Oak-bark tanned bridle leather belts

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Toadflax

Native
Mar 26, 2007
1,783
5
64
Oxfordshire
I have several of these belts available, handmade by me.

bridle_06.jpg


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 (4 to 4.5 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 belts are cut from a London Tan coloured bridle butt, edges are chamfered and burnished by hand, the 1.25” belts have an edge crease applied, the leather is waxed with Carnauba Wax (as this hardly changes the vibrant and rich London Tan colour), before the solid brass buckle is hand sewn on with un-dyed linen thread. Finally, oval holes are punched in the tongue of the belt.

bridle_01.jpg


The buckles are solid brass: 1” belts have a west end buckle with a leather keeper; the 1.25” belts have a full rectangle buckle.

bridle_02.jpg


London Tan is a very versatile colour, I wear mine with brown, blue and black trousers, and it goes well with all of them.

Belts have five holes punched at 1” intervals.

I have 1” belts in the following sizes:

1. Waist 26” to 32” (belt size 28” to 34”)
2. Waist 29” to 33” (belt size 31” to 35”)
3. Waist 32” to 36” (belt size 34” to 38”)
4. Waist 35” to 39” (belt size 37” to 41”)

I have 1.25” belts in the following sizes:

1. Waist 29” to 33” (belt size 31” to 35”)
2. Waist 32” to 36” (belt size 34” to 38”)
3. Waist 35” to 39” (belt size 37” to 41”)
4. Waist 38” to 42” (belt size 40” to 44”)

bridle_03.jpg


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.

bridle_07.jpg


Prices are £30 for the 1” belts, and £35 for the 1.25” belts. Postage is extra at £3 for first class signed for. I’ll take Paypal, personal cheque (given time to clear), or direct bank transfer.

Please send me a PM if you are interested.

Thanks

Geoff
 
Last edited:

wasteoid

Forager
Jan 6, 2006
166
0
51
uxbridge
Cheers Geoff,

Let me know if anything changes or if you get another batch in, I like the idea of oak tanned leather. Your belts look great by the way.

Chris
 

Toadflax

Native
Mar 26, 2007
1,783
5
64
Oxfordshire
If you don't like this colour, keep your eyes open in the New Year, as I'm hoping to get some more colours going. I can also do the belts in other widths and lengths, though (for the other Makers :)) I appreciate that I'd need to switch to Maker+ if I start to accept commissions.

bridle_06.jpg



Geoff
 

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