Quality Leather Belts

How Duvall Leather Crafts Quality Belts in America

Let’s face it, fellas, belts are the unsung heroes of our wardrobes. They hold up our pants, add a touch of style, and can even tell a bit of a story with the right amount of wear and tear. But have you ever stopped to think about the journey your trusty leather belt took before it landed on your waist?

Here at Duvall Leather, we’re passionate about creating handcrafted belts that are built to last a lifetime. We’re talking belts that become part of your everyday uniform, the ones you reach for without a second thought, because you know they’ll never let you down. And it all starts with one key ingredient: genuine full grain leather.

Full Grain Leather: The Heart of a Quality Belt

Now, you might be thinking, “Hey, all leather is real leather, right?” Well, not quite.

There are different grades of leather, and when it comes to belts, full grain reigns supreme. It’s the top layer of the hide, the most robust and durable part. It has that beautiful, natural full-grain texture that only gets better with age, developing a rich patina that tells the story of your adventures.

Think of it like this: full grain leather is like a prime cut of steak, it’s the strongest and most flavorful part. Lower grade leathers, on the other hand, are more like ground beef – processed and often corrected to hide imperfections. They might look alright at first, but they won’t hold up as well over time.

Here at Duvall Leather, we only use thick full grain leather sourced right here in the USA from top-quality tanneries. We like to keep things local whenever possible – it reduces our environmental footprint and ensures we’re getting the best possible hides.

Handcrafted Perfection: The Duvall Leather Process

But a quality belt is about more than just the materials. It’s about the love and care that goes into the creation process. That’s where the magic happens here in our Pennsylvania workshop. Each Duvall Leather belt is handcrafted by our skilled artisans, folks who take pride in their work and understand the importance of quality craftsmanship.  Here’s a sneak peek into the journey a piece of full grain leather takes to become a Duvall belt.

1: Cutting the straight edge on the side of leather is the first step to making a leather belt. Since the leather is natural in shape from the tannery, the craftsman must cut this straight straight edge.

2: After the straight edge is cut, the craftsman uses a strap cutting machine or a strap cutting tool to cut the individual leather straps. Here at Duvall Leather, we cut dress belts 1.25″ wide and casual / work belts 1.5″ wide.

3: Now that the straps have been cut, the leather is edged using a hand tool or edging machine. Edging the leather strap takes the sharp edge off of the four sides of the strap giving it a smooth feel.

4: The leather strap is starting to become a belt and now its time to edge paint the straps. Edge paint helps seal the edge of the leather and give it a finished look. Some belts are not edge painted simply for style or to achieve a unique look.

5: Now the strap is cut, edged, and edge painted, its time to cut the buckle chape end of the belt based on the model of belt it will become.

6: Now the buckle chape leather must be thinned or skived so that the belt leather is not so bulky. Using a headknife or skiving machine, the section of leather which folds over the buckle is skived thin to allow for a well crafted look.

7: The buckle now is attached to the leather belt with a wide variety of methods including rivets, snaps, or hand sewing.

8: Cutting the belt to the appropriate size is the final step. When the customer gives us their paints size, we add 4 inches to the number provided. Lets say you provide us with a jeans size 34, we will cut the belt sized to 38″ to the center hole. This is a tried and true way for achieving the perfect fit.

9: The leather strap has been cut to size, adjustment holes punched, and is now ready for use as a belt. This full grain leather belt will last for years and years to come.

More Than Just a Belt: It’s an Investment

Sure, you could grab a disposable belt at the discount store down the street. But let’s be honest, that belt isn’t going to see you through life’s adventures. It’ll crack, it’ll fray, and it might even let you down at the worst possible moment.

A Duvall Leather belt, on the other hand, is an investment. It’s a belt that will be with you for years, maybe even decades, to come. The full grain leather will develop a beautiful patina, the stitching will hold