How much do you charge for a hand tooled full grain belt?

[MADMAX22]

Kydex from what I have heard is not ideal, neither is the metal strips. Some have used various types of poly strapping that is made to bend and flex without getting brittle and doesnt eat away at the leather or stitching. Thats just me doing a bunch of research. I have yet to use any type of liner besides leather. I have used horse for the inside layer which makes a very stiff belt. FIrst and foremost use quality leather then start thinking of adding random liner materials. 

You have to remember that everyone is going to claim there way is the best and throw out all kinds of opinions why that is the ultimate truth. The liners are a good sales pitch and if spun the right way makes a regular dual layer leather belt sound like it couldnt hold a derringer for more than a couple weeks without falling down to your ankles (although I garuntee this aint the truth).  

Ofcourse I am just a veteran "weekend crafter dude" so dont listen to anything I have to say. 

Edited January 19, 2017 by MADMAX22

[OLDNSLOW]

I've used both, Kydex is easier in that you can sew through it if you need to or want to for some reason, the only reason that I started doing it is that I was being asked if I did any that way by guys who have seen the adds by the companies that offer it.  So I looked into doing it that way and it has helped in selling some belts.  On some what I have done is rubber coat the tips of the metal or in the case of the one I am finishing up I added a small piece of leather to the ends of the metal.  Over all it is not hard to add, in my case I just picked up a splitter so I can take some skirting split it put the strip of stainless in between the 2 pieces glue that down let the glue dry then glue in the other piece then sew it all together, would 1/4 leather do the same sure, but, to be competitive and some one asks for something ya do what ya gotta do.  that's how Bill Gates got rich someone went to him and asked about an operating system he said sure then went out and figured how to do it and the rest is history.

[CaptQuirk]

11 hours ago, OLDNSLOW said:

  that's how Bill Gates got rich someone went to him and asked about an operating system he said sure then went out and figured how to do it and the rest is history.

Actually, Bill hired somebody smarter to do the work, then sold it as his own. Those hippies in California had the Mouse first, and Bill stole the idea. So kiddies, THAT is how you get rich

[JLSleather]

12 hours ago, MADMAX22 said:

FIrst and foremost use quality leather then start thinking of adding random liner materials... liners are a good sales pitch ...

Exactly.

I actually do it the other way -- I build customers by NOT doing "anything" they ask for.  People know that I make useable, useful goods -- not "fluff" and marketing poo.  

I don't make cigar/cigarette cases.  No leather masks. Recently turned down requests for shoulder holsters / rigs (havent made those for years).  No ddsm / lgbqrf items.  And I have never made a belt with steel or kydex "liners".  And I have my reasons for all of that.  Certainly has cost me some 'jobs" (like the ones I turned down for starters), but in the end.. people generally respond 'that Jeff guy don't mess around... right the first time ..."

And I'm just one guy, without all that 'social madia" so don't say it can't be done (I have a fakebook basically just so nobody else can start one and say they're me  ).

Edited January 19, 2017 by JLSleather

[CaptQuirk]

I'm just the opposite. I prefer holster work, but I've been asked to do a belt, a tool pouch, and various other items. It isn't my norm, but I don't mind thinking outside the box on occasion. If somebody asked for a leather cod piece, I'd turn it down, just because I don't want to have to measure and fit the guy. If a gal wanted a bustier, I'd certainly take every effort to make sure it fit just right... but that's just me. If somebody asked for a steel lined belt... I'd really have to consider a source for the spring steel, and how much more it would add to an already time consuming project. If they were willing to pay it, I will make it.

[myjtp]

On 1/17/2017 at 8:07 PM, JLSleather said:

At least $8.  These were slightly more than that.

I will give you 2 shillings and not a cent more sir! ( Seriously BEAUTIFUL work!! )

[NVLeatherWorx]

I have done a small number of gun belts for concealed carry use and I just add extra leather "overlays" that add some character and design to it while also giving those areas where the overlays are extra thickness and support for a their holster.  These overlays are shaped in various patterns and some have even been stamped to add some extra flair; they are then hand stitched into place.  I find that the extra support is quite good and the use of the leather versus the more rigid products that some do use keeps the belt still feeling like a belt instead of a ring with a buckle.

[ultimatemcnab]

On ‎2017‎-‎01‎-‎18 at 3:07 AM, JLSleather said:

At least $8.  These were slightly more than that.

If you had to hand stitch ( saddle stitch ) , by how much would that effect the price ? Assuming these belts were machine stitched. Takes me about 5 to 6 hours to hand stitch a lined belt depending on length. Your belts are awesome by the way.

Edited February 2, 2017 by ultimatemcnab
Add compliment.

[ultimatemcnab]

On ‎2017‎-‎01‎-‎19 at 3:14 AM, OLDNSLOW said:

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.

Has anyone used evenly split rawhide between the two layers of a lined belt to add to its rigidity ? I have thought of trying this and probably will test out my theory sometime. I know its not always practical but hell it would be nice if it all works out in practice - an all hide reinforced gun belt !!

[JLSleather]

Been a while since I hand stitched a belt.  "Back when" it took me a couple hours... but I was used to doing it frequently, and could about stitch in my sleep   This would of course be dependent on the number of stitches per inch (I like 5 to 7 based on leather thickness, but some people  make 11 spi look real nice!).

I always say I don't care if it's hand stitched or machine stitched, long as it's well stitched!  If done properly, either will be fine.

These days, hand sewing is largely for small items -- which are sometimes easier to just sew by hand rather than change the machine setup -- or larger items- which may not fit in the machine so well.

I would find it difficult to do it for the prices you mention.  Grade A Hermann Oak would run about $25 (two layers), plus the thread, glue, dye, finish, etc... So even without 'sandwiching' anything between layers that doesn't leave much room for pay.  That I suppose would depend on pricing and the value of a "dollar" where you are.

"They" say time is money... but then notice how much of it they spend on 'social' poo-dia sites, forums, their phones.  But the TIME involved in a project is never the question for me.  Someone wanting to bill me "by the hour" is wasting his time and mine -- say the price for the item, and then I buy it or not.  

There are some projects which I would want hand sewn, and some projects where hand sewing might be a better idea than the machine they have available.  But a belt isn't one of those times - doesn't matter, it's not getting that kind of stress.  In those cases, I don't pay more for hand stitching.  Same as if I agree to meet people somewhere, we all meet together.  The guy who walked, and the guy who brought that ugly truck, and the guy in that shiny new sport scar all get the same "deal". Long as they meet, doesn't matter how they got there.

Oh, almost forgot -- back when the boys at the gym wanted weight lifting belts, some tooling or maybe just a name on it.  Double layer and stitched.  So I gave em a price for 10 (or was it 12) belts.  They wanted 'em hand sewn, so I told them I'd punch holes and give them thread so THEY could sew them.  Suddenly, they decided sewn in a machine would be just fine   Those belts still holding up 10+ years later.