so awhile back I was surfing through ebay listings, looking at a bunch of different types of leather goods, and stumbled upon a vendor (Michael) who made heavy leather belts for SCA fighting.
On a whim I emailed him and inquired about custom work/ kilts belts etc.
He emailed me back right away and said yes he did in fact do custom work and wanted to know what I had in mind.
After numerous emails back and forth, and many bad photoshop attempts to express what I was thinking of, as well as a final drawing, we settled on a design....

I liked his buckled belts, but wondered if they perhaps might be too costume-y for regular wear, so decided a two-pronged roller buckle would make the belt look more utilitarian. Like that of a weight lifter, or the Sam Browne type belts that hold pistols and accessories.

So two pronger, what next? I wanted it wide but not too wide. So three inches max. It needed rivets. Chrome to go with the chrome buckle.
I liked the "speartip" end on some of Michaels other belts so I requested that detail. Color....hrmmm...black...and mahogany.

A few weeks later, and a few emails of updates (with pictures) of the progress, a totally custom Faire Leather kilt belt showed up in my mailbox.

REVIEW

the belt itself is very hefty. I don't know how much this thing weights but it's the heaviest belt i've ever lifted. Feels pretty good wrapped around your waist though. Great for the back support.
Leather is supple and smells good. Color is great, just what was requested, however the back is unfinished and sheds a bit. You can tell the belt was cut by hand as it is very, very slightly irregular in width, however I actually LIKE this. It adds character and reminds me this thing was crafted by hand.
One thing that bugs me just a bit, is that the back panel isn't quite centered with the buckle once it's done up. That is to say, you can either have the raised panel centered on your back OR the buckle centered on your navel, not both. While it bugs me.....it doesn't bug the person who it was made for much at all, as she wears her buckles punk rock style, off to the side.
Yep, that's right, the belt isn't even for me. It's for my partner who has her first kilt on the way as you all read this.
Would I buy from Michael at Faire Leather for myself? Heck yes I would! Not only did he deliver an awesome product, he was a real pleasure to work with.
Here are a couple pics
the front


the back


check out his website, and let him know I sent you.
We'll post better pics of it actually being worn with her kilt once it arrives.

Cheers!

Cloves