Oakside Saddlery

So you have been looking for a handmade leather belt. There are many available from really cheap ones – to really expensive ones, and I mean really expensive, even some made from human skin!

So why would you choose one of my handmade leather belts?

Maybe it is just because you like to support UK small business? Whatever the reason, I would like to think that you choose to buy a leather belt from Oakside because you like the look and quality of my work!

I am trained as a Cordwainer (someone who works with leather). I use traditional saddlery methods to make a leather belt to a standard that far surpasses shop bought leather belts.

I use top grade English Bridle Leather from Metropolitan Leather.

http://www.metropolitanleather.com/

Metropolitan Leather is based in Thrapston, Northamptonshire and has been finishing leather since 1919. They have an excellent selection of leather and the bridle finish is superb.

For buckles I use Abbey England. http://abbeyengland.com/

Founded in 1982 and based in Knutsford, Cheshire with a foundry in Walsall. Abbey England was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1995 for their quality goods manufactured in the UK foundry. I also buy all of my tools, thread, and dyes used to make my leather belts from Abbey England.

So now I have the best quality British materials - top quality leather, and the best British buckles. Now the work comes down to me.

When you order your leather belt I ask for a length measurement. This is the length your handmade leather belt will be from the buckle to the middle hole. So rather than just getting an off-the-peg belt which might buckle up on the last hole with around 10 holes punched through it, or on the first hole with a foot of leather that needs to be tucked in somewhere! You will have a belt that is made to measure and will fit you perfectly. A small amount of leather to tuck in to your first belt loop and two holes either side making your belt look great.

The buckle is stitched by hand to the Leather belt. I use linen thread and double hand stitch. This means that each thread passes through the leather and makes a complete stitch, unlike machine stitching which interlocks the stitches in the middle of the leather. This means that on any  one side is the same length of thread, break one stitch and you break them all!  Double hand stitching uses two needles to stitch with, each stitch crosses inside the leather before moving on to the next one. This makes for a much stronger and more reliable stitch than machine stitching.

The other noticeable difference with my handmade leather belts is that the stitching runs along the length of the leather and not across it. By stitching along the length the strength and integrity of the leather is maintained. It takes a lot longer to do but is better in the long run! Stitching across the length is essentially making a perforation across the leather belt, weakening the leather and making a potential failure point!

So there you have it. In summary the reasons for buying a handmade leather belt from Oakside are;

• Top selection English Bridle leather.
• Solid brass, stainless steel or nickel buckles and fittings.
• Handmade in the UK.
• Traditional hand stitching methods.
• Made-to-measure.
• Custom Design.
• Choose your own buckle.
• Leather and Buckles made and finished in the UK.
• Free delivery. (To the UK and most of Europe).
• PayPal payment upon completion. Not before!
• A selection of standard designs