SPECIAL NATURAL OAK BARK LEATHER BELT SALE! I did a previous post on the "wonders" of oak bark leather so I won't go into that here. To sum oak bark leather: it's beautiful, sturdy, and smells likes an old barbecue smoke house ( in a good way, haha). The Natural Oak Bark Tanned Belt I received from Carmine Jack Leather Company (Feature Page here) is no exception! Ryan, the founder of CJL, was nice enough to do a custom belt for me complete with a brass quick release, firefighter buckle. The belt has easily become my favorite, and most used belt, in my collection. For one, it holds my wallet lanyard hook perfectly (it usually just loosely hangs on most of my other belts) thanks to it being so thick. Secondly, the leather can really take a beating and of course, that patina! From the pictures above, you can see what the leather has become over the last six months. It has been through storms (the very dark markings), cooking accidents (oops), and nicks and scratches from clumsy mishaps that always seem to happen. Like the time I got locked in the bathroom at my old job... Yep, I was wearing this oak bark belt! Through it all, the oak bark leather has maintained its original, smokey smell and formed to my waist very well. Some belt flaps start to stick straight out after lots of wear and the holes become damaged which has led to a rise in gimmick belts like these that are usually made out of cheap, "genuine" leather. Well not this belt! If anything, you want an oak bark belt to soften up because it is very stiff at the beginning. Yes, it requires a "break-in" period (just like good boots and denim) but once it has formed to you, it will be your best fitting, strongest belt. Need to hold up some 32 oz. denim? No problem, this belt has got your back (I mean, waist)! Unfortunately, oak bark tanned leather goods are hard to come by in the States and CJL is one of the few crafters who uses it here. While the initial upfront cost of the belt is steep, it will save you tons of money because it will just get better with age. Seeing it change over the past few months has been an enjoyable experience and I can't wait to see what the next six months brings for it! Favorite Boot Pairing: with the Thorogood 1892 Natural Nantucket Janesville
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