Recommendation Needed for a Simple Brown Belt in English Bridle Leather

[Deleted member 16736]

So I'm looking for a new brown belt to be worn casually with chinos and jeans. Something traditional that would fit in a 30s/40s wardrobe that can be an everyday belt. 1 1/4". Brass or nickel buckle. And most importantly, made of English Bridle Leather (I want it to last a long time). I've seen a few online artisan belt sites in US and UK, but I was hoping someone might have personal experience with one of them. Thank you.

Here are two sites:

http://www.narragansettleathers.com/belt114.html

http://www.equusleather.co.uk/index.php/Bridle-Leather-Belts/View-all-products.html

 

[Grayland]

I just ordered a belt from Narragansett Leathers yesterday, but it will be about 3 weeks until it is ready.
I bought a Ranger Belt from http://www.leathergoodsconnection.com/ about a month ago. It is very high quality, and was delivered within a week. They offer Bridle leather, although I opted for the harness leather. The only reason I even ordered from Narragansett was that I was looking for a burgundy leather and Leather Goods Connection didn't appear to offer that color. That isn't meant as a slight against Narragansett, as I've read they make an excellent product.

 

[Deleted member 16736]

Checked out leather goods connection. The bridle leather option looks great. Thank you.

http://www.leathergoodsconnection.com/brlebe.html

 

[MillersCrossing]

I found these guys while browsing here, they use English bridle. The stuff looks great, although I haven't personally ordered anything yet.

http://www.dontmournorganize.com/

 

[Aaronlowe]

One word: Filson

 

[MikePotts]

One word: Filson

seconded!

 

[Grayland]

I have a Filson Ranger belt, and it is a great belt - but no better than the one I got from Leather Goods Connection. I checked into picking up another belt from Filson, but the only color they offer is that very dark, almost Guiness Stout, brown. I was actually excited when I noticed "new color" available in the Filson belts. Turns out the new color refers to a silver colored buckle that is now available, in addition to the standard brass buckle.

 

[schitzo]

has anyone experience of one of these?

http://www.tannerbates.co.uk/sales/the-oakbark-leather-belt

I'd get the brown one, it sounds quite good. I did experience one of their horsehide wallets and the craftsmanship on that was notably impressive

 

[Davy Crockett]

www.hbsaddleryandleatherwork.co.uk do some very nice and reasonably priced handmade belts!

D

 

[Graemsay]

Tender do a range of belts and the leather used is thicker than anything else that I've seen. The Trestle Shop is the proprietor's own operation, but Superdenim in the UK, and Hickoree's and Union Made in the US carry them.

I really like the oxidised buckle on this belt at Hickoree's.

For Holding Up The Trousers are a small Danish company that also do a few interesting designs. I rather like the rifle hook design.

 

[Graemsay]

I forgot to add that Indigoshrimp and Equus Leather did a military style belt. It's not listed on their website, and you need to get in touch directly if you'd like to order one.

It's probably a bit more agricultural than you're after, but I rather like the design.

 

[JanSolo]

Scott from Dontmournorganize makes some ace belts. He's my favourite among all the smaller leather goods manufacturers. You cannot go wrong if you order form him. He offers a great amount of different hides, including horsehide from Horween.

Here's one of them (double face horsehide belt handstitched with sewn-in st. stell centre bar buckle):

Some more which are available through http://www.original-flightjackets.c...llis-Heavy-Duty-Belt-brown::572.html#page_top :

More traditional (i.e. slightly dressier) belts can be had from:

https://www.said.net/secure/mcrostie/index-shop.asp

Here are some better pics:

Also a top notch scottish made product made from british tanned bridle leather with a lasting carnauba wax finish. Solid raw brass or nickel plated over brass buckles.

 

[schitzo]

Also a top notch scottish made product made from british tanned bridle leather with a lasting carnauba wax finish. Solid raw brass or nickel plated over brass buckles.

Dammit Jan that last one is a beauty and I bet it's expensive! But I don't see it on the said.net. link? Is it from there or some place else?

