Just wondering. Why such thick, heavy belts?

[SUP]

I see people making gorgeous belts with really thick leather. I mean, 7-9oz, double layered! That would be up to nearly a cm thick! And so heavy too! Other than durability, is there any reason for such thick, heavy belts? Don't they weigh down on the waist? And then, add other stuff in pockets!. Wow! Rather than hold trousers up, I would worry that they will pull then lower.

Just wondering.

[BlackDragon]

My thick belts, 12-14oz, are made as carry belts. They also have a thin reenforcement to prevent stretching from the weight of the firearm and extra magazine(s).

My brother in law uses one of my belts to carry a firearm, mag, and a set of pliers. 

.21in/ 5.3mm

[billybopp]

37 minutes ago, BlackDragon said:

My thick belts, 12-14oz, are made as carry belts. They also have a thin reenforcement to prevent stretching from the weight of the firearm and extra magazine(s).

My brother in law uses one of my belts to carry a firearm, mag, and a set of pliers. 

.21in/ 5.3mm

 

 

Hmmmmm.   The caliper looks like it's a bit under a quarter.  And yet the picture shows three quarters thick.   Things that make you go Hmmmmmm. 

- Bill

[BlackDragon]

34 minutes ago, billybopp said:

Hmmmmm.   The caliper looks like it's a bit under a quarter.  And yet the picture shows three quarters thick.   Things that make you go Hmmmmmm. 

- Bill

You had me there for a second.

[Littlef]

Depends on what you are carrying on your waist.  Dress belts are typically nice and thin, cause you're normally not carrying anything really heavy.  My more casual Leather belt I wear with jeans its really thick, but I use it when carrying a holster at the range.  Lightweight belts deform if they are carrying too much weight.  Western style leather belts fall in this category because a person who wears that belt is far more likely to be carrying something on it, ie.  a knife, firearm, other types of tools.   I guess it kinda depends on what activities you do in your life.  

[SUP]

Thank you all for your replies. I have been pretty clueless, isn't it? Don't really notice these things, I guess. All I am used to is dress belts. So much to still learn.

I don't want to even think of the weight of it all around your waists! Heavy belt, gun, with holster and whatever else! I mean pockets must hold wallet etc. as well? How much does it all end up weighing? Has anyone checked their weights before and after wearing it all?

[Dwight]

3 hours ago, SUP said:

Thank you all for your replies. I have been pretty clueless, isn't it? Don't really notice these things, I guess. All I am used to is dress belts. So much to still learn.

I don't want to even think of the weight of it all around your waists! Heavy belt, gun, with holster and whatever else! I mean pockets must hold wallet etc. as well? How much does it all end up weighing? Has anyone checked their weights before and after wearing it all?

OK . . . here it is . . . my normal carry  . . . I dropped it in a box . . . sat it on my scale . . . it hit 97 ounces . . . take away the 6 oz box . . . 91 ounces.  I had to use the cell phone for the picture . . . but it was in the box.

Yes . . . this is my EDC . . . except that sometimes that little 29 ounce Springfield gets replaced with an ATI 49 ounce handgun.  That black belt goes around a 39 (or so) waist.

It is also the reason my belt measures 0.230 thick . . . and it is only 20 or 21 or 22 years old . . . not for sure which.

I make my belts I sell . . . between about 0.180 and 0.230 . . . but usually the heavier ones only hit 0.220 or 0.210.

My customers have yet to complain . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited Saturday at 11:31 PM by Dwight

[SUP]

Oh Wow! @Dwight That makes it nearly 6 lb. that you carry around your waist, at a minimum. Isn't it exhausting? But I guess you are  used to it.

I know what to say next time anyone says my handbag is heavy. At least I can keep it down!

Edited Sunday at 01:35 AM by SUP

[Dwight]

Every now and then I take inventory . . . thinking I could chop it down.

So far . . . if I take it out . . . within a couple days . . . I miss it.

So . . . it stays . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

[SUP]

 @Dwight. I know what you mean. I feel the same about my bag too. 

[DoubleKCustomLeathercraft]

I make my carry belts around the 18 oz thickness, with a stiffener between the two layers. They take a month to break in but they'll be the last belt you'll need to buy. Casual belts are also just a thick, but no reinforcement. The reason is 100% durability, quality, and feel. I haven't met a person that doesn't like the feel of a nice heavy belt. Whether it's for work, day to day wear, special occasion... doesn't matter.

 

Thin belts stretch and sag right away, and in a year or less they need replaced.  

[SUP]

@DieselTech 

10 hours ago, DoubleKCustomLeathercraft said:

I haven't met a person that doesn't like the feel of a nice heavy belt.

 I'll take your word for it. 

