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VPmikesfly t1_j7hqgf4 wrote

Hanks

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echocall2 t1_j7iijsi wrote

They have a "less than perfect" sale if you want a bargain. The blems are just cosmetic, my belt still holds my pants up just fine.

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upside_down_chair OP t1_j7ikh0c wrote

How close to your actual waist size did you order the belt? I can’t use an old belt for sizing because all I have are military style belts.

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echocall2 t1_j7im3mv wrote

32 waist and I ordered a 34. If you want to carry inside the waistband I'd go up another size.

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BrambleVale3 t1_j7im1fq wrote

They have a sizing explanation on their site that worked well for me.

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kgtunney t1_j7pxfi4 wrote

Order up! The makers say to, and all the advice says to, and I still ordered waist size (I buy pants in a 30 or 32" waist, and ordered a 32" belt, I think) and I can only get about three notches fatter before I run out of belt. Especially when it first arrived and was still stiff, I thought I'd have to order another one. If I were ordering again I'd order at least two sizes up. You can always punch another hole if you lose a lot of weight, but you can't add length! That said, after a few wears the belt relaxed into the shape of the buckle so I stopped sweating as much.

I got mine from River Ridge Leather in Ohio only about a year ago, but it definitely seems like something that'll last forever.

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rhb4n8 t1_j7vz6mw wrote

Recently got my first hanks everyday belt. I was blown the fuck away. Incredible quality.

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BrambleVale3 t1_j7ilyrc wrote

Came here to say this, my belt is three years old and getting better with age. Pro tip: their belt buckles are removable and you find a great selection of vintage “buy for life” quality vintage belt buckles on eBay.

Their wallets are pretty sweet too.

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DeltaAlphaGulf t1_j7kvmcm wrote

Are they more thick/rigid/stiff or more flexible? I don’t do anything particularly active and don’t like wearing a tight belt so I wear one of those cloth belts that has the two rings that holds itself by tension or whatever (no holes) because it thin/flexible so as to not be than noticeable and I can easily adjust it. My experience with other belts is them being rigid and noticeable and you can’t really wear it loose because it will hold its shape whereas a cloth belt will just sit comfortably on your waist. I did have a leather belt that came from a thift store that we got for a halloween costume that has pretty flexible and supple but I am pretty sure it was a lot thinner than these.

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smoothonesc t1_j7hppnf wrote

Look at Hanks or Bullhide

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kennisracket t1_j7shqhw wrote

Do you think one is better than the other?

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smoothonesc t1_j7sjsjz wrote

I have a Saddleback I bought a long time ago. It’s nice but I got a little frustrated when they jacked prices while also stating that they were going to allow more flaws in the leather because it was “character flaws.” I could have dealt with one of the two (price increase OR lesser leather) but not both.

Later I purchased a Bullhide for my Dad and it was good quality.

For myself I purchased a black and brown (two separate) belt from Hanks. They are very solid options.

Overall I wear the Saddleback and the black Hanks because I tend to wear black more than brown.

Any of the three are solid choices but I won’t buy from Saddleback any more.

Hope that helps.

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Born_2_Chill t1_j7hxp35 wrote

I have a hanks and I like it. I got a reversible brown/black. Hopefully the only belt I’ll ever need again.

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GlitchRealm t1_j7hspa2 wrote

I’ve been very pleased with my leather belts from northstar leather. He uses the same leather Red wing uses, and does custom work. If you search reddit for northstar leather, you can read about other people’s experiences.

https://www.nstarleather.com/

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BurnTheOrange t1_j7is87c wrote

Can confirm, northstar makes good stuff at a good price. My belts and wallets will outlast their matching boots for sure.

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uzna97 t1_j7hpsjw wrote

Duluth Trading has good belts. Not dressy, more utilitarian, but still nice.

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DrKennethNoisewater- t1_j7hxaq2 wrote

I’ve got a pretty nice Duluth belt I’ve worn at minimum 5 days a week for 5 years. Wouldn’t wear it to a wedding, but it works for office settings and has held up for me in “heavy use” scenarios.

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Entertainmeonly t1_j7i7st6 wrote

Second this. After 4 years the only wear is on the polish of the belt buckle. Vary minimal hole stretch.

Also was told it has a lifetime warranty.

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twentyfourkaratblack t1_j7hsc1p wrote

I don't know if it's full grain or not but I bought a Justin belt at a truck stop for $40 three years ago. Daily wear and it ain't going anywhere anytime soon from what I can see.

