Tim Hardy: bridle leather belts made in England & a discount code for readers

Some of the best leather belts I own are made by Tim Hardy of The Worcestershire Leather Company. I was privileged when he recently invited me to have input into the design a couple of belts for his bridle leather collection, all made in his Worcestershire workshop in England.

The Cropthorne Grey Fox edition belt

Tim grew up on a farm surrounded by horses' tack and this inspired him to train at the famous Cordwainers Technical College where he learned how to make leather goods. Vegetable tanned bridle leather is extremely durable and its look improves with age, particularly if looked after with products like dubbin or hidefood. 

The Bruton Grey Fox edition belt

Like many men, my wardrobe is dominated by blue and I suggested to Tim that we use this colour in a couple of specially commissioned Tim Hardy/Grey Fox belts which are now available for all to buy. Handmade by Tim, these are made to your custom waist size. The prices quoted here are before the 15% discount code (see below).

A navy blue leather belt with nickel-plated brass fittings - the Cropthorne - which is 1.25" wide, £65.

The second belt - the Bruton - is wider than the standard at 1.5" and is made from old sage cotton webbing, navy leather and nickel-plated brass fittings, £60.

Both belts are available with a 15% discount code (on the prices quoted above) for readers of the blog: GFOX16 - see Tim Hardy for other products.

We also used navy leather for two other products which Tim has made, but you will have to wait to see what these are, as we are keeping them under wraps for a few more weeks.

Desirable objects: Worcestershire Leather Company British-made khaki webbing belt

I'm lucky enough to have had another belt made for me by the leather belt guru, Tim Hardy of The Worcestershire Leather Company. Longer term readers may recall my last one here, which continues to get better with age (as do all men, and anything else made of quality leather).

The Worcestershire Bruton bridle leather and webbing belt - made in England

This belt is entirely handmade and sewn from English bridle leather (it even had that lovely waxy bloom when it was brand new) in sixteen or more separate processes. The British-made heavy cotton webbing make it ideal as a spring/summer belt. Naturally it is completed by an English solid brass buckle (or nickel plated brass if you prefer a silver finish). This is a belt for life.

It comes in a choice of 11 leather colours and 5 webbing colours and can be ordered in different widths. Give Tim your size and it will come made to measure. This, as you would expect, is a seriously high quality British belt. See The Worcestershire Leather Company for more information and to buy.

Desirable Objects: The Worcestershire Leather Co - bridle leather belt

The Worcestershire Leather Company makes beautiful hand-made British bridle leather belts to measure. These are UK-made products through and through. I was delighted when Tim Hardy, who makes the company's leather goods himself, offered to make me a belt. 

Image Grey Fox

Using the calculator in his website, I sent him measurements and here is the result. I've worn it for a few weeks. It fits very well and it has gradually become more flexible. It will be a while before it takes on that patina and softness of age which old high quality leather acquires. Unlike most things (maybe fine wine is another exception), leather improves with age. This belt will look better and better; it will see me out, I've no doubt, and hopefully will be worn by Grey Fox's descendants for years after. 

The only problem is that, now I have one, I want more - a dark brown, a black and a tan leather belt are all needed to cover the requirements of the average wardrobe. Choose from colours including nut, light Havana, Newmarket tan, London Tan and others.

For more on the fascinating story of Tim Hardy, The Worcestershire Leather Co and their wide range of leather goods, types and colours of leather, see the website here.

Christmas present problems solved!