WANTED: A good, long lasting belt!

[masraum]

I'd like a good, long lasting casual belt (jeans, shorts, whatever). I like a plain belt that looks like a strip of leather (no stitching) with a buckle. I've had several, but they always have issues.

I had one that I loved, it was great, but the leather eventually delaminated. I think the buckle was solid brass which is a huge plus (not plated pot metal).
The next couple that I've had have been OK, but the buckles were some sort of plated pot metal so that eventually the buckle looks like hell.

The other day, facebook popped an ad up for "Hank's Belts." Hank makes dress, casual and spoon/carry belts. It sounds like it's good quality leather, and they also have solid brass and solid stainless steel buckles available. This sounds pretty good.

But before I give them a shot, I figured I'd ask the group if you're aware of other similar belts.

Hank's "gunner" which is a thicker leather. The buckle that it comes with is NOT stainless, but you can buy brass or stainless from them and swap them out.


Hank's makes belts, wallets, folios, toiletry bags, dog collars and leashes, etc....

[Paul T]

Try Filson. Not cheap, but very nice quality (like most of their products).

[vash]

My belt is so old I can’t remember who makes it.

Not leather tho. It’s been on some epic vacations. I wear it damn near every day. I think I got it at REI

[ckelly78z]

I get mine all from the Ohio Amish leather shop (about 50 miles away from home) ...very sturdy hand craftsmanship, and not overly expensive.

[1990C4S]

Japanese velcro style? Like the automotive 'associates' wear?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by vash

My belt is so old I can’t remember who makes it.

Not leather tho. It’s been on some epic vacations. I wear it damn near every day. I think I got it at REI

Years ago, I wore military uniform belts that were similar except for the buckle. They were easy to get since Dad was in the Navy and had to wear them too.



I would prefer leather. If I'm not sure on the material composition of the buckle, that's irritating.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I get mine all from the Ohio Amish leather shop (about 50 miles away from home) ...very sturdy hand craftsmanship, and not overly expensive.

That would be quite a hike for me, especially for a belt.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Paul T

Try Filson. Not cheap, but very nice quality (like most of their products).

I'll check them out.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Japanese velcro style? Like the automotive 'associates' wear?

Nope, I want leather and metal.

[Zeke]

I use work pants belts from where real work clothes are sold. One piece, no stitching. Used to run about $20.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

wow. I just bought a belt seconds ago, drove back to work, and saw this thread.

You'd think it would be easy enough, but nooooooooooooo.

I wonder how hard it would be to ditch the old buckles (if the belt was good, but the buckle sucked), and get newer ones? I'm sure there's a YT video somewhere. Something like:

https://www.trafalgarstore.com/products/30mm-angled-harness-leather-belt?variant=32356661264471&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-09-15&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwNWKBhDAARIsAJ8HkhfZ6y67Az0iuOWfUC0q t0t4epnCjbIVebCW8E9qAKtE-2Lz9l6mWggaAmmvEALw_wcB

Now you've got me squandering the rest of my lunch- Here's another buckle with what seems to be a removable watch type pin for easy attachment to an existing belt:

https://www.google.com/search?q=belt+buckles+for+men&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS876US876&sxsrf=AOaemvKv2fB6Y1tQLZ04VGLdil-U3oojCQ:1633020894958&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjz3erylKfzAhV2QvEDHfi3DjgQ_AUoAXoECAEQA w&biw=1536&bih=722&dpr=1.25#spd=18026246095763575228

There must be other types like this for easy refitting.

[id10t]

I've had to drill several new holes in my old cheap belt ($20 at a Fall Festival... gotta love small town life!) due to the amount of weight I've lost, so I've also been on the edge of buying a new belt. Got an AR15.com email that had a special for a Hank's Belt at $25 off but haven't bit the bullet and ordered one yet....

For what you say you want a belt for you can certainly go cheaper but I don't think you can go better for the same money than a Hanks.

[craigster59]

I've gone through belts, mostly where the buckle starts to fall apart. I've had Duluth, Carharrt and others that just didn't stand up.

I found this Hawx at Boot Barn a few years ago and it has held up great! as you can see, it also has a leather strip running along the inside of the belt to give added strength to the holes.

https://www.bootbarn.com/american-worker-mens-wide-leather-belt/1202H3.html

[nota]

if snaps eazy if rivets harder as you need to drill them out
then re-rivet to swap buckles
or buy a way too long belt and cut it then add snaps or rivets

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

wow. I just bought a belt seconds ago, drove back to work, and saw this thread.

You'd think it would be easy enough, but nooooooooooooo.

I wonder how hard it would be to ditch the old buckles (if the belt was good, but the buckle sucked), and get newer ones? I'm sure there's a YT video somewhere.

If they were rivets, it wouldn't be a big deal. My current belt is sown, so that would be more difficult. I don't particularly like my current belt, but I think it was relatively cheap. It's a Timberland. I expected it to last longer, but the buckle metal is not holding up.

Originally Posted by nota

if snaps eazy if rivets harder as you need to drill them out
then re-rivet to swap buckles
or buy a way too long belt and cut it then add snaps or rivets

These are what Hank uses to connect the belt around the buckle.

https://www.hanksbelts.com/collections/screws

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

wow. I just bought a belt seconds ago, drove back to work, and saw this thread.

You'd think it would be easy enough, but nooooooooooooo.

I wonder how hard it would be to ditch the old buckles (if the belt was good, but the buckle sucked), and get newer ones? I'm sure there's a YT video somewhere. Something like:

https://www.trafalgarstore.com/products/30mm-angled-harness-leather-belt?variant=32356661264471&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-09-15&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwNWKBhDAARIsAJ8HkhfZ6y67Az0iuOWfUC0q t0t4epnCjbIVebCW8E9qAKtE-2Lz9l6mWggaAmmvEALw_wcB

Now you've got me squandering the rest of my lunch- Here's another buckle with what seems to be a removable watch type pin for easy attachment to an existing belt:

https://www.google.com/search?q=belt+buckles+for+men&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS876US876&sxsrf=AOaemvKv2fB6Y1tQLZ04VGLdil-U3oojCQ:1633020894958&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjz3erylKfzAhV2QvEDHfi3DjgQ_AUoAXoECAEQA w&biw=1536&bih=722&dpr=1.25#spd=18026246095763575228

There must be other types like this for easy refitting.

Wow, that polished brass buckle is $65. Hank's sells a solid brass or solid stainless buckles for $16 and/or $19.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by masraum

Wow, that polished brass buckle is $65. Hank's sells a solid brass or solid stainless buckles for $16 and/or $19.

Yeah, that must be one hell of a belt buckle!

[id10t]

Originally Posted by masraum

If they were rivets, it wouldn't be a big deal. My current belt is sown, so that would be more difficult. I don't particularly like my current belt, but I think it was relatively cheap. It's a Timberland. I expected it to last longer, but the buckle metal is not holding up.



These are what Hank uses to connect the belt around the buckle.

https://www.hanksbelts.com/collections/screws

Binder posts. You can get 'em at a fastener store, McMasterCarr etc

[rusnak]

Try Work World. Get a Carhart belt.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Try Work World. Get a Carhart belt.

Looks like the Carharrt Journeyman is the kind of belt that I would like. I assume, especially at that price, the buckles are probably plated, so I'd have to swap them out which would be easy since they have snaps.