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TheKingofNeptune t1_j7hwhj7 wrote

Hanks has sales all the time. If see a belt you like, just wait. It shouldn't take too long for a discount.

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TheBlueFacedLeicestr t1_j7hyv8q wrote

There are lots of good places. Saddleback uses cheap chrome tanned leather for everything, so their belts are pretty overpriced. Find vegetable tanned bridle leather and see if they advertise the thickness of the leather when trying to determine how good it will be. Here’s one example of a great belt from an individual leather worker: https://bweissleather.com/shop/ols/products/super-beast.

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DrKennethNoisewater- t1_j7hzvyu wrote

You might be the first person I’ve seen here say something non-positive about Saddleback. This place typically won’t stop talking about them.

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MrGuhdbar t1_j7ipzff wrote

I have a saddleback wallet and I’m unimpressed. It will last for many years, I think, but the finish is shoddy.

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DrKennethNoisewater- t1_j7ir4ul wrote

I honestly just avoid them for how aggressive people are here pushing it.

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TCivan t1_j9eck23 wrote

I fell for all the Saddle back hype back in the day. I bought like 5 of their bags. Ask me how many I use? Zero. Not one. They are heavy, awkward, and horrid to open and close. Gimme a zipper. I use my WP Standard zippered duffel and a Banana Republic bag from the 1990’s I found in a Salvation Army. Still kicking and it’s gorgeous.

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Wyzen t1_j7ii2oi wrote

North star leather. I own 3 belts from them, very well built at an excellent price. Also the owner/craftsman is a redditor. u/nstarleather

https://www.nstarleather.com/optimizer/category/Belts.html

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nstarleather t1_j7iiprc wrote

Thanks again for the mention!

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Wyzen t1_j7ijf7q wrote

Of course! Gotta spread the good word, i wear your belts every day and love them.

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Halloween3 t1_j8yf1rn wrote

No returns on a "custom" belt with only 2 customizable options? I'm not risking that. Just look at any Hanks belts reviews to see how many people get the sizing wrong, and they offer free exchanges.

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Wyzen t1_j8yhp5u wrote

Well...its weird. Hanks has been spamming the hell out of my web searches ever since stumbing on this thread. So...there is that. I visted them once, now I get a Hanks ad several times a day, youtube, reddit, video game rewards, everything. Hanks also has that skeevy wheel spin thing that shitty companies use. Not that all that makes them shitty, just suspect. Plus I am sure N Star will make it good with you, their CS is awesome.

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ScopedShotgun t1_j7i87pt wrote

My belts from Thirteen50 have lasted 5+ years of daily use

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SpacemanSpiff23 t1_j7iob2i wrote

Honestly, I feel like any actual full grain leather belt with hardware made out of some type of metal that doesn’t corrode easily should last forever.

I made my own with supplies from Tandy leather and it’s been worn daily for almost a decade and is holding up fine.

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Dramatic_Taro5846 t1_j7isubp wrote

Go to r/leatherclassifieds and post how much you want to pay and you’ll get the best belt I bet you.

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curkington t1_j7hs79x wrote

I have used Dickies and style and craft belts and they are serious pieces of leather that will last for decades!

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nunofmybusiness t1_j7hvb3n wrote

Look for a western wear store. I’m not into western wear but they have the best one piece leather belts. For me they have not been BIFL but only because I keep getting fatter and out growing them.

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CutterNorth t1_j7hwqhu wrote

Hanks. I actually sent one back because it was thicker leather than I had ever seen. The replacement is perfect and will last forever.

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ConBroMitch t1_j7ib448 wrote

Carmine Jack has a fantastic custom belt kit. It’s pricey, but it’s the last belt I’ll likely ever need. Even after 5 years it looks practically new.

Edit: just looked and it’s a lot more expensive than when I bought it. (Almost 2x)

Still a great value though.

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ForTheLoveofGeese t1_j7iq1hy wrote

I recommend finding a local leather crafter - my one back in my hometown custom cut me one and I got to choose my own buckle for $50 CAD. Granted, this was like 7 years ago almost but it’s still going strong. I bought a second to go with my suits and am considering another as a back up.

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DRCK10 t1_j7hw6gp wrote

I find a wide variety of leather belts at thrift stores. Many are in like-new or new condition too.

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dago999 t1_j7iapnf wrote

I got full grain leather belt at Walmart mostly out of curiosity. It actually looks like pretty decent quality and holding up for about a year. Not sure if BIFL, but it might be

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Cascadian73 t1_j7ic5nq wrote

If you like a heavy leather belt (and near indestructible) check out the belt at 1791 Holsters. It has been perfect for me.

