028 : Jindallae Ironworks
“bait?”
Sambok’s words, “bait,” sounded serious.
“Yes, it’s a bait product. What if I told you to put one pair of socks on each military uniform? I mean, it dries out better than the Japanese.”
“Are you putting on socks?”
“The polytech fabric is soft and dries extremely well. A hundred times better than cotton socks in the Vietnamese jungle. Besides, putting a pair of socks on your military uniform isn’t that much of a loss.”
Where is the sale by tying it to the military supply bidding?
It was nonsense, but it wasn’t something to be ignored either.
‘Bait… is there anything that American soldiers need more than socks?’
Suddenly, a light went on in my head.
If you stick with what was an unprecedented hit in the Vietnam War, the bait product strategy will succeed!
okay! Jungle Boots! Military boots for the Vietnam War!
“Jungle boots! Huh, Sambok… you’re a genius, aren’t you?”
“Jungle boots? what? Let’s put on socks.”
The idea came from Sambok’s words.
No, to be precise, I thought in my head that I should also supply jungle boots, but I did not think of strategically using the product for the supply of the US military.
“No, no, you have to use jungle boots as bait. Then the US military will have no choice but to use our products.”
“okay? By the way, do you have any boots for the jungle?”
“Of course. Dry, well-drained boots exclusively for the Vietnamese jungle!”
“Drainage holes in boots? Too bad…”
Sambok laughed as if it was absurd.
I’ve heard a few interesting stories from OBs about jungle boots.
I heard that the US Army suffered greatly from the beginning of the Vietnam War because of their boots.
He said that it was not simply moisture or water, but that he suffered unbearable pain when mud, which had been rotting for decades in the tropical jungle, crawled into his boots along with rotten water.
At first, it was unpleasant, but when the rotten mud stayed on the boots for three or three days, it wasn’t just that the feet were swollen, but that the soles of the feet peeled off.
The funny thing is that the Viet Cong, who were wearing crappy sandals, had no problem stepping on rotten mud. It was because the rotten mud flowed out of the shoes because of the weight of the shoes.
In the end, the US Army replaced all existing military boots with jungle boots.
Instead of leather, a cloth that dries well was used for the neck, and a drain hole was made so that rotten water could flow in and out.
It was judged that it would be better to drill a drain rather than completely waterproofing, and it was very effective when applied in practice.Read at noblemtl
Jungle boots were further developed, and the front of the boots was reinforced with iron plates to protect the feet from the skewer traps set up by the Viet Cong.
The ROK soldiers who participated in the Vietnam War were very envious of the jungle boots of the US Army, but there were exceptions.
The military boots worn by the ROK Marine Corps, that is, the Blue Dragon unit, were said to be of as good quality as the US jungle boots.
It seems that the marine corps’ boots were different no matter what, because the mud on the coast of Korea is as harsh as the jungle in Vietnam.
You have to imitate the boots of the Marine Corps!
“Sambok, you know the Euljiro Shoe Street, right? let’s go!”
“I know, but…”
“Let’s go.”
Most of the shoe stores with a long history in Korea are located in Euljiro.
Even now, in the 1960s, there must be an engineer in Euljiro who has made boots for the Marine Corps.
***
「Cheongsong handmade shoes」
“Sambok, stop in front of that store.”
“uh? Is this a store you know?”
“It’s just a feeling.”
“Ugh. His feeling.”
It was a store that seemed to have been seen at first glance in the 21st century.
It was a famous place for handmade hiking boots.
It was a handmade shoe store in the 1960s. Since it was a time when shoes were made, it seemed like there would be Marine Corps boots as well.
“Are you there?”
“welcome.”
“You handle hiking boots.”
“Yes, many are looking for it.”
I was happy to see the shoes on the shelf.
The name was written as hiking boots, but they all resembled military boots. It was like an era in which military culture dominated society in general.
“I will start by saying hello. My name is Woo Chan-soo, president of Daesae Unemployment.”
“Oh, my business card is… Lim Song-jeong.”
“I… I am Lee Sam-bok, general manager of Daesae Unemployment.”
