Shoehorn

A shoehorn or shoe horn (sometimes called a shoespooner, shoe spoon, shoe schlipp, or shoe tongue) is a tool with a short handle that flares into a longer spoon-like head meant to be held against the inside back of a snug-fitting shoe so that a person can slide the heel easily along its basin to the inner sole. Shoehorns have the same basic shape but the length or strength of the handle varies. Long-handled shoe horns are necessary for longer boots, while shoe horns with sturdy handles are useful for putting on boots. They are sometimes used by people who, because of less flexible joints, wish to reduce straining or bending.

Originally, shoehorns were made from animal horns, hooves, or glass; luxury shoehorns were made of ivory, shell, silver, or bone. Nowadays, however, although shoehorns made of bulls’ hooves are still available, metal, plastic, and wood are most often used.

One of the modern features nowadays in "higher society" is also personalization of these articles. As well as with boot jack or shoes there is a high demand and popularity with having own initials (many times used as a gift) imprinted or embossed there.