I have been doing leather work and silver smithing for over 10 years. There is no more than $50 worth of material in any of those belts including the buckles. There is also no way the labor accounts for for the prices. A walking foot sewing machine makes it a breeze even for neophytes. Absolutely crazy to spend that kind of money unless you are trying to actively impress someone.
I started dabbling in leather work about 2 years ago (trying to "work" my way up to a nice duffle bag....).. I made a few shave kits, knife sheaths and 2 belts...all hand stitched. The belts were 1 ply from random cow hide (about 4 oz). Anyway....please pass on a few tips...for belt making what type of leather do you typically use (oz and "grade"). Do you usually make them 1 ply or like 3 oz with suede or pig hide backing? And where is a good place for sourcing buckles (I got mine at Tandy). THANKS!!
Agree, but you pay for unique design (supposedly) + branding so its really different strokes for different folks kind of story, not rational but i will go and buy a branded belt if it beautiful enough for me, almost like an art object that i can wear, and im talking actually neat designs not brand patterns over the belt lol
@@wjvlodek8769 4 oz leather will require a two ply belt with stitching. If you want a stiffer belt you will need to put a third layer in between and less wide than the outer two. You should use a good leather cement. Then stitch. You can either hand stitch or use a machine. I use an old cast iron hand crank Singer for up to 7 oz of leather. Buckles, I have been making my own silver buckles for years now. Tandy has very decent leather, if you are making it for your self who cares. Good luck, you will make a lot of bad stuff before you make good stuff.
@@hxjj111 Agreed....although that "pebble leather" of the Hermes belt looks beautiful, there is no way I would ever buy (spend the money on) a Hermes, Gucci or even Mont Blanc (after watching Sven rip it apart).
@@AndreiGromit True. But we do have a point, we cut them open so you get the knowledge without having to cut them open yourself. Isn't it nice to know what really is in something without having to cut it open yourself?
@@gentlemansgazette You're absolutely right! There are so many products that look good on the surface for a few wearings and then deteriorate rapidly. I LOVED the video. It was just funny to realize in that moment when you not only cut into the belt but literally ripped them apart to reveal the inner details. Well done! Thanks for being a voice that speaks to quality not just style.
@@gentlemansgazette Thank you for your response. I'm sorry if I have offended. I was just shocked by the beginning of the video. I am not a fan of these brands, but I didn't enjoy seeing their products cut up. It reminded me of dissecting a frog. A shame about the frog.
Raphael showed us just how much an expert he is coming up with infos on the fly. Great video, you convinced me of the quality of your belts, unfortunately for you I wear suspenders only.
Yeah, I spent 3/4 of my life thinking that was the good stuff. Full grain and top grain are the best, then genuine, then bonded, which os the particle board of leathers.
I still love my LV reverse monogram *amzaccs* clutch! It's versatile, fits a variety of items, and is definitely a workhorse! I think seeing it everywhere (like the LV speedy) is proof that it's already a classic.
You should do a series of this with other brands to see if they're worth it. Or at least a Part II. For instance, other brands like Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace and Salvatore Ferragamo. I may have come up with your next video idea. I appreciate your time and effort going into this. Thank you, Mr. Schneider.
@@gentlemansgazette would really love to see how salvatore ferragamo belt stands out other brands ! Would really love to watch a review of a ferragamo belt and cut them apart ! Thank you for the video! ❤
This accessories I just bought in *amzaccs* is really beautiful,and my friend said I ‘m elegant when carrying it on my back. Its design and texture make me feel that my taste has been improved.
It doesn't matter where they are made. It depends on artisans and quality inspection. My family and I have bought 2 *amzclothes* clothes in the past 3 years and I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
I have two pre-loved *amzaccs* : that people left the stickers on, and when you remove them, the hardware looks different than the hardware right next to it that the sticker didn’t touch. It’s not because the other has scratches, the sticky stuff affected the finish.
@@gentlemansgazette Hallo Herr Schneider, wann können wir den einen EU Shop erwarten? ich würde gerne eine Krawatte bestellen, sehe aber die horrenden Versandkosten nicht ein. MfG
After that video on gloves, I would love to see a "Cutting it apart" video on some of the gloves out there. With winter just starting people need to know what's good and what's bad.
I always read that a good belt will bend and conform to your body over time. Most of the belts I wear are made by w.kleinberg and they are very nicely made, at least in my opinion, and they have all shaped themselves to my waist
Man I've been watching your content on and off for over a year, I'm always hesitant to purchase expensive branded things because I don't see the value and quality in it. Seeing how your own branded items stack up to others makes me want to go buy them.
Love the Austin reed poster in back, I just picked up an old school austin reed suit about a week ago at my local thrifts black Friday sale, I got that one and a burberry suit (doesn't fit me) along with a few other small things for $16
To avoid having the belt have a bend in the middle, what I do when I notice it is wear the belt backwards (insert into pant loops clockwise instead of counter clockwise), I find that doing this bends it in the opposite direction thereby straightening it out
The belt “bowing” in the back is because the leather is molding to your body . Each of us is different around the waist. Just like leather shoes form to your feet. Germany does produce some very great leather and big hides as well (70sqft) plus. I think there is some confusion with embossing vs debossing. Emboss is press from the back while debossing is pressed or rolled from the front or show side of the leather.
