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Alligator belts - quality, makers, construction, etc - Page 2

post #16 of 29
4/11/12 at 3:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by whochrisliu View Post

For all you Croc' lovers my mom bought my dad a belt a long long time ago, its this tan/orange colored baby crocodile from head to tail. The head has a buckle device behind it (under the "neck" area) and the belt extends all the way out to the tail. I never worn it its just for novelty not even sure if this stuffs legal or not anymore. If anyones interested sent me a tell! Im going to go dig it up its here somewheres...

I'd love to see pictures of it, very curious.
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post #17 of 29
4/11/12 at 7:57am
http://www.sidmashburn.com/shop/what-s-new/1-alligator-conroy-belt.html

Mashburn's alligator belt now online. I'd love to get some feedback about it if anyone here owns one. Doesn't seem to be many sizes left, so hop to it.
Edited by matty long legs - 4/11/12 at 9:47am
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post #18 of 29
4/11/12 at 8:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by matty long legs View Post

http://www.sidmashburn.com/shop/what-s-new/1-alligator-conroy-belt.html
Mashburn's alligator belt now online. I'd love to get some feedback about it if anyone here owns one. Doesn't seem to be many sizes left, so hope to it.

I'm not crazy about that buckle.
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post #19 of 29
4/11/12 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dieworkwear View Post

I'm not crazy about that buckle.

I thought I liked it at first, but the more I look at it the more I think it looks weird. In the past all of the belts I have seen there have engine turned or simple silver buckles. Not sure why they felt the need to reinvent the wheel.
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post #20 of 29
4/11/12 at 8:33am
Trafalgar used to be one of the better sources of classic Croc and Alligator belts and accessories. But i have no experience with them in the last 10+ years. Does anyone else?

http://www.trafalgarstore.com/category/Alligator_Belts_Crocodile_Belts_Alligator_Wallets/192


Marin Dingman always seems to deliver high quality exotic and leather belts but the style/design is very hit or miss. I believe he is a private label supplier to Paul Stuart for belts and some casual shoes.


Ralph Lauren has offered American Alligator for something like 20-25 years? I've had a few. I had a disappointing experience with a glossy black alligator belt from RL (cira 2003) that seemed to be almost paper thin once I started to wear it. I also have a peanut brittle colored alligator belt from RL that is one piece and has been wearing like iron for years and years (circa late 90's). It is only now starting to show some wear from the buckle.
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post #21 of 29
4/11/12 at 8:35am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post

Trafalgar used to be one of the better sources of classic Croc and Alligator belts and accessories. But i have no experience with them in the last 10+ years. Does anyone else?
http://www.trafalgarstore.com/category/Alligator_Belts_Crocodile_Belts_Alligator_Wallets/192
Marin Dingman always seems to deliver high quality exotic and leather belts but the style/design is very hit or miss. I believe he is a private label supplier to Paul Stuart for belts and some casual shoes.
Ralph Lauren has offered American Alligator for something like 20-25 years? I've had a few. I had a disappointing experience with a glossy black alligator belt from RL (cira 2003) that seemed to be almost paper thin once I started to wear it. I also have a peanut brittle colored alligator belt from RL that is one piece and has been wearing like iron for years and years (circa late 90's). It is only now starting to show some wear from the buckle.

Those Flusser O-rings you posted looked fun.
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post #22 of 29
4/11/12 at 9:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bourbonbasted View Post

I thought I liked it at first, but the more I look at it the more I think it looks weird. In the past all of the belts I have seen there have engine turned or simple silver buckles. Not sure why they felt the need to reinvent the wheel.

Agreed. My ideal is cognac(ish) colored belt with a silver engine-turned buckle. One day...
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post #23 of 29
4/11/12 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dieworkwear View Post

Those Flusser O-rings you posted looked fun.

Here is a video of some of his alligator and croc belts. Check out the colors and the "D" or O ring belts. In his previous shop he had orange, red, bright and navy blue, green and purple on display. I could use the green O ring croc belt for this summer. smile.gif
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post #24 of 29
4/11/12 at 12:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post

Here is a video of some of his alligator and croc belts. Check out the colors and the "D" or O ring belts. In his previous shop he had orange, red, bright and navy blue, green and purple on display. I could use the green O ring croc belt for this summer. smile.gif

Those are really wonderful. Thank you for sharing. They're apparently $595, which is a touch more affordable than I would have expected.
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post #25 of 29
4/11/12 at 12:54pm
The Polo ones are $895 now:confused:

http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1784851
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post #26 of 29
4/11/12 at 12:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post

The Polo ones are $895 now:confused:
http://www.ralphlauren.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1784851

Have you been able to discern any tell tale signs of quality in your alligator belts? The most I've been able to gather is that if it's genuine American alligator, and made in one piece, it should be good. But I haven't been able to find much information on how to tell whether the skin itself will last a long time. I imagine there are a number of ways to finish the leather, each of which have their own advantages.
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post #27 of 29
4/11/12 at 2:29pm
All alligator belts and most wallets I have seen are made with some leather for the backing and inside. My experience is that the leather often wears out first, so the fit, stitching and quality of the leather is just as important to the long life and good looks of the belt or wallet.

The one RL belt that gave me a problem, the center of one of the larger scales near the buckle seemed to blister after a year. It is the only time i have experienced that. frown.gif

I would carefully inspect any new alligator belt I would buy now and only buy it if the surface seemed tightly bonded. It is a somewhat subjective call, but it would make me feel better anyway.

Most guys I know who have had a 'gator wallet have used it for years and years without a problem. But the inside leather finishing will often eventually fail.
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post #28 of 29
4/11/12 at 8:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post

All alligator belts and most wallets I have seen are made with some leather for the backing and inside. My experience is that the leather often wears out first, so the fit, stitching and quality of the leather is just as important to the long life and good looks of the belt or wallet.
The one RL belt that gave me a problem, the center of one of the larger scales near the buckle seemed to blister after a year. It is the only time i have experienced that. frown.gif
I would carefully inspect any new alligator belt I would buy now and only buy it if the surface seemed tightly bonded. It is a somewhat subjective call, but it would make me feel better anyway.
Most guys I know who have had a 'gator wallet have used it for years and years without a problem. But the inside leather finishing will often eventually fail.

This. And on an aesthetic level, I always look for symmetry in exotic skins. Its probably the hardest thing to get right.
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post #29 of 29
6/27/12 at 9:25am
Figured I'd pump some life back into this thread. I'm going to be in Atlanta in two weeks for business and plan on stopping by Sid Mashburn. Seriously considering the strap below, either in chocolate or cognac.

http://www.sidmashburn.com/shop/what-s-new/1-gator-strap.html
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