Steve Parker: Handmade Cowboy Boots Since 1978 in Fort Worth

The Art of Handmade Boots

• 🎯 Steve Parker, owner of Morris Boot Company, has been handcrafting custom cowboy boots since 1978 near Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
• 🛠️ He describes the process as functional art, emphasizing that a boot's fit is as crucial as its appearance.
• 💡 Parker learned the trade in the 70s, herding cattle and understanding that boots tell a wearer's story.

A Bootmaker's Journey

• 🎗️ Parker has faced significant health challenges, including kidney cancer in 2021 and gallbladder issues in 2024, but continues to persevere.
• 📈 Despite his health battles, he remains productive, completing five to six pairs of boots weekly, with a current backorder of 180 pairs.
• ⏳ Each pair takes three weeks to make, and new orders have a year-long wait time.

Legacy and Dedication

• 🌟 Parker estimates there are very few bootmakers like him still active, possibly fewer than could be counted on one hand.
• 💬 He views his work not as a chore but as a passion, stating he'll continue making boots until he's found on the floor with a boot in his hand.
• 🔒 The unique craftsmanship, like the custom floor of laid-out pennies and his distinctive boot-making style, is something he believes cannot be replicated.