There are a few important practical processes that come with any Western or cowboy belt buckle, and one of these is the attachment of the buckle to your actual belt. Whether your belt is leather or any similar material, and whether you're competing in a rodeo event or just going for a stylish look, knowing how to attach and fasten the buckle properly is important.
At A Cut Above Buckles, we're here to offer a wide range of rodeo and custom cowboy belt buckles for clients around Utah and Texas, plus to offer tips on any form of use or similar need. There are several distinct kinds of belt buckles, and precisely how they'll be attached to your belt will vary depending on this. This two-part blog series will go over all of the most common, plus some general approaches for attaching your Western belt buckle.
Before we look at the different ways your belt buckle can be attached, it's important to understand why a secure fit matters and what kind of impact this has on your overall look. A bulky or poorly-fitted belt buckle will draw attention away from any other stylish elements you might be wearing with it, not to mention detracting from whatever purpose the belt serves (fashion, work, etc.) A securely-fitted belt buckle should be relatively flush against your belt and the pants you're wearing with it. Depending on what kind of style you're going for, there may be some bulk due to a larger buckle size or intricate design elements – but this is still better than having an overly-loose fit.
When we talk about ratchet buckles, we're referring to a type of belt buckle that features two pieces. The first is a permanent bar, typically made with leather or metal and held in place by an adjustable set of teeth known as the ratchet. This second piece fits over the bar after you've placed your belt and can be adjusted to fit snugly around it.
The actual attachment process for ratchet buckles is very easy. Simply open up the clasp/teeth, insert your belt, and then move the ratchet piece over the bar. After that, you can adjust it by pushing down on the teeth until they lock into place.
The second major type of belt buckle is one that features a more traditional clasp or clip. This type of buckle looks a bit different from the ratchet buckle, with a more traditional shape and the clasp itself being built into it.
Usually, these buckles are heavier than the ratchet variety, and they'll be found mostly in dressier or fancier belts. Attachment is almost identical to ratchets - just open up the clasp, insert your belt, and then close it until it's secure.
In part two of our series, we'll discuss some other unique types of belt buckles and their attachment processes. For more here, or to learn about any of our quality belt buckles or Western accessories for clients in Texas and Utah, speak to our team at A Cut Above Buckles today.
