Cedar Shoe Horn

A long-handled shoe horn cut from solid aromatic red cedar, with a gently scooped blade that lets a heel slide into the shoe without crushing the back of it. The wood is lighter in the hand and warmer to the touch than the plastic or steel versions most people own, and it carries a faint cedar scent. A faux leather loop at the end of the handle makes it easy to hang. Grain and tone vary from piece to piece, as they do in any natural wood.

The shape is the familiar one, a slim handle widening into a curved blade, left unpainted so the grain and the pale to honey-brown color show plainly. It sits well with leather loafers, a row of boots by the door, or a closet with other wood and brass pieces. The look is quiet and a little old-fashioned in the best way.

Hang it from a hook inside the entry, lean it beside the bench, or keep it in the bedroom closet where shoes come on and off daily. The length means no bending down to get a shoe on, which helps anyone with a sore back or a stiff knee. It also makes a modest gift for a new homeowner, a frequent traveler, or someone who has been flattening the backs of their shoes for years.