This stretcher is really well made - and it really worked well.  Considering that my shoe guy charges $7.50 a shoe to stretch the bunion area this purchase was a bargain.  I also used it successfully to stretch my patent leather (plastic) tuxedo shoe.  One perhaps obvious suggestion:  before using, mark the exact point on the shoe that requires stretching and then move the entire unit around in the shoe so that the adjustable metal "bump" is right at that point.