The clog is the most famous typical Dutch footwear. The traditional joke of tourists is also the comment that we do not walk in shoes, but in clogs. In this article more about the clog.
The history of the clog
It is not known exactly where the lump comes from, but it can be said with certainty that it comes from Central and Western Europe. After the Romans were the first in the Netherlands to wear footwear in the form of sandals, the original inhabitants adopted this over the centuries. The share of wood was expanded further than the sole, and so the lump was created. Thanks to the ever better treatment techniques, it was possible to make the first clog as it looks today before the beginning of the Middle Ages. The clog has since been praised for its robustness and because it can withstand water. When the leather shoe emerged at a later stage, the clog was gradually pushed back to the countryside and to professions that required rough work. This was because shoes at the time were much more expensive than clogs and shoes broke much faster. Because they remained the best option outside the city due to the water and muddy environment in the countryside, they continued to be used there in large numbers until today, although the rubber boot has taken over the market a bit. Because of this past, the clog, in combination with the windmill on the dike with the flower bulbs around it, is one of the Dutch iconic images in traditional tourist gear.
What kind of clogs are there?
Most clogs are made from willow or poplar wood. These types of wood are often found in the Netherlands and are ideally suited for processing, but are also sturdy. In addition, they can withstand water well.
How is a wooden shoe made?
- The process starts with wooden blocks from which the clog will be cut.
- The very first step is to cut the block of wood with a special knife from flakes of wood, creating the outer shape. This is done in raw form first
- Then the two clogs are held together and the clog maker looks at the differences between the left and right clog.
- The next step is to get the outside exactly right.
- After this, the clogs are placed on a special beam and fastened so that the inside can be carved out.
- The carving is done with a number of chisels. For the chiselling, ordinary chisels are used to a large extent, which can be bought at the hardware store. However, some are special for clogs, because they can be at a certain angle.
- The last step is to fine-tune the clog, the clog maker then tries the clog with his feet to see if they are well symmetrical. Incidentally, wooden feet are also used here.
After the clog is ready, it often gets a layer of lacquer and a pattern.
A clog of Delft blue is baked of course.
Typical clog things:
- A clog runner, without being aware of it, separates his toes every time he lifts his foot. Someone who does not lose his lump.
- An average farming family has 3 types of clogs: standard clogs for the weekday and flowered clogs for the farmer’s wife for the church and black for the farmer.
- The largest clog factory is of course in the Netherlands, in Beltrum in Gelderland.
- There are a number of sayings where clogs occur such as; you break my lump (I didn’t expect) and get on the ice with the clogs (act carelessly)