Limited Run SF only Handmade Bakers Oak Bark tanned Belt - possibly to include Russet

Hi All,

I am posting this in here as it was suggested that posters in the SW&D forum might be keen and not read Mens Clothing. As a result of a thread over there we are trying to put together enough interest to do a limited run of either 16 or 32 belts for StyleForum members only in Bakers Australian Nut Bridle Butt. This is a pretty special leather and I'd strongly advise a look at the slide show in the original thread, its fascinating and the way they make their leather is all but unique nowadays.

The thread in question is here http://www.styleforum.net/forum/thread/260779/photo-essay-on-britain-s-last-oak-bark-tannery and is a good read anyway for those interested in leather.

My thoughts so far are:

1 limited run of Australian Nut and if there was any demand 1 of London Tan, a maximum of 16 belts per colour, depending on the widths people want. I think either our solid Brass or solid Nickel West End with stainless tounges would be the best buckles for them, but we could use any that we stock really. Widths could be 1 1/8, 1 1/4 or 1 1/2". Each belt would have a certificate from us to certify the origin, leather and the signature of the craftsman who made it plus a brass fob with it's number in the run.

I think we'd have to charge about £50/belt, probably with small changes for the width. I suspect my Bakers price list is out of date, so that might change a little but not a lot. We'd have to sell 5 per colour to make it viable really. Shipping anywhere in the world is no problem, we charge £4 shipping for the UK, £9.75 for the EU and £12.75.

I really want to make this a SF only deal so it won't be on our website or anywhere else, but I'll post in sw&d as well.

For those who don't know us some of our work is here - http://www.styleforum.net/forum/thread/260644

If your interested let me know, I'l contact all those who have expressed an interest when I have an exact price to confirm options etc

Charlie

Thanks Charlie,

It should be noted that Equus is our latest affiliate, though we now call them "sponsors". Nice to have you here.

Cheers,

Fok.

Would it be possible to have it made in the Stirrup style?



benjamin831 said:

Would it be possible to have it made in the Stirrup style?

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Yup, no problem at all. I suggested the West End as that offers the creates choice of metals and widths and I feel compliments the leather the best, but any of our buckles should be fine

Charlie



Equus Leather said:

Yup, no problem at all. I suggested the West End as that offers the creates choice of metals and widths and I feel compliments the leather the best, but any of our buckles should be fine

Charlie

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That's excellent. Sign me up!

I'm interested. Sign me up.

please sign me up as well. very very interested.

Thanks for the interest above, I'll update all who have expressed an interest as soon as there is a confirmed price, ideally Monday.

Charlie

Sign me up. I PM'ed you.

please post prices in the thread.

Hi all,

Right, I have prices and we are all ready to go. Some of the below is a restatement but I wanted to make sure everyone had all the relevant info

First of, prices have slipped slightly. My Bakers price list was from 2009 it transpires and there has been a bit more of an increase than I had anticipated. Still good value given the nature of the leather though I think, but my apologies for the rise.

I propose £52.50 for a belt in 1", 1 1/8" or 1 1/4" widths and £55 for 1 3/8" or 1 1/2" widths. There are no other increments for length or for any of our nickel, brass or stainless steel buckles. I suggest that either the Brass West End or in particular the Nickel West End are very suited to the artisan Victorian approach that has been take to the leather. The Brass is solid brass throughout, hand polished by us and obviously a bright yellow. The Nickel is a very subtle highly lustrous yellow white and has a stainless steel tounge and is also highly polished. We are one of very few makers to use solid Nickel in the UK. If you prefer any of the other buckles on our website thats fine and included in the price. I think the Stirrup may be a little light for this leather. The spec is 3.5-4mm but Bakers say it tends more toward 4mm.

With the belt you'll get a certificate from us with our seal certifying the use of Bakers leather, the number of the belt and the number made and the signature of the maker. Given this has been co-ordinated by me I suspect I will make each of them as well. Each belt will also have a brass fob, again stating the belts number in the run and the total. This is what we provide with our Lined and Raised, in essence.

There has been a lot of interest so I propose, if no-one objects, to the Australian Nut run having a hard maximum of 40 belts in total so there are enough for those who want one. This assumes that everyone buys 1" belts, which they won't, but we need a number to put on the certificates. The London Tan is the same idea though I don't think there will be as many takers so we will declare a maximum run of 20 belts. We need a minimum of 6 belts per colour to make it cost effective.

Obviously supply is very limited so first come first served with those who have already indicated an interest getting priority. We will need payment upfront via PayPal invoice (though we can likely organise payment via different means if needs be) and the waiting list will be c. 1 calendar month as with our regular orders - everything is obviously being made entirely by hand for its owner so takes a little while, plus a lot of our buckles are specially made for us so can take a while if we have to order them in etc etc. If you order, pay and we don't reach the minimum to go ahead it goes without saying we'll give you a full refund in a timely manner.

For this offer we have tweaked our shipping rates to reflect how people will probably buy and keep it as cheep as possible. These are below our cost and as far down as we could go - I know trans Atlantic shipping is always painful

1-2 belts to the UK £4
1 Belt to the EU £8.50
2 Belts to the EU £11.00
1 Belt to US and the rest of the World £10
2 belts to the US etc etc £14.50

If your keen to go ahead please can you PM me;

Your name and shipping address
Your PayPal address so we can send you an invoice

The width, length, buckle, and leather colour of the belt(s) you want and if you want any customisations such as different coloured thread, number/placement of holes, etc

Have a look at the website for buckle ideas - http://www.equusleather.co.uk/index.php/Bridle-Leather-Belts/View-all-products.html
Our size guide is here - http://www.equusleather.co.uk/index.php/Belt-Sizing-Guide.html - a short summation would be order 2" larger than your trouser size

My apologise for the mammoth post. I'll PM this to everyone who has expressed an interest so far as well, if I miss you out you are still welcome to get in touch!

Charlie

definitely interested. i'm down :: 1.5 inches AUS Nut with "the Carnaby" brass buckle.

if i may suggest_ why not run up a list of people who are seriously interested [the 'ol forum way], so we have an idea if reaching the "critical mass" is achievable. PAYPAL won't take more than a couple minutes, if it's a GO!



IIIrd Icon said:

definitely interested. i'm down :: 1.5 inches AUS Nut with "the Carnaby" brass buckle.

if i may suggest_ why not run up a list of people who are seriously interested [the 'ol forum way], so we have an idea if reaching the "critical mass" is achievable. PAYPAL won't take more than a couple minutes, if it's a GO!

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I don't have a problem with that if people want it - I was hesitant to do it without peoples permission though. Silly perhaps but very difficult to undo once done!

I haven't been through all of my PMs yet but given the response I think the Aus Not is all but a certainty

Charlie

Hi All,

Just to say that as long as we don't have a very significant drop out rate Australian Nut is definitely a go but has spaces left. London Tan currently only has 3 takers and needs at least 3 more to get off the ground. London Tan fans step forward!

Charlie

Another update!

Just a note to all to say that the Australian Nut has crossed the paid for threshold we needed so will certainly be going ahead. We have quite a few subscribers but theres more room for those who would still like to join in. London Tan is still under subscribed so please do let me know if you want some as we don't have enough takers so far!

I'll keep everyone updated on progress and hopefully with photos

Many thanks to all,

Charlie