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PopeOfManwichVillage t1_j7id3io wrote

I have a 15 year old Carhartt belt that still looks great. I’m not sure if the newer versions are as good though

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larry_darrell_ t1_j7ifmow wrote

My town has a Saturday market with a couple booths of old guy leather workers that sell belts. Bought mine like 5 yrs ago, full grain leather and it's still holding strong. He custom sized it to me at the time of purchase as well. It felt a lil spendy at the time but worth every penny. Pretty sure it was well under $100. There should be local leather workers near you, and this is a pretty simple item.

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e1beano t1_j7io4mt wrote

Probably not what you want, but I've had a large belt from American eagle for nearly 15 years and that damn thing is hanging tough. I was noticing the other day how worn in it is and I'm really wondering if it might end up being BIFL

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TheSearingninja t1_j7ip413 wrote

Mean Gene Leather is super nice leather worker

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KawiZed t1_j7ip47l wrote

American Benchcraft

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cuda444 t1_j7iuxa7 wrote

Www.thebeltman.net

I’ve worn this belt every single day for 18 years and it’s still going strong. Does exactly what they say it will. Nice, thick, sturdy leather belt.

Mean gene leather also makes really nice stuff.

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Responsible_Try90 t1_j7iv0yh wrote

Don’t know where you are located, but I bought one for about $35 at Dollywood, with admission cost it made it about $100 but I got to go to Dollywood for that price, too!

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BeltWieldingDad t1_j7ivd07 wrote

Check out Popov Leather. It’s the real deal, Horween leather, thick, supple, good hardware.

I had a Tanner Goods belt in Natural vegetable tanned finish about 10 years ago that I “outgrew” (unfortunately!) last year. It’s still in awesome condition after basically 10 years of daily wear. I ordered another belt from Tanner Goods and it’s clear the quality dropped substantially.

The Popov belt is the belt that I WISH Tanner Goods was still producing. I have absolute faith that the Popov will last me another 10 years at least.

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ReferHvacGuy t1_j7j0i2e wrote

I have an occidental 2” belt. I’ve had it 5 years and it’s the only one I wear every single day. Still looks new.

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av8or234 t1_j7j2169 wrote

I bought an American Bison belt from Tom Taylor buckles in Santa Fe on vacation a few years ago. Not quite daily worn but shows almost zero wear. Pricier now than when I bought it but I’m likely to never buy another leather belt again.

https://tomtaylorbuckles.com/

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TurboSalsa t1_j7jfvwd wrote

This may sound weird but if there's someone around you making leather gun holsters they usually sell gun belts too. I bought one that was pretty thick and came with brass hardware that I didn't manage to wear out in a decade of use.

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exttramedium t1_j7jjwv5 wrote

Side note. If you’re looking for something that’s more tactical and will last forever, I’d recommend Grip6 Belts. I got the men’s honeycomb black on black 3 years ago and it’s the only belt I use, still looks new. Super quick to tighten and release too!

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burnzy440 t1_j7k3kzu wrote

Bought my belt from Amish tack shop

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Undrthedock t1_j7k59vn wrote

I picked up a bull hide belt from The Beltman probably 15 years ago. It’s been worn almost daily since I bought it and it’s still in fantastic condition. If anything the belt is even nicer now that is been thoroughly broken in.

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DPL646 t1_j7kbxde wrote

Ive been wearing filson belts for over ten years. No issues.

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spokenotwheel t1_j7ki55l wrote

I have worn two Saddleback belts for over fifteen years, nearly daily. If they cost $99 today, that’s amazing. Mine were $99 for each of them back then.

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andyring t1_j9drc02 wrote

Do you have the "old bull" one or the "tow belt"? I'm wanting one but going back and forth on the two.

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spokenotwheel t1_j9e9c02 wrote

I have two of the old bulls; a black one and a brown one.

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MistRoot t1_j7u10uj wrote

They’re not leather, but I highly suggest Grip6 belts. I’ve worn mine every day for five years and it hardly shows any wear. They go for $40. Comfortable, stylish, and indestructible. It’s the only belt I’ll need for the rest of my life.

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internetlad t1_j7iifov wrote

Hanks. No questions asked.

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jerkITwithRIGHTYnewb t1_j7js3s4 wrote

I’ve been wearing the same Levi’s belt for 20+ years. No idea where I bought it but I didn’t have much money 20 years ago. With leather I find that if you pick it up off the store shelf and it feels like it’s broken in that’s the stuff that will last.

0