Black bridle leather belt

[Toadflax]

I finished this recently for a lady who had a similar one off me, and liked it so much that she wanted another one - all in the space of two weeks! Always good to know that your work is appreciated.

It's made from Baker's oak-bark tanned bridle leather (produced in their traditional tannery in Devon), roughly 4mm thick and 1.5in wide. I cut the straps with a plough gauge, as I found that a wooden strap cutter just couldn't cope with this heavy grade leather - certainly for wider straps. And with the price of this leather, you can't afford to be wasteful. Strap cutting with a round knife does work well, but the plough gauge saves a fair bit of time.

It's all done by hand, from edge dying (the leather isn't through dyed) and burnishing (pretty time consuming with about 8 feet of edge on a typical belt) through to fixing the buckle by punching the stitch holes with a diamond awl and saddle stitching with waxed black thread. Buckle holes are punched with an oval punch, as I think the holes look nicer than round ones, and they also let the buckle tongue lie a bit flatter than in a round hole.

Thanks for looking.


Geoff

 

[crosslandkelly]

Nice work mate.

 

[Elen Sentier]

Oh I do like that! Love the simplicity and the dark colour, reminds me of my pony's bridle yonks ago

 

[Dougster]

That's a stunner. I'm impressed you invested in a plough gauge.

I've just sent alot of belts out with oval holes and I agree with you.

That is a very very pretty belt mate.

 

[Dreadhead]

very nice looks braw

 

[Toadflax]

Thanks for all the nice comments!

I'm impressed you invested in a plough gauge.

With the number of belts I was making, it seemed worthwhile. After spoiling a couple of straps with the wooden cutter, I cut straps with the round knife for a while, whilst watching (and despairing at the price of) various plough gauges on eBay. Eventually managed to pick up a Joseph Dixon plough gauge at a good price (old but in good order) from someone who'd just closed their saddlery business.

Geoff

 

[Dreadhead]

oooo that is a nice plough Geoff!

 

[Dougster]

oooo that is a nice plough Geoff!

Indeed it is - if you see another, please think of me......

 

[Dreadhead]

shall we get one between us on a timeshare?

 

[blacktimberwolf]

A nice bit of leather & good craftsmanship, but I do have a problem with that buckle though.

 

[Toadflax]

A nice bit of leather & good craftsmanship, but I do have a problem with that buckle though.

The customer is always right...

But, just for you, does this look better?

Geoff

 

[grey-array]

Lovely Geoff,
nice and clean, job well done, and I love that plough
Yours sincerely Ruud