Correct way to cut the end of a belt?

[unioncreek]

What is the correct way to cut the end (non buckle end) of a belt?  I know there are dies to do this, but I'm just getting started and can afford a die right now.  I thought I say somewhere that gave measurements so you could get the correct curve so it would look nice.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

[Squid61]

Springfield Leather has what they call a Belt Ninja, about $12, that is a template for the end cut as well as holes and buckle slot.  I have also seen some free download patterns on the internet, just do a search.  I usually just use an old belt as a pattern.

[jcuk]

Any of these your choice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6ipWzTixiQ

Hope this helps

JCUK

Edited December 5, 2021 by jcuk

[tsunkasapa]

I used a 'French Curve' for that. Play around with it and find what pleases your eye.

[Hardrada]

Download a head-on photograph of a gothic arch and trace over the outline with a vector program such as CorelDraw or Illustrator. Scale as needed whilst maintaining proportion. Then print that out as the pattern for the billet.

Here's one example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PSmichel4277.JPG, though I wouldn't use this in particular as a model since the perspective is bound to net you a skewed pattern.

Gothic architecture was built to minute harmonic proportions, so you'll end up with a pointy end that isn't haphazard.

Edited December 5, 2021 by Hardrada

[JLSleather]

There is no "right" way.  Cut it the way you like it.  Easy way to get there is cut a piece of heavy paper the width of your strap, and the length of a sheet of paper or so.  FOLD the paper in half lengthwise (so you have a piece 11" x HALF THE WIDTH you started with).

Using a knife or shears, cut a curve you think is "about right" through BOTH layers.  Open the fold, and the two sides will match.  Don't like the look?  Fold it back together and try a different curve, until you get what you're wanting.

Once done, measure from the tip to where you want your holes, and mark (or punch) the holes on the folded line.

 

[mike02130]

2 hours ago, Hardrada said:

a head-on photograph of a gothic arch

I believe that style is called an "English point".

For an English point you can buy a punch or use a pair of wing dividers and lay it out on the belt end.  Google it and check YouTube.

[Hardrada]

1 hour ago, mike02130 said:

I believe that style is called an "English point".

For an English point you can buy a punch or use a pair of wing dividers and lay it out on the belt end.  Google it and check YouTube.

Yup, that´s the only end I use for my belts. I use a punch, of course, but before I bought punches I worked out a pattern in Illustrator with harmonic proportions. Even with a punch, you sometimes need to have a way to cut an end by hand, for the odd non-standard width belt, such as this commission I got once:

 

Edited December 5, 2021 by Hardrada

[HandyDave]

I like my tab end at 4 1/4" before the holes start. With 7 holes set at 1" on center. Hole size depends on prong of buckle. I use a more oval shape rounder end on my belts. I made a pattern that i liked as JLSleather said with a piece of paper folded then i made that into a wood template so i can use it over and over. 

[JLSleather]

12 hours ago, Hardrada said:

I worked out a pattern ... with harmonic proportions.

Based on WHAT?  What is the "right" proportion of cut length to strap width?  What is the "proper" radius of the curve of the cut?  How does leather thickness affect the proportion?  

If you "worked out" a pattern, that seems to suggest that you have A way, not necessarily THE way.  This is perfectly acceptable, but it does reinforce the idea that there is no "right" way to shape a belt tip...

16 hours ago, JLSleather said:

There is no "right" way.  Cut it the way you like it.  Easy way to get there is cut a piece of heavy paper the width of your strap, and the length of a sheet of paper or so.  FOLD the paper in half lengthwise (so you have a piece 11" x HALF THE WIDTH you started with).

Using a knife or shears, cut a curve you think is "about right" through BOTH layers.  Open the fold, and the two sides will match.  Don't like the look?  Fold it back together and try a different curve, until you get what you're wanting.

Once done, measure from the tip to where you want your holes, and mark (or punch) the holes on the folded line.

 

Oh, I guess I assumed it was clear, but maybe I should have said that this heavy paper (card stock) becomes your TEMPLATE ...