Times-Advocate, 1983-05-11, Page 59pogo 31
Klompen, walk the Dutch way
By Joanne Carr
The Netherlands is frequently called Holland, a name
which first appeared in the 10th century and is supposedly
derived from "holtland", meaning "woodland". This
country and its availability of woodland has made it
possible for an old and ever present wooden shoemaking
industry.
The Dutch word for wooden shoe is "klompen." This
word comes from the sound they make. The traditional
use of wooden shoes in Holland is now confined to the
countryside, usually for use on wet or muddy grounds.
Years ago elm wood was used to make wooden shoes,
but this wood would get very slippery in the summer when
the wood dried out. Then the shoes would be hard to keep
on the feet. The elm wood has many knots and if a shoe
ended up made with a knot, it would soon leak.
The poplar tree is the most plentiful wood in the
Netherlands but is not the best wood for shoes. Since it is
not porous, when dried, it does not soak up water. It is a
lighter wood resulting in easier wear.
Poplar and willow trees are found mainly in the
southern part of the Netherlands. They are known to grow
fast. If a branch is cut and put into the ground it will grow
in no time. Whatever wood is used in shoemaking it must
be wet and preferably green. The tree pieces are left in
water until needed for shoemaking, whether handmade or
factory -made. If the core of the tree is too soft it cannot be
used, unless for the making of souvenir shoes. Therefore,
the tree thickness for use in shoemaking starts beyond the
core.
Handmade shoes have become a skilled craft that takes
a long time to learn. Only a few individuals take part in
making shoes this way. These shoes are sold directly from
the workshop where they are made. Most of the business
is done in the factories.
Many make the shoes by machine. These shoes are sold
to stores in bulk and to other countries. One who buys
handmade shoes may pay more for them, but they last
longer and are more comfortable to walk in. Often they
are made to fit on an individual basis. If, for example, a
person bought a pair and found the heel or inner parts to
be tight, a return visit to the craftsmen would soon solve
the problem. Factory -made shoes are made from a mold
and are processed in bulk.
The making of the wooden shoe, for the most part,
follows the same procedure, whether factory or hand-
made, except that factories use a mold. The tree is kept
wet until ready to be used. It is then cut into a square
about the size of the required finished shoe. It is split in
certain places outside the shoe. The piece of wood is then
put into blocks and the inside is completely hollowed out
and shaped using several different steel, spoon -shaped
stoops. The outside of the shoe is sanded when the shoe
has dried out thoroughly.
There is very little waste from the original piece of
wood. The procedure, if done by hand, is hard work but the
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