Buying guide
The Belt Making Kit
Updated How we research
Straps, buckles, and hardware done right. The page is split into five sections (Start with strap blanks; Cut your own straps; Punch buckle and sizing holes; Choose the right buckle; Fasten without stitching), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 8.4 out of 10.
- Best overall:ELW Belt Blanks Strips/Straps 8/9 oz (3.2-3.6mm) Thickness Size 1-1/2"x50" Full Grain Import Natural Cowhide Vegetable Tanned Leather for Tooling, Engraving, Embossing, Molding & Dyeing. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:100 Sets Chicago Screws for Leather Crafting 7/20 Inch, 5 Colors of Rivets for Leather, Chicago Screws for DIY Leathercraft. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:CRAFTMEMORE Solid Brass Belt Buckle 1.5 Inch Single Prong Square Belt Buckle for Replacement, DIY Leather Craft. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.3/10.
- Feature-rich:ELW Belt Blanks Strips/Straps 8/9 oz (3.2-3.6mm) Thickness Size 2-1/4"x50" Full Grain Import Natural Cowhide Vegetable Tanned Leather. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.0/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Start with strap blanks
- ELW Belt Blanks Strips/Straps 8/9 oz (3.2-3.6mm) Thickness Size 1-1/2"x50" Full Grain Import Natural Cowhide Vegetable Tanned Leather for Tooling, Engraving, Embossing, Molding & DyeingOur score8.4/10
- ELW Belt Blanks Strips/Straps 8/9 oz (3.2-3.6mm) Thickness Size 2-1/4"x50" Full Grain Import Natural Cowhide Vegetable Tanned LeatherOur score8.0/10
- ELW Leather Strap, 13-15 Oz, 1.75 inch Wide x 50", Cowhide Veg Tan Leather Belt Blank, Leather Strips, Tooling Leather, Tan Straps for Crafts, Belt Making & CraftingOur score8.0/10
- Realeather BS150-00 Tooling Belt Strips, Blank Leather Strap with Pre Cut Buckle Slots, 1.5" W X 42" L, Natural, 1-PieceOur score7.6/10
Cut your own straps
- Tandy Leather Craftool Strap Cutter - Easy Width Adjustment for Uniform Straps Belts and Handles - Natural WoodOur score8.1/10
- Jovitec Leather Strap Cutter, Strip and Strap Leather Wood DIY Craft Hand Cutting Tool Adjustable with 5 BladesOur score7.8/10
- OwnMy Leather Cutting Tool Kit Leather Strap Cutter with Aluminium HandleOur score7.8/10
- BESTNULE Leather Tools, Leather Strip and Strap Cutter, Leather Cutting Tool, Adjustable with 3 BladesOur score7.0/10
Punch buckle and sizing holes
- General Tools 72 Leather Hole Punch Tool - 6 Multi-Hole Sizes for Leather, Rubber & PlasticOur score7.8/10
- Skilled Crafter Leather Hole Punch & Belt Hole Puncher with Bonus Ruler & Awl ToolOur score7.6/10
- Diyife Professional Leather Hole Puncher Full Set Punch Tool Kit with Extra Punch Plates and RulerOur score7.6/10
- UNCO- Hollow Leather Hole Punch Set, 1mm-10mm, 10 pcs, Black, Carbon Steel Leather Hole Punch ToolOur score7.2/10
Choose the right buckle
- CRAFTMEMORE Solid Brass Belt Buckle 1.5 Inch Single Prong Square Belt Buckle for Replacement, DIY Leather CraftOur score8.3/10
- CRAFTMEMORE 1.5 Inches Belt Buckle Single Prong Buckle for Replacement DIY Leather Craft (Hairline Gunmetal)Our score7.6/10
- CRAFTMEMORE Solid Brass Belt Buckle Single Prong Belt Buckle for Replacement DIY Leather Craft (3/4 Inch)Our score7.4/10
- CRAFTMEMORE 4pcs 1 Inch Metal Belt Buckle Single Prong Buckles Leather Craft Accessories (Brushed Brass)Our score7.2/10
Fasten without stitching
- 10 Pack 3/8" Solid Brass Gold Chicago Screws Leather Repair Screw Post FastenerOur score8.0/10
- 100 Sets Chicago Screws for Leather Crafting 7/20 Inch, 5 Colors of Rivets for Leather, Chicago Screws for DIY LeathercraftOur score8.0/10
- JSDTECHPRO Chicago Screws for Leather Assorted Kit - 5 Sizes Flat Head, Carbon Steel Chicago Rivets (Silver)Our score7.8/10
- 10 Pack 1/2" Solid Chicago Screws Leather Repair Screw Post FastenerOur score7.5/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1An ELW 1-1/2"x50" veg tan belt blank at 8/9 oz, pre-stripped natural cowhide for tooled dress and work belts.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 1-1/2" width fits most standard belt buckles and jeans loops
- + Pre-cut strap skips the need for a strap cutter and straight edge
- + Natural 8/9 oz veg tan takes tooling, embossing and dye well
- - 50" length may be short for larger waist sizes once buckle is added
- - Edges still need beveling, sanding and burnishing to finish
#2CRAFTMEMORE's solid brass 1.5 Inch square single prong buckle, a durable replacement for DIY leather belts.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Solid brass develops a natural patina and resists breaking
