Missing a trick with belts?

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Oliver G

Full Member
Sep 15, 2012
392
286
Ravenstone, Leicestershire
I've finally worn out my day to day belt and figured it's time to get another one. I ordered a rolson belt from Amazon for a whole £8, turns out I misread the sizing and it was far to big for my normal belt loops. Rather than faffing about returning it I figured I'll use it for it's intended purpose as a tool belt while out and about, it fits the ETH cover nicely for my water bottle and my first aid kit along with all the necessary danglers.

So now to the actual point of the post. After looking around the internet at other bushcraft belts they're selling for about £70-£100. Is there something I'm missing that makes those belts so much more expensive or is it just someone throwing the word bushcraft on a product and an additional 0 on the price?
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,975
7,755
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
I had no idea a 'Bushcraft Belt' existed! A good quality, hand made, stitched, leather belt is going to be £60 plus TBH. If it's lined (soft leather on the inside for example) it will be more than that. But, for camping or working in the woods, I do not see the point of paying over the top for something that keeps your trousers up or keeps your tools in place. OK, my tool belt is a hand stitched leather belt but I made it myself :)
 

Herman30

Native
Aug 30, 2015
1,351
1,030
57
Finland
This is one of Varustelekas own brand belts (just the belt, not what is hanging from the belt). Is this a bushcraft belt or a military belt or just a plain sturdy leather belt?
Only cost 40 euros.

32537c.jpg
 

Mowmow

Forager
Jul 6, 2016
237
130
Nottinghamshire
I got a swiss army belt, its not a wide load carrying one but excellent quality, cost me all of about £7

Worn everyday for the last 7 years. Still going strong.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 
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Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,937
4,570
S. Lanarkshire
Well mine certainly doesn't look that swish but it is comfy and carries all I need, I ended up making the danglers out of an old leather handbag my wife was getting rid of, (dead useful for brass fittings)

I think a lot of these expensive ones are just for people who like to do the campfire cat-walk.
"campfire cat-walk", Brilliant :D
 

Dogoak

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 24, 2009
2,285
286
Cairngorms
If you want to go down the DIY, more resonable cost route, some of the leather suppliers do 'blanks' or pre cut straps in various sizes and thicknesses, I think LePrevo used to?
Grab yourself a buckle when you order and your almost there!
 
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Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,975
7,755
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
To add to Dogoak's comment, you don't even have to do any sewing if you don't fancy it; just use leather rivets and/or poppers.

For my tool belt I like a quick release buckle; take all your tools off your waist in a second before you go do what you need to do ;)
 
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demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
4,691
710
-------------
Belts are an absolute doddle to make, just have a go. Use copper rivets and I just fire a hole every inch. The buckles with two..err...pin things to go through the belt are pretty good. Just slightly harder to do twice as many holes in the belt.
I personally can't stand the ornate ones with loads of tooling on the leather but it's a personal choice and do what you want. I much prefer em plain.
I also bought a couple of Stihl (the chainsaw brand) leather belts a while ago but the ones I've seen more recently have been listed as leather composite and I'm a bit wary of them. Think they were about a tenner or so each.
 

Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,937
4,570
S. Lanarkshire
@leon-1 did a tutorial a while back on making a Ranger Belt.
Very practical I thought, gave access to remove the danglers without having to take the belt off your trousers. Handy these days when carrying a knife can be not quite the done thing in some situations.

Edit; Sorry, I did find the thread, but the photos have gone into the ether :sigh:
 

TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
10,446
3,650
50
Exeter
What makes a belt a bushcraft belt?


I think maybe "Bushcraft" and " Wedding " sound the same audio gold to those selling stuff or services.



Me " I'd like a large Cake please "
Them " That will be £50 "

Me " I'd like a Large Wedding Cake please "
Them " That will be £500 "

Me " I'd like to hire a photographer for 3/4 hours "
Them " That will be £150 "

Me "I'd like to hire a Wedding Photographer for 3/4 hours "
Them " That will be £600 "
 

Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,937
4,570
S. Lanarkshire
@TeeDee

I liked your post, but there's a caveat. Often bushcraft kit is really, really good quality stuff.

We know we can manage with stuff from the poundstore, but when some spend a couple of hundred quid on 'fashionable' trainers, why shouldn't folks spend that on a decent pair of boots ?
Or in my case, a 'label' handbag can easily cost £400, I'd rather have a decent rucksack :)
 

TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
10,446
3,650
50
Exeter
@TeeDee

I liked your post, but there's a caveat. Often bushcraft kit is really, really good quality stuff.

We know we can manage with stuff from the poundstore, but when some spend a couple of hundred quid on 'fashionable' trainers, why shouldn't folks spend that on a decent pair of boots ?
Or in my case, a 'label' handbag can easily cost £400, I'd rather have a decent rucksack :)

True.

I've only worn the wedding dress the once.
 

TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
10,446
3,650
50
Exeter
@TeeDee

I liked your post, but there's a caveat. Often bushcraft kit is really, really good quality stuff.

We know we can manage with stuff from the poundstore, but when some spend a couple of hundred quid on 'fashionable' trainers, why shouldn't folks spend that on a decent pair of boots ?
Or in my case, a 'label' handbag can easily cost £400, I'd rather have a decent rucksack :)

Sensible answer - I think its like anything - Golf - Photography - Cars - Audio Equipment , The more one gets 'into' a hobby the more one can justify large amounts of money for quality kit.

The rest of the world outside that bubble looks inwards and looks at you as you try to convince them of the various merits which they can't fathom.
 

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