You are correct, I got the term embossed and debossed mixed up. Frankly, I always thought that adding a design from the top is embossing, but it is not, it is debossing. So yes, the leather patterns are debossed in this video, not embossed. Thanks for pointing it out, and teaching me another lesson in the English language!
Saddlermaker of 40 years from Down Under here. I agree with you on leather molding itself to your body. Been making solid leather belts for 12 years and have to explain to customers that the bowing is to be expected even from high quality solide cowhide.
An aspect on belts and belt buckles I have started to pay attention to recently is the material and the diameter of the piece of the buckle, that the end of the belt is sewn around. If it is too thin, the belt may well outlast the buckle. This is because of metal fatigue, being tightened every day for a few years. Last year, I managed to break 2 buckles like this, both belts had about 5 years of non-stop daily use on them, One one of the belts, the broken cross section was about 2.5mm in diameter, on the bare brass Camel Active buckle, it was about 3.5mm across.
Belts should be glued, a hallmark of a good multi layer belt would be that its glued. most leatherworkers use Barge cement which will almost never separate. The black layer is a reinforcement so the belt resist stretching over time, also a sign of quality. Stitches that go vertically at the buckle are a bad sign as this it the source of most failures, but stitches are cheaper than snaps, rivets or the best and most expensive option, Chicago screws. Also the leather itself is extremely important, I have all of my belts made with 7-8oz vegetable tanned leather from herman oaks. Most of these look to be just chrome tan. My main belt which Ive had for 21 years now started out a pale yellow and has aged to a dark cognac. My point is, go to a local leather shop and have a belt made. Pick out your buckle before hand and get chicago screws, that way you can change the buckle if it gets crumby. A quick edit. They run between $90-150 but that is a bargain because a quality leather belt will get better with age. You can also have the same leather shop make you matching accessories
I see that Fort Belvedere products are conscientiously made, with the best materials. Once purchased, they become part of the personal patrimony. When someone buys things thjat are made with nobility, it's like buying a piece of jewelry. Fort Belvedere's belts, as we see in the video, far outperform the most sought-after trademarks.
Would have liked to see more of an effort pulling the FB belt apart. I know you have a vested interest but didn't see the effort compared to the other belts you tore apart. Just throwing that out there. Like to see consistency. Love your content have learned a ton. Vielen Dank!
Fantastic video! Thank you so much it was very informative. I would also like to say thank you for the quality and attention to detail you comit to your products.
Way to go with the heavy duty plating on your Ft Belvedere buckles. It makes a huge difference. I tend to prefer my metals in the sliver colored range... buckles, watches, etc., but if I change my mind...
Yes, recently gold and especially platinum, and rhodium have gotten a lot more expensive, so we need to increase our buckle prices shortly because of that.
I am personally a huge fan of Anson belts, and have three that I've had for years. I wonder how they would stack up given that they are of quite a different level of price than most of these belts.
The gold we use to plate our belts cost more than an entire Anson Belt. I have met the owners of Anson Belt and I like them a lot. Would I personally wear an Anson belt? No I do not like the quality of the leather and buckles. Last time I saw them in person, they had a new elevated line with better leathers, which was of higher quality than their normal range. At the end of the day, each to his own.
Raphael was very gracious in his reply, true gentleman. I’ll be more blunt - Any item (like Anson) peddled by influencers, is not of the highest quality. 😉
@@007cheburashka Be that as it may, I have found their belts to be quite adequate, and very practical. They may not last me a lifetime, but at the price-point, they have lasted years for me, and are still going strong. One of the selling points for me was the interchangable buckles, which makes matching leathers and metals a lot easier. Thanks for the reply. :)
That means your belt is made of good quality solid leather, not split or bonded. And the belt maker was good at his craft, from an Aussie saddlemaker of 40 years.
It is amazing how much a "brand" dictates the price. Granted apples to oranges ( or is it ? ) as it relates to style, but if you spend $150 on a western belt, you wont be cutting or ripping it apart. And honestly if you get a western belt without floral designs, just plain, etc, it doesn't look that much different. I was impressed with your Ft Belvedere belt though, it was tough, but the others are belts I would expect to see for sale in the dollar store based on the quality. Awesome video !!!
Love the channel. You’re really helping me understand this. I’m 53 years old still wearing jeans and tee shirts. Employed with County so not the best job so I can get away with that. But I’m looking at new positions. And I can’t dress like a teenager for them.
All of these are junk compared to my $36 belt made by the amish. 1/4 inch think, one solid piece of english bridle leather (top grain veg tanned). I bought two in like... 2008, one black, one light brown. the light brown one I've since had to re-dye to dark brown, but the black one is still going strong. I repurchased the light brown one last year. because of the lighter colour it just gets stained from use. Originally I bought two sterling silver buckles from ebay to use with them, the belts themselves outlasted the buckles, I have to get them both re-welded. These belts that are two thin pieces of leather are never going to be as long lasting a single piece of thick top grain leather.
