$99.00 USD
Our signature belt, the 1.5" Oak Creek is cut from harness leather tanned at Hermann Oak Tannery in St. Louis, Missouri. This is a 4th Generation Tannery that uses tree bark and other tannin’s to cure their natural leather. Due to no dyes being used as colorant additives in this leather, the oils, tallow’s and waxes cause color shifting. The wax and tallow compound that makes this leather so durable and water repellent gives it a unique color, but understand, it is not consistently even.
The primary use of this leather is for saddlery. Dirt, sweat, salt, and horse drool were hard on ordinary leather so a strong, weather resistant, vegetable tanned leather was invented for the horseman’s reins. This process has changed little in 140 years. Each hide still needs to be steeped for over a month in giant pools of bark and root extracts. Then, the hides are added to giant wooden drums loaded with beef tallow, waxes, and shin bone oils. With heat and centrifugal force, “hot stuffed” harness leather was born when the rotating drums finished the job. That was over a hundred years ago and not very much has changed in the process.
The undyed leather has color variations that make it a natural American beauty that is often copied, but never duplicated. We want our customers to understand that it can be returned if it does not meet your satisfaction. That is how Shep Hermann runs his tannery and that is how sure we are about this leather.
We had this leather made in chocolate. It has all the waxes and oils and is a true classic chocolate. If you’d prefer this version, please request in the notes section of your order. The chocolate version looks best with 2 rows of chocolate thread.
**We age our Brass in house to create a true patina. If shiny is your preference, please specify in the notes section.**
| Name: | The OAK CREEK |
| Model: | 024 |
| Leather: | Natural Harness |
| Thickness: | .20 in / 5 mm (thickness of 3 stacked quarters) |
| Width(s): | 1.5" / 38mm |
| Temper: | Firm |
| Buckle: | Tumbled Roller |
| Attachment: | USA Black Oxide Brass Chicago Screw |
| Stitch: | Parchment #277 Parachute Weight |
Ex: 37" Inches = 37" Inch Belt Size
Wearing natural leather can have the ability of connecting us to our environment in ways we may not understand. For man, the process of tanning leather with roots and bark from trees goes back to the cave. Thousands of years of evolution physically join man and leather to nature and survival.
Owning a naturally tanned leather belt is both a privilege and a luxury. After 2 years, condition your leather belt with 2 light coats of 100% pure lanolin, Neatsfoot oil or any other fossil fuel free, high quality conditioner. If ever dirty, clean only with saddle soap. Remember, when it's dry reapply.
United StatesVery solid belt and can't argue the quality. I'm just picky and set in my ways so although no fault of AZ Belt and why I only docked one star. I now know I do not like 8 holes at all. I prefer 6 holes spaced 1" off center but had only owned that type of belt for years so didn't think much of the 8 holes spaced at 5/8". I should have zoomed in and really went nit picky with it but do not believe I could have known it was such a difference until trying on a belt that way. Again, my ignorance in leather played another factor which is not AZ Belts fault but when my belt showed up with a huge crack/scratch down the middle I was super disappointed. I understand it gives off a natural leather look or whatever but I don't care if anyone else knows it's leather, I know it is so would preferred that sanded off or hidden in a way. Many lessons learned which is totally fine but will probably stuff this one at the back of the closet so maybe my son will like it when he gets older.
United StatesManny took care of me all the way through, even let me swap the buckle for a brass Oslo, as I'm not a fan of square roller buckles. I've seen other belts by Hanks belts and they don't even compare to these. These folks care about the customer and will go out of their way to make you satisfied. Thanks for the great belt, it fits perfectly.
United StatesHigh quality belt--thicker than I expected. I expect it to last a very long time.
United States
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