Summary

Fudge wheel used by Sandor Sabo while he was making or repairing shoes. Fudge wheels are usually used to make an impression that imitates a handstitched welt, or to tighten actual stitches on the welt of a shoe. The fudge wheel is typically heated before use, but is not so hot as to damage the shoe. It was made in 1954 in England.

Sandor Sabo migrated to Australia from Yugoslavia in 1970. He was a trained bootmaker who, when working for himself made shoes using a simple range hand tools, without machinery that many larger businesses used. Mr Sabo began working in a bootmaker's workshop at the age of 10, when he was taken off the street to learn to make himself a pair of shoes. He completed his apprenticeship between the ages of 14 and 17 years. After working in Yugoslavia as a bootmaker for 18 years, he then spent two years working in Germany, after which he immigrated to Australia.

In Australia Mr Sabo worked at the Corvin shoe factory in Prahran for ten years, then at the Robin shoe factory in Huntingdale. He later worked at a golf shoe factory in Richmond. Whilst he was employed and in between employment Mr Sabo also made and repaired shoes at home by hand. He also worked at a wire factory and as a gardener.

Physical Description

Metal fudge wheel with wooden handle and leather tag for hanging.

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