Bushcraft Belt

C

Call_to_Arms

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Apr 13, 2011
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My father is a leather worker and I have talked him into making me a belt that will carry 2 21" buck saw blades in a compartment in the back, similar to a money belt. While I am at it is there any other design features I should incorporate into it?

What I am working on so far is a veg tan tooling leather 1.75" x 38~" mens belt, stitched all the way around on a Tippmann Aerostitch, Brass or SS buckle (depending on what he has on the shelf). I am thinking it will probably be 9-10oz with a 4-5oz liner sewn to it for the blade sleeve. I have this urge to just treat it in neatsfoot oil and bees wax and leave it alone but I have a feeling he will try and talk me into using black harness leather, so who knows. Down the road I expect to see a matching sheath for my BK2, but that can be for another day, I need to decide what to do to the belt itself, any ideas?... Matching cases for my folding saw, multi-tool, knife, tinder can, psk, butane stove, water bottle.... and so on would be cool, but that can come down the line (its gonna start looking like Batmans utility belt). So for now does anyone have any ideas for me for other design features on the belt itself? Thanks
 
Mannlicher said:
I'd use a simple, sturdy belt. The best thing a belt does is hold up your trousers. :D
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+1

If you want to add stuff to it then get stuff made to hold individual tools that can be added and removed as desired. When I'm out on the trail I don't keep anything on my belt unless I'm leaving my pack behind at camp and then all I'll attach is my fixed blade. As soon as the fire is built I'll get the knife back on the pack.
 
I really like the saw blade idea, I would like to see some pics of this when its done! I would add some sort of pins or the like, so you can make your own buck saw...maybe some cordage for the tension. Just having these items and a fixed blade and lighter would be pretty awesome for a super simple set up....
 
A good quality leather belt is great to have. It's cool that your dad is making one for you, I do leather work and have made a few belts for my old man. Personally, all I keep on my belt is my primary sidearm & fixed blade knife when hiking, as the two balance each other out nicely and add anything else on the belt and it interferes with my pack's hip-belt. I keep a small PSK & a SAK or folder in my pocket/cargo pockets.

I tried the "bat-belt" concept for awhile - and eventually it gets too heavy (canteens, butt-pack, FAK, extra mags, etc...) and you move onto a GI Pistol belt and LBE - now you look like you are going into battle instead of a hike - and your comfort with all the gear hanging off a belt becomes an issue. All of the above could fit much more comfortably in a "possibles" (or messenger) bag or tactical CCW man-purse (maxpedition fatboy etc...) for short hikes. For me, the outdoor essentials are in my pockets and knife & pistol on the belt. I use a pack to carry everything else as that's what is most comfortable & balanced for me. I don't mind to stop and fish some gear out of my pack if required. YMMV
 
One thing you can do that won't weigh you down or be too obstrusive is to include a cavity between the two laminates to fit a firesteel or sharpening rod or even emergency cash.
belt (2).jpg
 
Thank you for all your posts. I have a question for those of you who think a regular belt is fine, where else are you going to carry a 21" saw blade? The ferro rod is a good idea, I am going to consider it. I mount a lot of gear on carabiners and hook them to one of my front belt loops, usually only one at a time, I am putting a lot of faith in the few stitches that hold a belt loop on. So I think I will have him make one leather keeper with a medium sized D ring on it for attaching things, hopefully I can talk him into a sheath for a BK2 aswell.
 
I have gotten by for some 50+ years, without ever carrying a 21" saw blade. If I felt I had to carry one, I would just stuff it down in my pack, or attach it to the exterior of the pack.
 
Call_to_Arms said:
Thank you for all your posts. I have a question for those of you who think a regular belt is fine, where else are you going to carry a 21" saw blade?
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I carry one coiled up in my cook pot. But I get what you're saying, you might not always have your pack but you'll almost always wear a belt. I like the saw blade idea.
 
gdpolk said:
+1

If you want to add stuff to it then get stuff made to hold individual tools that can be added and removed as desired. When I'm out on the trail I don't keep anything on my belt unless I'm leaving my pack behind at camp and then all I'll attach is my fixed blade. As soon as the fire is built I'll get the knife back on the pack.
Click to expand...

Do you not carry the knife on your belt normally because it gets in the way of the back belt?
 
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