- + Square shape gives a clean, classic belt look
- + 1.5 Inch width fits standard belt blanks
- - Solid brass tarnishes without occasional polishing
- - Square style may not suit traditional Western belts
#3Tandy Leather's Craftool strap cutter in natural wood, a classic draw gauge for uniform belts, straps and handles.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Easy width adjustment gives uniform belts and straps
- + Craftool strap cutter is a well-known workshop standard
- + Natural wood body is comfortable and durable
- - Spare blades are sold separately rather than bundled
- - Straight edge on the hide is needed for accurate first cuts
#4ELW's wider 2-1/4"x50" veg tan strap at 8/9 oz, a blank suited to guitar straps, dog collars and heavy-duty belts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 2-1/4" width gives room for bold tooled patterns and wide straps
- + Same 8/9 oz full grain cowhide as ELW's narrower blank
- + Can be cut down to custom widths for straps and slings
- - Too wide for standard belt loops unless trimmed down
- - Wider blank means more edge finishing work per strap
#5An ELW 13-15 Oz belt blank, 1.75 inch wide x 50", an extra thick tan strap for heavy work belts and gun belts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 13-15 Oz thickness makes a stiff belt that resists stretching
- + 1.75 inch width suits heavy work and holster-carrying belts
- + Veg tan cowhide can be tooled or left plain for a rugged look
- - Very thick strap is hard to fold around buckles without skiving
- - Needs a strong stitching setup or rivets due to its heft
#6A 10 Pack of 3/8" solid brass gold Chicago screws, screw post fasteners for leather repair and belts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Solid brass resists rust and looks classic on leather
- + 3/8" posts suit belts and medium leather stacks
- + Removable screws make interchangeable buckles possible
- - Only 10 Pack, so larger projects need more
- - Screws can loosen without a drop of thread locker
#7A 100 Sets Chicago screw kit at 7/20 Inch in 5 colors, a colorful supply for DIY leathercraft.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 5 colors match many buckle and hardware finishes
- + 100 Sets supply lots of belts, bags and repairs
- + 7/20 Inch posts suit medium leather layers
- - Single post length limits very thick stacks
- - Colored plating may chip over time at screw slots
#8Jovitec's adjustable wooden strap cutter with 5 blades, a hand tool for cutting even leather strips and straps.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 5 blades included, so you can swap in a fresh edge as needed
- + Adjustable fence sets strap width for repeatable cuts
- + Wooden body is light and simple to operate
- - Fence can shift if the locking screw is not tightened well
- - Struggles with very thick leather in a single pass
#9OwnMy's strap cutter swaps the usual wooden frame for an aluminum handle and a stainless steel gauge ruler with a laser engraved 4 inch scale, cutting strips up to 4 inches wide.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Aluminum grip-style handle and stainless steel gauge instead of a wooden frame
- + Laser engraved 4 inch scale lets you set strap widths up to 4 inches
- + Comes with 3 cutting pieces, narrow and wide gaskets, bolts and a manual, packed in a box
- - Arrives in separate parts and has to be assembled from the manual before first use
- - Scale is in inches only, and the listing does not state the leather thickness it accepts
#10The General Tools 72 leather hole punch with 6 multi-hole sizes, a plier punch for leather, rubber and plastic.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 6 hole sizes cover belts, straps and gasket material
- + General Tools is a long-established hand tool brand
- + Works on rubber and plastic as well as leather
- - Hand-squeeze design tires the hand on thick belts
- - Rotating head can loosen over heavy use and need tightening
#11JSDTECHPRO's assorted Chicago screw kit in 5 sizes, silver flat head carbon steel rivets for leather.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 5 sizes fit thin to thick leather stacks
- + Carbon steel posts are strong and durable
- + Flat head design sits low on the leather
- - Carbon steel may rust without plating care
- - Check the screw count covers your project before ordering
