I'm now taking commissions for these hand-made oak-bark tanned bridle leather belts. At the moment, I can do them in black or tan, but hope to be able to offer them in brown in a couple of months time.
The belts are made from traditionally tanned bridle leather, from J & FJ Baker of Devon (http://www.jfjbaker.co.uk/), the last remaining traditional tanner in England, on a site that has been a tannery since Roman times. The finest quality hides are prepared using English oak bark, in a process that takes over a year to produce the leather. They are thick (3.5 to 4 mm), strong, and packed with oils and waxes. To paraphrase the Carlsberg advert, “probably the best leather in the world”. I can only describe this leather as gorgeous – the smell, feel, and look are nothing like the standard veg-tan leather that I have been working with to date. The main problem for me is that if you buy one of these belts, then you'll probably never need to buy another one.
The belts are cut from a bridle butt, edges are chamfered and burnished by hand, the wider belts have an edge crease applied, the leather is waxed with Carnauba Wax, before the buckle is hand sewn on with linen thread. Finally, oval holes are punched in the tongue of the belt.
The buckles are steel or solid brass (your choice - I can let you have pictures of the buckles I have in stock). Belts have five holes punched at 1” intervals, though I can do more if you want.
For sizing a belt, you generally need a belt that is about 2” bigger than your trouser waist size. You can also use a tape measure to see what size your waist is on the outside of your trousers. However, the best method is to measure a belt that fits you (lay the belt out flat and measure the distance between the very end of the buckle and the hole that you use most). If you are interested, we can sort out sizing via PM. I should be able to do belts up to about a 50" waist.
Prices are £30 for the 1” belts, £35 for the 1.25” belts, £40 for 1.5" belts. Postage is extra at £3 for first class signed for within the UK. I’ll take Paypal, personal cheque (given time to clear), or direct bank transfer.
Please send me a PM if you are interested. I have some in stock, but if I don't have your size in stock, then it could take a couple of weeks, as I've got a few orders on from work colleagues at the moment.
Thanks
Geoff
The belts are made from traditionally tanned bridle leather, from J & FJ Baker of Devon (http://www.jfjbaker.co.uk/), the last remaining traditional tanner in England, on a site that has been a tannery since Roman times. The finest quality hides are prepared using English oak bark, in a process that takes over a year to produce the leather. They are thick (3.5 to 4 mm), strong, and packed with oils and waxes. To paraphrase the Carlsberg advert, “probably the best leather in the world”. I can only describe this leather as gorgeous – the smell, feel, and look are nothing like the standard veg-tan leather that I have been working with to date. The main problem for me is that if you buy one of these belts, then you'll probably never need to buy another one.
The belts are cut from a bridle butt, edges are chamfered and burnished by hand, the wider belts have an edge crease applied, the leather is waxed with Carnauba Wax, before the buckle is hand sewn on with linen thread. Finally, oval holes are punched in the tongue of the belt.
The buckles are steel or solid brass (your choice - I can let you have pictures of the buckles I have in stock). Belts have five holes punched at 1” intervals, though I can do more if you want.
For sizing a belt, you generally need a belt that is about 2” bigger than your trouser waist size. You can also use a tape measure to see what size your waist is on the outside of your trousers. However, the best method is to measure a belt that fits you (lay the belt out flat and measure the distance between the very end of the buckle and the hole that you use most). If you are interested, we can sort out sizing via PM. I should be able to do belts up to about a 50" waist.
Prices are £30 for the 1” belts, £35 for the 1.25” belts, £40 for 1.5" belts. Postage is extra at £3 for first class signed for within the UK. I’ll take Paypal, personal cheque (given time to clear), or direct bank transfer.
Please send me a PM if you are interested. I have some in stock, but if I don't have your size in stock, then it could take a couple of weeks, as I've got a few orders on from work colleagues at the moment.
Thanks
Geoff
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