Some Recent Tooling Work from Championship Belts I Make

[BeltFanDan]

I make Championship Belts like the ones used on TV by big companies.

The majority of my work has been replicating the straps that those who have come before me have done; replicating their style. 

I am trying to come up with new/unique ways to tool my belt straps, without turning them into long, laborious projects. Due to the amount of orders I get and the expected turn around time, I'm lucky to have a few hours to work on a single strap. While many of the intricate designs of traditional leatherwork would be great on a strap, the customers simply aren't going to pay for the labor.

Attached are some different tooling styles I have been plating around with. I guess I'm at a road block and looking on some advice on some different stamps, techniques or designs to incorporate into my work.

Thank you
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Due to the size limit here, my full gallery is available on my website, BeltsByDan.com

[DJole]

You do really good work-- technique and designs make actual championship belts!
As for different designs or stamps or techniques, I wonder if you have enough money and demand to justify purchasing and using large stamping plates?

[BeltFanDan]

At one point I was buying a CNC machine to do my own plates. If that happened, it wouldn't be a problem making my own custom stamping plates.

Unfortunately, I'm not doing that.

I've been trying to find old leather stamps that are not made with some unique designs, but that's not reliable.

Trying to find some out of the box thinking.

My main areas are "fill" for the snap boxes like above, then the border that goes around all the plates like attached

[venator]

Damn nice work!  How do I get into this end of the industry? 

[BeltFanDan]

Most people just get their feet wet releathering the mass produced replicas. They come with bad vinyl straps that crack.

There is a huge demand for someone in Canada do offer this service because international shipping and customs makes the price not worth it.

[BeltFanDan]

Some work from 2017. Still trying to work on a few things....

Think I need a new knife.

[bikermutt07]

These are really cool. If you have a press, I highly suggest getting some plates made up. They would be perfect for those areas. Some are available in derlin as well. That could save some money.

There was a guy in Dallas that was making a lot of CNC plates for his stuff, but I can't remember his name. Last year he was posting at least one a week and they were all around 3"x6".

[BeltFanDan]

A few people use those  plates, but it's frowned upon by most belt collectors and seen as "cheating".
 Most prefer/want the hand tooled snap box areas, even with the flaws that naturally come with them.

It would save a ton of time though....

[bikermutt07]

10 hours ago, BeltFanDan said:

A few people use those  plates, but it's frowned upon by most belt collectors and seen as "cheating".
 Most prefer/want the hand tooled snap box areas, even with the flaws that naturally come with them.

It would save a ton of time though....

Sounds like you have your answer, charge accordingly.

Are these being bought by fans?

[BeltFanDan]

I make them for companies, TV shows, sports teams and private collectors......

 

Basically if the check clears....

[Halitech]

interesting. and no 2 seem alike so at least you wouldn't get bored doing them

[BeltFanDan]

Finished this for the Yankees a few weeks back.

[BeltFanDan]

Tried arrowhead and antiquing for the first time.

[BeltFanDan]

University of Central Florida reached out to me after the Peach Bowl for this.