custom belt buckles

Step 5: Finish belt

Most raw belts will need to be finished in some fashion. This may involve adding clasps, buttons, tapering the edge or boring belt notches. If you have an old belt you can use that as a notch and taper template.

My belt came with buttons to secure the buckle, so I just had to cut a taper in the end and drill the belt notches.

Taper:
If you don't have an old belt to use as a reference then trace your taper onto a sheet of paper to get a symmetrical shape you are satisfied with, then cut out that shape and trace onto end of belt. Use a

Notch holes:
Drill notch holes by using an old belt as a template, or spacing your notches roughly 12mm (0.5").

Stamping:
You can choose to leave your belts plain, or you can emboss the leather. I used the tip of Phillips-head screwdriver hammered into the leather to make some neat imprints, then I embossed a shell casing into one of the belts for my gun-enthusiast friend.