LAST

A last is a mechanical form that has a shape similar to

that of a human foot.
It is used by shoemakers and cordwainers in the
manufacture and repair of shoes.
Lasts typically come in pairs, and have been made from
various materials, including hardwoods, cast iron, and,
high density plastics.
Last are fundamental to shoe manufacture since they
dictate the exact shape, size and fit of the shoes made on
them. Last design depends on fashion trends as well as on
the anatomy of the foot.
 LAST
The construction of a SHOE begins with LAST. A last is stylized foot-
shaped.
From that is used as a base upon which to build the shoe.
However, note that the last should not be the exact shape and
measurements of the foot.
It is designed to fit inside the shoe, in the same way that a foot
would fit inside a shoe, with allowances for movement.
The last should also be designed to accommodate the shape of the
heel and sole of the shoe.
Last-making is a highly specialized skill because different types of
footwear construction, for example boots, trainers and moccasins, all
require a specific last shape.
 LAST
The word LAST came from the word LAEST which means a
foot print, a foot track, and a foot trace.
Last is not the exact replica of the foot but resemble them in
out line.
It is a reproduction of approximate shape of the human foot.
It provides the shape and fittings of a shoe made on it.
As lasts are the fundamental of manufacturing a shoe it carries
a great responsibilities.
Before modelling a shoe last, one should strictly consider the
following points.
A :- The anatomy of foot.
B :- The trend of fashion.
 Each "shoe last " is designed for a particular
heel height, toe shape, and type of footwear.
Many styles of shoes can be made on the
same shoe last , but the toe shape and heel
height will be the same for each pair made on
that shoe last.
 CLASSIFICATION OF LAST
Material Construction Purpose Plating wise Heel wise
wise wise wise

Wooden Solid block Lasting Heel plated Without heel

Low heel
Plastic Scoop block Pre forming Toe plated
(10 25 mm)

Conventional Medium
Metallic Finishing Half plated heel
hinge
(26 40 mm)

Telescopic Full bottom High heel

hinge plated (40 mm above)
 TYPES OF LAST
There are four types of shoe lasts which are
being used by the shoe industry as a whole.

SOLID BLOCK LAST

SCOOP BLOCK LAST
ORDINARY OR CONVENTIONAL HINGE
LAST
TELESCOPIC HINGE LAST
 SOLID BLOCK LAST
This is a last made with single block of
material.
It is mainly used for modeling manufacturing
of Chappal, sandal & wide open ladies bellies.
SOLID BLOCK LAST
 SCOOPBLOCK LAST
It is a two part last.
A cut is made as shown by a saw machine which
removes a large portion from the top.
The fastening is made by means of a spring & a plug.
For unlasting a shoe from the last the upper portion is
separated first, then it becomes easy to unlast the shoe
from the last.
Most of hand made shoe makers are using this last.
SCOOP BLOCK LAST
 ORDINARY OR CONVENTIONAL
HINGE
It is also a two part last but differs entirely from
cscoop last. A V cut is made on the block as
shown in to facilitate the hinging system. A metal
piece connecting the front and rear section of the
last to provide a tensioning force to keep the
sections together & in the desired position while
breaking the last to shorten it and facilitate removal
of lasted shoe.
 TELESCOPIC HINGE LAST
The system of shortening the last is some how
differs from the ordinary hing last as shown in
fig. There is no gap in between two blocks of
the last. It shortened by moving in the upward
direction.
Introduction to various parts of the
last