#12Realeather's BS150-00 tooling belt strip: a natural veg tan blank 1.5 inches wide by 42 inches long with pre-cut buckle slots and pre-attached snaps, made in the USA.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Buckle slots are pre-cut and snaps pre-attached, so the belt is ready to tool, dye and fit with a buckle
- + Natural veg tan tooling cowhide accepts stamping, carving and dye like any tooling leather
- + Made in the USA at the Silver Creek Leather factory in Southern Indiana, with instructions included
- - 42 inches total length limits the finished belt to smaller and medium waist sizes
- - The listing does not state the leather weight or thickness of the strip
#13Skilled Crafter's leather hole punch and belt hole puncher with a bonus ruler and awl, a plier punch for belts and straps.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Bonus ruler helps space belt holes evenly
- + Included awl marks hole spots before punching
- + Plier punch is quick for adding holes to finished belts
- - Hand pressure limits it on very thick belt leather
- - Rotary head sizes are not detailed in the listing
#14Diyife's professional leather hole puncher full set with extra punch plates and a ruler, a kit for belts and straps.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Extra punch plates extend the life of the punch
- + Full set with ruler helps measure and space holes
- + Plier action is easy for belt resizing at home
- - Plier punches can leave slightly rough holes on soft leather
- - Check the included hole sizes match your belts and straps
#15CRAFTMEMORE's 1.5 Inches single prong buckle in hairline gunmetal, a replacement buckle for DIY leather belts.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 1.5 Inches fits the most common belt blank width
- + Hairline gunmetal finish suits modern, dark belts
- + Single prong design is easy to attach with snaps or rivets
- - Plated finish may wear with daily use at the prong
- - Gunmetal color is less versatile than brass
#16A 10 Pack of 1/2" solid Chicago screws, screw post fasteners for thicker leather repairs and straps.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 1/2" posts handle thicker straps and double layers
- + Solid construction holds up to repeated removal
- + Handy for swapping buckles on interchangeable belts
- - Check the finish matches your other hardware before ordering
- - Too long for thin leather without spacers
#17CRAFTMEMORE's solid brass 3/4 Inch single prong buckle, a narrow replacement for watch straps and slim belts.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 3/4 Inch width is ideal for slim belts and bag straps
- + Solid brass holds up better than plated alloys
- + Works well for pet collars and small straps
- - Too small for normal belt blanks and jeans belts
- - Single buckle only, so matching sets need several
#18UNCO hollow leather hole punch set with 10 carbon steel punches from 1 mm to 10 mm, a textured handle and a compact storage case. A low-cost way to cover many hole sizes.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Ten sizes from 1 mm to 10 mm cover everything from stitching holes to larger holes for rivets, snaps and belts.
- + Carbon steel punches with a black finish, which the listing says are designed to keep their sharpness through leather and thick materials.
- + Comes organized in a compact storage case, and the same UNCO brand as the punch it replaces.
- - These are hollow drive punches, so you need a mallet and a poundo board or punch pad; no mallet or pad is mentioned in the listing.
- - The listing does not give a hardness rating or steel grade, so long-term edge life is not stated.
#19CRAFTMEMORE's 4pcs 1 Inch brushed brass single prong buckles, small leather craft buckles for straps and bags.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 4pcs pack suits multiple straps or a set of collars
- + 1 Inch size fits bag straps and narrow belts
- + Brushed brass finish looks understated on leather
- - Too narrow for standard men's jeans belts
- - Check the brass finish against your other buckle hardware
#20BESTNULE's adjustable leather strip and strap cutter with 3 blades, a compact tool for belt blanks and straps.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + 3 blades are included for replacement when edges dull
- + Adjustable width gives consistent straps from a hide
- + Compact tool stores easily in a small workshop
- - Fewer spare blades than competing cutters with five
- - Lightweight build can wander on long thick straps
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Leatherwork Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.