The ones I have (see post #20) are about 20 yrs old and have very thick/wide Rawhide....I didn't know they eventually cheaped out. These are a sturdy 'work' shoe, couldn't have been happier with the purchase.
Got them varnished last night...I keep saying this, but forget to look, I wonder if they have a good aerosol varnish for the next time, far to many places it has to go to do a good job with a brush :)