Duke Mantee

I got one of those too telling me about the potential for massive growth - I told them I was in my 60s and sent a dicpic to show them how wrong they were

Demand is dying out - nobody wants to buy a sterile, over thought out and fussy belt 😉 (see? I’m learning 😄)

Yep - and no But I can’t be arsed pursuing other ‘options’ - as I said, it was never about money. I’ll pass my time with wallets and bags. I enjoy spending the time; it’s a different type of project and the bigger items can take a week or more so you really get your teeth into it

Thank you very very much for that

Standard Rivet were ‘the’ suppliers - almost right back to the earliest days. There’s another company, SX Industries, who make similar … similar isn’t the same (sizes and specs), plus they’re not geared to tiny business - pretty big minimum orders on stuff you need, but don’t need much of; for example I could buy 1000 spots which would do maybe 4 or 5 belts, but the ring spots (for jewels) are also 1000 min which is closer to 100 belts 🤷‍♂️

3 and half years ago after a fair bit of chat and a lot of encouragement from my mate @Flash I started making belts with some purpose. The purpose was that I had retired to look after my little girl who has multiple disabilities and in intervening hours I wanted to do something to slow down brain atrophy coupled with the fact that I’d bought a Warehouse belt which transpired to be shit. Since then, and much to my very genuine surprise, I’ve now made a little over 200 belts … slightly better than 1 belt every week. That’s the extent of my ‘business’. Each belt is made to the requirements and specifications set out by the customer. Each belt is made entirely by hand - no electrically or manually operated machines whatsoever. Skiving, edge bevelling, burnishing and the like are done according to how I ‘read’ each piece of leather being used. I have never made the same belt twice - some are similar, but respectfully that’s down to the request and invariably there will still be fundamental differences. Because every belt is different, there is no easy way (or wish) to standardise the process or materials. This also means I cannot easily plan ahead or take advantage of cost savings in ‘bulk’ purchasing. In terms of the money I ‘make’ from this enterprise - I charge exactly what I pay for any materials and add the honest number hours labour (at UK minimum wage). If I take a picture of a belt - I’ll normally display it here, and post it on IG (if the owner allows). I guess that can be considered as advertising but I don’t look for new opportunities or sales. If I’m asked, I’m asked, if I’m not then it makes no difference - I’ve just explained that it’s not a source of income that makes any substantive impact on household income, even if it was predictable. Because Standard Rivet has closed down I can no longer replenish my studs/spots, so my ‘business’ will soon close down … that should be good news to Miho at ACE But anyway, thank you to everyone who has trusted me with their hard earned, I hope I’ve never let you down.

This all depends on how hard you want to work for your money. Social media allows people to gain vast tracts of information in mere seconds … of course in those fleeting moments they’ve gained next to no actual knowledge, but who cares about that? I like the forums because I get the feeling there’s a little bit more effort from contributors … mostly.

Have you got new boots that you need this teacore belt to match? 😉 (👈 see, I’m catching on)

🤣 👆 … that ok mate?

I was making a joke … but if you feel better after your broadside then I’ve succeeded even though you didn’t see the humour. FWIW I would never claim anything I make is better than anything by anyone else, it would be arrogant and most probably false … and on a few occasions I’ve used those beautiful ACE buckles you mention (gotten to know them reasonably well too). I appreciate your advice on what I should do with my ‘business’ (such as it is) but I’m happy enough making what any interested party asks me to make - won’t be too many more now anyway.

… and the last couple of things to go into the package for @srudy - a small pouch/bag, which can be worn as a belt or slung over the shoulder, and a mini-trucker wallet which sits neatly inside

If you want an exact replica of an old Sears or Montgomery Ward et al then they are your guys. Not as good as my belts tho’ …

Yep - can do mate. That buckle (set) comes in 1” and 1.25”

2x layers of Japanese leather, exotic overlays, real gemstones, steel (both stainless and nickel plated) hardware and a LOT of saddle stitching

The smaller the stitch the longer the job - lovely work

Football … it’s called football 🙄😂

The slings are actually complicated bags - the standard and smaller sizes both have about 14~16 pieces of leather and a LOT of saddle stitching in relation to their volume Stitching is where the time is taken, that’s why you’ll see on commercial products the work is done by machine; or smaller businesses who do want to truly claim hand made but still look for ‘profit’ will look to use a design that has much less sewing (folding/glueing/rivets) and perhaps employ low SPI where sewing is still necessary

@srudy just keeps asking for stuff - a mini sling:

I hope it does work 🤞 - I’d imagine those cash/card wraps might be a popular thing The biggest challenge is ‘handmade’. I’ve said enough about it previously - but mostly I’ve found folk don’t really care about that aspect so beware what you charge, despite what it costs. Just use ‘popular’ tanneries (love me some Badalassi 😂)

Cheers @sensy The pleat in your bag is a tricky thing to do … reminds me a bit of the old US postal bags