Acorn and Oak Leaf belt

[Grunt]

Truly awesome!!! That belt is truly too cool for school!

Thanks for telling us about this project and posting the pics. You have given me something to shoot for artistically.

Regards,

Nick

[kseidel]

Did you submit the pattern to the silversmith for the stems or carve it and "bend" the silver? And how did you attach the silver pieces?

Also- how does one do an 8 round braid?

pete

Pete, I drew specific patterns for the silversmith. The findings on the backs are 16 gauge folded wire. The fold is soldered to the silver like a split rivet only stronger and can be clinched tighter to the leather. Also not specific to leather thickness. I use a lot of silver from these guys and it really helps when both I and my silversmith understands what I want.

The eight plait round edge braid is outlined in Bruce Grant's braiding books. It is similar to a spanish round braid and can be done with one string or several. With two colors, you can get the candy cane effect that I did on this belt or you can get a checkerboard. It is very time consuming!

[bcurrier]

I'll quote my wife - "That's the most beautiful belt I've ever seen." I also like to see acorn and oak done so well, as it's often the most mangled for some reason.

The more I think about this, the more I am inspired. I understand that there are only so many customers that can afford or desire that pricetag, but it does prove to leatherworkers that there is room to go up.

Agreed. It's all in the details - which at this price level have to be flawlessly executed, custom (one-off, in this case), and elegantly done. This belt hits all three.

Bill

[abn]

Keith,

The more I think about this, the more I am inspired. I understand that there are only so many customers that can afford or desire that pricetag, but it does prove to leatherworkers that there is room to go up. It gives me faith when there are customers that will pay that for a belt, boots at 10K, and saddles are selling for 50K. I was in a shop last year, and watched them quote a guy $400 for a plain basket stamped belt, lined and stitched. They had a rack of $55 Vogts off to the side that to most people would have been hard to tell the difference. Customer ordered the shop belt with a 6 week wait. There is room at all levels. It also gives legitimacy that what we all are doing is an art and people are willing to pay for something that has our name on it. Then to further make it real, they are using it as intended.

Very well said, Bruce. People need to remember that leather is -- and always has been -- a premium material. Leather products that are executed with a very high degree of skill should definitely command top prices.

[Beaverslayer]

Kieth, that is about the nicest lace job I have ever seen, that alone is worth a few grand. The belt is in a word "Gorgeous" thank you for sharing the pictures and details of this with us. It's refreshing to know that there are people out there that are willing to pay for the "Custom" made items that we all strive to make and sell.

Ken

[CollinsMS]

I'm not sure there are any other words to use to describe your belt. Everyone has used them. Fantabulous, I will make up a word since everyone else took real words to describe your work. My great uncle had customers like you have. In 1948 - 1949 he made some saddles that had 100 true silver dollars inlayed like conchos. Back then the saddle sold for over 5 thousand dollars. All I have left is a black and white photo of one. It's on my web site http://theleathercraftsman.com under Newell Saddles. I would love to put a picture of your belt in the Gallery section of the web site.

[Frayed01]

Wow,the belt is off the planet,love the interior swivel knife work.

Where did the silver come from? was it of an original Bohlin piece?

I am totally in awe of every thing that came out of Bohlin's studios,the man was a genius.

Dave

[kseidel]

Kieth, that is about the nicest lace job I have ever seen, that alone is worth a few grand. The belt is in a word "Gorgeous" thank you for sharing the pictures and details of this with us. It's refreshing to know that there are people out there that are willing to pay for the "Custom" made items that we all strive to make and sell.

Ken

Thanks Ken, I am constantly amazed at the amount of money out there and with the volume of people who will spend that much on an item. The gap between the wealthy and the rest of us is gigantic. I am glad a few of them have found me.

Keith

I'm not sure there are any other words to use to describe your belt. Everyone has used them. Fantabulous, I will make up a word since everyone else took real words to describe your work. My great uncle had customers like you have. In 1948 - 1949 he made some saddles that had 100 true silver dollars inlayed like conchos. Back then the saddle sold for over 5 thousand dollars. All I have left is a black and white photo of one. It's on my web site http://theleathercraftsman.com under Newell Saddles. I would love to put a picture of your belt in the Gallery section of the web site.

I have seen a few of his saddles, not many. I think they must have been well loved as most that I have seen were used up. The silver dollar saddle is incredible. Are you any relation to J.S. Collins of Collins and Morrison saddlery? You may use images of the belt as long as you include credits.

Keith

Wow,the belt is off the planet,love the interior swivel knife work.

Where did the silver come from? was it of an original Bohlin piece?

I am totally in awe of every thing that came out of Bohlin's studios,the man was a genius.

Dave, The silver and gold is current Bohlin production. I am the largest Bohlin dealer and have a great relationship with them. The co. has been sold many times since Ed Bohlin's death in 1980, and I have done custom work for most of the owners. I am currently the only licensed leather craftsman to use the Bohlin stamp on new and re-made Bohlin goods. Mr Bohlin was an incredible designer as well as ingenious mfgr. His designs have stood the tests of time, and his products are the most valuable to western collectors. I have tremendous respect for him.

Keith

[Gremlin]

uhhh ..... damn .... never had a belt give me wood before

[broncobuster]

I have no words. Bonnie