Belt Holes: Oval, Tear Drop, Round

[superpacker]

Please help with some belt questions: 

1. Are there any benefits to using an oval or tear drop hole?

2. Any tricks for making sure oval or tear drop holes are not punched crooked?

3. I know the hole size depends on prong width - but would 5mm be a safe average size?

[ByNelson]

I think it’s a question of preference what you do... I like the oval punch it looks more retro I think, but sometimes also use a normal round one...

you can make a pattern to mark the holes, but for the most part it comes down to practice... 

the size is depending on the belt buckles...

 

[niakulah]

Just sharing something I read some time ago:

https://www.styleforum.net/threads/equus-leather-bridle-leather-belts-official-affiliate-thread.260644/page-87#post-7264092

Apparently it allows for the prong to sit nicely without resorting to huge holes.

 

[KingsCountyLeather]

I use a an oval punch on my belts. To keep I straight I made a line on the top with a small grinder to see if I was in line with the belt. Even the you need to practise.  

[KingsCountyLeather]

Also... when the belt is worn for a while and pressure is put on the holes... I think it looks better with the oval holes.

[toe2short]

I purchased the oval punch from Weaver, I like better then the round.

[byggyns]

The thicker the leather is, the more you want the holes to be oval shaped. If you have thick leather, tight fitting round holes will cause the tongue on the buckle to want to stick out or force the belt material to bend too sharply.

A lightly scribed line will help your holes to stay straight; line up the tips of the oval with the line. You can also make a template out of thin plastic cutting mat or bag stiffener and clamp that to the belt before punching to keep those holes straight.