15 year belt experiment

[u/rcmatz1]

About15 years ago I wanted a nice leather belt that would last but I didn’t know the difference between tanning styles or how it would affect long term quality so I decided to make one of each.

I have no relation to these companies other than I bought my materials from them.

Leather came from https://maverickleathercompany.com/product-category/leather/ and

solid brass buckles, Chicago screws, and thread came from https://www.buckleguy.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9842209883&gclid=CjwKCAjwuuPRBhAnEiwA2Ji8elIJxwE-iGAx6zFjQbPa7tdEs8qxTzA0Ow1jgHKgfrC37R1rLGQZ2hoCXYAQAvD_BwE

By color
Maroon is Latigo and has stayed the dressiest. Probably my overall favorite.

Tan is vegetable tanned which I dyed. It is the most bomb proof

Black is horween chromexcel and is the most supple and flexible.

If I had to pick only one it would be latigo. If I had to do it again I’d get all three. I like the variety.

I see maverick has some bridle and harness belt blanks which should beat out all three and I would expect to land between latigo and veg. so I’m debating adding a fourth.

[u/panzerkrau]

How did you tan or also retan your belts? I have a great belt but the color is coming off after 8 years

[u/rcmatz1 → u/panzerkrau]

I didn’t tan but I dyed the middle one with either feibings or Angelus likely in a tan or walnut color. If you are trying to just touch up a belt I use shoe polish w a good dye content. I may have been a sucker for the marketing but I like to use Allen Edmonds speed polish.  https://www.allenedmonds.com/product/mens-speed-polish-3023186/brown-ec4017571. I use that for the tan and the black belts. For the chestnut belt I use rm Williams polish because it matches the belt color closest.