BLKBRD Shoes Review – Sabre Double Monk Wholecuts

Style & Appearance

The Sabre model features a last that BLKBRD calls the FF-4, which presents a handsome square chisel profile. Moreover, this style of double monk is made unique by the higher mounting location of the buckles, resulting in a very sharp and formal silhouette.

I opted for an inky blue finish on the Museum Calf upper, but other lighter finishes, like a striking Chestnut, are available from BLKBRD. Under indoor lighting, the Navy uppers appear almost black, but they reveal a brilliant shade of indigo in sunlight. Overall, the look is absolutely stunning.

Truly Seamless Wholecut Shoes – No Seams, Even On The Heel!

The interior of the BLKBRD Sabre shoes is fully leather-lined and dyed black for extra stealthy formality. This model’s outsole is beautiful veg-tanned leather with a stacked outsole. Moreover, they have closed-channel sole stitching, yet another skill-intensive detail encountered only in very premium dress shoes.

At this point, the only concern I have about this shoe is that there would be nothing to hide wrinkles, so have a nice pair of shoe trees ready!

Fit & Comfort

When I learned these double monks were made to order, I assumed they’d use my standard shoe size.

To my surprise, Sandeep Parihar from BLKBRD sent detailed instructions on measuring and tracing both my feet for a perfect fit. Thankfully, my wife helped with this process, and Mr Parihar even followed up to confirm additional measurements. When the shoes arrived just four weeks later, they fit like a glove.

Using the included shoe horn, which happens to be made of actual bull horn, my foot slid right in and was incredibly comfortable. The break-in period of this shoe must have been 15 minutes.

The Sabre’s insole is leather and has a nice amount of squish to it. I confirmed with BLKBRD that these shoes are constructed with a steel shank, which makes them very sturdy, although they may set off metal detectors at the airport.

Lastly, we have to discuss one of the most significant details of this shoe: the Hand-welted construction.

Hand-welting is hugely time-consuming and requires incredible expertise. Hand-welted shoes don’t have glued components, and fewer materials attach the outsole to the insole, making the shoes lighter and more flexible.

It’s a small detail most people won’t notice, but it represents the ultimate craftsmanship in shoemaking.

Dress Code & Formality

There’s no doubt the BLKBRD’s Sabre double monks are a statement piece. I wish I had a pair when I got married last year; they’re perfect for black-tie events, especially with a navy tux or a plush velvet dinner jacket.

For a stylish flex, pair them with chinos for a summer brunch date. Could you wear them with nice jeans? Sure! But that might be a bit too brave for me.

Closing Thoughts

While reviewing these shoes, I kept asking myself: How are these so affordable?

Sure, they’re direct-to-consumer and made in India, where the cost of living is lower than in the U.S. or England, but they’re still handcrafted, made-to-order shoes. The materials are top-notch, and they use the most expensive and time-consuming construction methods.

I cannot wrap my head around it. I am already shopping for my second pair, and now that the team at BLKBRD has my size, the sky’s the limit.