It was foolish, but even Sambok exchanged business cards with the owner of the shoe store.
If you want to discuss business, wouldn’t it be polite to hand over your business card first?
That way, it was easy to ask questions.
“It’s no different, we are the people who supply military boots, and we are planning new military boots.”
“New military boots?”
“Do you know the boots worn by the Marine Corps?”
“Oh, six-sided boots? I know. There are customers who ask me to make hiking boots in that style.”
“Six-sided boots? Are your boots squared off?”
Six-sided military boots were the first words I heard.
“Haha, it’s not 6-sided military boots, but the leather used in Marine Corps military boots is 6-sided leather, so it’s called 6-sided military boots.”
“What is six-sided skin?”
“Six-sided leather is made only with the inner skin by removing the outer skin. Its flexibility is also an advantage, but mud or water droplets form on the surface of the leather, making it easy to brush off. Even when wet, it dries quickly and drains well. Common people often call it chamois leather, but six-sided leather is the official name.”
As a professional, it was special from leather classification.
Anyway, I could see why the Marine Corps uses ground boots. The surface of the leather is rough with fine hairs, so even when wet, it dries quickly and drains well.
It is a kind of breathable material.
“Then, can we see those hiking boots that are said to resemble six-sided army boots?”
“Yes, I do have a pair of six-sided hiking boots.”
The owner of a handmade hiking shoe store showed me that it was a six-sided hiking shoe.
I pretended to bring it, but it was exactly the style I was looking for.
It’s a military style that goes up to the ankle.
It seemed that a thick outsole and a simple pattern would have good grip.
“Boss, can you stand your neck higher in these hiking boots? Not leather, but with the fabric we want.”
“Do you put fabric on the neck instead of leather?”
“Yes, wouldn’t it be better to dry? I’m trying to deliver new military boots to the Marine Corps.”
“Heh heh, that’s amazing. Anyway, there’s nothing you can’t do. If you apply leather only to the rim, the shape will be maintained.”
“Put a tin plate over the nose of your shoe. It’s okay to get stabbed with a metal skewer.”
“You put a tin plate on your new boots.”
The shop owner, as if familiar with custom requests, started writing down things in his notebook. It was like a handmade shoe shop.
“One more. Poke some drainage near the seam under the side of the boot. So that the water can flow in and out.’
“Yes? Instead of waterproofing, make drainage holes?”
Experienced Marlon In the jungles of Vietnam, no matter how much water-resistant treatment was applied to boots, it was useless.
Believe it or not, drilling a few drainage holes with an awl was much more useful.
“If I made it like that, how much would it cost for a pair?”
“I do not know. Since it takes a lot of work, it would be 10,000 won, right?”
Calling 10,000 won was like handmade shoes.
In this era, 10,000 won was two-thirds of a craftsman’s salary, and in dollars, it was 37 dollars.
“How much would the unit price drop if I made a thousand pairs, no, ten thousand pairs?”
“Ugh! Is it that many?”
“It’s because they’re trying to deliver to the soldiers.”
“If it’s that much, I think what will happen to 5,000 won.”
“Then please make a few pairs as samples. We want to try delivery.”
“Yes, I will. Come back in three days and you will receive it.”
“Then, have a good time at work.”
I paid for the shoes in advance and left the store.
If you deliver roughly 100,000 pairs, you will be able to set the unit price at 2,500 won, or about $10.
So, can I deliver it for $30?
Let’s just do three times the business.
“If you buy 100,000 pairs, you can match the unit price to around 2,500 won? Would that amount be sufficient?”
Oh, Sambok made a similar calculation.
“Yeah, I should think about 100,000 pairs. When a sample comes out, place an order at this store first, calculate the capper, and find out about other subcontractors.”
I will sell 100,000 pairs and still have more.
If you’re an American soldier, once you wear this, you won’t be able to stop wearing it.
“You’re subcontracting? Don’t you make a military boot factory?”
“Military boots are not a long-term business. As you said, it’s just a bait product for the delivery of military uniforms.”
“The question now is where to get this into the hands of the US military procurement officer. Do you know of a place that you can stab at an American company?”
“No, there is not.”
