Belts

[Duke Mantee]

… and one of my own finally finished. This is the heaviest leather I’ve put studs/spots in - a Wickett & Craig bridle at 9-11oz, although the cut I made is nearer the 11oz so a bit over 4mm thick. The design is an adaptation of an ACE Western design which is probably an adaptation of some original 30s design so I’ve used steel spots and buckle for authenticity.. Anyway, I’ve wanted to use this design for a while so I’m really happy with how it has worked out.

The leather isn’t struck through so normally you’d see the natural leather on the edges, but I’ve painted those to reflect the original specifications. With wear and as the belt bends and folds this paint will crack and wear away.

 

edit: and delighted this one made it to the top of page 100

Edited July 12, 2022 by Duke Mantee

[Flash]

May be one of my favourites mate 

[Duke Mantee]

1 hour ago, Flash said:

May be one of my favourites mate 

I’ll probably make myself an overlay belt next, but I wanted one that was authentic feeling for the period - I think it has the right feel and so it’s a favourite for me too. It’s not a design many others will pick up on either.

[smoothsailor]

Very cool duke, and it gets even cooler over time

[Duke Mantee]

27 minutes ago, smoothsailor said:

Very cool duke, and it gets even cooler over time

Thank Paul - you’re right, time (and wear) is really going to bring out a lot of character

Edited July 12, 2022 by Duke Mantee

[indigoeagle]

Cool belt- where did you get the buckle from?

[Duke Mantee]

16 minutes ago, indigoeagle said:

Cool belt- where did you get the buckle from?

Thank you

Codina - a complete arse of a man, worst customer service I’ve ever experienced bar none … good buckles though, quality is on par with ACE Western

Edited July 12, 2022 by Duke Mantee

[Duke Mantee]

[Suitedupmon]

I've been gone long enough that Duke has been able take over the belt industry?!

How do I get one and what is the wait like?

Edited July 25, 2022 by Suitedupmon

[Duke Mantee]

4 hours ago, Suitedupmon said:

I've been gone long enough that Duke has been able take over the belt industry?!

How do I get one and what is the wait like?

It was a stealth operation  

If you want one you could DM me …

[xchen]

Duke - I am loving your work. I see one in my future too!

[Duke Mantee]

9 hours ago, xchen said:

Duke - I am loving your work. I see one in my future too!

Thank you very much!

I’m usually around here so just DM any time that future gets close

[Duke Mantee]

A belt for @dudsbydel on IG. This is a Sedgwick strap around 9-10oz (3.6-4mm) cut from the bridle butt, with a solid brass sand cast buckle and matching brass saddlers rivets. I’ve burnished the edges with black Tokonole and beeswax so it’s given a bit of colour to the raw edge, although this will break down with wear and expose the natural colour.

 

[Duke Mantee]

A belt for a friend on IG … although the original of this pattern was invented for the Duchess, it was John B that weaponised it and it’s now called the Brooklyn. Anyways, a chestnut Walpier Buttero Rocky veg tan strap about 9-10oz (lovely stuff that folk shun because it isn’t all super-grainy and isn’t ‘teacore’ … FFS don’t start me on that, you’re straight into John Mayer territory) with copper turquoise gemstones and all brass hardware - the buckle coming from the same place used by Peng at Flame Panda boots since the customer said he liked them.

Edited August 7, 2022 by Duke Mantee

[Duke Mantee]

… and another belt for the same fella as the last one - this time a simple black bridle leather strap as per the @dudsbydel belt 2 up but this time with another (similar) buckle from the Flame Panda source and the leather weighing in at an even heftier 4.2mm or almost 11oz. Again the raw edges have been given a polish with black Tokonole which never really gets the edge a deep black but rather a lovely brownish tone comes through because of the natural leather colour then a further coat of beeswax just to seal it a bit more. All this will break down over the years with wear and you’ll end up with one of those belts you’ve seen in the old timey pics - that lovely patina with what looks like brown coming through black.

Edited August 10, 2022 by Duke Mantee

[JohnM]

^ Crazy good Duke.  I need another belt like I need more jeans.  But we're fanatics and temptation is what it is ... ;-)

[Duke Mantee]

14 hours ago, JohnM said:

^ Crazy good Duke.  I need another belt like I need more jeans.  But we're fanatics and temptation is what it is ... ;-)

Thanks John, very much appreciated … always here if you succumb  

[Duke Mantee]

This for @Suitedupmon who wanted something that I’d never seen as a belt pattern before - the inspiration was an antique trunk c.1675-1700 housed in the Winterthur Museum in Delaware.

 

 

Which led to this:

 

 

 

The leather is a 9-10oz full grain veg tanned buffalo which has been sanded to give a ‘sueded’ feel - you can see the hair follicles and the overall feel, I think, is very much in keeping with the inspiration having an immediate antique look.

The edges haven’t been treated as much as I’d normally do and again I think this is more sympathetic to the surface finish. The buckle is Japanese brass and the tail has my trademark vintage coin.

Far and away this is the most spots I’ve ever added to a belt - probably almost twice the norm and I was getting a bit ‘stud-blind’ but overall I think it was worth the loss of eyesight … which I hope isn’t permanent 

Edited August 11, 2022 by Duke Mantee

[unders]

Stellar Duke

[Duke Mantee]

Just now, unders said:

Stellar Duke

Thanks buddy  

[Suitedupmon]

Thanks, Duke. I'm glad we settled on a historical and unique pattern together. Excited to possibly get a fit pic next to the trunk next time I'm at work. Cheers!

[Duke Mantee]

9 minutes ago, Suitedupmon said:

Thanks, Duke. I'm glad we settled on a historical and unique pattern together. Excited to possibly get a fit pic next to the trunk next time I'm at work. Cheers!

Thank YOU my friend - it was a great challenge to build the idea you had. I always appreciate it when ideas are so unique and exciting.

[Broark]

As always, incredible work Duke!

[Duke Mantee]

35 minutes ago, Broark said:

As always, incredible work Duke!

Much appreciated mate

Edited August 11, 2022 by Duke Mantee

[beautiful_FrEaK]

All those rivets leave a mark

[Duke Mantee]

Straightforward (well 7 holes at ¾” spacing instead of the usual 5 holes 1”) belt in 9oz Walpier Buttero Rocky - lovely satchel tan colour. Japanese brass buckle, a nice hand cut english point end, edged and burnished with Tokonole and beeswax, a few coats of conditioner … and bob’s yer uncle

 

[Dr_Heech]

^a beauty @Duke Mantee and very similar looking to the one you made for me.

 

[Duke Mantee]

1 hour ago, Dr_Heech said:

^a beauty @Duke Mantee and very similar looking to the one you made for me.

 

Thanks doc - yes, it’s a very similar approach - different leather, but they have a common base design 

[Duke Mantee]

A belt for @mister_stantastic on IG. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a paisley pattern studded belt … until now 

A 9oz Walpier Buttero Rocky strap adorned with steel spots and cobra overlays in navy and wine, finished with a nickel plated Japanese brass buckle and vintage Japanese coin:

 

[Maynard Friedman]

I heard Anthony Joshua would like a few belts.