The unboxing of my brown "Bro" belt. Again, totally love it. Will do a side by side with my two Gustin's belts when I have time. As I stated earlier, this is a better belt than those two... including the one I paid $90+ (Cordovan #8)
Received my black belt with original style buckle. I did trim a few inches off the end as I don't like a lot of extra sticking out. I had cut off even more of my Gustin belt. That had lots of extra length past the last hole.
The second hole works perfect for me on the new belt. I think it looks great. I would recommend to anyone looking for a new belt. The leather seems to be a hair thinner than my Gustin classic natural belt. I could be mistaken as my Gustin is worn in and has been treated with conditioner a few times.
Here are my super cool packaging photos. Will get some pics up of it being worn also. Thanks @stevekas
Last Edit: Jan 6, 2015 14:58:17 GMT -6 by Winterland
Guys, again, thank you so much for the props and I'm glad you're happy with your belts!
So to cut to the chase, the site should be open in about a week (www.marshdowngoods.com) and there will be a few new things to scope out. Right now, there isn't even marker there so hold off on showing up for a few days
Also, check this out...I might have grabbed some really nice 15 oz skirt hides today Awesome things are in the works for the site...
With my great consistency, photos come out pretty crappy again.
Anyway, here are my three belts from the TOP: (Gustin CXL #8, Steve's Bro Brown Belt, Gustin Saddle Tan). I did not do a good job on capturing the workmanship but I can tell you Steve's belt is definitely the best out of the bunch. The Gustin CXL belt is bonded by two piece of leather, so it is much thicker. The thickness between the Brown and Saddle Tan is similar but the Steve's brown belt leather gives a softer and more luxurious hand feel. Steve's belt definitely has a better belt buckle and feel more solid and "expensive". I also like the way on how Steve does the Chicago screws.
Steve's belt is also slightly longer (all in size 34) but the hole positions between all three belts are similar.
@wils and Winterland, thanks so much for the positive reviews.
For those asking about thicker leather and non US shipping -
There will be a Hermann Oak skirt leather option. I just grabbed two hides yesterday and they each go about 6 feet long and 20 lbs. The look hilariously large next to the normal 10-12 oz veg tan hide they are hanging next to. The leather is specified as 13-15 oz and it's minimally treated (saddle leather). It will age beautifully and it will also age you in the process
Belt came in today and it's great! Great feel, bang-on specs, looks awesome. It's pictured next to a Gustin natural heavyweight belt I recently received.
I posted about it in the G board, but the G belt was over a half inch short. The side-by-side to Steve's belt confirms that.
bennyrum, thanks! We're glad you like the belt and thanks for the pics!
OK guys, these two Hermann Oak premium 13-15 oz saddle skirting hides have taken up a massive spot in the work area and blew and equally massive hole in my wallet. That orange thing in the pic is a 48" long level That's a lot of dead skin my friends. One thing I can't pick up in the picture due to some terrible lighting is the hue of the hide...it's got a sort of fleshy color tan and pink mixed, typical for saddle skirting that has been minimally treated. It's pretty primitive looking
In addition to this, we are buried in html, sql, ip, stfu and omfg trying to get the site up and running. It's coming along fine but in the mean time....the final bro deal. Check the imgur link below for details, if you're interested, PM me, don't post it here as I may not see it as quickly. No substitutions please, the options are all in the flyer....feel free to ask questions here though. The flyer is...well....you'll see...
Most critical detail...only taking 5 total orders through 1-16 and shipping by 1-23. THANKS!
1 - Shipping outside the US at this rate does not provide tracking. I'll send you a copy of the customs forms to confirm that I shipped to you and that's as far as I can go at these prices.
2 - On the conditioning, I use a mild hide conditioner and a mild finish conditioner on it just to give a moderate block against staining (oh shit! red wine on my new belt!) but they are compatible with mink oil or any of the other common oils folks use to condition leather.
The light conditioning option is for folks who want to just start wearing the thing and don't want to worry about moderate stains. It reduces the "pinkness" a bit too but not all the way. Getting rid of that takes time, wear, maybe some sun and...well... pain.
The raw is for folks who want to use their own method/materials to treat the belt or folks who want to wear it raw, damn the stains and all and just go for it.
The quota has been reached, all belts are now sold. Thanks all! Everything on schedule btw, cutting straps after a week of upping my reps at the gym to prep. I had to modify my strap cutter to handle this stuff lol...good times.
I got the burgundy 1.5" with oval brass buckle to use with chinos and dressier jeans, but tried it on my okas that I had on and its a lovely color for indigo aswell.
The belt is very well made. You can see attention to detail and a high level of craftsmanship and love for the work put into it. It is far far from anything from the store and looks feels and smells premium from the hide, color, buckle to the burnishing and holes.
The color is amazing and cannot be captured on pics (not by potatocam atleast) and I apreciate that is has been handmade in the way its done since it gives a depth that you just cannot find in machinemade items. It is so perfect.
Mine came totally unharmed in a cigarcase and with very nice natural colored paper and thread - just the way we like it to make it an experience unboxing!
I would not hesitate to buy again even at higher prices since Its my absolute best value for money belt I have in my possesion. 2 things: It came in 0.2" longer then specified. However my ruler might not be calibrated to convert from inches to centimeters so it might be spot on. The second thing is that I would like a slightly thicker leather if I were to get a natural belt mainly for jeans. This one is actually perfect for the purpose.
Griffin, Thanks! I really appreciate the compliments man! I'm glad you like the color in particular, it's a custom blend from a few other dyes as I we couldn't find a burgundy we really liked. I hope you get years of use out of it.
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