Obscure Object of Desire: Cowboy Blacksmith Belt Buckle

May 30, 2012

“Not sure if you are into this much bling, but I just got this from cowboyblacksmith.com,” TTAG reader Kevin writes. “Custom made. Roses are copper. Pistols, stems and leaves are nickel. It’s going on an elephant skin belt from The Beltman. (Don’t say anything about the elephants.)” Oops.

18 COMMENTS

Joshua May 30, 2012 At 07:16

I have an elephant skin belt and boots from Tony Lama. I’ve had them for 13 years and I still wear them quite often.
BLAMMO May 30, 2012 At 07:24

That’s a lotta bling? That’s nothing. Charlie Daniels makes his out of manhole covers.

I must acknowledge, that’s very nicely done. But big belt buckles just isn’t my thing.
Rich Keagy May 30, 2012 At 08:02

Rose thorns do not look like that. They do not hook, but come straight out.
- bontai Joe May 30, 2012 At 10:44
  
  I have seen rose thorns both straight and hooked. Don’t ask me what variaty, as I have no clue. I know that removing multiflora rose in my neck of the woods will rip the flesh off one’s bones.
brigo50 May 30, 2012 At 08:04

Dark Tower effect here anyone?
- Todd Price May 30, 2012 At 10:04
  
  +1
- Button Gwinnett January 17, 2017 At 21:48
  
  First thing I thought of.
Nate May 30, 2012 At 08:48

That’s pretty. Not my style, but very nicely done.
- Not Too Eloquent May 30, 2012 At 10:12
  
  Isn’t that a girl’s buckle? 🙂
  - KWAL May 30, 2012 At 10:26
    
    DAMMITT!! 🙂
Aharon May 30, 2012 At 10:18

I like a western-style moderately engraved silver buckle. The ones featured have a bit too much bling for me. I’ll skip the elephant leather belts do to the huge number of elephants slaughtered last year and I don’t need one. Cowhide or bison leather belts work fine for me.
Wade May 30, 2012 At 10:20

That’s beautifully done, but I prefer to use the silver buckle I inherited from my grandfathers gunbelt.
KWAL May 30, 2012 At 10:24

Customer service from Paul was great. The first email I sent him was on May 10th and the finished buckle is on my belt today, after the holiday weekend. I outlined what I wanted, and after a few emails and his drawings of the buckle, I sent him a check and by the time it cleared he was done. Just an honest craftsman doing his thing. I’ll put up a link or send RF a photo of the whole rig later today. I know it’s not everyone’s style, but some guys do buy $200 elephant gunbelts, and the buckle styles available from the leather guys usually don’t do them justice. Kind of like the big watch thread last week.
bontai Joe May 30, 2012 At 10:49

Nice stuff! I wish I had the $$$ as I do have one western style holster and belt that could use a nice buckle.
KWAL May 30, 2012 At 12:32

Here is a photo of the whole rig if anyone is interested. I’m all ready for the Sunday barbecue…

http://kevinwalshphotography.smugmug.com/photos/i-WTqVTgc/0/L/i-WTqVTgc-L.jpg
J in Ga May 30, 2012 At 19:27

Looks like nice work. Who did the matching holster?
- KWAL May 31, 2012 At 16:29
  
  Holster is by Ryan at:
  
  http://www.rgrizzleleather.com/
Bob June 2, 2012 At 18:31

Don’t bring that to an airport, the TSA will confiscate it and maybe have you arrested.