A few notes on our belt buckles….
Each belt buckle is hand-crafted in small batches using traditional blacksmithing techniques. The result is a unique piece where no two buckles are identical. Our belt buckles are 100% designed and hand-forged in western Montana and are made with unrelenting care and attention to detail.
Below you’ll find more information on available styles, sizes and finishes. As well, contact us directly for custom work or wholesale inquiries.
Belt Buckle Sizes
Our plate style buckles typically appear in three sizes:
Square: As can be found on our Zia Rustica buckles. These are roughly 2.25” X 2.75”.
Large Rectangle: These dimensions are roughly 2.25” X 4”.
Medium Rectangle: These dimensions are roughly 2” X 3.5”.
Buckles generally stick pretty close to these dimensions, but can vary.
Our prong buckles vary in size based on the belt sizes they are made for. Widths/diameters on these are in the range of 2.25”.
Belt Buckle Finishes
Finishes vary from buckle to buckle, but we generally work with five different finish options depending on the buckle. On some buckles, we may offer all five, and on others, we may only offer it in a single finish. However, we’re flexible, if you’d like to pair a finish with a buckle that we don’t typically offer, just let us know.
Dark Brass. The buckle is highlighted with brass plating at a ‘hotter’ temperature. This typically produces a darker buckle.
Oxidation Colors. A gradient of heat across the buckle allows the oxidation colors of steel to become apparent. Results in a continuum of raw polished steel, yellow, purple, indigo, blue and gray. This treatment varies from buckle to buckle a bit.
Bright Brass. The buckle is highlighted with brass plating at a ‘cooler’ temperature. This typically results in a lighter-colored buckle given that the plate is still in the temperature range of oxidation colors.
Finish Matte Black. The buckle is heated to a cherry red and quenched in a non-toxic oil.
Gunmetal Gray. A black buckle is cleaned up on the wire wheel, resulting in an oil-protected buckle with a polished steel look.
As another example, here are at least four of the main finishes as seen on some Elkhorn buckles. From left to right, we have Gray, Oxidation Colors, Dark Brass and Bright Brass.
Belt Buckle Bale Widths
We typically make buckle bales for standard belt widths which are generally 1.25” and 1.5”. Our bales run slightly larger than these dimensions (maybe by an 1/8”) so that the belt doesn’t bind. Our standard bale depths are 7/16” which accommodates most belt thicknesses, well up to the thickness of our Tipperary belts which are 8/9 oz. If you have a belt with an odd-ball width, or need extra thickness, just let us know and we can build a buckle to accommodate. For. our prong style buckles:
The circle prong buckles can be made for either 1.5” or 1.25” width belts.
The Copper and Joinery buckles are only made for 1.5” belt widths currently.
Belt Straps
While we forge our buckles on the farm, we work with a talented leathersmith based out of northern Montana who makes our belts. Belts and buckles are sold separately. If you’re looking for a belt strap to pair with your buckle, please check out our BELT STRAP PAGE.