Latigo Leather Kilt Belt and Keepers - X Marks the Scot

Kilted Carver · #1 10-25-2009, 06:31 AM

I have been wanting to make one of these for a while, I have finally got around to going to our local Tandy leather and rounding up the supplies. I bought two 72 inch pieces of latigo, one at 2 inches, one at 3/4 of an inch. I had the snaps and rivets, and brass swivels, and contact cement ( which I had also picked up from Tandy a while back ). The 2 inch velcro was purchased at wally world.
I had bought the buckle off ebay and it is an Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders brass buckle. Once I had the goodies lined up, I went to work. It turned out pretty good , I think. The buckle can be changed out with others that fit standard kilt belts. I also made a couple of keepers, and keepers with the brass swivels.

I am not sure of the total cost, but just guessing it was $50 or $60.

Chas · #2 10-25-2009, 06:48 AM

I too am a fan of Tandy. So far I have only used their pre-made belts (snaps already on). I cut them to size, dye and then add the buckle. I have not attempted anything like your 'from scratch' belt. I am very impressed.

By the way - what is Latigo? I keep meaning to ask, but forget when I get to the shop.

Regards

Chas

ChattanCat · #3 10-25-2009, 06:55 AM

Nice job on the belts! I was wondering, where you used the glue and velcro?

Kilted Carver · #4 10-25-2009, 06:56 AM

Thanks Chas and Wallace,
It was over near the section with the belt blanks, it comes pre-dyed in the reddish brown color and comes in various widths and lengths. I think it is used making bridles and the like. I made a sporran strap out of it a while back and have been meaning to do this project as to have a matching belt.
The glue is some strong stuff, I made a belt out of military OD webbing a while back and used the glue and sticky back velcro on it ( like most pre made kilt belts do for adjustment ). Once dry I put a few stiches in the corners of the velcro and it holds tight. I did the same with the leather one.

blackbeard · #5 10-25-2009, 07:19 AM

The original meaning of latigo is the strap used to attach the cinch to a saddle. It is now commonly used to describe any belt weight leather.

Luckey · #6 10-25-2009, 08:03 AM

Great work as usual. I especially like the keepers-many uses for those. You will see a flask hanging from mine.

Kilted Carver · #7 10-25-2009, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the info Blackbeard, I only knew it was marked latigo on all of the bins that had the same reddish straps, the other straps were just called....straps. Thanks.

blackbeard · #8 10-25-2009, 03:20 PM

Your very welcome Carver.
The only reason I know that tidbit of info is because I asked the same question 25 years ago when I first started working with leather.

BTW very nice work on the belt.

Kilted Carver · #9 10-25-2009, 08:07 PM

Thanks again sir, now I can go into Tandy with a little leather knowledge ( I don't have much in there, so every little bit helps!) in my melon.

vorpallemur · #10 10-25-2009, 09:08 PM

what latigo is will depend on who tans it. Historically, it was made by hot stuffing leather (as part of the finishing process, the tanned and dried leather is dipped in, or brushed with, or tumbled in, hot grease. It was further treated with heat and water to get the grease to fill the volume of the leather and coat the fibers. It was as strong as it could be, the grease kept it from drying out, and kept it water proof. Of course, no one makes leather like that any more, there being no real demand for it. (Biggest uses were for belting (not the belts you wear; the belts you attach to your steam engine to run your saw) and various seals. All of that has been replaced by synthetics that are cheaper, work better, last longer, and aren't nearly as good looking.)

(I say "no one" makes it, but there are some tanneries that make things not unlike it. )