This trip to Texas I retraced some very special steps.
I went to go see Tex Robin in Abilene, TX. Tex told me he’s no longer taking bootmaking students… which made me feel like the member of a very special club.
When Tex Robin moved his shop a couple of years ago, I admit I got all sappy and nostalgic over him leaving that old brick building in Coleman.
…but I’ve come to my senses. Welcome to Abilene! Gone are the fire hazards and all the pesky walk-in-and-out traffic. And look! …the walls go straight up and down, and there is my favorite display case…and look over there, there’s even a working electrical socket dedicated to Tex Robin’s guitar and amp.
Tex is doing some beautiful bootmaking. Killer inlays or one-row stitch patterns… doesn’t matter, all good…really good. But be warned, ordering boots from Tex is not for the thin-skinned or the faint of heart. By appointment only. Long wait… and if Tex doesn’t like your design, he’s gonna tell you so. That’ll never change.
I am one of Tex’s customers. He certainly is one hell of a Texan character, but he means good, and once you get to know him, you know that the boot you are gonna get from him will be the best one in your collection.
Ditto to what fabrice said. There has never been a better bootmaker. He makes one-of-a-kind boots and it is an honor to be his friend and customer.