A good belt? Ohhh, you meant a GOOD belt.

[Michael Zeleny]

in black sharkskin and elephant hide.

How do you like the Elephant hide? I'm trying to save up for an alligator rig, but that may take awhile.

I like elephant hide. It is as durable as shell cordovan, with much better abrasion resistance. Reptile skin will eventually crack between the scales.

Steve and Della are great, aren't they?

They are a pleasure to deal with.

the bees' knees.

I love hearing this phrase, but I have no idea what it means other than something good. Would somebody please explain the meaning and origin of the Bee's Knees?

I found some plausible answers on alt.usage.english.

 

[minnesota oldie]

I have a Milt Sparks 1 1/4 inch that I use with his Versa max II holster for my Glock 26. Great combo but it squeaks once in a while. I usually blame my shoes for the squeak. Any one haave a cure for squeaking leather?

 

[JNewell]

Have you tried Alessi and Rafter S

No to both. I've tried a bunch, including Hume, Rosen, Sparks, Bianchi...others I no longer recall. I am a really big fan of Milt Sparks holsters, by the way, but the Galco works waaay better -- for me. Some or all of the Galco belts are curved, so depending on your shape and how you wear your pants, that might be a problem. Also, because of the plastic insert, they mold less than an all-leather belt. They work like a dream for me and will carry a lot of weight comfortably, but YMMV.

 

[C96]

I've been using Ted Blocker's belts for the last ten years. I have four of them
in various colors and widths. I also have one Kramer horsehide belt. That
is one heavy duty piece of work.

Ted Blocker is the person who put me on to having a belt with seven holes
on 3/4 inch centers. Makes it easier for me to get just the right amount
of grip to keep a 1911 in place.

At the time I was looking Ted had the only good stuff for a reasonable price.

I don't think I even own a "normal" belt anymore, if it can't hold up a good
piece, who needs one ?

allan

 

[Rinspeed]

I have been very happy with the belt I got from Kirkpatrick Leather. The best part is I think is was only $50 with shipping. This was a couple years ago though so they might be more now. They also have some very sweet holsters. Lou Alessi makes some of the finest belts and holsters I have ever seen but they are a bit more money.

Rinspeed



http://www.kirkpatrickleather.com/m_finishes.htm

 

[wintermute76]

I think I heard that some baby powder will help with squeaky belts and holsters.

I picked up some of Rusty Sherrick's Hyde Glyde also, that seems to work too. It appears to be the same as Wilson Leather's conditioner and cleaning creme for jackets and such, but I'm not positive.

I've had a Rafter sharkskin 1.5" belt for more than a year now and it's still going strong, I wear it daily, there is some wear where the buckle is, but other than that no problems.
I just got a belt from someone on FALfiles who buys them at an amish community in Ohio, been breaking it in now for a week or so, seems nice so far, it's 1.5", tapers to 1" and is a domed instead of square like my Rafter belt. and it has snaps instead of the chicago screws holding the buckle in, not sure if that's good or bad. Nice belt so far, same price as Rafter's.

 

[biere]

I may have to look into that amish belt since it may be local to me. For now I have an uncle mike's I bought a while back and started wearing recently, it sold me once I got used to it.

For the squeak you have a couple options.

On leather shoes or boots the squeak is normally at a sewn point that is moving. Lots of moving will break them in and shut them in. I have shoes that squeak after years of abuse in creeks and what not so I skip this one.

Some folks use oil or preservative or water proofer or whatever else they like to add. I tried this on those shoes and that did not work, or I could not find the spot even though I did every sewn area.

My leather holster liked to squeak on a leather belt, the conditioner softened the belt cuts in the holster such that nothing squeaks, it now slides I guess. I better fit may solve the problem but I can't see how to get a better fit unless the belt and holster come from the same folks and are custom fitted as well. I personally figure adding the conditioner aided break in.

I agree with all about a great belt being more important than the soso holsters. Heck, with this belt some of the cheap uncle mikes nylon stuff works way better than it ever did on the flexy belts.

I have a couple really nice holsters, and they are worth the money. But if I had to choose the belt gets more money than the holster.