Why Do Belts Bend? And So Very Quickly...

[Deraj828]

I made a belt recently, and have been pretty happy with the result. It's nothing professional, and I skipped a few steps the hardcore belt makers around here would never skip, but it's just for me anyway. It's Hermann Oak, unfinished edges, just some stamping and grooving and coloring.

My issue concerns the bending of the belt. (I tried searching the forum a few times, but you can imagine searching leather topics for words like 'belt' and 'bend' returned half the threads ever written.) I've worn one belt I made for the last decade, and it's got a real curve to it by now, so I figured it was bound to happen to this new belt eventually. But I've only worn it twice, and it's nothing like straight anymore. Should I be concerned about the potential longevity of this belt? And why does this happen, anyway? Can it be avoided?

[5shot]

Just getting broke in. The firmest leather is from along the spine, which will result in a longer break in, but it will look the same regardless. My belts look like a big lazy W.

[electrathon]

It isn't supposed to be straight, the bottom shape is "proper". Your hips are flared, not straight.

[Dwight]

Expanding on Electrathon's post: go on a diet, . . . when your shape from rib cage to thigh is similar to a telephone pole, . . . your belts will no longer become "bent".

Seriously, . . . your body heat, . . . sweat, . . . and the pressure of your body attempting to escape the confines of the belt, . . . all add up to a modification in the shape of the belt.

Same thing happens with your billfold. Buy a new one, . . . nice and flat, fits that skinny little box like it was meant to. Put a couple hundred bucks worth of 20's in it, half dozen credit card type items, a few business cards, some family photos, . . . two days later the shape is changed.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Deraj828]

Well, shucks, I wouldn't have worried so much about stamping both edges evenly if I'd known it was going to curve after a day anyway. Maybe next time I get artsy, I can find some suspenders to protect my investment.

Thanks for the answers, folks.

[WinterBear]

Look at the gun holsters subforum for belt stiffeners and the things the makers of such do to make their belts stiffer (and less likely to "W" too, I think--but also maybe not comfortable either). Makers suggest hard-rolled horse hide, two pieces of thick leather bonded and sewn flesh-sides together, widening the belt, and laminating things like a piece of fiberglass pallet strapping tape between the leather, among other things.

[Rayban]

Some belt makers get paid to incorporate a " pre-curve" or something like that, into a new belt. They market that it's much more comfortable, but as you have proven (OP) the curve will come to a straight belt in no time at all.