Kilt Belt Question

**azwildcat96** · 16th April 10, 06:16 PM

I am in the market for a new leather kilt belt. My question is about the adjustable belts for sale. I have heard that the velcro ones are of less quality, compared to the ones with the small buckle on the inside for size adjustment. I have also heard that some dislike the ones with the buckle because over time the inner metal buckle can wear a spot in the tartan kilt. Can anyone help steer me in the right direction? Thanks.

**thescot** · 16th April 10, 06:35 PM

I have used both, and I prefer the velcro type the best; I like that way it adjusts and lays flat. But then, I prefer the belts made by CavScout to any of the ones you'll find at most vendors. I like the regular buckle with two thorn roller buckle best, and you'll find that the leather and work surpasses what you'll find in most other belts.

Check them out here: http://oconeeleatherworks.com/Belts.htm

**Downunder Kilt** · 16th April 10, 07:37 PM

I totally agree with The Scot on both the velcro belts and Oconee belts. If you are after a belt then go with Oconee. I have just received one of their brown leather ones with the brass buckle and, as the man said, their quality of work cannot be beat

**Big Mikey** · 16th April 10, 10:38 PM

I have tried the buckle type belt and found that I didn't like the small bulge that was evident on the side that the buckle was located. After some time wearing it, the buckle became rather uncomfortable. It has now found a new home.

The velcro belts are good quality. I have one that I purchased from Stillwater Kilts about 4 years ago and it still looks and works like the day I received it.

Now as to Oconee Leather, if you try the search function, you will find many reviews all singing the praises of Steve's quality products. I own three custom made belts by him and can attest to the level of workmanship. The Oconee belts are not as inexpensive as some but they are definitely affordable, definitely higher quality and with a little care, could be handed down to your grandson along with your kilt.

**Red Stag** · 17th April 10, 04:31 PM

I have a belt that I bought from the Scottish Lion that was called a gentleman's kilt belt. It has the buckle on the inside but it is also red on the inside. I wore it to work a couple of times and I didn't realize that the red was wearing off on my utilikilt and some of my polo shirts. I never got that red out and I have been too afraid to wear the belt since. What is the point of painting the inside of the belt red?

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 17th April 10, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Red Stag

I have a belt that I bought from the Scottish Lion that was called a gentleman's kilt belt. It has the buckle on the inside but it is also red on the inside. I wore it to work a couple of times and I didn't realize that the red was wearing off on my utilikilt and some of my polo shirts. I never got that red out and I have been too afraid to wear the belt since. What is the point of painting the inside of the belt red?

What's the point? ...as recently as twenty, maybe twenty-five years ago at the most, dirk belts (aka kilt belts, but since kilts don't require a belt to hold them up they are still called dirk belts by traditionalists, fuddy-duddies, and old timers) were finished on the inside with Morocco leather (or sometimes pigskin) dyed red or green. This was done by the manufacturer for a simple reason: pride. In the same way that quality shoes are lined with leather, less expensive shoes are lined with canvas, and cheap shoes have no lining at all, so it is with belts. So, by taking a few extra minutes and providing a lining, the belt maker was showing the buyer that his was a quality belt, not some cheap knock-off from the sweat shops of Rangoon, or wherever it is that most dirk belts come from nowadays.

Since, in my entire life, I have never had a problem with the red lining of my belt rubbing off on my kilt, I have to suggest that your problem may have been caused by several factors not envisioned by the manufacturer:

1) If you are engaged in strenuous labour (or sweat a lot) the transfer of moisture through your non-traditional kilt to the belt could have caused dye-transfer to occur;

2) Since most kilts are wool (a hard wearing but soft fabric) and many non-traditional kilts are made of a rougher, canvass-like fabric, the dye-transfer you experienced could have been the result of abrasion leaving tiny particles of red leather caught in the fabric of your non-traditional kilt;

or, the vendor sold you a cheaply-made belt with a red lining and there just isn't much you can do about it-- "mutton dressed as lamb" to quote G&S .

All, however, may not be lost. Here are two fixes you can do in the privacy of your home.

1) Get some leather cleaner and, following the instructions on the bottle with the same attentiveness you would exhibit if dosing your wealthy maiden aunt Agatha with a potentially lethal medication, clean the red side of the belt, and then using a large supply of clean, soft, dry cloths, polish the red side of the belt until no more red dye comes off on the cloth.

2) If this sounds too much like work PM me with the size of the belt and, provided it will fit, I'll give you $5 for it. You will, of course, pay the postage.