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ALDRIDGES

HOW WE MAKE OUR BELTS

When we say "Hand-made" we really do mean it!

All our products are hand crafted using centuries-old techniques, and often using tools handed down through the generations.

Take a look at how we craft our products below.

First, we cut the leather to the correct width

Removing the leather edges.

This gives the leather a softer and more comfortable feel.

Applying leather edging stain

Hand polishing the belt edges

Heating the crease iron ready for belt edge creasing.

Pointing the belt end.

Creasing the edge of the belt.

Trimming the belt point with saddlers knife.

Making crew hole for the buckle.

Trimming the crew hole

Marking the leather ready for stitching.

Pricking iron ready

For handsewing the running keeper

We apply beeswax to the thread...

...then thread the needle onto the thread.

We hand-sew with a saddlers needle and awl.

We then "skive" the fixed belt keeper.

Skiving is the process used in leather crafting to reduce the thickness of leather.

Riveting the fixed keeper

Hand-sewing the running keeper.

That's the buckle end complete.

We mark out the holes ready for punching.

We make the holes with an oval hand punch.

The original 'Aldridges' stamp

Still being used after 100 years!

Stamping the new 'Aldridges' logo.

The 'new' Aldridges logo.

It gets stamped on all our leather products.

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