The shoemaker and the elves
leather
The shoemaker likely made the shoes out of leather, canvas, or other durable materials like rubber for the sole. Traditional shoes often have leather uppers and sturdy soles for long-lasting wear.
The difference in between a cordwainer and a cobbler is that a cobbler repaired shoes where a cordwainer or a shoemaker worked with new leathers and made the shoes.
One of the duties of a shoemaker is to make shoes
A shoemaker makes custom shoes and does repairs to good quality footwear.
A shoemaker punch, also known as a leather punch or awl, is a tool used in leatherworking to create holes in leather materials. It typically features a pointed end for piercing and a handle for easy manipulation. Shoemakers use it to make holes for stitching, attaching hardware, or creating decorative designs in shoes and other leather goods. The punch is essential for ensuring precision and durability in leathercraft projects.
Another name for a shoemaker, or someone who makes shoes, is a cobbler.
A " last"
become an apprentice to a master shoemaker
Patent leather shoes are most distinguishable from other shoes by the material they are made out of. Patent leather is industrially produced leather which has a much different look and feel than traditional leather.
From my experience, I soften leather shoes by wearing them around the house with thick socks and gently flexing the leather. I also use a good leather conditioner to keep them supple and prevent cracking.
A cobbler will fix leather shoes.