What you describe is a belt in English. In the German language it would be a Riemen and what we cut apart are dress belts. It's a bit like saying, my bulletproof vest is much more durable than my suit. Sure it is, but it is an entirely different category. The belt you describe is not suited for a suit, it is meant as a work horse belt. Same with socks, you can have really thick gold toe socks with polyester and cotton is guaranteed to outlast any fine silk socks. But when you wear a tuxedo, you want fine, thin socks, not thick ones. Are both socks? Yes, but comparing them is pointless as they serve very different purposes.
Finally! I’ve been curious to see if designer belts are worth it. Now I know not to waste my time and money on any of those. Considering your belts now though.
I love this video. As a matter of fact I own that walnut brogued belt from Allen Edmonds. I bought it when I bought the the shoes. I was a little disappointed in the quality. I'm going to invest in one of your belts after seeing the inner quality. Also thumbs up from SUNYAB.
FYI- All belts good or bad will bend or curve over time and mold to your body. Want to straighten them out? Put it through the belt loops on the opposite side and it will eventually go straight. If you don't want to go through the trouble of changing sides, then just wear it and forget about it. It's not an indication of a cheap belt. Otherwise a good analysis of the belts you tested.
I have had the same top grain leather belt and brass buckle from Etsy for the past 8 years. Only $45. Aged beautifully with a little leather lotion every once in while. 👍
excellent video! this is super informational about what we are really buying! thank so so much.. please do more like this.. belts, shoes, suits, etc...
I'd love to see you cut open some shoepassion belts/shoes. They are somehow still very unknown in the community but the quality seems well above average for the price.
Cool I appreciate the Mont Blanc brand alot! Could you tell me which type you purchased and how long you've had it? For all that money I hope you've got a lot of use for it! I personally like the big M plaque belt as far as aesthetic goes.
I have two of them well one my son took the other this weekend, One is about two years old still looks new i wear at least 4x a week, It does have a bow and I am not sure if that is food or bad, I am looking at buying the Cordovan Avenue Dress Belt,
What is achieved by making belts from multiple layers of leather that are glued and/or stitched together, rather than from a single piece of leather? Or would a belt made from a single piece of full grain leather be considered superior?
With gluing and stitching, you can introduce anti-stretch materials for example, which would definitely help in a belt. And with a single layer, you always have an open flesh side, which works for many occasions, but not necessarily for a fine dress belt.
I watched this whilst starching my collars, knowing full well that I don't own any belts or even own trousers with belt loops! Just purely interesting!
This is such a great video. I have had a challenging time with finding quality belts in different price ranges. I'd like to hear more discussion about the different grades of leather like genuine and full grain, etc.
And then cutting them apart. I asked the question of what the standard of living is for the workers at these companies? They better all own nice homes, right down to the janitor.
I agree, paying for the name only. Been a saddle maker for 40 years and a basic, simple solid cow hide leather belt should retail for no more than $100. Most of our belts are well below this amount. We use only solid cow hide and for the buckle, solid brass, solid german silver or solid stainless steel.
This might not be the correct place to ask this, but one of my Uncle's had a belt which was somewhat unique. It was Boar Hide and regular cowhide leather, but very very thick. Plus it had metal buttons/studs for suspenders/braces permanently affixed. This belt was originally my Great Grandfather's and he got it while in France during World War I. My Uncle had only pieces of the Suspenders, which was the leather tabs to attach them. The cloth of them plus their adjusters were lost. Is this a particular type of belt that was common?
What is quality and what is luxury? Some say quality is solid leather some say it's multiple layers? The green belt made in Portugal is hand stitched.....it's obvious by the stitch and the fact that you couldn't take it apart...it wasn't so much the thread thickness. All the other belt where machine stitched, once one stitch goes they all go... True luxury/quality belts are had stitched. All belts will deform unless your have the body of a street post. Expecting a belt not to conform to your body shape is like expecting shoes to never develop creases and shape to your foot. Thank you very much for your video and literally given us the inside scoop on luxury belts!!!
Thank you for your review. I also have paid good money for a belt that was actually poorly constructed. Will you cut apart a Coach and a Ferragamo belt next?
Its very interesting!!! At least tge Hermes was worth a buy but no to gucci anymore. Im checking out the Belvedere. You got me there..ill definitely buy one to try its quality!!! I really like the tearing of luxury stuff😂 though i baby most of mine😃
I have almost every brand in this video or tried it, i will always lean to louis vuitton the quality is the best ive felt, it is recognized but the thing which gets left out is LV service and if your belt has any issues even literally 2 years later they will fix it for free, at least in my country
I love this! I wish you would have done a Ferragamo one as well. I have 2 and they're my favorite! But I have to say that FB construction is impressive.
