LEATHER Gunbelts...a little photo tutorial

[BruceGibson]

Leather's a funny thing...one of those natural materials that seldom behaves the same way twice. I've seen several posts with questions about belts, so I thought I'd take a few pictures of one I'm working on now. It's not complete...I'll try to add to the photo collection over the next couple of weeks so you'll get to see the belt finished.

I hope it answers some questions about belts in general, and custom leather belts in particular. Synthetic belts are a breeze--you just cut them to length, and they always behave the same.

The disclaimer. My way is just one of hundreds, but I haven't seen a "step-by-step" on the forum and thought I'd share one. Please take a look, and don't hesitate to comment, or ask a question.

http://www.gibsonprorodeo.com/RICKS-BELT.htm

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ront]

Very nice. Thanks for the post and pictures. It is very interesting to me!

Ron

[maclean3]

Good idea Bruce, keep it up!
Jack

[Jeremiah]

Interesting to see the process, thanks.

[Bowie]

Thanks for the insight Bruce. It is neat to see how these great products we use actually come to be.

[sass20485]

Cool, thanks for the picture show !

[CopperKnight]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what's the purpose of the liner? What does it add to the one piece shot of leather?

Looks good by the way.

[BruceGibson]

Thanks, everybody. There's a lot more to belt-making than most folks realize. They're aggravating, testy, cantankerous, unpredictable, moody, and cranky. Sorta like being married.

Did I say that out loud?

On top of all that, the dang things have to FIT.

[BruceGibson]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what's the purpose of the liner? What does it add to the one piece shot of leather?

Ahhh...the LINER. The liner adds body--it basically backs up the facing like the belts in a tire. It helps to minimize stretch, twist, and other bad things. In other words, a dual-layer of 1/8-inch pieces bonded and stitched together provide more "body" than a single 1/4-inch layer. Not much different than a laminated wood beam compared to a single board.

On top of that, the quality of the leather you start with is critical. As well as the area of the hide the leather's cut from. A high-quality, custom belt comes from the upper-back of a leather side. And the holes (buckle holes) are punched in the end closest to the rear, or "butt-end" of the hide.

And therein lies the main reason the things are so expensive. And also one of the primary reasons they look, and wear, so dang well!

[Bark'n]

Bruce, you show some excellent craftsmanship with that piece.

Good leatherwork is taken for granted by a lot of folks, but it is not lost on me.

Great job and I appreciate the process pictures.

Thanks for sharing.

[BruceGibson]

Thanks, Bark'n. The belt pictures don't show one completed, and don't show ALL the little steps, but hopefully it will give an idea of some of what's involved. There's a lot more to it than most folks realize.

[MNBurl]

Bruce you make it look easy!

I know it is not

Good tutorial.

[huntthehunter]

Bruce, this is an honest question. Is there a benefit to the Leather gunbelt over a synthetic (ie Wilderness Instructor) other that the obvious aesthetic ones? I am getting ready to buy my first CC rig, and am torn between the two types.

Thanks

[sass20485]

Seeing how much work goes into these, I understand the price. Looks to be worth every penny. Hope to save up & order one.

[BruceGibson]

Bruce, this is an honest question. Is there a benefit to the Leather gunbelt over a synthetic (ie Wilderness Instructor) other that the obvious aesthetic ones? I am getting ready to buy my first CC rig, and am torn between the two types.

Thanks

I think it's 100% personal preference, budget, and also dependent on application. Some prefer leather, others prefer synthetic. Still others own both. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other--too many factors come into it.

I'm sorry I don't have a better answer, but that's my honest take on it.