Got a belt and buckle question.

[Hickory n steel]

So I'm tired of cheap pos " Genuine Leather " belts that fall apart in short order, I like to make stuff myself, and I've got a vintage BTS solid brass buckle from my grandfather I'd love to wear as well as a couple from my dad.
My plan is to get a $20 belt blank and make a very simple belt, but Ive got the idea to put brass grommets in the holes so they don't stretch out over time ( wear some weight on my belt ).

my question is, would there be any problems with the buckle staying hooked in a grommeted hole ?

my goal is an extremely simple sturdy belt that will last a long long time if I take care of it.
Just the belt blank, 2 brass Chicago screws to attach a buckle , and 6 or so grommeted holes. I probably won't even die it, just keep it treated and let it age naturally.

Does any have any experience in this area who can tell me if a buckle would stay hooked in a grommeted hole ?
Btw it's got a typical claw style stud on the back.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Do you guys think I'd even have an issue with the holes stretching ?

 

[Danke42]

Yeah there will be issues. If you want a leather belt that's going to hold weight quadruple your budget and get something from Bianchi or Galco or even 5:11.

Pins on a buckle don't enter the belt straight on so it would bind. Even if you found some oval brass grommets and the tools to install them for cheap they'd rip out.

The foundation is a quality leather strap sewn up to support weight, not a mere fashion piece. Build your house on a weak foundation and it'll let you down.

 

[3fifty7]

If you want to make a belt go for it. If you want a great belt that will last go to A Better Belt USA and get a Rough Rider, you can easily swap out their buckle for yours.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I think I can have just as long lasting of a belt if I buy a belt blank, but I don't know if the buckle will stay hooked in grommeted holes.
This is the buckle I plan to use btw


I'm just not sure if there might be a problem with the hook slipping out of the hole.

 

[Danke42]

As long as it's the right size belt it won't be an issue. On something like the Bianchi fancy stitch belt you can unsnap and change the buckle. You could always look for a tack store on the outside of town if the budget won't stretch.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I actually found a piece of an old cheapo belt with grommeted holes in it ( they were just for looks ) so I put it in a vice then hooked the buckle into one of the holes and yanked and jiggled it.
It stayed hooked just fine, so I think I'm going to go ahead and make the belt like I wanted.

My grandfathers belt was still intact and every thing but the holes had stretched out, I've also witnessed this happen to my dad and that's why I'm going to grommet the holes.

 

[Horsewright]

Cool buckle. Make sure your belt blank is quality leather. it should be cut from along the spine off a side. Many are not. or if they are not quality leather to start with.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Cool buckle. Make sure your belt blank is quality leather. it should be cut from along the spine off a side. Many are not. or if they are not quality leather to start with.

Will do, thanks for the info.

 

[Horsewright]

Ya bet if ya can find herman Oak or Wickett and Craig leather. Both premium USA tanneries. Won't go wrong with either. Check Springfield leather for domestic belt strips.

 

[Kybosshog]

Genuine Leather is like the lowest grade. Genuine leather does not necessarily mean that it is real leather. It means it is a genuine leather product. All-natural leather means that it is indeed made from the hide of an animal. Found that out looking at watch bands and leather types.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Genuine Leather is like the lowest grade. Genuine leather does not necessarily mean that it is real leather. It means it is a genuine leather product. All-natural leather means that it is indeed made from the hide of an animal. Found that out looking at watch bands and leather types.

That's exactly why I put genuine leather in quotes.
I've had too many of those shitty belts that are just some vinyl / fibre material sandwiched between 2 thin veneers of leather.
The belt I've got now is working since it's just 2 ( probably 1/16 thick) pieces of leather with grommets all the way down it.
It was a gift so im using it but I definitely want to make myself something better, if not just for the fact that I've got some buckles I want to use.

 

[gonebad395]

I actually found a piece of an old cheapo belt with grommeted holes in it ( they were just for looks ) so I put it in a vice then hooked the buckle into one of the holes and yanked and jiggled it.
It stayed hooked just fine, so I think I'm going to go ahead and make the belt like I wanted.

My grandfathers belt was still intact and every thing but the holes had stretched out, I've also witnessed this happen to my dad and that's why I'm going to grommet the holes.

Wow has to be the first time I’ve ever heard such concern and time spent over a belt. I bought a Levi’s leather belt 1 1/2 wide about a 1/8 thick about 10 years ago and still holds my pants up just fine. I can change the buckle easily matter of fact for the last 4 years I wear my grandfathers buckle on in which has a hook and is heavy for a buckle with no problems. Just the regular belt holes no stretch that makes it unusable or pop open randomly. The load I carry on it daily is a side arm two extra mags, knife and flashlight. Sometimes keeping it simple and not over thinking something works the best.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Wow has to be the first time I’ve ever heard such concern and time spent over a belt. I bought a Levi’s leather belt 1 1/2 wide about a 1/8 thick about 10 years ago and still holds my pants up just fine. I can change the buckle easily matter of fact for the last 4 years I wear my grandfathers buckle on in which has a hook and is heavy for a buckle with no problems. Just the regular belt holes no stretch that makes it unusable or pop open randomly. The load I carry on it daily is a side arm two extra mags, knife and flashlight. Sometimes keeping it simple and not over thinking something works the best.

