Some Raiders belts...

[zhund]

From top to bottom:
Etsy DistrictGoods Indiana Jones belt (https://www.etsy.com/listing/261040061/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) $55.00
Lee Keppler Raiders belt $60.00
WPG (http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/546 ... tyle-Belt/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) $28.00 + dark brown leather dye
Todd's (http://www.toddscostumes.com/costumes/m ... apon-belt/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) $29.95



The WPG belt (2nd from bottom) needed the end trimmed and edge dressed. It probably needs to have the edge beveled to look better, but it turned out ok.



The DistrictGoods belt (top) is 1 3/8", the rest are 1 1/2" wide.



The Keppler and WPG belts (middle two) have Chicago screws; the others are riveted.



The underside of the DistrictGoods and Lee Keppler belts (top two) are finished; the others are unfinished. Of course, I am the one who dyed the WPG belt (second from bottom), so I could have dyed the underside as well.



The Keppler belt is my favorite. It is very well made, but not really suitable for daily wear (unless you're carrying your whip in the riveted holder, which is cool if you're in to that...). It wasn't the cheapest, but it has some sentimental value as well. I had the privilege of talking to Lee a few times on the phone and getting to know him a few months before he passed. Great guy.

The DistrictGoods belt is a close second. Very well made, and great for daily wear. The guy who made it was friendly and responsive to questions. I believe he's on other boards but not on COW yet. I highly recommend checking this one out or picking one up if you're looking for a nice belt.

Bang for the buck, the WPG is a great choice. It is very solidly built but needed to be worked on a bit before I liked it. Some dark brown Fiebings dye and trimming the end made it much better, and for $28 you can't go wrong. I also think the WPG has the best buckle.

Of course, the Todd's belt is great but out of all of them, it is the thinnest. It was my first Raiders belt, and also great for the price, but of all of them it comes in last.

Anyway, I hope this helps anyone who is in the market for a belt and shows them all side by side for comparison.

[Adventure Dog]

Great write up! Thanks for sharing your finds. Compared to the full grain leather from Etsy, would you say the WPG is comparable in leather quality?

[Photoss]

Thank you for the reviews, very useful!

[Cajunkraut]

I gotta tell ya. For being the best value, the WPG buckle is very reminiscent of the original Noel Howard buckle and subsequent Wade Egan buckle. Impressive.

[Michaelson]

Made this a 'stickie', as the comparison photos are VERY helpful to those in search of these items.

WELL done.

Regard! Michaelson

[ritnecrowin]

I picked up the Districtgoods belt and have to say it's a solid belt- seems suitable for everyday wear!

My only nitpick...right out of the mailer, the dye wasn't entirely dry and I smudged up a pair of pants (not my Indy pants thankfully!)....

Over all I'm really happy with the purchase!

[Holt]

Fantastic. Good info

[davidd]

Excellent, thorough comparison. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. Very helpful.

[zhund]

Great write up! Thanks for sharing your finds. Compared to the full grain leather from Etsy, would you say the WPG is comparable in leather quality?

The WPG is a decent leather, I was surprised given the price. I would say the DistrictGoods is "finer quality" though. I will add a few side by side photos if you'd like, I didn't want to exceed the max number of photos per post though.

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I have learned a great deal from this forum, I'm glad to contribute whatever I can in return.

[Michaelson]

Posted rule states max of 15 photos per thread, so lock and load! You've only posted 5 so far.

Regard! Michaelson

[wailonskydog]

Hey all! This is Evan, District Goods is my Etsy shop. Finally made it over to this board.

Thanks for the write-up/comparison. I just wanted to get a couple of opinions as I'm gonna be reordering some hardware soon. First, I noticed my belt is the only one at 1-3/8". To me 1-1/2" seems slightly too wide but that may only be me. It's hard to get good buckles at this width though so I may consider doing the next version at 1.5". I have my eye on a couple buckles that could be slightly better that the current. Any thoughts on that?

Second, I'd like to tell you a little more about the belts I'm making. They're made the same as the other belts I sell on my site so they're not costume belts but high-quality leather pieces made using traditional materials and techniques by hand. As they're made-to-order I can take any custom features in addition to exact sizing; undyed back, different color rivets or rivet placement, snaps instead of rivets, acrylic finish to make it less susceptible to moisture, or anything else.

Anyway, thanks and I'm happy to answer any questions or take suggestions. And sorry if this post felt a little too self-promotional.

[Cajunkraut]

Thanks for the follow-up, and welcome aboard, skydog!

[ichnob]

I've actually been wanting to upgrade my belt for a while now, and wanted to swap my Keppler belt for one for a super whip holder to slide onto. Thank you for this info. Definitely adding that Etsy belt to my wish list.

[Adventure Dog]

Hey all! This is Evan, District Goods is my Etsy shop. Finally made it over to this board.

Welcome aboard, and excellent looking leather! I would love to see a 1 1/2 belt. Think you'll add straps to the mix?

I'm in Northern Maryland if you're ever looking to do a meet up with another fan! Or, if I end up buying something, maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle for a pickup!

[wailonskydog]

Hey all! This is Evan, District Goods is my Etsy shop. Finally made it over to this board.

Welcome aboard, and excellent looking leather! I would love to see a 1 1/2 belt. Think you'll add straps to the mix?

I'm in Northern Maryland if you're ever looking to do a meet up with another fan! Or, if I end up buying something, maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle for a pickup!

Hey - just saw your post.

I've been keeping an eye out for 1.5" buckles that would be a good match. I already have some 1.5" metal keepers so it's really just a matter of me having incentive to finalize it. Of course I can always to custom orders. You mean the bag strap? Again I just need to put an order in for the proper hardware. May try to soon actually. And yeah, if you end up buying anything always nice to meet up.

Also, I changed the making process on the belts slightly so there shouldn't be any issues with dye rubbing off.

[wailonskydog]

And I've got the bag straps up for sale!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/536010416/ ... e_active_1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wailonskydog]

Hey all! This is Evan, District Goods is my Etsy shop. Finally made it over to this board.

Welcome aboard, and excellent looking leather! I would love to see a 1 1/2 belt. Think you'll add straps to the mix?

I'm in Northern Maryland if you're ever looking to do a meet up with another fan! Or, if I end up buying something, maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle for a pickup!

Hey - just saw your post.

I've been keeping an eye out for 1.5" buckles that would be a good match. I already have some 1.5" metal keepers so it's really just a matter of me having incentive to finalize it. Of course I can always to custom orders. You mean the bag strap? Again I just need to put an order in for the proper hardware. May try to soon actually. And yeah, if you end up buying anything always nice to meet up.

Also, I changed the making process on the belts slightly so there shouldn't be any issues with dye rubbing off.

OK - just another quick update. My supplier no longer carriers the buckles I've been using so I finally switched over to the 1.5" belt. I think this width does work a little better especially with a holster, gun, and whip weighing it down. I'm also now making the full array of leather Indy accessories; gun belt, whip holder, holster, and bag strap.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/261040061/ ... =related-4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bearbeast]

Wow, you make some very beautiful stuff!

[wailonskydog]

Wow, you make some very beautiful stuff!

Thanks you!

[PilgrimTrail]

Fantastic Post!

I am putting together my Indy gear now and love the comparisons!
Anyone else concur with the rating of these? Are there other better options out there?

Thanks

[M_Sinclair]

Thanks for the comparison!

-matt