JerryM

Still looking for someone who says they have both so that a good comparison can be made. I have never seen either, and could not say which is best or nicest. I have a cordovan Beltman on order, but even when I get it I can only compare it to RafterS.

Does no one have both? I suppose when one recieves either he is happy and does not need another.

Regards,
Jerry

TwinCarry

Beltman vs Sparks?

Apples and Oranges in my humble opinion. I have 3 of each and I can honestly say, each of them have their pros and cons.

My Pick:
Faster Turnaround - Beltman (3-4 weeks)
Craftmenship or Better Quality - Sparks
Durability - Sparks
Cost Efficient - Beltman (by + - $20)
Color Options - Beltman
Buckle Options - Beltman
Stiching Options - Sparks
Thicker/Stiffer - Beltman
Prettier/Nicer/More Stylish - Sparks

If I had only 1 sentence to describe each of them, here it is:

BELTMAN - "Feels like owning a GUN BELT made to carry Guns."

MILT SPARKS - "Feels like owning a DRESS BELT made to carrry Guns."

If I owned 1 gun belt which would I choose? Milt Sparks (no doubt). It's hard to beat better quality, durabilty and looks!

Would I still recommend Beltman? - Absolutely! I own 3 of them.

Beltman - Brown, Square Black Buckle






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Milt Sparks - Cordovan, Pebble Grain Finish, Round Nickle Buckle






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Beltman - Black, Square Nickle Buckle






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More of my Sparks belts:






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Old Padawan

Belts are easy. The are the most simple thing a holster maker can do. Seriously the require very little labor. It comes down to quality leather and a decent manufacturer. Both are good. Both will be equal to the task.
Its like asking what is better a Chevy truck or a Ford. Both trucks have a loyal following that believes theirs are superior. Both will offer factoids why theirs is better.
Either is a good choice. Choose the one that you like the look of. I recommend sticking with 1.5 ".

KenpoTex

can't comment on the Beltman belts, but I've had my Sparks for about 6 years and it's still as good as the day I got it.

__________________
"Being a predator isn't always comfortable but the only other option is to be prey. That is not an acceptable option." ~Phil Messina

If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears.

Matt K.

JerryM

Hi TwinCarry,

Thanks for the pictures, and your assessment.
I like that pebble finish of the Sparks belt. I had called them about a sharkskin belt, but they were not taking orders for sharkskin due to the fact they were unable to get shark. It may have changed in the last 3 weeks.

The pebble finish looks like shark in the photo.

The Beltman looked good. When I ordered I wanted a cordovan belt since I had tan, brown, and black shark belts, but he only offered shark in black.
I sometimes wonder why I like shark and pretty belts. I almost never wear clothes where my belts show. I guess it might be like pretty holsters.

Thanks again for the post and the pictures.

Regards,
Jerry

kingdaddyoh

I ordered a 1.5" belt and CC-AT today from Milt Sparks, tan. Kevin (I think) ask what holster I wanted and I told him what pistol (CBOB Commander) and that I wanted a high ride slight cant and he suggested this set-up. He said it was what he wore. Anyway sometime around August I'll post some pics! Thanks all.

kingdaddyoh

Lucchese or Dan Post? LOL

Pizza Bob

I have both, although a little hard to compare since the Sparks is a 1.5" and the Beltman is 1.25" which (I think) lends it some extra rigidity. You can't go wrong with either. Both of mine are holding up well, under regular wear. The Beltman seems to retain its rigidity better, but as previously mentioned, that may be partially a function of width. At this juncture I have a holster coming from Sparks (can't say enough good things about their holsters - this is #5) and a belt from the Beltman. The first time around, I thought as you are thinking - holster and belt from the same source. This time I thought I'd try the alternate path. You won't get hurt either way.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

dgg9

There's something to be said for that. I always had a problem with holsters creaking when I walk. I happened to have a Mitch Rosen belt for the last year, and went though several pancake holsters of several brands, with a variety of noise results. The quietest by far has been the Mitch Rosen 5JR (Express, not even their top of the line). Maybe it's coincidence that the one manufacturer's belt thickness and holster belt loop construction mesh well -- or maybe not.

JerryM

I use candle wax, but also have used KG 9, which is like Rosen's Leather Lightning to stop leather creaking.

Regards,
Jerry