Sometimes, but I've seen enough belts with stretched out holes so Id rather eliminate this potential issue.
Btw your belt is 10yrs old, who knows what it'll look like in 30+.

 

[Horsewright]

Aw heck I spend time, energy and thought on belts all the time:

Like why didn't this one stitch !@#$%$#@&* right? Turned out it was bad thread!

Sometimes a guy has to work to match the sheath he built too:

Or ya can go it alone:

Or not alone:

Sometimes ya have to think about the colors even:

Hurts my head all the thinking I do about belts sometimes! Seriously though Hickory n steel if I can be of any help during your project don't heisitate to ask. Any luck on finding a quality blank?

gonebad395 speaking of Levis I just recently picked up a leather Levi jacket at one of their outlet stores. I sure like it and its quality work. Didn't even know they made leather jackets. Think regular Levi jacket but in a brown Napa type naked leather. I wanna wear it at the ranch but the wife won't let me!

 

[Hickory n steel]

Aw heck I spend time, energy and thought on belts all the time:

Like why didn't this one stitch !@#$%$#@&* right? Turned out it was bad thread!

Sometimes a guy has to work to match the sheath he built too:

Or ya can go it alone:

Or not alone:

Sometimes ya have to think about the colors even:

Hurts my head all the thinking I do about belts sometimes! Seriously though Hickory n steel if I can be of any help during your project don't heisitate to ask. Any luck on finding a quality blank?

gonebad395 speaking of Levis I just recently picked up a leather Levi jacket at one of their outlet stores. I sure like it and its quality work. Didn't even know they made leather jackets. Think regular Levi jacket but in a brown Napa type naked leather. I wanna wear it at the ranch but the wife won't let me!

Thanks, btw gorgeous work on those belts im sure it takes some serious time to make such works of art.

 

[gonebad395]

Yeah some of Levi’s stuff is still made well. Like I Said my belt is made great and after 10 years of wearing it every day im pretty sure it will be the same in 30 years most of the buckles I wear are pretty heavy and are all hook style the holes are holding just fine.

This one was my grandfathers he wore it everyday till he passed I’ve been doing the same since then.
Horsewright the jacket sound a great always like a great leather jacket. Up here in North West indiana a lot of us where what are called woolies think navy pea coat but only to the waist super warm and working in the mills are fire retardant. Also that knife sheath you have that sits at a angle is awesome very very nice.

Aw heck I spend time, energy and thought on belts all the time:

Like why didn't this one stitch !@#$%$#@&* right? Turned out it was bad thread!

Sometimes a guy has to work to match the sheath he built too:

Or ya can go it alone:

Or not alone:

Sometimes ya have to think about the colors even:

Hurts my head all the thinking I do about belts sometimes! Seriously though Hickory n steel if I can be of any help during your project don't heisitate to ask. Any luck on finding a quality blank?

gonebad395 speaking of Levis I just recently picked up a leather Levi jacket at one of their outlet stores. I sure like it and its quality work. Didn't even know they made leather jackets. Think regular Levi jacket but in a brown Napa type naked leather. I wanna wear it at the ranch but the wife won't let me!

 

[Kybosshog]

Check out this guys work from Russia I think. Belt and watch band sets out of exotic stuff.
http://straps-buckles.com/en/straps/sets.html
Yea they cost 100's to 1000's but some amazing art in there.

 

[Danke42]

Meh.

Horsewright's stuff is way legit. Full on Western cowboy to more modern subdued daily wear.

A good belt can't be beat. You'll use it every day for decades. I can't overstate how happy I am with my Mean Gene Aegis belt.

 

[22-rimfire]

If it were me TODAY, I would contact Horsewright and have him make a belt and if you like add your buckle.

You pretty much get what you pay for with leather belts. If a handmade belt is not a reasonable choice for you, I'd look at the Galco, Bianchi and other gun belts that are sold and generally run $50-$100, You can easily add your buckle if you like and it will support it. Last couple of leather belts for me have come from Sportsman Warehouse (plain leather gun belt grade) and I have been pleased even though I am looking at punching another hole (smaller) to make it hold up my pants better.

I have trouble all the time with the holes winnowing out larger over time. Guess I like a tight fit.

I have one handmade belt and it is quite nice. Those folks don't make them anymore as far as I know. It ran about $100 at the time.

On grommeted holes on the belt.... think you would just have to see if you can find a grommete that is not too thick and allows the buckle to go all the way through to support it when you're wearing it. I have often thought about adding a grommete to a leather belt after the fact to minimize the winnowing out of the hole diameter over time or at least on the hole I use all the time.