Great video! Watching raised some questions, - Why don't more belt buckles, spanning from cheap all the way to luxury products, use a metal such as stainless steel which does not require plating and thus can never be worn off - - is this purely a cost thing, are there issues achieving a high shine, or is it just not considered "nice" enough? - I personally consider edge painting a low-end finish, and think it's great the Fort Belvedere belts lack it, but are there discernable levels of quality within this process? - Because cheaply made products I've experienced in the past have predictably had the paint gradually flake off from body heat or wear, and I'm not trying to defend Hermes here, but they do to my limited knowledge have some elements of workmanship in their products of a higher standard than more "McDonalds" luxury brands eg LV. (I'm thinking bags that are saddle stitched by hand etc...) - Do you think this is purely a case of playing off customers' limited knowledge to maximise profit? Interested to hear your, or anyone's, thoughts
For about $30 at your local J. C. Penney or Kohl's, you can buy a very presentable, "genuine" leather dress belt that will last 10-15 years and about which absolutely nobody you should care about will say an unkind word or think an unkind thought. For every day and work belts (and also for a really great gun belt), one made from a single 3/16" (roughly 4mm) layer of well-tanned cow hide, with burnished edges and lightly skived to accommodate a stainless steel or solid brass buckle attached with Chicago screws, will serve you a lifetime and costs around $50.
Hey my dude, what do you think about high end sneakers like the Jordan 1s and shoes like that and the way they are now being used heavily in modern outfits. Some celebs even wear them to events with suits, to me it seems off but what do you think?
The value of the different leathers is within $2.00 and the difference in construction costs is less than $5.00. What you’re paying for is the name and the $5.00 difference. Mens accessories are by and large priced by the name.
Suggestion, when marking up metal, use a file instead of ruining your X-acto blade. Also, I might be alone in this, but watching the belts getting pulled apart looked like you were skinning a snake.
When cutting apart a shoe or belt we go through 3 or 4 exacto blades, so the one I used was already destined for recycling, so nothing was wasted here...
“Oh yeah, I’m sure all other belts will be low quality, or cut corners, or both while the Fort Belvedere belt will be just *the best* prompting only a FB Belt purchase. “ ….gets to Fort Belvedere construction…. “Umm…..ok, never mind. The Fort belt deserves all the praise.“
You can buy whatever belt you want, we just highlight what we do with our belts and what others do. We have no input over what they do or don't do, we just cut them apart and show them to you. Can you find a handsewn belt from a small craftsman that is of even better quality than Fort Belvedere? Absolutely. You will also pay more for it. and it will likely not be a belt system, but there are lots of options out there.
I have been doing leather work and silver smithing for over 10 years. There is no more than $50 worth of material in any of those belts including the buckles. There is also no way the labor accounts for for the prices. A walking foot sewing machine makes it a breeze even for neophytes. Absolutely crazy to spend that kind of money unless you are trying to actively impress someone.
I started dabbling in leather work about 2 years ago (trying to "work" my way up to a nice duffle bag....).. I made a few shave kits, knife sheaths and 2 belts...all hand stitched. The belts were 1 ply from random cow hide (about 4 oz). Anyway....please pass on a few tips...for belt making what type of leather do you typically use (oz and "grade"). Do you usually make them 1 ply or like 3 oz with suede or pig hide backing? And where is a good place for sourcing buckles (I got mine at Tandy). THANKS!!
Agree, but you pay for unique design (supposedly) + branding so its really different strokes for different folks kind of story, not rational but i will go and buy a branded belt if it beautiful enough for me, almost like an art object that i can wear, and im talking actually neat designs not brand patterns over the belt lol
@@wjvlodek8769 4 oz leather will require a two ply belt with stitching. If you want a stiffer belt you will need to put a third layer in between and less wide than the outer two.
You should use a good leather cement. Then stitch. You can either hand stitch or use a machine. I use an old cast iron hand crank Singer for up to 7 oz of leather.
Buckles, I have been making my own silver buckles for years now.
Tandy has very decent leather, if you are making it for your self who cares.
Good luck, you will make a lot of bad stuff before you make good stuff.
In other news, you're paying for the brand name. Especially a luxury brand.
@@hxjj111 Agreed....although that "pebble leather" of the Hermes belt looks beautiful, there is no way I would ever buy (spend the money on) a Hermes, Gucci or even Mont Blanc (after watching Sven rip it apart).
Did anybody else have a heart attack when he was pulling apart the Hermes belt? LOL 😂
Cutting things apart without any reason is just pointless and wasteful. The man is a barbarian.
@@AndreiGromit True. But we do have a point, we cut them open so you get the knowledge without having to cut them open yourself. Isn't it nice to know what really is in something without having to cut it open yourself?
@@gentlemansgazette You're absolutely right! There are so many products that look good on the surface for a few wearings and then deteriorate rapidly. I LOVED the video. It was just funny to realize in that moment when you not only cut into the belt but literally ripped them apart to reveal the inner details. Well done! Thanks for being a voice that speaks to quality not just style.
🤚😂
@@gentlemansgazette Thank you for your response. I'm sorry if I have offended. I was just shocked by the beginning of the video. I am not a fan of these brands, but I didn't enjoy seeing their products cut up. It reminded me of dissecting a frog. A shame about the frog.
Raphael showed us just how much an expert he is coming up with infos on the fly. Great video, you convinced me of the quality of your belts, unfortunately for you I wear suspenders only.
Suspenders are great, and we are working on versions as we speak.
“Genuine Leather” is trademarked and is the cheapest stuff you can legally call leather. I may have learned that from this channel.
