The Hammer & the Last

Just before heading out on vacation i had a tear at the seam of my soft side luggage. I popped in with the bag to see if they could help me out.
Not only did they do it under an hour, but it came out great! Great reviews totally warranted!

owner takes his job very seriously… Repairs done in a timely manner… Is considered to special circumstances… Prices are fair and reasonable… All in all would go back again if shoe repairs needed even if it’s out-​of-​the-​way.

I am very well familiar with the work and it is the best shoe repair. Never ruined the delicate women’s shoes, repair is as unobtrusive as it is possible. The new soles always match the old, the sanding is neat, the shoes are polished, the scuffs are taken off the best they can be taken off.

I’ll echo Patrick’s review. I also had a Vibram half sole installed on my Florsheims. I managed to get a behind the scenes look at the process, and it was impressive. Sanding the edges took some of the dye off of the leather soles, and Mark was able to match the dye perfectly. Couldn’t be happier with the results. Highly recommended.

Hammer & Last installed a composite/​rubber Vibram half sole (Topy style) to two pair of RM Williams dress boots (elastic sided Chelsea boots) w/​leather soles. I wanted a bit more traction than the leather sole in order to wear the boots throughout the winter months. I’d received recommendations for several cobblers in Boston & Cambridge but kept forgetting to bring the boots into the city when there for work.
I tried the Hammer & last on a whim as they are close to my home (Newburyport, MA) and couldn’t be more pleased with the work and value. He was anywhere from 30%-50% less expensive than the Boston area cobblers and the craftsmanship is excellent. After inspecting the work, I brought in a second pair of the same boots (different color) to have the same work done.
If this type of work is done poorly, it can ruin the aesthetics of a shoe (especially dress shoes). The added sole is virtually undetectable unless looking at the sole from the bottom. The transition from rubber sole to the leather is seamless and they have remained solid since installation last spring/​summer. I’ve worn the boots at least twice a week (sometimes more) throughout the fall and winter of 2010-​11, one of the largest snowfalls in a decade.
Highly recommended. I’ve got a thing for well made and handcrafted footwear and will not hesitate to have Hammer & Last work on any in my closet.
If I had to pick a nit, one pair was not quite ready on the designated pickup day, however, I waited all of five or ten minutes for the work to be completed. IMO, that was perfectly acceptable. It’s sad that craftsmen like this are getting harder to find. I’ll gladly support a local craftsman like the Hammer & Last.