Buck Moon<p><strong><a href="https://bootblackcub.com/blog/take-a-stand-amsterdam/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Take a Stand Amsterdam</a></strong></p><p>I visit Amsterdam often to see my Master, but this time my visit had a duel purpose.</p><p>This year the Take a Stand event was being held in Amsterdam, in my favourite bar there, The Web.</p><p>The event is a gathering of bootblacks by bootblacks for bootblacks.</p><p>Often we are kind of always a tack-on to bigger events. A feature. For Take a Stand it’s all about</p><p>As far as I know, this was the first time Take a Stand has been held outside america and I am very grateful to the organisers for doing so.</p><p>They actually brought a full portable bootblack stand with them!</p><p>This is the first time I have ever gotten to work with a purpose built stand rather than rigging together seats and benches.</p><p>I got there kind of early and got to meet so many of the other bootblacks from all over Europe and the USA. Both baby bootblacks starting out, seasoned ones and title holders.</p><p>it was so cool to meet so many amazing people.</p><p>It was a fun time comparing kits and experiences.</p><a class="" href="https://bootblackcub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pxl_20241102_1433392807E24213936413292723666-1024x771.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[🖼 a tabeau of may of the bootblacks working at thier craft.]</a><p></p><p>In total there were 4 stations we roted through.</p><p>I kind of regret not making sure I had a turn up in the one set up in the dark room.</p><p>It’s also the first time I have gotten to bootblack for my Master in public, and I was very grateful he could be there.</p><p>We actually were the first bootblack and John on the big stand!</p><a class="" href="https://bootblackcub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pxl_20241102_1340339661337039928553043406-771x1024.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[🖼 My Master, HairyHypnotist, sitting back in the bootblack stant, one leg cocked up on the bootrest, eminating a very sexy aura.]</a><p></p><p>At the end of the night we downed brushes for a combination of a charity auction, and to each have a turn in the spotlight.</p><p>It felt like a very special moment, to stand before my peers and community and have our achievements read out and acknowledged.</p><p>This typifies one of the things I love about the bootblacking community. We are, for the most part, collaborative, not competitive.</p><p>Thanks to Bastian for the group photo.</p><a class="" href="https://bootblackcub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img-20241105-wa00005089022701328187228-1024x819.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[🖼 a large group photo of all the bootblacks pulling funny faces]</a> <a class="" href="https://bootblackcub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/wp-16094147236573674068692805079836-150x150.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[🖼 bootblackcub.com/wp-content/up…]</a> <strong>bootblackcub</strong> <p></p> <p><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://bootblackcub.com/tag/and-bootblack/" target="_blank">#andBootblack</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://bootblackcub.com/tag/bootblack/" target="_blank">#Bootblack</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://bootblackcub.com/tag/bootblacking/" target="_blank">#bootblacking</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://bootblackcub.com/tag/leather-community/" target="_blank">#LeatherCommunity</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://bootblackcub.com/tag/take-a-stand/" target="_blank">#TakeAStand</a></p>