Curved Belts?

[alb]

Thanks Dwight, I understood that it was laid on edge, I was just trying to clarify if the curve was over the entire length of the rule.

I can see from your sketch that it is.

Thanks!

Ann

[CaptQuirk]

On 7/31/2010 at 1:19 PM, Luke Hatley said:

There is no need to cut the belt in a curve shape ....Just wet the belt blank and shape it to the

curve and let it dry.

Sorry to drag this old thread up, but I'm thinking about doing another Buscadaro/Gunfighter belt. The last one I made, was cut straight, and since I have apparently lost my butt over the years, it tends to slide off my hips. I am wondering how wet forming a curved belt would work? How would it be done?

[HBAR]

There are a couple ways I know to do it. Im sure there are more ways.

1  Actually cut the rig in a curve. I know some top holster makers that do that.

2. Cut your belt straight, wet the belt (prior to stitching) let dry, then stitch it.  I do this method for the most part.  I get the belt wet, then carefully manipulate the belt into an arc.  I generally know the body shape of my cowboy holster buyers. If they have wide hips they get more curve. If they are thin and have no hips they just get a little curve.

[CaptQuirk]

4 hours ago, HBAR said:

There are a couple ways I know to do it. Im sure there are more ways.

1  Actually cut the rig in a curve. I know some top holster makers that do that.

2. Cut your belt straight, wet the belt (prior to stitching) let dry, then stitch it.  I do this method for the most part.  I get the belt wet, then carefully manipulate the belt into an arc.  I generally know the body shape of my cowboy holster buyers. If they have wide hips they get more curve. If they are thin and have no hips they just get a little curve.

Thanks HBAR. I knew about cutting on a curve, but not really excited to try that for a first time. I was particularly interested in wet forming the curve though. With a wide blank of 4", I thought about wetting it and trying to stretch it on a pipe to for the curve. My hesitation is, that forcing a curve is going to leave the leather bumpy, not flat and smooth. Am I correct there?

[HBAR]

I think you may be thinking of curving it too much.  You arent going to easily curve it past a mild smiley face shape.   Once the belt is around the waist it doesnt need a lot of curve, just enough that  the bottom flares out. Everyday wear of course will do this on it own but this is nicer on the hips.

 

For a buscadero, you may have to cut it at on the curve for a 4" belt if you want that much curve. 

[CaptQuirk]

Ok, thanks again HBAR.

[wlg190861]

In my honest opinion If you want to make a nice looking belt, make a 3 braid belt. I have had mine for 3 years now, I wear it every day, an I am a roofer, an it is still straight an looks good. As you an everyone knows after, you wear a regular striate belt, after a few times of wearing it starts to look all wavy.