Measure an existing belt as shown in the diagram below.
To get the right size measure an existing belt from the point where the leather meets the buckle to the most regularly used hole. This is the measured size.
If this information is not available tell us the trouser size
Each belt has 5 holes 1” (2.5cm) apart. Your supplied measurement will be to the centre one of the five.
We make these belts in our leather workshop in rural South Devon using leather from a local tannery, the last of its kind in Europe.
The buckles are cast in sand in a foundry in Walsall, West Midlands.
The belts are made enitirely by hand from cutting the strap from the hide to the shaping of the point which we make using a traditional saddlers round knife.
The leather has a full grain finish which means that every blemish or scar on the cows skin will be present on the finished hide and apparent on the finished product. The hides are dyed by hand at the tannery with an aniline dye. This process allows the grain and all the individual markings on the cows skin to show through. The dye is absorbed into the hide in an irregular way so giving a unique appearance to every belt. No two are the same.
Read more about our leather.
Natural leather needs feeding from time to time (more often in a dry hot environment). Apply a lavish dose of Tanner Bates Hide Food every 6 months to ensure long and supple service. A complimentary tub of Hide Food is supplied with every belt.
Our buckles are hand-made for us by a foundry in Walsall, UK. We fasten them with a combination of solid brass rivets and hand stitching. You can choose from solid brass, nickel plated brass (shiny silver appearance) or solid nickel. The solid nickel is a subtle blend of the two. Not as yellow as brass or as shiny silver as the nickel plate.
"I received my belts this morning many thanks such speedy delivery. Please let me say that you have created a beautiful product the smell of this leather is nothing like I have smelt before.... now I have 2 beautiful unique bespoke belts that will last me I should imagine the rest of my days" G.L.
"...great quality, nicely packaged and presented, just what I have been looking for some considerable time, resolved now I have found your site. Perfect!" J.G.
Complimentary personalisation of up to 12 characters is available. We use traditional bookbinders brass type (24pt Gill Sans) embossed on the reverse of the belt (hidden on the inside). The hot stamping process allows you to choose between gold, silver, black and blind (no colour) embossing. The personalisation will follow the same orientation as our maker's marque.
Please note, personalised items cannot be exchanged or returned.
Tanner Bates Oak bark leather belts are special. Gradually the tanneries that make this leather have disappeared until now there is only one left in Europe. As for the buckles, we have been able to find only one foundry in this country using the traditional sand casting process. Because there is a chance that these belts could become history we number each one and keep a log of the purchase.
Our leather is ethically and sustainably processed. The tannery uses a mixture of tree barks to transform the animal hides to leather. This is an ancient tradition which yields the familiar leather smell. Natural oils evaporate over time and need replenishing. Your leather benefits from and will look its very best if given an occasional dose of natural waxes and oils. Our Leather care information card is included with every purchase.
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Oak Bark Leather Belt |
Oak Bark Dartington Belt |
Price |
£125 |
£75 |
Leather |
Oak Bark Tanned 4.5mm |
Oak Bark Tanned 4.5mm |
Buckle |
Solid brass sand cast in Walsall West Midlands |
Solid brass imported |
Fixings |
Hand stitched and solid brass rivets |
Brass plated rivets |
Size |
Made to measure with 5 holes |
S, M, L, XL with 7 holes |
Making method |
Hand cut holes and point |
Pressed on machine |
Edging |
Hand-dyed, home-made recipe with shellac and beeswax |
Hand-dyed, proprietary spirit edge dye |
Individualisation |
Ownership recorded with serial number |
No recording |
Personalisation |
Free option |
Free option |
Packaging |
Drawstring bag with free Hide Food |
Drawstring bag with free Hide Food |
"The belt arrived I was delighted with the quality and finish. It was everything I hoped it would be. Will last me longer than a life time because I'm going to be buried in it.."
Mike Swanton