# Best Leather Straps and Belt Blanks for DIY Belts, Collars, and Bags Source: https://leatherworknest.com/best/best-leather-straps-blanks Updated: 2026-10-02 Publisher: Leatherwork Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://leatherworknest.com/how-we-research#our-score Leather straps and blanks are pre-cut lengths of hide, usually veg tan or latigo, sized and squared for belts, dog collars, bag handles, and guitar straps. They save home leatherworkers the hardest part of strap work, cutting a long, straight, even line from a full side, which takes practice and a dedicated strap cutter to do well. When comparing blanks, check the width against your buckle hardware, the thickness against the job, around 8-10 oz for a sturdy belt, and the stated length against the wearer plus fold-over allowance. Clean, uniform edges and tight grain matter most, since a wavy or stretchy blank fights you at every later step. ## Picks ### 1. 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 Our score: 8.4/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) An ELW 1-1/2"x50" veg tan belt blank at 8/9 oz, pre-stripped natural cowhide for tooled dress and work belts. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 50" length may be short for larger waist sizes once buckle is added - Edges still need beveling, sanding and burnishing to finish Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0872L2YZW ### 2. 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 Our score: 8.0/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) ELW'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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Too wide for standard belt loops unless trimmed down - Wider blank means more edge finishing work per strap Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0872LTZKF ### 3. 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 & Crafting Our score: 8.0/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) An ELW 13-15 Oz belt blank, 1.75 inch wide x 50", an extra thick tan strap for heavy work belts and gun belts. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Very thick strap is hard to fold around buckles without skiving - Needs a strong stitching setup or rivets due to its heft Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B08MPVRGD5 ### 4. ELW Belt Blanks Strips/Straps 8/9 oz (3.2-3.6mm) Thickness Size 2"x50" Full Grain Import Natural Cowhide Vegetable Tanned Leather Our score: 8.0/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) ELW's 2"x50" belt blank at 8/9 oz, a wide natural veg tan strap for work belts, straps and bold tooled designs. Pros: - 2" width suits heavy work belts and wide leather straps - Pre-stripped full grain cowhide has straight, ready-to-bevel edges - 8/9 oz weight carves and stamps with good depth Cons: - Wider than most dress belt loops, so check buckle fit first - 50" length may need a strap extension for bigger waists Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0872L9Y5G ### 5. ELW Belt Blanks Strips/Straps 8/9 oz (3.2-3.6mm) Thickness Size 1-1/4"x50" Full Grain Import Natural Cowhide Vegetable Tanned Leather Our score: 8.0/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) ELW's narrower 1-1/4"x50" veg tan blank at 8/9 oz, sized for dress belts, watch-style bands and slimmer straps. Pros: - 1-1/4" width fits dress belt buckles and trouser loops neatly - Natural cowhide accepts dark dye for a polished dress look - Slimmer blank uses less edge finishing than wide work straps Cons: - Narrow strap leaves little space for detailed tooled patterns - Heavy 8/9 oz stock can feel bulky on a slim dress belt Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0872LPWG8 ### 6. Realeather BS150-00 Tooling Belt Strips, Blank Leather Strap with Pre Cut Buckle Slots, 1.5" W X 42" L, Natural, 1-Piece Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Realeather'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. Pros: - 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 Cons: - 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 Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B00PGZTOPQ ### 7. ELW Leather Blank Belt 4-5 Oz (1.6-2mm) Thickness Size: 4"x60" Cowhide Vegetable Tanned Full Grain Strip, Strap - Ideal for DIY Belts, Tooling, Crafting & Stamping Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) An ELW 4"x60" veg tan strip at 4-5 Oz (1.6-2mm), a long, light strap stock for cutting thin belts, bands and trims. Pros: - 4"x60" strip can be cut into several narrow straps or bands - Light 4-5 Oz leather folds easily for loops, keepers and wraps - Extra 60" length handles longer belts and bag straps Cons: - Too thin on its own for a sturdy belt without a lining layer - Must be cut down to width, so a strap cutter is still useful Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0B83PXLSX As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.