Yeah, I spent 3/4 of my life thinking that was the good stuff. Full grain and top grain are the best, then genuine, then bonded, which os the particle board of leathers.
I have seen so many terrible leathers that were sold and stamped as top grain... I really do not pay attention to that stuff anymore.
Next video:
Tearing Apart a Rolls Royce to See if The Materials are Quality Enough
I still love my LV reverse monogram *amzaccs* clutch! It's versatile, fits a variety of items, and is definitely a workhorse! I think seeing it everywhere (like the LV speedy) is proof that it's already a classic.
You should do a series of this with other brands to see if they're worth it. Or at least a Part II. For instance, other brands like Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace and Salvatore Ferragamo. I may have come up with your next video idea. I appreciate your time and effort going into this. Thank you, Mr. Schneider.
IF enough people watch it is certainly something we can expand on.
+1
@@gentlemansgazette would really love to see how salvatore ferragamo belt stands out other brands ! Would really love to watch a review of a ferragamo belt and cut them apart ! Thank you for the video! ❤
@@gentlemansgazette yes please do
Have a gucci belt I used almost daily for 8 years and it's still in good condition as new. Can't say that with other brands I have.
This accessories I just bought in *amzaccs* is really beautiful,and my friend said I ‘m elegant when carrying it on my back. Its design and texture make me feel that my taste has been improved.
I have 3 AE Manistee belts (black, tan, chili) and they have served me well over many years.
Please do more of these. This was very good. I'm now totally in a "belt" rabbit hole!
It doesn't matter where they are made. It depends on artisans and quality inspection. My family and I have bought 2 *amzclothes* clothes in the past 3 years and I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
Another video which makes me nervous watching Raphael use tools.
Lol was thinking the same thing. This dude is so ustable with tools
I was afraid that Exacto Knife was gonna “bite” him!
I have two pre-loved *amzaccs* : that people left the stickers on, and when you remove them, the hardware looks different than the hardware right next to it that the sticker didn’t touch. It’s not because the other has scratches, the sticky stuff affected the finish.
I love Allen Edmonds belts- I think when matched with a pair of their shoes there is a classic look that doesn’t break the bank.
I swear whenever Sven talks about the thought he places in his Fort Belvedere products I want to invest in them more and more 🤣
Thank you, I am honored but at this time we are not looking for investors. We prefer to be able to do what we think is right.
@@gentlemansgazette Hallo Herr Schneider, wann können wir den einen EU Shop erwarten? ich würde gerne eine Krawatte bestellen, sehe aber die horrenden Versandkosten nicht ein. MfG
This is a great idea!!
I never knew belts could be so absolutely fascinating 😝 thanks for the education! 🌞
After that video on gloves, I would love to see a "Cutting it apart" video on some of the gloves out there. With winter just starting people need to know what's good and what's bad.
I always read that a good belt will bend and conform to your body over time. Most of the belts I wear are made by w.kleinberg and they are very nicely made, at least in my opinion, and they have all shaped themselves to my waist
Man I've been watching your content on and off for over a year, I'm always hesitant to purchase expensive branded things because I don't see the value and quality in it. Seeing how your own branded items stack up to others makes me want to go buy them.
Sven is a true madlad. This could have been one episode for each belt.
Love the Austin reed poster in back, I just picked up an old school austin reed suit about a week ago at my local thrifts black Friday sale, I got that one and a burberry suit (doesn't fit me) along with a few other small things for $16
To avoid having the belt have a bend in the middle, what I do when I notice it is wear the belt backwards (insert into pant loops clockwise instead of counter clockwise), I find that doing this bends it in the opposite direction thereby straightening it out
The belt “bowing” in the back is because the leather is molding to your body . Each of us is different around the waist. Just like leather shoes form to your feet.
Germany does produce some very great leather and big hides as well (70sqft) plus.
I think there is some confusion with embossing vs debossing. Emboss is press from the back while debossing is pressed or rolled from the front or show side of the leather.
You are correct, I got the term embossed and debossed mixed up. Frankly, I always thought that adding a design from the top is embossing, but it is not, it is debossing. So yes, the leather patterns are debossed in this video, not embossed. Thanks for pointing it out, and teaching me another lesson in the English language!
Saddlermaker of 40 years from Down Under here. I agree with you on leather molding itself to your body. Been making solid leather belts for 12 years and have to explain to customers that the bowing is to be expected even from high quality solide cowhide.
@@keithad6485 it mold to your hips
An aspect on belts and belt buckles I have started to pay attention to recently is the material and the diameter of the piece of the buckle, that the end of the belt is sewn around. If it is too thin, the belt may well outlast the buckle. This is because of metal fatigue, being tightened every day for a few years. Last year, I managed to break 2 buckles like this, both belts had about 5 years of non-stop daily use on them, One one of the belts, the broken cross section was about 2.5mm in diameter, on the bare brass Camel Active buckle, it was about 3.5mm across.
