Chinese Lionhead Belt Buckle

**thoth51** · 17th May 08, 10:09 AM

Looking for some opinions and advice from the rabble:

I've had this idea for a belt buckle for a while, so today I went hunting in the handicraft and antique shops. Finally I got a pair of these bad boys for S$38 (about 28USD):

This is a traditional Chinese door knocker, found on doors outside of old Chinese houses. The fearsome beastie wards off evil, much like the gargoyles of Europe. This one is about 8.5 centimeters in diameter (~3.3inches) and the perfect size for a kilt belt buckle. What do you think? Now I'll have to figure out how to add the bits necessary for a belt buckle. Wish me luck!

Oh, I'll have to lose the ring of course, or I'll never hear the end of the 'knock-knock' jokes.

**Finn** · 17th May 08, 10:48 AM

Those are pretty cool!

**Oldhiker** · 17th May 08, 11:33 AM

if you attached them side by side and left the rings in.... built in sporran hangers

but you might get that famous line from Young Frankenstein movie
"Nice Knockers"

yes they are cool

**James MacMillan** · 17th May 08, 03:16 PM

Looks like you need to learn how to braze, or find someone who can...

Nice idea!

Having brass chain tassels come out of the mouth where the ring was would be interesting.

**thoth51** · 18th May 08, 08:37 AM

Brazing huh? I guess an electronics solder job won't cut it?

This is turning out to be trickier than I thought. First I need me a buckle-back with hook:

And I can't find them in any of the craft supply stores or buckle shops locally. I might have to order it online, where the postage will cost more than the part.

Then there's the door knocker itself. The back is hollow and offers very little flat area to braze the buckle-back onto.

The good news is I did manage to find a company that offers brazing, they claim there's "no job too small" for them, so maybe I'll give them a call.

I did find some chains at the craft supply store that would work as tassels as Jay suggested, but I'll have to leave that for later and figure out how to assemble the buckle body first. Thanks for your interest, guys!

**Alan H** · 19th May 08, 10:01 AM

brazing isn't too hard, I've done it though it's been years. PRECISION brazing, like putting together bicycle frames with lugs (which nobody does any more) is *very* hard, but This sort of thing is easily doable at home. Problem is, you gotta invest $150 in equipment. OUCH

**7 miles** · 19th May 08, 10:25 AM

Very cool idea i hope it all woks out.( ha- ha)
(works)

**Ranald** · 25th June 08, 12:33 PM

Like the future buckle and like the idea too.
I am fond of using other stuff too.I made a buckle some time ago using a brass lion doorknocker but mounted it on steel using bolts! It did the job well and no-one else had one like it.
Good luck, can't what to see the finished pics.

**Livingston** · 25th June 08, 03:13 PM

Looks great but..... is that thing really 9 inches in diameter?

Might be a little big.

**AndresPapousek** · 25th June 08, 04:56 PM

Brazing? sorry I don t know what is that. Is laike welding bronze?

Why don't just use epoxi for join the hook to de Lion? It will hold great, You can do it yourself in your home. "Just mix A and B" and wait 10 min.

As is in the back of the head it will be hidden.

And you can use another crazy material to fix the hollow head problem.

Im sure it will look great and will protect the famiy jewlls.

Andres Papousek