Medium Weight, Lined Concealed Carry Belt

[Day Dreamer]

I started making belts maybe 3 months ago. I'm up to my 7th belt. I've been using tips from here and think I'm finally getting the process down. So far, everything has been for friends and family.

What got me started down the belt path was I wanted a belt to support an OWB holster for a polymer compact pistol (Glock and HK USP). I looked at lots of belts. The single layer belts I looked at weren't heavy enough. The double layer belts I looked at seemed like there was a race to see who could build the thickest belt. For me, 16 to 18 oz of leather is sort of like wearing a Michelin tire and not needed for a compact pistol. So here's my medium weight belt. Any feedback on how to do it better would be totally appreciated.

I cut the inner and outer straps from sides I purchased. The outer layer is from an 8-9 oz walnut colored, drum dyed side from RJF leather. The inner layer is 4-5 oz side I got on sale at Tandy. The belt is hand stitched. I tried a few different types of threads. I'll probably take some flack for this, but the thread I like the best is 4 cord waxed linen from Hobby Lobby. On the first belts I did, I creased the stitch line. One of my belt "testers" is really hard on belts (work stuff). He started to see some really early thread wear, so on this belt I grooved the stitch line to get the thread in deeper.

For burnishing the edges, I used a black Sharpie for color, then hand burnished with Neutrogena/water using a stick followed by parafin using some denim. The inside is coated with 50/50 mop and glow. The outside has a lacquer finish.

The buckle is nickle coated solid brass. The keeper is from the RJF leather and hand sewn. The buckle is held on using 2 stainless Chicago screws from McMaster.

Appreciate any feedback to help me improve my craftsmanship.

Edited November 8, 2014 by Day Dreamer

[Dwight]

When I finish a belt for a customer, . . . my micrometer says it is in the range of .180 to .220 as my desired thickness. Sometimes it may inch up a bit, . . . but I rarely let it go any thinner.

Why, . . . my experience with thinner belts is that they simply do not last like a thicker one.

The one I have on right now originally hit in the .245 category, . . . carries a full size 1911, . . . 1, 2, or 3 mags, . . . flashlight, . . . cell phone, . . . and just about anything else I want to hang off it, . . . yet is still elegant enough to wear almost anyplace.

But that is my mileage speaking. YMMV

May God bless,

Dwight

[JLSleather]

The double layer belts I looked at seemed like there was a race to see who could build the thickest belt. For me, 16 to 18 oz of leather is sort of like wearing a Michelin tire and not needed for a compact pistol.

This was funny.. probably because it's accurate Many of these things are simply personal preference. Here's my 'take', for what it's worth...

I don't use RJF leather (once, but never again). Enough said.

The thread you selected is one notch heavier than I like. As a rule, for a holster / belt combo, why not let the thread match on both.

And, I don't use 7 holes (a fella needing that much adjustment must have medical issues - and if you did use it all the resulting 'tag end' would look ridiculous).

STILL, you got 13 oz of leather there, which - if good leather is used - is certainly heavy enough. Overall, you have a decent looking belt there. I don't have anything in that color for comparison - sometimes it's nice to see what others have done, and a guy can decide if he likes the look without investing the time and money to find he didn't prefer that

[silverwingit]

You might think about skiving down the part of the belt where the end folds over the buckle. Makes for a sleeker, more comfortable, better looking belt, IMO.

Have you tested your lacquer finish? I'd be concerned about it cracking under the kind of flexing a belt withstands.

Michelle

[Day Dreamer]

Thanks all for taking time to provide feedback. You guys are experts. I really appreciate the info.

...

The one I have on right now originally hit in the .245 category, . . . carries a full size 1911, . . . 1, 2, or 3 mags, . . . flashlight, . . . cell phone, . . . and just about anything else I want to hang off it, . . . yet is still elegant enough to wear almost anyplace.

...

I try to carry less. Maybe that won't end up working for me. I checked your website and your products look great.

...

The thread you selected is one notch heavier than I like.

...

And, I don't use 7 holes (a fella needing that much adjustment must have medical issues - and if you did use it all the resulting 'tag end' would look ridiculous).

...

If I can ask, which thread do you use? Are you machine stitching or had stitching? I had tried a thinner thread, but it didn't seem to grab the stitching holes as well. In terms of the adjustment holes, when I was looking at "best practices" for how to make belts, the two options seemed to be 7 holes spaced 3/4" apart or 5 holes spaced 1" apart. I used 7 holes, but what I was really after was the 3/4" spacing on the holes. I like 3/4" better than 1".

You might think about skiving down the part of the belt where the end folds over the buckle. Makes for a sleeker, more comfortable, better looking belt, IMO.

Have you tested your lacquer finish? I'd be concerned about it cracking under the kind of flexing a belt withstands.

Michelle

I skived the first three belts. I think the skived versions looked better, but somehow I convinced myself the un-skived belt would be stronger at the buckle bend. Not sure if that's true and I'm still mentally going back and forth on the skiving. So far I haven't seen any cracking in the lacquer. There's pretty good bending at the buckle bend and at the hole used for the buckle tang to stress the lacquer, but my earliest belts only have been worn three months, so not much of a test.

Again, thanks all for taking time to provide feedback.

[snubbyfan]

I like it, looks good.

As far as 5 vs 7 holes, if it's just to hold pants up of for a designated holster, I'll usually put 5 holes unless otherwise specified. If it's for concealed carry with an unspecified holster, I'll put 7 holes. Don't know if it'll be iwb, owb, paddle, pocket or whatever and I want to leave extra adjustability.

[Rohn]

How many holes in a belt dosn't really make the belt or take from the belt. I put 6 holes in all my belts.

By the way nice belt, I think it is a winner.

[Day Dreamer]

I like it, looks good.

As far as 5 vs 7 holes, if it's just to hold pants up of for a designated holster, I'll usually put 5 holes unless otherwise specified. If it's for concealed carry with an unspecified holster, I'll put 7 holes. Don't know if it'll be iwb, owb, paddle, pocket or whatever and I want to leave extra adjustability.

How many holes in a belt dosn't really make the belt or take from the belt. I put 6 holes in all my belts.

By the way nice belt, I think it is a winner.

Thanks guys.

[Dan28]

That belt looks functional and good to me.

My carry belt is probably 15 to 16 oz (laminate of 9-10 and 5-6) but very flexible. It was the first leather item I made. I also like the 3/4 inch spacing of the holes. I started with 7 holes, needing the variety because I use the belt with both Inside the waistband and outside the waistband holsters (Colt 1911 Govt model full 5" barrel) also with tucked and untucked shirts. I am probably up to 10 holes on it now and it may be time to make a shorter belt since I am probably ready to punch an 11th hole to tighten it up on me. I've lost a lot of weight since I made it and went down several pant sizes.

[mike6642]

HI, first nice work , I could have wrote that post, like you I just started making belts and with all the great help that I received from members from this forum has made making belts a lot of fun. here is a couple belts I just finished for my friends and relatives.