belt Another method for belt assembly

[TomMeyers]

I bought some 2nd hand mens belts just for the buckles. I disassembled them to study the materials and method. Here are the 4 different types I found:

1) outside top grain with thin lining next to body.

2) top grain outside unlined 

3) outside thin lining top grain next to body

4) outside thin lining, inside bonded leather, thin lining next to body

#3 was a surprise that offers the opportunity to use chrome tan and colorful outside with top grain strength. The edge of the top grain had been machine skived to reduce the force needed to sew the edges.

Summary: cheap buckles from 2nd hand; interesting sandwich for beauty and strength if not tooling the top grain.

[battlemunky]

Great idea for a buckle source. I'm always amazed at how crappy "production" belts are made. Clever ways implemented to defraud people from their money.

[tsunkasapa]

I recently saw a Tony L***a belt at a thrift store. It was a filigreed belt that had vinyl for the color layer.

I would have expected better from the brand.