 

[JanSolo]

It's a 1.5 inches raised bridle leather belt and it costs 125 BP incl. VAT. It's available through the site although that specific colour and buckle are not shown. Just call them for all the info you need. They are very friendly and helpful. Ask them for all buckle options available. Usually they have two or three classic shape buckles in either raw brass or nickel plated brass in stock. The colour of the belt above is called tan but conker and dark havanna look also very good. 125 is not much for a belt that will easily outlast you...

 

[schitzo]

Thanks Jan, it's been added to the list

 

[majormajor]

Just a personal view, but some of these items are WAY overpriced. A leather belt should be pretty much a commodity item these days. No real skill involved.

Here's a perfectly good one for less than ten quid (thats $16).....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190660833...eName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[JanSolo]

Of course a simple cut belt with no edge bevel or stitching and with die-cast zinc/ pewter hardware can be had for much less than what Scott Willis or McRostie charge. But if you want a product that involves a certain amount of handwork and if you can appreciate stiff, heavy and long lasting quality leather that hasn't been tanned "somewhere" using "something" as tanning agents you have to pay a little extra.
For some reason I cannot get myself to put on nice welted shoes, a horsehide jacket and then wear a 10 EUR department store belt and 20 EUR wallet with it. And this is not about the price but just about the quality you get for this amount of money...
Just my two Groschen.

 

[majormajor]

Of course a simple cut belt with no edge bevel or stitching and with die-cast zinc/ pewter hardware can be had for much less than what Scott Willis or McRostie charge. But if you want a product that involves a certain amount of handwork and if you can appreciate stiff, heavy and long lasting quality leather that hasn't been tanned "somewhere" using "something" as tanning agents you have to pay a little extra.

As I said, a personal view.

But this belt, at 179euros:

is not THAT different to this one, at less than a TWENTIETH of the price:

No fancy stitching. Just two simple belts. (edit: I just checked - the cheap belt DOES have edge stitching....)

The A2s I wear were originally pushed out of a dozen factories during WW2 at rock bottom prices.

The Lee Rider jeans I wear are a basic item of US workwear.

Same goes for denim shirts and chinos. Basic cost-effective clothing.

The originals would rarely have been worn with a "pay through the nose" belt.

So you pays your money and takes your choice.

 

[js0930]

Terry Dear from http://celticleather.co.uk/ has very reasonably priced products that have gotten very good reviews on superfuture from some guys who are obsessed with leather. Certainly worth a loook.

 

[JanSolo]

I have to agree that the pics look similar and yes, the buckle and the keepers are sewn-in. I was referring to that McRostie harness belt which is fully saddle stitched. But I have handled that Original Flightjackets / Willis belt in person and it IS a masterpiece. Incredibly thick and stiff and the stainless stell buckle alone feels like it weighs half a pound.

Here are some specs I've found:

Key features:

- Custom-made harness 1/3/4 inch (44mm) leather belt manufactured by Scott Willis in Utah.
16 ounce American bull hide, vegetable tanned and hot stuffed with tallow, oil, and wax. Will develop a beautiful patina with wear.
¼ inch (6.3mm) thick hide, rock solid and super durable.
Heavy duty stainless steel roller buckle made from 316 marine grade steel.
Cast and drop forged for superior strength. Hand polished for a lasting finish that will never pit or wear off.
Industrial grade stainless steel “Chicago screws” with matching tumbled finish.
A belt to last a lifetime!
This product is wider, thicker and a lot heavier than your usual belt. Nevertheless it can be worn with any pair of jeans or rugged pants fitted with standard belt loops. Not recommended for chinos or lightweight slacks.
A quality leather preserver may permanently darken the shade of the hide. Beeswax based and synthetic formulas are recommended (Elephant Leather Preserver)
Available in tan, dark brown, and black
Belt length ranging from 85 to 110cm ( 33 to 43 inch )

You are absolutely right about A2s, G1s, Lees and other Union made stuff being mass produced items. But back then even mass produced items were made to a quality standard that many manufacturers cannot ( or will not) achieve any more. High quality was a matter of course because things were meant to last. A virtue most current brands lack...
A read somewhere that WWII contractors for peacoats charged less than 5 Dollars per coat. Ok, the Navy got a huge discount I guess. But if you wanted to duplicate the quality of one of those today (tightly woven and super heavy Kersey from 100% virgin wool, general level of construction) you would have to pay close to 1000 Dollars, no doubt.