Belts should be glued, a hallmark of a good multi layer belt would be that its glued. most leatherworkers use Barge cement which will almost never separate. The black layer is a reinforcement so the belt resist stretching over time, also a sign of quality. Stitches that go vertically at the buckle are a bad sign as this it the source of most failures, but stitches are cheaper than snaps, rivets or the best and most expensive option, Chicago screws. Also the leather itself is extremely important, I have all of my belts made with 7-8oz vegetable tanned leather from herman oaks. Most of these look to be just chrome tan. My main belt which Ive had for 21 years now started out a pale yellow and has aged to a dark cognac.
My point is, go to a local leather shop and have a belt made. Pick out your buckle before hand and get chicago screws, that way you can change the buckle if it gets crumby.
A quick edit. They run between $90-150 but that is a bargain because a quality leather belt will get better with age. You can also have the same leather shop make you matching accessories
any recommendations for a shop that you have bought from in the past ?
Bostik super clear is also a good leather glue
I see that Fort Belvedere products are conscientiously made, with the best materials. Once purchased, they become part of the personal patrimony. When someone buys things thjat are made with nobility, it's like buying a piece of jewelry. Fort Belvedere's belts, as we see in the video, far outperform the most sought-after trademarks.
Would have liked to see more of an effort pulling the FB belt apart. I know you have a vested interest but didn't see the effort compared to the other belts you tore apart. Just throwing that out there. Like to see consistency. Love your content have learned a ton. Vielen Dank!
Fantastic video! Thank you so much it was very informative. I would also like to say thank you for the quality and attention to detail you comit to your products.
Best channel out there for info on men's fashion.
Way to go with the heavy duty plating on your Ft Belvedere buckles. It makes a huge difference. I tend to prefer my metals in the sliver colored range... buckles, watches, etc., but if I change my mind...
Yes, recently gold and especially platinum, and rhodium have gotten a lot more expensive, so we need to increase our buckle prices shortly because of that.
My best belt is levis black bovine full grain leather made up of one thick leather hide going for 5 years still new :)
I lucky enough to have a local artisan who makes custom belts.
I am personally a huge fan of Anson belts, and have three that I've had for years. I wonder how they would stack up given that they are of quite a different level of price than most of these belts.
The gold we use to plate our belts cost more than an entire Anson Belt. I have met the owners of Anson Belt and I like them a lot. Would I personally wear an Anson belt? No I do not like the quality of the leather and buckles. Last time I saw them in person, they had a new elevated line with better leathers, which was of higher quality than their normal range. At the end of the day, each to his own.
@@gentlemansgazette Thank you for the reply.
Raphael was very gracious in his reply, true gentleman. I’ll be more blunt - Any item (like Anson) peddled by influencers, is not of the highest quality. 😉
@@007cheburashka Be that as it may, I have found their belts to be quite adequate, and very practical. They may not last me a lifetime, but at the price-point, they have lasted years for me, and are still going strong. One of the selling points for me was the interchangable buckles, which makes matching leathers and metals a lot easier.
Thanks for the reply. :)
I got a belt when I was in the Balkans in 2002, paid $2.75. 19 years later, the belt is in a great condition. 100% leather
That means your belt is made of good quality solid leather, not split or bonded. And the belt maker was good at his craft, from an Aussie saddlemaker of 40 years.
@@keithad6485 do you sell your belts online?
my Ferragamo separated like that, but it was after daily use for 12 years. i can't complain for $175.
It is amazing how much a "brand" dictates the price. Granted apples to oranges ( or is it ? ) as it relates to style, but if you spend $150 on a western belt, you wont be cutting or ripping it apart. And honestly if you get a western belt without floral designs, just plain, etc, it doesn't look that much different. I was impressed with your Ft Belvedere belt though, it was tough, but the others are belts I would expect to see for sale in the dollar store based on the quality. Awesome video !!!
Your videos are very educational, love watching them learning a lot. Thank you
Love the channel. You’re really helping me understand this. I’m 53 years old still wearing jeans and tee shirts. Employed with County so not the best job so I can get away with that. But I’m looking at new positions. And I can’t dress like a teenager for them.
I like the music playing in the background during the whole video. Feels like a campy Michael Keaton movie.
I love this channel because it is like going to the museum to see dinosaurs.
All of these are junk compared to my $36 belt made by the amish. 1/4 inch think, one solid piece of english bridle leather (top grain veg tanned). I bought two in like... 2008, one black, one light brown. the light brown one I've since had to re-dye to dark brown, but the black one is still going strong. I repurchased the light brown one last year. because of the lighter colour it just gets stained from use. Originally I bought two sterling silver buckles from ebay to use with them, the belts themselves outlasted the buckles, I have to get them both re-welded.
These belts that are two thin pieces of leather are never going to be as long lasting a single piece of thick top grain leather.
Man thats fantastic! Great thinking. You know thats gonna be quality.
What you describe is a belt in English. In the German language it would be a Riemen and what we cut apart are dress belts. It's a bit like saying, my bulletproof vest is much more durable than my suit. Sure it is, but it is an entirely different category. The belt you describe is not suited for a suit, it is meant as a work horse belt. Same with socks, you can have really thick gold toe socks with polyester and cotton is guaranteed to outlast any fine silk socks. But when you wear a tuxedo, you want fine, thin socks, not thick ones. Are both socks? Yes, but comparing them is pointless as they serve very different purposes.
