greyhound1

I am undecided about which model to purchase. I am on the tall and thin side (6'1", 160 lbs) and carry every day except where prohibited by law. I usually wear 1 1/4" belts (every regualr belt I own is this size) and would like to stay with this size. (It seems to suit my needs for casual and dress wear.) I would like to buy only one belt for varied dress (for casual attire, with business suits, range wear, etc.) As such I have decided on either black or cordovan color, as I can wear either with my grey or blue suits. I carry either a glock 19, glock 26, or ruger sp101 stainless .357, 2 1/4" barrel. Because I am only buying one, the price of the belt is not an issue. Please keep your suggestions limited to the beltman belts, as this is the one I have decided to buy. My main question is, which material should I buy? (i.e., bullhide, shark, horsehide, elephant) Any comments on the reasons why you chose one "skin" over the other (and your reasoning behind it) would be greatly appreciated. If the lesser expensive skin or hide is preferable (or vice versa), please let me know. Also, do you prefer the 5 hole or seven hole construction (I would think that the seven hole model would provide a better fit) I know nothing lasts forever, and I don't expect this belt to either. Nothing beats experience, so whatever your experience is with any of their materials, please advise me accordingly. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

kpw

I'm thinking of a horsehide belt for similar reasons. All of my leather belts are cowhide and they have held up just great, better than anything you could find in a store. From what I've seen and read, horsehide can have more of a luster or shine than cowhide and is extremely durable. All my holsters are made for 1 1/2" so I'm looking at a tapered belt.

AZ Husker

What size belt slots do your holsters have? It's important to match. I find a 1.25" belt too thin to carry well, but I tote a 1911. Double horsehide is my absolute favorite for strength and thinness. Usually the exotics are laminated over a cowhide belt, but do look nicer.

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matiki

Horsehide is denser and less porous than cow hide. While it causes it to have more luster and 'sheen', it also means that it dyes less uniformly. IMO this makes it extremely attractive as well as durable, but it does not go well with my suits.

My recommendation: Cowhide or maybe sharkskin... but to me, sharkskin belts scream "gun".

bluelineman

Horse hide without the stiffener would be my $.02. It's thinner & stronger than cowhide. It's also only $10 more than the bullhide with the stiffener. I'd go with 7 holes for more "expansion".

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Beees

I've had a belt man belt for over a year. Had a Blocker before that. Dann's belt was good,but the "Beltman belt is better. Have 11/2" bull hide for a G27 carry.Love it. Am using a ted blocker holster which is 10+years old. So some things have changed since then. However do you/or anybody ever check out other peoples belts??No body ever looks to see what color/or what ever your belt is. Think about that.I would buy a "beltman belt again in a minute. just my thoughts

JrHawk

Well..... here is my 2 cents worth. You and I are about the same size - I am 6"2" and 170 lbs. I have both the horsehide and elephant belt from the Beltman. Both are 1 1/2". The horse has the 5 hole configuration and the elephant has the 7 hole. Both are great belts and the horse is in brown and the elephant in black. If I was to order another ( which I won't need to for a very long time ) I would go with the 7 hole configuration and elephant. Why? The elephant is a bit stiffer and just does not show any scratches, marks or cuts whatsoever. I have noticed with a few of my IWB holsters with the plastic clips that they are leaving scratch marks on the brown horse belt. I consider the scratches badges of honor and at some time will touch them up. Yeah, the elephant cost more but it is extremely tough and looks good with either jeans or nice slacks. I would urge you to go with the 1 1/2 " width. The seven hole belt gives you a bit more leeway with IWB holsters of various thickness or for that Monday following a weekend of a few to many burgers and beer! Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Scott Hughes

I recently received my 1 1/4” beltman sharkskin belt in black (absolutely beautiful). I purchased this size for business attire where the belt loops in suit pants will not accept a 1 1/2” belt, and also would look somewhat out of place size wise. I can tell you that it is plenty stiff enough accept maybe for the heaviest of carry guns. My next purchase in the not distant future will be elephant. That will be my 5th beltman purchase. So fair to say I love his work.

Wasabi

You guys have me feeling better about my 1.25" black elephant belt w/7 holes that I have on order. I was wondering about going with a 1.5" but on my 5'9" frame it may stick out too much as a gun belt plus I'll be wearing it with dress slacks at times. Also, I don't plan on carrying anything big, mostly a PM9 or G29 IWB. I knew elephant was tough because I had some elephant skin boots when I was younger. I could kick concrete blocks and not scuff those suckers. The elephant and the shark both look great and IMO are worth the extra because of the toughness/stiffness.

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greyhound1

Thanks to all who have responded. And to JrHawk and Wasabi, I think I'm leaning towards the 1 1/4" elephant in black with 7 holes. (Although, I kind of find it reprehensible that an elephant will be slaughtered so that a miniscule piece of his hide will be made into a belt for some tall skinny guy from Philadelphia! I'll probably have nightmares for a year!) I'm curious to see if the elephant black is "dressy" enough for suits. Post a pic if you have one. Also, I'm thinking about the matching key chain (and hoping it's from the same slaughtered elephant!). Finally, can the end of the belt that slips through the belt buckle fit through the adjacent belt loop? (like "regular" belts do?). Thanks again.