After making thousands of leather belts by hand, our family has heard every misconception in the book. Let me set the record straight on a few things that might be keeping you from enjoying the perfect leather belt.
Myth #1: "All leather belts are basically the same"
Walk through any department store, and you'll see "leather" belts for $20. Then you'll see our Deer Woods Scene Belt (BT110) or Eagle Mountain Scene Belt and wonder about the price difference.
The Truth: The difference is like comparing fast food to a home-cooked meal. Mass-produced belts often use bonded leather (essentially leather scraps glued together) or extremely thin top-grain leather glued to a filler material.
Our belts use full-grain cowhide leather—the strongest, most durable part of the hide with all its natural character intact. Each one is hand-cut, hand-tooled, and hand-finished right here in our American workshop.
Myth #2: "Decorative belts are just for show and won't last"
Some folks worry that intricate designs like our Deer Woods Scene or Floral Carved Belts sacrifice durability for appearance.
The Truth: When properly executed, tooling actually compresses the cowhide leather fibers, creating a more dense and durable surface. That buck standing in the forest isn't just beautiful—the detailed tooling creates a stronger belt that will outlast most plain options.
A rancher in Wyoming has worn the same deer scene belt from us for 17 years—through harsh winters and working cattle. The tooling looks even better now with its natural patina.
Myth #3: "You should buy your belt one size larger than your pants"
This piece of outdated advice keeps circulating, causing folks to order belts that are too large.
The Truth: The correct way to measure for a belt is to take existing belt & measure from tip end of buckle to the hole you wear.
Still uncertain? Our Belt Size Guide walks you through it with pictures, or just call us—we'll help you get it right the first time.
Myth #4: "Genuine Leather is the best quality"
Many customers come to us believing "genuine leather" is a mark of quality because it sounds, well, genuine.
The Truth: In the leather industry, "Genuine Leather" is actually a grade that refers to split leather—the lower layers of the hide after the top has been separated. It's one step above bonded leather in quality.
What you want is "Full-Grain Leather," which is what we use exclusively in our premium cowhide belts—including the popular Custom Name Belts and wildlife designs like the Deer Woods Scene.
Myth #5: "Cowhide leather isn't as good as exotic leathers"
Some customers ask if we use exotic leathers like ostrich or alligator, assuming they're superior to cowhide.
The Truth: While exotic leathers have their place, nothing beats properly tanned North American cowhide for a belt that needs to withstand daily wear. The tight fiber structure of cowhide creates the perfect balance of strength and flexibility. It's why we've used premium cowhide exclusively for three generations.
Want to experience the difference that three generations of leather crafting makes? We're always here to help you choose the belt that will become an essential part of your wardrobe for decades to come.