Custom Belts

Belts can be interesting to make. The basics are knowing the wearer's waist size, width of the belt and buckle preference, as well as the color. However, designs that the customer would like on the belt can sometimes require a bit more thought, time and patience.

Another decision, which can sometimes be a significant choice for how the belt will look, is the buckle. There are numerous types of buckles from the basic heel-bar buckle, which you find on most dress belts in the department stores; to the Center-bar buckle, like the one on the black belt below; to the decorative buckles on western style belts; to the large Cowboy buckles which can also include the large oval buckles with various designs.

The belts below took a little extra time to develop. Once the positioning for the lettering on the black belt for my biker customer was determined and orange dye applied, the rest of the belt was carefully dyed black. The technique for applying either the orange dye or the black dye is to use a small paint brush to apply the dye being very careful to stay within the lines for the orange dye and outside the lines for the black dye. It is surprising how long a process this can be to make sure that it looks the way you want it to for the customer.

The Brown belt with the Russian Navy belt buckle had a uniquely large tongue to connect the buckle to the belt. The customer did not want the slots that I punched in the belt to show, so, I made some calculations to ensure that they would be hidden behind the buckle. The customer was pleased with the way the belt turned out. He also had me make a black one for a Russian Military belt buckle. Both buckles were a part of his family's heritage.

I enjoy making belts like these for my customers and it is satisfying when the look on their face makes it all worthwhile.
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​Until next time, All the best.
Frank, the KC Leather Guy