Contour Vs Straight Belt

JD Alan · August 08, 2011, 10:57:43 AM

Recently I've had a couple of people ask about me making them a contour belt, then they ask it it's really more comfortable than a straight belt. Truth is I don't know. I've never worn a contour belt to compare it with a straight one.

It seems that most of the contour belts I read about are for women, which begs the question: Do men benefit from them? Does your build matter? I see bean pole and bowling ball shaped shooters, and wonder if the same style or cut of belt really works best for all shapes and sizes?

Any help or advice you can give would be most appreciated

Thanks, JD

outrider · August 08, 2011, 01:09:41 PM

JD,

Have you ever noticed that "gunslinger" and Buscadero rigs have a contour to them...it's not just for women

JD Alan · August 08, 2011, 03:34:42 PM

I have noticed that Outrider, but I guess my question is are they more comfortablen than wearing two holtses hanging on a straight belt? I have two single RH Buscadero righs with crossdraw added on the left, and I don't know that I could say theey were more comportable. That's the question I've been asked, and I I'm told them I don't have the experience to comment

I sure appreciate your expertice!

JD

Kid Terico · August 08, 2011, 03:53:49 PM

JD no compairson. The contour all the way. KT

JD Alan · August 08, 2011, 09:40:00 PM

Thanks KT

Slowhand Bob · August 09, 2011, 07:21:53 AM

JD, not so sure on this myself. Contour belts are considered a deluxe option by many and do add to the cost/use of leather. Not so bad if cutting a full hide of matching contour blanks but definitely wasteful for one blank cut from a hide of straight cuts. We think of women as having a specific shape around the hips and uhhh hmmmm derriere that is different from men. That is not a hard and fast rule though, everyone is different with some men having a shape that mimics a womans and lots of the new generation gals having shapes that are more like a boys. I have worn both styles through the years, at one time or another, and would not want a contour belt for myself, if to much it could be worse than none at all. Remember, even with a contour belt one would have to consider that if all body shapes are different then degree of contour would need to be different to suit them. The only discussion I have seen on this was in the Bianchi tapes and that was limited to layout instructions. Perhaps fitting for them would be more and art than a science since I have not seen any rules on how much contour to use??

Kid Terico · August 09, 2011, 08:44:14 AM

Slowhand Bob you are right as different body shapes but as with all good leather after a whille it will conform to the body shape and is more comfortable. It is the same as getting your revolver to fit your holster, after a while it will fit like a glove. KT

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · August 09, 2011, 09:43:11 AM

When I was younger, and use to stop in see and visit with the late Alfonso Penada, almost all his belts were contoured, and with the same angle or degree of contour, it all depended on size/right or left hand, or double, I personally like the contour belt, it , for me always hung just right for me when I competed in fast draw competition, it's a good way to go if you want to wear your gun lower on the hip, buscadero style, but even over the belt works great too, KT, you're right, over time the belt will take on your body shape, as for comfort, I feel the straight cut money belt, is the most comfortable belt I have ever worn, it always feels like it distributes the weight better, I can wear it all day without the fatigue you can get from the other belts out there, I will say , that I feel the contour belt accommodates, more body shapes than the straight belt does, for those with no hips or butts, the straight belt can be a better choice, IMHO.

tEN wOLVES

TwoWalks Baldridge · August 09, 2011, 09:46:57 AM

Some very experienced folks should write up a good tutorial for us new folks on contoured belts. You know one of those picture tutorials that let you know how to calculate the contour and the reasons behind contour belts.

Kid Terico · August 09, 2011, 09:47:27 AM

TW the straight money belt you made for me is the most comfortable straight belt bar non I have ever worn. I can tell that you spent hours working the leather to get it that plyable. KT

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · August 09, 2011, 09:53:17 AM

Thanks kT, I'm happy you like it, you can most likely see why the money belt was so popular in its day, and also in the present, it really is the working mans gun belt, at least that's the way I see and feel about it, there is no gun belt more comfortable than a good money belt.

tEN wOLVES

Blackey Cole · August 09, 2011, 02:16:57 PM

The difference is a straight belt is designed to be worn above the hips whereas the contoured belt is worn lower on the hips. There should be about a 6 inch drop or difference between the center of the rear of the belt to the ends of the belt over a length of approximately 40 inches, especially if it is a double holster rig. It will look like a "(" when done if it is a single belt that is worn straight it will be the same. If it is a Single belt worn lower on the holster side like hollywood use to portray then you would need to figure how low you want the holster and do the math to make a "L" shaped belt.

The reason for the contour is so the belt lays flat against the hips. The best source for building the template for the contour belt is John Bianchi's Holster making videos. I got mine plus and Interview DVD for a total of 4 DVDs when I renewed my subscription to "The Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal"for a multi-year subscription, or you can order them from Gun Video.