Handmade Leather Belt – An Inside Look at a Work of Art

Recalls of products dominate the headlines. In spite of quality controls and a myriad of other checks — there seems to be hundreds if not thousands of recalled products every year. Our clothes, belts, hats, and shoes are made in factories far far away — and we feel no connection to the apparel we wear.

Thats what’s different about a handmade leather belt. Still made the same way it has been for generations by a skilled artisan, it has withstood the test of time. No it won’t be as pretty as a factory made, all-the-same-size, same-look kind of belt but can you compare Picasso to a digital image? Then how can you compare the labor and sweat of an artisan in America making a handcrafted product?

A handmade leather belt makes a person feel a timeless connection to the rich history of leather craft that is present in the US. Knowing that your purchase is supporting a local craftsman and his family is an added bonus to the belt that is purchased.

Many of the craftsman are strict about the tanneries they work with — preferring English bridle leather which is know for its superior quality. After a stuffing procedure that implants oil and wax into the leather grain – the leather is delivered to the craftsman from the tannery.

The craftsman then cuts the belt to size and begins work on each belt one-by-one and if he’s Amish then he would use only hand-operated equipment. You can begin to realize how labor-intensive this process is and how much each belt would require in terms of attention to detail.

So owning a handmade leather belt is not about just another great products — there’s a story and an economy behind it that empowers local communities across the United States. Its a great way to support hardworking men and women who hone their craft and are so diligent in choosing their sources and suppliers.