I only have one gun belt, a Rafter, single layer, thick, brown belt that has served me well for a number of years now. The belt has worn well but is getting a little 'floppy' around the buckle and on the tail where the holes are.

I would like to get a black gun belt and had a couple of questions.

1. I only have experience with the single thick layer style belts, no experience with the dual layer w/ insert style.
Do the dual layer w/ insert hold their firmness longer than the single thick layer. Is there ever any problems with the dual layer belts coming apart over time?

2. My brown belt works good because it hides the various scuffs and scratches that seem inevitable over time. I tend to wear a couple of items on the belt which can cause some scratching. For example, my cellphone is in a clip-on horizontal case that has a beefy steel clip. Said case sometimes gets slid fore or aft a bit during use.

I'm wondering how the black belts wear in terms of showing scuffs and scratches over time? How about where the tail of the belt is stressed (bent) over the buckle part when you put it on and when it rubs on the buckle during use. Does this tend to rub/wear the color off the belt?

Thanks

Hi Wayne, To answer your questions:

1) I prefer a double layer belt without an insert. To me, it is the best combo of give and firmness. I do have the ones with the insert, but never wear them anymore.

This is what I wear.

1 3/4 inch belts, custom gun belts by A & G Custom Gun Leather

All his stuff is well worth the money, hand made and very little wait time. Plus he's a great guy.

2) Black does scuff somewhat. Over time , around the buckle tounge and where you slide stuff on and off especially. I've found that you can take a sharpie or black shoe polish and touch it up a little once in awhile and you can't tell it at all from more than 6 inchs away.

Ya, black or any color will scuff some depending on how rough you are with it. Your best bet might be a horsehide belt. They are denser and do not scuff as bad.

And a double layer belt of good quality by most any name makers, will carry a heavy sidearm without the need of an insert. And a quality belt will not come apart.

John

A properly dyed, sharkskin gun belt is almost impossible to scuff, unless you really abuse it. If the dye job was done right, the leather is black most of the way through, so scuffs don't show. I have a Mitch Rosen belt I've worn a lot since 1996, and it looks almost new. I also have a Rafter belt with sharkskin outer layer that is holding up very well.

I have a Rafter S black elephant hide belt I have worn for 5 years, and there is virtually no sign of wear....cost a bunch, but it was a gift, since I am such a great husband of course....
But I won't live long enough to wear it out the way it is going

I'm wearing a black double thickness belt I've used for 16 years now. Had a trustee make it when I went through the academy. I've had to touch it up a couple of times, hit it with leather dye and black paste polish and it's good as new. It's about time to replace it. Not because it's worn out, I've just gotten thicker.

I picked up my belt at the State Fair. Down by the horse barns there are leather workers who, although they specialize in harnesses and such, also make belts for those heavy rodeo buckles. The guy who made mine wasn't a bit freaked that I brought a holster for color match and said he does a lot of them in the southwest.
They will custom make any color and width while you wait. You choose the buckle and can add conchos, tips, and such if that's your style.
$50 and up...