Photo essay on Britain's last oak bark tannery

[Equus Leather]

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

 

[ThinkDerm]

any word on the lined belts with concealed snaps? i'd be in for an australian nut

 

[Equus Leather]

Sorry ThinkDerm, this will have to be a long term project. The Lined and Raised is our flagship product and I'd need to be really happy we had a good solution that lasted well and didn't spoil the product or upset the owner in use. As much as I'd like to say yes I'm sure you'd rather I didn't bodge something that turned out not to last just so we could make a sale

Charlie

 

[ThinkDerm]



Sorry ThinkDerm, this will have to be a long term project. The Lined and Raised is our flagship product and I'd need to be really happy we had a good solution that lasted well and didn't spoil the product or upset the owner in use. As much as I'd like to say yes I'm sure you'd rather I didn't bodge something that turned out not to last just so we could make a sale

Charlie

Charlie,

Thanks for your response. Somewhat surprised that this is not standard fare pertaining to your belts as many other makers offer this option, but looking forward to you perfecting the concealed snaps on the lined and raised belt!

When you do, send one my way

 

[Wes Bourne]

Thinkderm, you keep coming back to concealed snaps; would you have a picture of what those look like?

Imo, Chicago screws are better/more secure than snaps. And fwiw, the Chicago screws or snaps on my straps are exposed, but not visible when the belt is worn/fastened, so I don't understand why you insist they be hidden.

 

[ThinkDerm]



Thinkderm, you keep coming back to concealed snaps; would you have a picture of what those look like?

Imo, Chicago screws are better/more secure than snaps. And fwiw, the Chicago screws or snaps on my straps are exposed, but not visible when the belt is worn/fastened, so I don't understand why you insist they be hidden.

none of those faces are required WB

and Chicago screws are good to cut a belt down, but it leaves a belt in two pieces - which inherently is LESS secure than a one piece belt.

yes, snaps are not visible when a belt is worn / fastened, but the engine of a car is not seen when driven, and there is a difference between a 4 cyl and a v8.

 

[ThinkDerm]

snaps allow you to have a one piece belt and change the buckle with ease. hidden snaps add a polished look

 

[Wes Bourne]

You're right, hidden snaps do indeed add a more polished look, fwiw. However, your concern over how secure Chicago screws may be are misplaced in this case since Equus appear to be 1-piece straps folded over, not an attached endpiece.

(Btw, the bottom 4 belts pictured have their buckles stitched in place.)

 

[ThinkDerm]



You're right, hidden snaps do indeed add a more polished look, fwiw. However, your concern over how secure Chicago screws may be are misplaced in this case since Equus appear to be 1-piece straps folded over, not an attached endpiece.

(Btw, the bottom 4 belts pictured have their buckles stitched in place.)

sorry I posted the belts with buckles stitched in place =)!

yes, Equus does use 1 piece straps folded over, just prefer the class of concealed snaps. you do not have to worry about losing the chicago screw

 

[Equus Leather]



sorry I posted the belts with buckles stitched in place =)!

yes, Equus does use 1 piece straps folded over, just prefer the class of concealed snaps. you do not have to worry about losing the chicago screw

Without wishing to add to much to the great snap debate I should point out that I of course think the stitched look looks better and works better for longer, as those photos show ;-)

Its actually quite an American/European divide. The US culturally tends to buy more expensive buckles than straps and therefore tend to want to change the buckle between different straps. Europeans tend to buy more expensive leatherwork than buckles and wear different belts if they want different buckles. Nothing wrong with either school of thought, pick which one you like and go with it. There are equally good/expensive/whatever makers in either camp.

Charlie

 

[ThinkDerm]



Without wishing to add to much to the great snap debate I should point out that I of course think the stitched look looks better and works better for longer, as those photos show ;-)

Its actually quite an American/European divide. The US culturally tends to buy more expensive buckles than straps and therefore tend to want to change the buckle between different straps. Europeans tend to buy more expensive leatherwork than buckles and wear different belts if they want different buckles. Nothing wrong with either school of thought, pick which one you like and go with it. There are equally good/expensive/whatever makers in either camp.

Charlie

Charlie,

Thank you for your input. Why not a combination of expensive leatherwork and buckles?

I'm of the mindset of high quality straps and high quality buckles. Call it a fusion of EuroAmerican thought.

I do not think that the snaps would wear out =), but stitching makes it so that the buckle can not be changed (as nice as stitching is).

I prefer sterling buckles to pair with high end straps, therein preferring snaps to easily change the buckles on my straps

Hope you can incorporate concealed snaps into your raised and stitched belt in the future so I can combine your high quality belt with some of my buckles!

 

[Equus Leather]



....

I prefer sterling buckles to pair with high end straps....

Watch this space ( or actually our affiliate thread) hallmarked Sterling Silver buckles will be out shortly. I have the first of them on the bench now and they are rather lovely (IMHO)..

BTW Thank you so much to all of the Bakers Belt subscribers - an amazing response from the forum. Whilst I'm sure our paltry efforts won't make much difference to Bakers in the long run supporting artisans like these means that their skills don't die and they continue to do things properly and is something I think is important, with the added benefit that we get to make nice things people will enjoy


Charlie

(edited to fix broken quotes)

 

[brokentelephone]



snaps allow you to have a one piece belt and change the buckle with ease. hidden snaps add a polished look

What brand belts are those? Especially the first ones?

 

[Equus Leather]

Hi All,

Just to say we are definitely going ahead with London Tan as well now. We have some leather remaining for both, particularly London Tan but not that much, so don't leave it too long of you'd like to going in!

Many thanks again to all the participants,

Charlie

 

[ThinkDerm]



Hi All,

Just to say we are definitely going ahead with London Tan as well now. We have some leather remaining for both, particularly London Tan but not that much, so don't leave it too long of you'd like to going in!

Many thanks again to all the participants,

Charlie

what are the pricing of your hallmarked sterling buckles / how much of a riser in price will those be? what width will the sterling buckles be (what size belt will they fit)

put me in for a barkers nut raised and stitched with concealed snaps when you get that worked out in 1 and 1/8th inch thickness with 5 holes also 1 and 1/8th inch apart starting 5 inches from the tip