I agree about thin belts, although I wonder how thick leather, single layer will work? If the leather quality is good, will it not last longer and be lighter as well? I mean, people might just like lighter belts or might not be able to wear heavy ones due to issues like health - hip problems maybe? 

 

[fredk]

I think you are looking at the weight problem too simply

Take a 1cm thick belt. It may weight 24 ounces. When held it one hand that weight is noticeable but spread that weight around a 42 inch waist its hardly noticeable 

I liken it to what I used to tell ppl about my chainmaille hauberk; held in the arms its full 35lb weight could be felt, but as its worn on the body the weight is spread around, some on the shoulders, some on the arms et cetera and then it feels no heavier than a good overcoat

[DieselTech]

1 hour ago, SUP said:

@DieselTech 

 I'll take your word for it. 

I agree about thin belts, although I wonder how thick leather, single layer will work? If the leather quality is good, will it not last longer and be lighter as well? I mean, people might just like lighter belts or might not be able to wear heavy ones due to issues like health - hip problems maybe? 

 

 I must of done something wrong? I was summoned! 

I guess I must really make my duty belts overkill. My carry belts are 6-9mm thick. Plus I put a plastic stiffner in them if the customer wants it. 

[kgg]

On 12/7/2024 at 3:58 PM, SUP said:

Other than durability, is there any reason for such thick, heavy belts?

It adds support and feels more comfortable to wear.

57 minutes ago, DieselTech said:

My carry belts are 6-9mm thick.

IMHO a belt really depends on the actively of the person wearing it.

i) dress belt be about 5oz, management where the belt just needs to match the clothes

ii) daily light use belt about 8 oz, for someone with a more sedentary lifestyle like someone sat at a computer all day.

iii) daily working belt about 12 oz to 14 oz, active lifestyle like a laborer

I have made a few 13 oz belts that are 1 1/2" wide and made up of two layers of 6.5 oz that are glued and then the edges stitched together with V138. The people like them as they provide added support and comfort.

2 hours ago, fredk said:

Take a 1cm thick belt. It may weight 24 ounces. When held it one hand that weight is noticeable but spread that weight around a 42 inch waist its hardly noticeable 

I agree.

13 hours ago, DoubleKCustomLeathercraft said:

I haven't met a person that doesn't like the feel of a nice heavy belt.

I agree.

kgg

 

Edited Sunday at 04:47 PM by kgg

[SUP]

33 minutes ago, kgg said:

IMHO a belt really depends on the actively of the person wearing it.

i) dress belt be about 5oz, management where the belt just needs to match the clothes

ii) daily light use belt about 8 oz, for someone with a more sedentary lifestyle like someone sat at a computer all day.

iii) daily working belt about 12 oz to 14 oz, active lifestyle like a laborer

I have made a few 13 oz belts that are 1 1/2" wide and made up of two layers of 6.5 oz that are glued and then the edges stitched together with V138. The people like them as they provide added support and comfort.

Makes sense. 

2 hours ago, fredk said:

Take a 1cm thick belt. It may weight 24 ounces. When held it one hand that weight is noticeable but spread that weight around a 42 inch waist its hardly noticeable 

I guess so. I suppose I was comparing heavy belts to  the heavy bag that I carry. However, I have tried putting everything into pockets and waist pouches and that is still heavy and uncomfortable. Maybe it is also a matter of what one gets used to using.

 

35 minutes ago, kgg said:

I haven't met a person that doesn't like the feel of a nice heavy belt.

Oh yes. They are nice. I just would not wear them though.

I would worry about them slipping down. And women have wider hips, so belts usually remain in place. How on earth do men, with, presumably slim hips keep them up? Unless, ...ummmmm... the paunches help?   (I beg the pardon of all the men out there who are slim).

[SUP]

2 hours ago, SUP said:

I would worry about them slipping down. And women have wider hips, so belts usually remain in place. How on earth do men, with, presumably slim hips keep them up? Unless, ...ummmmm... the paunches help?   (I beg the pardon of all the men out there who are slim).

Uttam asked whether I also said 'tongue firmly in cheek'. I said no, so he sent me to do so! He's a doll.

[DJole]

On 12/7/2024 at 5:42 PM, Dwight said:

Every now and then I take inventory . . . thinking I could chop it down.

So far . . . if I take it out . . . within a couple days . . . I miss it.

So . . . it stays . . . 

May God bless,

Dwight

Maybe you could lose that Chapstick and save a couple pounds?
haha!
Seriously though--that's a 20 year old belt? It's a tough piece of work!

[kgg]

22 hours ago, SUP said:

How on earth do men, with, presumably slim hips keep them up? Unless, ...ummmmm... the paunches help? 

Na, just add a set of suspenders.

kgg