Budget Bushcraft Belt
The Bushcraft belt, a staple of the outdoor community. There are a number of online, and sutler, personalities that have made a killing off of building custom belt for consumers. Often, they do not do much more than you could do yourself. This article is about creating a budget friendly Bushcraft belt.
Of course, some of the aforementioned entrepreneurs make some quality, beautiful products. However, if you want something basic to get your started, here we go.
First and foremost, I’m not endorsing a product, per say, and I have not been paid, solicited, or recruited by any entity to advertise, promote, or otherwise endorse any such products. That being said, I will share, step for step, the exact products I have choosen for this project.
This is a budget belt, so I sought out the cheapest belt I could find. I purchased a basket weave design leather tool belt from Menards ( https://www.menards.com/main/tools/tool-storage/tool-belts/masterforce-reg-saddle-leather-2-work-belt/mf-lsa-42-m/p-1536560881928-c-1526586197107.htm?tid=-6838444022142001678&ipos=15 )
This belt is very basic, no thrills, and is not dyed, stained, or otherwise colored. It comes in a very basic tan.
I purchased several accessories for the belt, which included a pliers case, knife case, and a loop accessory. See links below:
I also ordered a basic knife pouch for my Buck 110 from Amazon:
The last item I could not find a link for, but purchased at my local Walmart for about $5.00 USD. That was a applicator for Kiwi instant polish, which is essentially a brush that fills with liquid polish as you apply it.
First step was first, I cut the belt down to fit me. I purposely bought mine a bit large in order to have extra leather. It does not matter if you buy a small, or XXL, they are all the same price.
I did two things with that extra leather. First, I tested out polishes and dyes. I found the instant polish gave me the color I was looking for.
Second, I am going to cut the extra leather into strips and make belt keepers out of it. That’ll be at a later time.
I am going to utilize the pliers pouch for either an actual set of pliers, or a multi-tool. Probably a multi-tool.
The utility blade pouch was the perfect size for an Ozark Trail 300 lumen flashlight I picked up from Walmart previously. Sorry, no link. It’s a discontinued product, but cost about $10.00 USD at the time of purchase.
The loop is going to be coupled with a leather strap or buckle to attach a pair of gloves to the belt.
I have a couple things I want to add still, but I will at a later time. I am still looking for a holster, and speed loader pouches, for the belt. Additionally, as an Amateur Radio Operator, I am most likely going to add a radio pouch, but have not at this time.
I took the Kiwi liquid polish and covered the entire belt, and pouches. The finished product was a nice dark brown.
If your leather is tacky after application, get a polish brush that you would use for boots or shoes and go to town. It’ll give the belt a sheen and also get ride of that tackiness. It’ll need several coats if you want it nice and shiny, but one should suffice for color alone.
Personally, I did several layers and brushed it to bring out the shine. I also applied it to the metal hardware as well which gives it an artificial distressed look. I also went over it with a traditional brown shoe polish which settled in the design on the belt giving it a subtle accent.
For a greater accent, you can take ink, water it down, and brush it on the belt. Once the ink is spread, let it dry and brush the belt again to take care of the surface ink.
Total cost of the belt so far, $24.99 (According to associated websites). I actually got the pliers case for $3.99 at my local Menards (which is cheaper than on their website).
Granted, I have no added the revolver holster or speed loader holster yet, but I will. Additionally, I will have more posts on the progress of the belt as I add things.
$24.99 is a lot easier to swallow than the hundred plus I often see basic belts going for online! Like any other piece of gear, it’ll change over time, but is basic, and ready to go.
Thanks for reading!
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