I would presume that RM Williams would resole on the same last as manufacture too?
They definitely would - and for me, a key reason behind having picked up two pairs myself. They're both on the composite rubber soles (at your recommendation, from memory) and although they've worn down a lot, they're going to last me a good while yet. Some punters on the fashion-oriented forums want to keep their shoes absolutely pristine, but for me, a bit of wear and patina is what I want. Gives a bit of character, and when they need a re-sole, you know that RMW are going to send them back as close to how you left them as is possible.
The 2nd hand had very little wear. All have recently been (Vibram) re-healed/ Topy applied by local cobbler who did a great job. I have shoe trees for the lot. My aim is to keep them in good condition and merely needing new Topy or heals. Aim is not to need a complete resole.
I think that this is the key if you're going to spend money on shoes. I'm not motivated by fashion - I aimed to get out of having to buy new shoes every 12-18 months, and spending $100-200 each time. Shoe trees makes a big difference to the creasing of the leather, and makes the time spent polishing and maintaining worthwhile. Same deal with the Topy - it's just good sense to protect the shoe. I wish I'd done it with the Loakes that I mentioned, to be honest. It would have saved me $150ish.
You've got a nice stable of shoes there - and your second hand approach worked well for me too. Picked up two pairs of Allen Edmonds for under $100 each from eBay, and among other things, having a size reference to an Allen Edmonds 5 last has been a particularly valuable size reference when looking online (because they are so popular in the US). It's amazing what a good clean and polish can do for some shoes, Saphir Reno Mat is particularly good at stripping old polish and ingrained dirt from shoes.
i think this is why you don't go old school, and topy the soles and redo them as needed. That way the shoes will last, Heels anyone can fix too. The problem with so many expensive fashion shoots is the leaders are good, but the soles and heels are rubberised and not intended to be replaced. When a pair barely last 2 years it's not a good way to buy shoes. I'm astounded how good these RMs that don't fit me look, The leather seriously doesn't look like it's aged at all and the leather still looks stunning. Damn shame they're too small. I've had old shoes I've not bothered to throw out in there too, and they all look shit - the leather is rubbish.
Definitely agree mate. My old man is a frequent visitor to Italy, and he's had great luck buying nice shoes for $100-150 with a blake stitch (not able to re-sole these, but they are stitched so very stable), and getting a local old school Turkish bloke to whack a Topy on top for $20 bucks. He's paying half the price of my fancy ass English shoes, and getting 90% of the result. A bit of care and they look every bit as good as the overseas stuff, and loads better than the crap you see from Aquila for twice the price.
It's interesting to compare older RMW boots with newer ones. My pair in yearling chestnut are a lot more supple and thinner than my boss, who has a nearly identical pair in much tougher, more rigid leather from about 5-6 years ago. His have done a lot of miles, but while mine are more comfortable, they lack the "tough as nails" feeling of his pair which are very thick and rigid. Will be curious to see if they have the same longevity - I wouldn't be surprised if newer models have sacrificed some looks for durability. As you say though, they look great and they work in a casual-ish corporate environment as well as they work for the pub on weekends. You could do worse than gift your kids a pair for their 18th birthdays - they'll probably thank for in a decade.