Advice On Belt Making And Bridle Leather Please :)

[Invasion]

I have made a few things since I started working with leather, and have improved with each project. I have made few knife sheaths, dog collars and belts -although non of the belts have been big enough for me to wear as I didn't have a long enough piece of leather.

(I've attached a pic of my first belt)

I would like to make some really good quality belts and was thinking bridle leather would be a good choice. I then,don't have to worry about staining it and the colour coming rubbing onto clothes etc. I have been led to believe it is a much better quality leather? I am hoping this will give a much better overall look and feel.

Would like some advice on what thickness -in mm- I should choose and how many square feet so I have good choice of belt length and maybe the odd guitar strap. I really like the Fiebing's professional oil dye in Dark brown. What would match that in bridal leather I will be ordering leather from Abbey England.

Another question is: do people line belts with pig skin or something similar, or not bother at all?

Really appreciate any advice

Edited July 9, 2013 by Invasion

[Matt S]

I take it you meant 'bridle' leather, as in the ring what goes on a horse's head? A firmish prefinished veg tan that has been got stuffed with dubbin.

Thickness depends on the weight of belt you want, whether you have a splitter and whether you will line them. As for lining... I like it but it's labour intensive and some people like an unlined belt.

Leather is priced by the square foot but sold by the cut. Double shoulders should get you several belts but only if you cut out the traditionally "wrong" way. Butts allow you to cut straps the "right" way and work out better price per belt but are a bit chunk of expensive leather.

[Invasion]

I take it you meant 'bridle' leather, as in the ring what goes on a horse's head? A firmish prefinished veg tan that has been got stuffed with dubbin.

Thickness depends on the weight of belt you want, whether you have a splitter and whether you will line them. As for lining... I like it but it's labour intensive and some people like an unlined belt.

Leather is priced by the square foot but sold by the cut. Double shoulders should get you several belts but only if you cut out the traditionally "wrong" way. Butts allow you to cut straps the "right" way and work out better price per belt but are a bit chunk of expensive leather.

Yes indeed; I did. It seems that my iPad, likes to make its own choice, and correct me while I'm not looking

I take it that cutting the wrong way will make it stretch ?

Edited July 9, 2013 by Invasion

[silverwingit]

"English" Bridle leather makes excellent belts as well as many other leather items. I buy mine by the side. That way I can cut very long straps the full length of the side, maybe 8 feet or more. That way I can make very long dog leads in one piece and of course belts at any length. I cut other smaller projects from the belly side on up to the long strip section I save for long straps and belts. A side lasts me a good long time. As to lining, my reference standard for Bridle Leather belts is our own Nigel Armitage. Here is his "Handmade Lined Belt" video. He uses smooth (not sueded) pigskin to line his belts. He cements the liner to the belt strap, cuts it to size and hand-stitches it to the belt. After that, he uses a regular edger to edge both the leather and the lined sides. The edger creates a very nice, smooth transition between the belt and liner. I know because I asked him. He's very knowledgeable, an excellent teacher and willing to answer questions. "Dangerous Beans" on this forum. http://youtu.be/YU1ihT-rHTA

[Invasion]

"English" Bridle leather makes excellent belts as well as many other leather items. I buy mine by the side. That way I can cut very long straps the full length of the side, maybe 8 feet or more. That way I can make very long dog leads in one piece and of course belts at any length. I cut other smaller projects from the belly side on up to the long strip section I save for long straps and belts. A side lasts me a good long time. As to lining, my reference standard for Bridle Leather belts is our own Nigel Armitage. Here is his "Handmade Lined Belt" video. He uses smooth (not sueded) pigskin to line his belts. He cements the liner to the belt strap, cuts it to size and hand-stitches it to the belt. After that, he uses a regular edger to edge both the leather and the lined sides. The edger creates a very nice, smooth transition between the belt and liner. I know because I asked him. He's very knowledgeable, an excellent teacher and willing to answer questions. "Dangerous Beans" on this forum. http://youtu.be/YU1ihT-rHTA

Thanks for the info really appreciated

Looking on abbey england it gets quite confusing on what to order

http://www.abbeyengland.com/Store/tabid/77/CategoryID/106/Category2ID/161/Level/2/Default.aspx

Ill try to get in touch with Nigel Armitage for some advice.when I was learning how to stitch I was going to contact Nigel and ask some advice but after two weeks I got it by myself

Did you contact Nigel through the forum or his website

Thanks Again

[silverwingit]

Try armitageleather@armitageleather.com. Say hey from Michelle.

[Matt S]

Yes indeed; I did. It seems that my iPad, likes to make its own choice, and correct me while I'm not looking

I take it that cutting the wrong way will make it stretch ?

My galaxy s3 does exactly the same thing ;-)

You are bang on with the stretching issue. Some people with more experience than I will maintain it's not enough stretch to worry about but i prefer to err on the more cautious side.

Btw check out metropolitan leather. I got a nice enough half butt of bridle for 110 delivered including VAT. Its not Sedgewicks or Bakers but does th we job.

[Invasion]

My galaxy s3 does exactly the same thing ;-)

You are bang on with the stretching issue. Some people with more experience than I will maintain it's not enough stretch to worry about but i prefer to err on the more cautious side.

Btw check out metropolitan leather. I got a nice enough half butt of bridle for 110 delivered including VAT. Its not Sedgewicks or Bakers but does th we job.

Thanks for the info. I will check out metropolitan leather see what they have