Nigeria, buffaloes, and also horns of sheep from England are used.
To create shoulder blades from natural horns, animals are not killed. For example, deer themselves dump their horns.
Leather Shovels
Found in our time and leather products. They are pleasant to the touch, and their appearance is quite unusual. Such a product can be found among the brands J. Crew, Ludwig Reiter, Herring Shoes.
Wooden horns
Sometimes on sale you can find shovels made of wood, for example, of cedar or beech. After manufacturing, the horn is varnished.
Why to use?
Using shovels for shoes helps prevent problems such as:
- bend back;
- surface abrasion;
- the appearance of cracks.
With the constant use of such an item, you can significantly increase the service life of shoes and maintain its original appearance. Many world manufacturers recommend using such a product.
Using a shoehorn, a person has the opportunity to shoe standing. This is an important factor in various diseases of the musculoskeletal system and lumbosacral region. Thanks to such products, a person will exclude the possibility of causing himself additional pain when putting on shoes, which is an important plus. Also, this product will be useful for people with disabilities and the elderly.
The presence of such an item in specialized shoe stores is very important. This is an indicator of good service and customer care.
The product serves as an excellent gift for any occasion. It can be presented as a relative or friend, and the boss for an anniversary or other memorable date. You can always choose the right shoe blade for the price range and material. The product can be ordered with individual parameters, make an engraving on it - this will add uniqueness to the gift.
If you need to surprise guests, as well as embellish your dressing room, then a designer steel horn will perfectly complement the hi-tech interior. And for the classic style, a bronze shovel for shoes is perfect, which will emphasize the richness and luxury of the interior.
Such an item can easily become the “highlight” of any apartment, but do not forget that the cost of such devices is much higher than usual.
In the next video, you can watch the process of making a stylish shoe sponge with your own hands.