It could be through Van Flint, but I shook my head. A mogul should be saved like a mogul.
If I attract this level of interest, my vessel will end with that much.
I have to do this on my own.
That way, you can make a deal down deal on a par with Van Flint.
“Do you know anyone? It seems like you called the US embassy the other day.”
Damn, that’s pretty quick.
“He has nothing to do with this business. just leave it to me Do you bring samples of military boots? I’ll have the district chiefs pick fabric for military uniforms, and I’ll have to hire a sewing company in Dongdaemun.”
“Come to think of it, there are not just one or two things to do.”
“One of the old class leaders is working on military boots, and one is working on sewing again. You won’t be able to run all by yourself.”
“okay. So, what about you? Are you going back to Ulsan?”
“No, I’m going to Busan.”
“Busan? Why are you going to Busan-L out of the blue?”
Sambok tilted his head, but I smiled.
“You leave from Busan Port to go to Vietnam. There is something I must carry there.”
“Oh yeah? Then I’ll be on my way.”
“I’ll go right away. Thank you for your hard work.”
“Are you leaving now? I will roast the beans over lightning.”
“I’ll come up in a week. Until then, grab a sample! Understand?”
“Ah, yes. I am the boss.”
I made an excuse that I had something to bring, but in reality, there was someone I had to meet before going to Vietnam.
I hadn’t even been near Busan for fear of crossing paths due to the butterfly effect, but now it was when my father settled down in Jeonpo-dong.
‘Father, wait. My son is leaving.’
An opportunity has arrived that will change my father’s life.
I headed for Busan that way.
I am not afraid of the butterfly effect.
i will change everything
Even more so in my parents’ lives.
***
Ironworks alley in Jeonpo-dong, Busan.
The scenery of ironworks lined up on the side of the two-lane round trip unfolded before my eyes.
It was not easy to step off.
“As it is. Then and now… No, now is before then.”
The ironworkers in my memory were working hard with much younger faces.
「Azalea Iron Works」
There was a place where the company name was written in pink paint.
Seeing that the signboard was clean, it seemed like it hadn’t been that long.
support position. support position.
My father is welding.
‘It’s there… I’m glad.’
came out of tears
I wanted to run right away and hug him.
I had to catch my breath for a long time to press that heart.
I watched closely until the work was finished.
I thought I didn’t stamp the spoon from the beginning.
It was true that he started an ironworks when there was a military dispatch to Vietnam.
You always regretted that you should have seized the opportunity then.
“Look at this. If you stare at the welding sparks, you will lose your eyes. My eyes are already red.”
“It’s not because you’re staring at it, it’s dust in your eyes.”
“What are you looking for?”
“It is unusual for an ironworks name. Azalea ironworks.”
I was talking nonsense.
I had to make sure I arrived on time.
When I was in bachelor, I had to leave and come back like this.
“Because my wife loves azaleas so much.”
‘Phew… I’m glad.’
I didn’t even know when exactly my parents got married.
It’s because the two of you are here.
“You look young, but you are married.”
“Even though I am young, I have quite a career. If you entrust anything, it will be made well. Whether it’s welding products, mechanical repairs, or simple iron products, we handle it all.”
My father suddenly bragged about his skills.
I must have looked like a guest who came to entrust something to me.
“If you’re good at welding, I’d like to order a container.”
“A container?”
“It’s called a large iron box used to load things on an ocean voyage.”
“Ah, it’s used to load luggage. If it’s for that purpose, I can make it.”
“Can you transform that? You can use it to load things on a ship, and to use it as a house when you get off at the port.”
“Are you using it as a home? What… can you do anything if a guest asks for it?”
he is also my father They say they know how to do anything
“It’s good that you are doing anything. My name is Chan-soo Woo, president of Daesae Unemployment.”
I pretended to, handed him a business card and asked for a handshake.
“Kim… My name is Kim Chun-seok.”
“Would you like to make some money with me, Mr. Kim?”
“Yes?”
When I asked for a handshake, my father was at a loss.
I saw a mother with a young face peeking out from inside the ironworks, wondering what was going on.
“Ayu, there is dust in my eyes today…”