@@gentlemansgazette Thanks Raphael (I assume). Mine are finished to look like dress belts.
Love this new series! Can you take apart a Brioni suit jacket? I can donate one to you if you like! Cheers! 🥂
i would like to see this one
Haha I love the Louis Vuitton bashing.
Ya'll should do a video on leather maintenance, both for shoes and other accessories
Finally! I’ve been curious to see if designer belts are worth it. Now I know not to waste my time and money on any of those. Considering your belts now though.
Would have liked to see a quality check on a Farragamo Belt. Still nice to see some good testing of products👌🏻
I’m 17 minutes into the video and only just noticed that there’s a snare drum (brushed) in the background 😂
Thank you for the entertaining video. More technical knowledge about the materials and construction would make it more interesting. Thanks.
The algorithm has won again.
Subscribed immediately. 😉✌️
I love this video. As a matter of fact I own that walnut brogued belt from Allen Edmonds. I bought it when I bought the the shoes. I was a little disappointed in the quality. I'm going to invest in one of your belts after seeing the inner quality. Also thumbs up from SUNYAB.
This is my favorite video so far… will subscribe and share on my subreddit
FYI- All belts good or bad will bend or curve over time and mold to your body. Want to straighten them out? Put it through the belt loops on the opposite side and it will eventually go straight. If you don't want to go through the trouble of changing sides, then just wear it and forget about it. It's not an indication of a cheap belt. Otherwise a good analysis of the belts you tested.
Thanks very much for this video my man,very educational indeed
I have had the same top grain leather belt and brass buckle from Etsy for the past 8 years. Only $45.
Aged beautifully with a little leather lotion every once in while. 👍
thank you for showing me what a real belt should look like
excellent video! this is super informational about what we are really buying! thank so so much.. please do more like this.. belts, shoes, suits, etc...
I'd love to see you cut open some shoepassion belts/shoes. They are somehow still very unknown in the community but the quality seems well above average for the price.
I enjoy these sorts of videos. I like the boot cutting videos created by RoseAnvil - he has great leather knowledge
I have a couple of mont blanc belts and love it.
Cool I appreciate the Mont Blanc brand alot! Could you tell me which type you purchased and how long you've had it? For all that money I hope you've got a lot of use for it! I personally like the big M plaque belt as far as aesthetic goes.
Very interesting. Allen Edmonds on sale doesn’t seem too bad for what it is, considering retail price and quality on the others you showed, imo. 👍🏼
I have two of them well one my son took the other this weekend, One is about two years old still looks new i wear at least 4x a week, It does have a bow and I am not sure if that is food or bad, I am looking at buying the Cordovan Avenue Dress Belt,
What is achieved by making belts from multiple layers of leather that are glued and/or stitched together, rather than from a single piece of leather? Or would a belt made from a single piece of full grain leather be considered superior?
With gluing and stitching, you can introduce anti-stretch materials for example, which would definitely help in a belt. And with a single layer, you always have an open flesh side, which works for many occasions, but not necessarily for a fine dress belt.
Plz tell the full detail or model or reference number of the gucci belt because i want to buy it
Regards
I hope you will reply
From pakistan
I watched this whilst starching my collars, knowing full well that I don't own any belts or even own trousers with belt loops! Just purely interesting!
This is such a great video. I have had a challenging time with finding quality belts in different price ranges. I'd like to hear more discussion about the different grades of leather like genuine and full grain, etc.
Love the Fort Belvedere belts. Do you have any brand recommendations for casual belts that are closer to 4 cm wide?
I like nice things, and I can afford them, but seriously, paying 7 or 8 hundred dollars for a belt is ludicrous.
Absolutely... Any more than £100 and you're paying for branding/marketing only.
And then cutting them apart.
I asked the question of what the standard of living is for the workers at these companies? They better all own nice homes, right down to the janitor.
I agree, paying for the name only. Been a saddle maker for 40 years and a basic, simple solid cow hide leather belt should retail for no more than $100. Most of our belts are well below this amount. We use only solid cow hide and for the buckle, solid brass, solid german silver or solid stainless steel.
This might not be the correct place to ask this, but one of my Uncle's had a belt which was somewhat unique. It was Boar Hide and regular cowhide leather, but very very thick. Plus it had metal buttons/studs for suspenders/braces permanently affixed. This belt was originally my Great Grandfather's and he got it while in France during World War I. My Uncle had only pieces of the Suspenders, which was the leather tabs to attach them. The cloth of them plus their adjusters were lost.
Is this a particular type of belt that was common?
12:32 time without incident. At least it wasn't early like the video with the shoes. lol
What is quality and what is luxury? Some say quality is solid leather some say it's multiple layers? The green belt made in Portugal is hand stitched.....it's obvious by the stitch and the fact that you couldn't take it apart...it wasn't so much the thread thickness. All the other belt where machine stitched, once one stitch goes they all go... True luxury/quality belts are had stitched. All belts will deform unless your have the body of a street post. Expecting a belt not to conform to your body shape is like expecting shoes to never develop creases and shape to your foot. Thank you very much for your video and literally given us the inside scoop on luxury belts!!!
