Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Learn how to make a clean, classic tapered leather belt while building foundational leathercraft skills you can use for years to come. In this beginner-friendly project, Chuck Dorsett walks through every step of the process, from cutting a belt blank and laying out tapers to punching holes, setting hardware and assembling a finished belt you’ll be proud to wear.
This project is a great introduction to working with straps, belt patterns and hardware installation while creating something practical and timeless. Along the way, you’ll also learn simple tapering techniques that can be applied to future belts, bags, straps and other leatherworking projects.
Chapters
00:00 Project Intro
00:26 Cutting a Belt Blank from Water Buffalo Leather
00:47 Using a Wooden Strap Cutter
01:14 Marking Holes & Taper Points
01:48 Cutting Belt Tapers
02:36 Punching the Belt Tip and Slot
02:47 Adding Size & Rivet Holes
03:46 Installing the Buckle Set
04:28 Attaching the Buckle Tip
05:11 Finished Belt Overview
Materials and Downloadable "Shortie" Pattern: weaverleathersupply.com/collections/how-to-make-a-classic-tapered-leather-belt
Materials
Water Buffalo Single Bend, Crazy Horse Brown, 8/9 oz weaverleathersupply.com/products/water-buffalo-leather?variant=44026573062284
Wooden Strap Cutter weaverleathersupply.com/products/wooden-strap-cutter
Heavy Duty Scratch Awl weaverleathersupply.com/products/4-heavy-duty-scratch-awl-3-1-2
Master Tool English Point Punch, 1” weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-english-point-strap-end-punch?variant=40929495580812
Polyhead Mallet weaverleathersupply.com/products/polyhead-mallet
Poly Cutting Board weaverleathersupply.com/products/poly-cutting-board-12-x-16
Marble Tooling Slab weaverleathersupply.com/products/marble-tooling-slab?variant=40909281984652
Master Tool Oblong Leather Punch weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-oblong-leather-punch?variant=40933362892940
Master Tool Round Strap End Punch weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-round-strap-end-punch?variant=40933377409164
Master Tool Round Punch, 3/16” weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-round-hole-punch?variant=40933376196748
Master Tool Round Punch, 1/4" weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-round-hole-punch?variant=40933376098444
Western Floral Buckle Loop & Tip Set, 1" weaverleathersupply.com/products/western-floral-buckle-loop-tip-set-1
2200 Double Cap Rivets weaverleathersupply.com/products/2200-double-cap-rivets?variant=40909136625804
Deluxe 4P Snap and Rivet Setter weaverleathersupply.com/products/deluxe-4p-snap-rivet-setter
Learn how to make a clean, classic tapered leather belt while building foundational leathercraft skills you can use for years to come. In this beginner-friendly project, Chuck Dorsett walks through every step of the process, from cutting a belt blank and laying out tapers to punching holes, setting hardware and assembling a finished belt you’ll be proud to wear.
This project is a great introduction to working with straps, belt patterns and hardware installation while creating something practical and timeless. Along the way, you’ll also learn simple tapering techniques that can be applied to future belts, bags, straps and other leatherworking projects.
Chapters
00:00 Project Intro
00:26 Cutting a Belt Blank from Water Buffalo Leather
00:47 Using a Wooden Strap Cutter
01:14 Marking Holes & Taper Points
01:48 Cutting Belt Tapers
02:36 Punching the Belt Tip and Slot
02:47 Adding Size & Rivet Holes
03:46 Installing the Buckle Set
04:28 Attaching the Buckle Tip
05:11 Finished Belt Overview
Materials and Downloadable "Shortie" Pattern: weaverleathersupply.com/collections/how-to-make-a-classic-tapered-leather-belt
Materials
Water Buffalo Single Bend, Crazy Horse Brown, 8/9 oz weaverleathersupply.com/products/water-buffalo-leather?variant=44026573062284
Wooden Strap Cutter weaverleathersupply.com/products/wooden-strap-cutter
Heavy Duty Scratch Awl weaverleathersupply.com/products/4-heavy-duty-scratch-awl-3-1-2
Master Tool English Point Punch, 1” weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-english-point-strap-end-punch?variant=40929495580812
Polyhead Mallet weaverleathersupply.com/products/polyhead-mallet
Poly Cutting Board weaverleathersupply.com/products/poly-cutting-board-12-x-16
Marble Tooling Slab weaverleathersupply.com/products/marble-tooling-slab?variant=40909281984652
Master Tool Oblong Leather Punch weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-oblong-leather-punch?variant=40933362892940
Master Tool Round Strap End Punch weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-round-strap-end-punch?variant=40933377409164
Master Tool Round Punch, 3/16” weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-round-hole-punch?variant=40933376196748
Master Tool Round Punch, 1/4" weaverleathersupply.com/products/master-tool-round-hole-punch?variant=40933376098444
Western Floral Buckle Loop & Tip Set, 1" weaverleathersupply.com/products/western-floral-buckle-loop-tip-set-1
2200 Double Cap Rivets weaverleathersupply.com/products/2200-double-cap-rivets?variant=40909136625804
Deluxe 4P Snap and Rivet Setter weaverleathersupply.com/products/deluxe-4p-snap-rivet-setter
