Saint Crispin’s Classic Last vs Riva LastTwo of the main Saint Crispin’s lasts in comparison: Classic vs Riva. Both are elegant looking round-toe lasts which, depending on the perspective, are different or the same.
Seen from above, the outline of both the Classic and the Riva last is the same. The difference comes only in the side view, where the Riva last has a slight rise and then soft chisel towards the tip of the shoes.
Generally the Riva last is a very nice choice for plain toe shoes without any decoration, or wingtips without a toe-medallion. The rise and chisel makes these shoes look more interesting and lets the light play nicely with the curves.
The classic last is a good choice for decorated toes or captoe shoes. The softer curving of the classic last makes room for a toe-medallion or straight-cap where the curvier Riva last would interfere more with these decorations.
Any perceived difference in width between the two lasts in the pictures from the top view is due to the fact that the Riva last shoes are a slightly narrower width than the Classic last shoes to the left. In the same fit, they are identical.
- See more at:
http://www.zimmermannkim.com/blog/2013/04/05/saint-crispins-classic-last-vs-riva-last/#sthash.9r9wNSoi.dpuf