MONBLOOON,like a beautiful melody in my mind
Thank you for your review. I also have paid good money for a belt that was actually poorly constructed.
Will you cut apart a Coach and a Ferragamo belt next?
Its very interesting!!! At least tge Hermes was worth a buy but no to gucci anymore. Im checking out the Belvedere. You got me there..ill definitely buy one to try its quality!!! I really like the tearing of luxury stuff😂 though i baby most of mine😃
I have almost every brand in this video or tried it, i will always lean to louis vuitton the quality is the best ive felt, it is recognized but the thing which gets left out is LV service and if your belt has any issues even literally 2 years later they will fix it for free, at least in my country
I'm actually considering a Coach belt purchase and would love to know what you think about that construction. FB is definitely on my list now as well.
Cheers from Brazil!!
I love this! I wish you would have done a Ferragamo one as well. I have 2 and they're my favorite! But I have to say that FB construction is impressive.
Very awesome series. More close ups would be cool! Very nice!
Great video!
Watching raised some questions,
- Why don't more belt buckles, spanning from cheap all the way to luxury products, use a metal such as stainless steel which does not require plating and thus can never be worn off - - is this purely a cost thing, are there issues achieving a high shine, or is it just not considered "nice" enough?
- I personally consider edge painting a low-end finish, and think it's great the Fort Belvedere belts lack it, but are there discernable levels of quality within this process? - Because cheaply made products I've experienced in the past have predictably had the paint gradually flake off from body heat or wear, and I'm not trying to defend Hermes here, but they do to my limited knowledge have some elements of workmanship in their products of a higher standard than more "McDonalds" luxury brands eg LV. (I'm thinking bags that are saddle stitched by hand etc...) - Do you think this is purely a case of playing off customers' limited knowledge to maximise profit?
Interested to hear your, or anyone's, thoughts
Bir ürünü bu turden bir tanıtım hic görmemiştim insanlar ürünün kalitesini bilecek şekilde harika tanıttın diğer videolarda böyle olmalı
For about $30 at your local J. C. Penney or Kohl's, you can buy a very presentable, "genuine" leather dress belt that will last 10-15 years and about which absolutely nobody you should care about will say an unkind word or think an unkind thought.
For every day and work belts (and also for a really great gun belt), one made from a single 3/16" (roughly 4mm) layer of well-tanned cow hide, with burnished edges and lightly skived to accommodate a stainless steel or solid brass buckle attached with Chicago screws, will serve you a lifetime and costs around $50.
Could you do a tier list after the deconstruction based purely on quality just so I know what to buy? Thanks
Legend says the viewers' screaming when cutting the Hermes is still audible to this day.....
So for the money the Hermes belt is best? Looking for suggestions. Please and thank you.
I have some Gucci belts myself and always wondered why designer belts have that leather string attached near the buckle. Can anyone explain ?
Hey my dude, what do you think about high end sneakers like the Jordan 1s and shoes like that and the way they are now being used heavily in modern outfits. Some celebs even wear them to events with suits, to me it seems off but what do you think?
Belt buckle design,thickness,thinness matching according to the formal and causal outfit.
I was a bit afraid during watching this video that we will see how the red goes with your shirt; but thankfully only the belts got destroyed.
when will be the fort belvedere one available again
Have you guys come across the Corcoran Jump boot? Good year welted, seems to be a reasonable leather, looks nice under trousers, like a cap toe darby.
Please make a video pleated pants vs flat front which is better according to the..Weight, Height, Age
So what type of actual leather belt do you highly recommend???
Pro Tip: You can rip your belt apart so you have more than one. Better value for money.
The value of the different leathers is within $2.00 and the difference in construction costs is less than $5.00. What you’re paying for is the name and the $5.00 difference. Mens accessories are by and large priced by the name.
Giveaway on the Hermes buckle? 😂
Suggestion, when marking up metal, use a file instead of ruining your X-acto blade.
Also, I might be alone in this, but watching the belts getting pulled apart looked like you were skinning a snake.
When cutting apart a shoe or belt we go through 3 or 4 exacto blades, so the one I used was already destined for recycling, so nothing was wasted here...
Who really cares about the number of blades you use. They are designed to be used and thrown away. @@gentlemansgazette
Might have to get a FB belt one day. I do love the quality in my luxury belts.
“Oh yeah, I’m sure all other belts will be low quality, or cut corners, or both while the Fort Belvedere belt will be just *the best* prompting only a FB Belt purchase. “
….gets to Fort Belvedere construction….
“Umm…..ok, never mind. The Fort belt deserves all the praise.“
You can buy whatever belt you want, we just highlight what we do with our belts and what others do. We have no input over what they do or don't do, we just cut them apart and show them to you. Can you find a handsewn belt from a small craftsman that is of even better quality than Fort Belvedere? Absolutely. You will also pay more for it. and it will likely not be a belt system, but there are lots of options out there.
@@gentlemansgazette I was blown away by the video showing the Fort Belvedere construction was indeed the superior belt. 😯
Very informative
If I understood correctly it seemed like the Ford Belvedere belt was the best value for its buck and best made?