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Ooh that Laco looks so cool. But tbh I wish there was a quartz model...

Those are very durable, but so bulky I'd bump them everywhere. If he gets remarks about his "funny watch" with the 10$ Casio, I guess he needs something more classic and dressy. A gshock... I mean, the whole oversized watch trend is the complete opposite of what an elegant dress watch is supposed to look like, even a sports watch looks elegant in comparison.

Check out the Citizen Eco Drive. They're solar powered so there's no battery replacements needed, they're quartz so they're very accurate, and they come in many styles from sporty watches, divers, to more elegant classic designs. Since they're quartz, some models are also extremely thin, the classic style models can be thinner than a mechanical watch can be, which looks really elegant...

Mechanical watches... I admire them but they're not practical for me. I like something I can set up and forget about it, don't wear it over the weeked and not worry about it...

double-lasted*

The AR8 is a boot model. Double lasted means those models have two layers of leather instead of one - they are fully leather lined, and together at least about 4mm of leather thickness anywhere. These are also even more water resistant. Ar8, razorback and the stockman are double lasted for sure, don't know about most other models.

Single lasted stitchdown is very basic - one layer of leather, curved outwards and stitched down to the midsole, with the rubber (outsole) glued on the bottom.

Double lasted - the outer layer is curved outwards and the inner kayer is curved inwards. That's also what gives more water resistance....

I bought an American Bison belt from Tom Taylor buckles in Santa Fe on vacation a few years ago. Not quite daily worn but shows almost zero wear. Pricier now than when I bought it but I’m likely to never buy another leather belt again.

https://tomtaylorbuckles.com/

I have an occidental 2” belt. I’ve had it 5 years and it’s the only one I wear every single day. Still looks new.

Coach?

The way to go. So many good options. $99 for a great belt is a lot.

Sunbeam has been our goto. We have 3 throws for different rooms and a dual-zone for our bed. Had all of them for years.

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Check out Popov Leather. It’s the real deal, Horween leather, thick, supple, good hardware.

I had a Tanner Goods belt in Natural vegetable tanned finish about 10 years ago that I “outgrew” (unfortunately!) last year. It’s still in awesome condition after basically 10 years of daily wear. I ordered another belt from Tanner Goods and it’s clear the quality dropped substantially.

The Popov belt is the belt that I WISH Tanner Goods was still producing. I have absolute faith that the Popov will last me another 10 years at least.

Don’t know where you are located, but I bought one for about $35 at Dollywood, with admission cost it made it about $100 but I got to go to Dollywood for that price, too!

Www.thebeltman.net

I’ve worn this belt every single day for 18 years and it’s still going strong. Does exactly what they say it will. Nice, thick, sturdy leather belt.

Mean gene leather also makes really nice stuff.

What's a double laster AR8?

Your compressor choice should not be based on the name on the label. Point one is to ensure the flow keeps up with your tools as you don't want to take a smoke break while the tank refills. Next is choosing a quiet one. Hulk Power is a cheap maker of quiet compressors and once you go quiet, you'll never go back. Now if you plan on outside placement or sound proof enclosure, you should not care. But....quiet is the way to go. The orientation of the tank makes no difference.

Go to r/leatherclassifieds and post how much you want to pay and you’ll get the best belt I bet you.

Can confirm, northstar makes good stuff at a good price. My belts and wallets will outlast their matching boots for sure.

I honestly just avoid them for how aggressive people are here pushing it.

I recommend finding a local leather crafter - my one back in my hometown custom cut me one and I got to choose my own buckle for $50 CAD. Granted, this was like 7 years ago almost but it’s still going strong. I bought a second to go with my suits and am considering another as a back up.

I have a saddleback wallet and I’m unimpressed. It will last for many years, I think, but the finish is shoddy.

American Benchcraft

Mean Gene Leather is super nice leather worker

I'm a fan of A Simple Leather Belt.

Honestly, I feel like any actual full grain leather belt with hardware made out of some type of metal that doesn’t corrode easily should last forever.

I made my own with supplies from Tandy leather and it’s been worn daily for almost a decade and is holding up fine.