The Belt of Substance

[Big Mikey]

Being a Gentleman of Substance, my accessories must also be substantial. Not only that but they must be of the highest quality and craftsmanship.

I thought I had attained the pinnacle of belt design and substance when I purchased a 3" monstrosity from our fellow member, Cavscout. I was wrong.

Some time ago, Steve offered a limited opportunity for a 4" belt to be made! Well my fellow members, it just wouldn't do for the original G of S to not have such a beasty.

After a number of e-mails and one or two phone calls, we came to an agreement.

The main strap of the belt would be 4", the secondary strap would be 3" with a two prong roller buckle. A simple bead was engraved into the 4" portion and four "targe" patterns were done in nickel rivets. The overall effect is much like a "ranger" belt. Steve also placed a panel in the back to help support everything. Finished in a semi-glossy black, this is not an accessory to be trifled with.



Buckle Detail



The Back with Targe detail



Overall Look with matched sporran straps

And what does one do to celebrate the aquiring of such a wonderous accessory? You get your daughter kilted up and head to the nearest purveyor of fine ales on St. Patrick's Day!



The Beast Belt performed flawlessly. It is very comfortable and received many queries and compliments. But be warned, this is not something for those of slight stature or questionable substance.

Cheers aye.

[Seanmhair]

It is all a matter of proportion and you do it masterfully, a beautiful job!

[BEEDEE]

Awesome!!

Brian

[Lallans]

Awesome!!

Brian

I second!

[NewGuise]

Excellent. He does fine work, doesn't he? And while that belt is practically as large as I am, it looks superb on you!

[Tatonka]

Man! you pull that look off excellently!

[ghostlight]

That is a handsome piece of leather craft.

[GDub]

Looks great! Cavscout does fine work--my Oconee belt gets worn whenever I'm kilted in a tartan kilt.

[creagdhubh]

Being a Gentleman of Substance, my accessories must also be substantial. Not only that but they must be of the highest quality and craftsmanship.

I thought I had attained the pinnacle of belt design and substance when I purchased a 3" monstrosity from our fellow member, Cavscout. I was wrong.

Some time ago, Steve offered a limited opportunity for a 4" belt to be made! Well my fellow members, it just wouldn't do for the original G of S to not have such a beasty.

After a number of e-mails and one or two phone calls, we came to an agreement.

The main strap of the belt would be 4", the secondary strap would be 3" with a two prong roller buckle. A simple bead was engraved into the 4" portion and four "targe" patterns were done in nickel rivets. The overall effect is much like a "ranger" belt. Steve also placed a panel in the back to help support everything. Finished in a semi-glossy black, this is not an accessory to be trifled with.



Buckle Detail



The Back with Targe detail



Overall Look with matched sporran straps

And what does one do to celebrate the aquiring of such a wonderous accessory? You get your daughter kilted up and head to the nearest purveyor of fine ales on St. Patrick's Day!



The Beast Belt performed flawlessly. It is very comfortable and received many queries and compliments. But be warned, this is not something for those of slight stature or questionable substance.

Cheers aye.

The kilt belt looks great, but get a separate leather strap or chain strap for your sporran mate!

[davidlpope]

The kilt belt looks great, but get a separate leather strap or chain strap for your sporran mate!

Here's a good explanation by Jeff (from another thread) that explains why that might not be the best choice for GoS...:

Traditional or no, for us Men of Substance who carry moderate to considerable guts/pottbellies around the use of sporran hangers is more of a necessity than a variance from tradition. If you have any size gut hanging below the typically high position of a kilt belt, your sporran on a standard sporran strap or chain will tend to wander south below the gut and bunch up and wrinkle your apron big time between your sporran and your belt---the bigger the gut, the more this happens. I agree that sporran hangers do tend to pull down on your belt, requiring you to occasionally readjust, but not nearly so frequently as with a sporran chain or strap.

I envy those of you who can wear a standard chain or strap because of this, and I actually try to reduce the weight of my sporran by adding a sidecar---a small belt pouch-- to the side of my belt to carry some of the more frequently used and often heavier items like keys, change, cash, credit card. Others have used devices on the underside of the belt to keep it from slipping down as easily---no-slip belts and grippy rubber dots and such.

Being large in the kilted world has its own set of issues to deal with, sporran hangers only being one.

jeff