The Armour Archive

You know. The ring with a long leather belt 60" long

No self respecting reenactor would call a ring on a strap of leather a belt.
In fact, it's a pet peeve of many scadians.
And you might have trouble finding a piece of leather 90" long unless someone
cuts a half hide on the diagonal.
A 90" belt would be long enough to wrap around a 48" waist, knot, and the slack still
touch the ground on someone with a 34" inseam.
-Cian

Cian of Storvik wrote:No self respecting reenactor would call a ring on a strap of leather a belt.
In fact, it's a pet peeve of many scadians.
-Cian

What would they call it then?

GunnarUlfson wrote:

Cian of Storvik wrote:No self respecting reenactor would call a ring on a strap of leather a belt.
In fact, it's a pet peeve of many scadians.
-Cian

What would they call it then?

It's called a ring belt.

I think what he's trying to say is the ring belt isn't even a historical item and so no reenactor would call it a belt since it's not one historically.

But it's still a belt, just I'm preeeetty sure there's nothing historical about it... pretty sure.

The ring belt is an SCA creation, not a historical one.

If you're willing to make any attempt at looking historically correct, you need a properly buckled belt that doesn't drag on the ground after being knotted in place.

What time & place are you trying to re-enact?

I have one in black....

They are more common in the SCA then in period.
Documentation is rought but there are a few illistrations most people interprit as a buckle that lost its tongue.

I think the main reason these are so common is cost.
a good decorative belt buckle sutable for SCA time frame can run 25+
This just about dubbles the cost of the belt. Then you have to add labor.
punching holes and adding the tongue slot actualy takes some layout and about 4X as long as plain ring.

Retrofitting a ring belt for a tongue takes a few minits and a bit of good brass rod but its doable.

GunnarUlfson wrote:

Cian of Storvik wrote:No self respecting reenactor would call a ring on a strap of leather a belt.
In fact, it's a pet peeve of many scadians.
-Cian

What would they call it then?

A girth strap on a horse.

Anyway? Does anyone know where I can get one no matter the length?

http://www.vikingleathercrafts.com/inde ... &id_ctg=78

http://www.wintertreecrafts.com/leather.html

Adam

BadBilly,

http://www.armourandcastings.com/
You can get a leather blank for $10 and a historically accurate buckle for $6. Shipping is $10, I think. It is from the Ukraine, so it may take a few weeks.

A "ring" belt is not really an accurate example of anything historical, and is more of an SCA or RenFair thing. I (and many others) would encourage you you to try something a little more accurate to be a re-enactor.

losthelm wrote:
a good decorative belt buckle sutable for SCA time frame can run 25+
This just about dubbles the cost of the belt. Then you have to add labor.
punching holes and adding the tongue slot actualy takes some layout and about 4X as long as plain ring.

If someone doesn't know any better (that a ring belt isn't historically accurate), then perhaps we can educate them.

If it is a matter of cost, ArmourAndCastings has belt buckles for about 6 bucks. Raymond has a number of buckles for less than $10. So, go without two meals at McDonalds and have Mac and Cheese instead and you've got the cost of a belt buckle. Or, don't get a beer when you go out and you've managed to save the money.

If cutting the tongue slot and holes is to time demanding for someone, then perhaps this is not a good hobby for them.

Adamo beat me to it, but I sell both the much-maligned ring belts as well as what amounts to a ring-belt mated with a buckle belt as a more period option for SCAdians, granted at higher cost. ($36 vs. $25)

www.wintertreecrafts.com/leather.html

I ship very quickly (usually next-day after payment) and can make pretty much any sizing you could need as long as it doesn't exceed the length of the cow (I can do 6-7', but 8' is a bit much)

I use VERY good leather with some details put into its treatment so while my buckle offerings are either very humble or commercial, the belt will last you a very long time and NOT stain your clothing should you get wet.

If you drop me a line I'd be happy to make you what you need.

Thanks everyone just what I was looking for!