The finishing operations of the shoe include smoothing the edges of the heel, paring, rasping, scraping, smoothing, blacking, and burnishing the edges of the soles, withdrawing the lasts, and cleaning out any pegs which may have pierced through the inner sole. There are numerous minor operations connected with forwarding and finishing in various materials, such as punching holes, inserting eyelets, etc.
How Shoes are Repaired
Before one can understand how shoes are repaired, it is necessary to know the difference between the inside and outside of a shoe.
The last is divided into four parts, viz. toe, ball, shank, and heel.
Diagram No. 1 shows these parts and their shapes.
Diagram No. 2 shows the length of the inside of the divisions as compared with those of the outside. Notice the long shank and short ball.
Diagram No. 3 shows the outside of the divisions and the effect they have upon the shape of the shoe. See short shank and long ball.
Always remember that the ball of a shoe is longer on the outside, having a short shank. The ball is shorter on the inside, having a long shank. Compare outside and inside diagrams Nos. 2 and 3.
How a Side of Leather is shaped and divided as to Quality. See [page 5].