bikermutt07 Posted January 18, 2017 Report Posted January 18, 2017 Thanks, guys. I just wanted to get an idea. Not being a tooler will put off a lot of sales, but I'm not trying to live off this stuff. And I wouldn't sell Junky stuff. It will be clean or not at all. You have taught me better than that. Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
NVLeatherWorx Posted January 18, 2017 Report Posted January 18, 2017 22 hours ago, CaptQuirk said: At the $200+ range, are there many people buying? I mean, I could see some of the gun people spending $100 or more on a holster, and not bat an eye. But I honestly can't say I know anybody that would pay that for a belt. On the other side of that coin, I have seen women spend $3-$5k on a purse, and not bat an eye. It is funny how the world works, ain't it? As a matter of fact there are but you have to have the right market for this type of work which is the trick. The bulk of my higher end/higher priced items are actually ordered via online but they are out there. As a business I do more than just peddle to the local scene, I am global and have been for many, many years. Quote Richard Hardie R. P. Hardie Leather Co. R. P. Hardie Leather Co. - OnlineR. P. Hardie Leather Co on Facebook
NVLeatherWorx Posted January 18, 2017 Report Posted January 18, 2017 19 hours ago, bikermutt07 said: Since we are opening up the can of worms...... What about a belt with no tooling out of Hermann Oak or W&C. Decent buckle with stitching? Just kind of curious. I only use H.O. and the top grade available and all of my hardware is solid brass. I don't do stitching as decorative item as the punching of holes that close to the edge of any single layer belt will lead to the edges eventually wearing out and the belt looking like it had been dragged through hell. Stitching isn't as big an issue if the belt is two-ply. I would charge about $65 for a standard belt because I cut everything at the time of order and all of what I do is done by hand; no spraying, machine anything, just real handmade work and quality. Again, I am a business with a global client base and not just a weekend crafter dude. Quote Richard Hardie R. P. Hardie Leather Co. R. P. Hardie Leather Co. - OnlineR. P. Hardie Leather Co on Facebook
bikermutt07 Posted January 19, 2017 Report Posted January 19, 2017 1 hour ago, NVLeatherWorx said: I only use H.O. and the top grade available and all of my hardware is solid brass. I don't do stitching as decorative item as the punching of holes that close to the edge of any single layer belt will lead to the edges eventually wearing out and the belt looking like it had been dragged through hell. Stitching isn't as big an issue if the belt is two-ply. I would charge about $65 for a standard belt because I cut everything at the time of order and all of what I do is done by hand; no spraying, machine anything, just real handmade work and quality. Again, I am a business with a global client base and not just a weekend crafter dude. Sorry I didn't mention the lining part. Yes they would be lined. Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Members OLDNSLOW Posted January 19, 2017 Members Report Posted January 19, 2017 What hasn't been said or if it has I missed it, but you have to figure out your market, there are different factors in each even when it comes to how someone will be led to your website to look for an item they might be interested in, but you have to be able to charge what the market will bare. There has been mention about weekenders full time artisans on and on. Again what it will come down to is how you present yourself and how you click with the client. Its like looking at Ansel Adams and his work, Ansel was a much better darkroom person than he is given credit for, he is given high accolades for his photography but, his work was printed by him and he knew how to bring the best out in the dark room. I myself am retired and spend a great deal amount of time talking to people to promote my fledgling leather business with hopes that I will hit the right note that will reverberate with the potential customer. Here are 3 of my belts the one on each side sells for 60.00 the one in the middle sells for 75.00 these are all H/O leather 1/4 inch thick with a stainless steel liner. Do I wish I could get more sure but it is going to take time to get there, but it will come from sales outside of my immediate area. Quote
bikermutt07 Posted January 19, 2017 Report Posted January 19, 2017 2 hours ago, NVLeatherWorx said: I only use H.O. and the top grade available and all of my hardware is solid brass. I don't do stitching as decorative item as the punching of holes that close to the edge of any single layer belt will lead to the edges eventually wearing out and the belt looking like it had been dragged through hell. Stitching isn't as big an issue if the belt is two-ply. I would charge about $65 for a standard belt because I cut everything at the time of order and all of what I do is done by hand; no spraying, machine anything, just real handmade work and quality. Again, I am a business with a global client base and not just a weekend crafter dude. Tell me more about this stainless liner? I haven't heard of that before. Quote I'm not paying 80 bucks for a belt!!! It's a strip of leather. How hard could it be? 4 years and 3 grand later.... I have a belt I can finally live with. Stitching is like gravy, it's only great if you make it every day. From Texas but in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Members CaptQuirk Posted January 19, 2017 Members Report Posted January 19, 2017 4 minutes ago, bikermutt07 said: Tell me more about this stainless liner? I haven't heard of that before. Some of the bigger name gun belts have a metal blank sandwiched in between the layers. Never thought about doing it myself Quote
Members Mattsbagger Posted January 19, 2017 Members Report Posted January 19, 2017 13 minutes ago, CaptQuirk said: Some of the bigger name gun belts have a metal blank sandwiched in between the layers. Never thought about doing it myself Some use Kydex strips too. Quote
Members CaptQuirk Posted January 19, 2017 Members Report Posted January 19, 2017 Just now, Mattsbagger said: Some use Kydex strips too. How well does the kydex work? It seems like it would be a lot easier to work with. Quote
Members Mattsbagger Posted January 19, 2017 Members Report Posted January 19, 2017 I've yet to do it myself. I just have read of it and seen it offerd. I don't see why it wouldn't work fine. But that's just my opinion. Quote
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