I have recently lost a lot of weight, making one of my favorite belts, from El Paso Saddlery, about 4” too long. So I wrote EPS and asked if they could shorten it for me. Here is their reply:

“It is really not practical to re-size or shorten this particular belt due to the taper-we can make a new belt for you if you send us the old belt.”

Here is the belt:





One approach I am considering is to just leave it as is and buy a new belt, figuring I may well fatten up again and find it useful to have as a back up. Another is to wait six months and see where my weight is before attempting to have it shortened, as I think I am likely to get thinner still.

But what I would like to ask you guys here, especially those of you who work with leather, is it really that difficult for an experienced leatherworker to shorten a tapered belt? (I kinda figure EPS would like to sell new belts rather than modify those already sold, which I can understand.)

Gentlemen, what say you?

It's possible, but you wouldn't like it. Any cutting and restitching would damage the carving/stamping. It would not look the same. You're much better off getting a new one.

That is a very nice looking belt, so I understand your frustration.
I know we are not all alike, but to me each of those belt holes,
normally spaced 1" apart, represent about 5 pounds.
That is why they usually have at least 5 holes, because they know
our weight will fluctuate up and down.
Last year, after a heart attack, I went through a rehab program that
resulted in a weight loss of about 40 pounds. One of the benefits was
that several of my old belts fit perfectly.
So, I have fat belts, and pants, and not so fat belts, and pants.
This is a long winded way of saying I think you should keep your
belt as is and see what happens.

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In Omnia Paratus

It could easily be shortened, by cutting it dead center and removing the excess, and then stitching a decorated centerpiece over that. But of course Phil is right, one's weight fluctuates anyway. My aged father-in-law had me shorten one of his belts when his health began to fail, and recently he's gained all the weight back! Good on 'im.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

I THINK THAT A SKILLED LEATHER WORKER COULD ALTER THAT BELT. MAKE SURE THAT YOU INFORM HIM OR HER THAT YOU PREDICT FURTHER WEIGHT LOSS. THAT WAY, IT CAN BE PLANNED FOR......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Cut the tapered section off. Splice in some new stitches around the cut end to prevent the cut stitches from coming loose. Bevel, dye, burnish and refinish the cut end.
Fashion a billet and either stitch, snap or use Chicago screws to attach it to the body of the belt. If you either gain or lose more weight, the billet can be replaced to compensate for weight fluctuations.
It would be kinda like a ranger belt with a changeable billet on one end.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Nice belt. I think I'd leave as is until your weight stabilizes and relatively certain you will maintain it.
My question is, if you don't mind sharing, how are you losing the weight?
Old fat guys (this one anyway) wants to know...

Jack, re how I’m losing weight: Fasting. Anyone Else Try This?

If the company is offering you a new belt if you send in the old one, it sounds like you're getting a freebie. Doesn't make sense to me, but I'd certainly ask them what the deal is.

Gee, you think that is what they mean? I thought they were saying, “Send us your old belt. We will make you something just like it, but shorter, and charge you for the new belt.”

I like your interpretation better! I will ask for clarification, and let you know what they say.

Treat yourself to a new belt and pass this one on to someone who will enjoy it.

A cobbled up remake is likely to be a disappointment. It's not like having a favorite pair of boots resoled.

This is one of the reasons why I never buy a tapered belt.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Friend Sodacan’s advice was spot on: I asked EPS for clarification and they replied,

“We will make a new belt for you, no charge. Just send us the old belt (please remove the custom buckle set before you ship it) and let me know what length you need.”

I am blown away! Now that is remarkable customer service!

Congratulations, Sodacan, you win the prize for best advice in this thread. (Prize is a generous “attaboy” from yours truly, and official permission to have as many drinks as you want tonight regardless of what your wife says!)

That is amazing. What's the catch?

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In Omnia Paratus

Whelp, no catch, Phil. Received my new, shorter belt back from EPS today. Looks exactly the same as my old one which I sent in, photo above.

Brand new. No charge. (Except since I am currently in Japan they asked for a check for $25 for shipping, which I was happy to provide.)

Spent a half hour or so after supper getting my belt buckle set tip affixed properly on the belt tip. Needed to shave the leather a bit, make a hole for the pin, and work it some with a needle nose pliars to get it on just right.



Looks great. I am well pleased. Incredible customer service. El Paso Saddlery. Thumbs up!

Wait a minute. On 10-15 you thanked Sodacan for his great advice and got the tooled belt just a month and a half later, and for FREE? Did I read that right? That’s amazing since I’ve read guys saying how long EPS was taking to fill their orders. Now, stay skinny!

Yessir, indeed! Fits perfectly at about middle hole. (Now I am wondering if I keep losing weight as I hope to, and I go back to EPS a year from now, and say, “I’ve got this tapered belt...”)

You know why they did it? We are all talking about it, and this thread will live on too.

What about the old belt? Did they send it back to you too, or keep it?

I think Racer X has it right. Great PR.

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In Omnia Paratus

They kept the old belt, and welcome to it, of course. I speculate maybe they refurbish the turned in belts and sell ‘em discounted “as is” in their storefront? (If they have one...)

Whatever the reason for the policy, or its economics, I sure am appreciative.

If they sell just a few extra belts or a holster or two, that profit covers their cost of your new belt. VERY cheap advertising. I know I will at least LOOK at their website and products.

And sometimes, people are just nice and helpful, especially for a returning customer.

The percentage of times some guy buys a belt and needs it shortened that much: 2%. Percentage they need longer belt: 98%. Give shorter belts away free and nail the fat guys. LOL