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Size, Shape & Belt width
The Size: Only you, know who this buckle is being made for - are they a “jeans person” or a “khaki person?” Buckles strictly for jeans can be a little larger - like the bottom two rows. If this buckle is to be a little more dressy - then maybe lean toward the top row. The top row are all 1.75” high. Those are our “small buckles.” The middle row are all 2” high. They’re our “medium” size. The bottom row are our “large” buckles. Medium buckles can be made to fit either a 1.25” or a 1.5” belt.
The Shape: Generally speaking - rectangles are a little more formal and ovals are a little more casual. Hybrids live in both of those worlds.
Belt Width: For a full time blue jean person, we recommend the 1.5” wide belt. If they wear half and half blue leans to khakis - go with the 1.25” wide belt. The narrower belt works on both - but the wider 1.5” belts doesn’t always fit through the loops on khakis or dressier slacks.
If you want polling results - the most popular three are the small 2.5” wide rectangle, the medium 2.75” wide hybrid, and the large 3.25” wide oval. But the polling has a wide margin of error because size and shape are also influenced by your design idea - so we’ll talk about that in a minute.
Not shown: 3.5” X 2.25” X-Large Oval; X-Large Rectangle; X-Large Hybrid. If you’re thinking Extra-Large, let us know, we’re happy to accommodate your needs.
Buckle Texture
Once you know what size and shape you want for your buckle, it’s time to think of the texture. Textures are created with different hammers when we forge your buckle. If you choose no design on the front - the texture alone can make a beautifully forged belt buckle with beautifully unique characteristics.
In the image shown, we see 12 examples of texture from which you can choose in the form below. You know that every buckle is different, so use these as a guide to let us know what you like best for your design.
Consider:
Things to consider when thinking of texture: The right amount of texture can be used to create visual depth that highlights your design. Using too much texture can detract from your design.
A simple design can be highlighted with a more robust texture, like 3 or 11.
A more detailed design usually benefits from a more subtle texture, like 1 or 6.
For fish designs, we have a variety of “water textures.” Nine is “half water.” Ten is “underwater.” Eleven is “full water” for example.
Contextual texture can be something we use for a specific design choice. Like the 4 texture is a frame with a dark center to show off a ram.
Also contextual; a custom carved texture, that can make an heirloom trout buckle even more special, because that carving is made from a photo of the family’s mountain retreat.
So consider your design goals and how the texture of the buckle will help to create the best look for you. If you get stuck - do not worry - we’re happy to help if you want it.
The Inscription
The gift that keeps on giving.
We at Cityboy Forge are pretty fired up about inscriptions. Ask anybody. The front of the buckle speaks to the public. The front says: “Howdy! I’m into fishing!” But the inscription tells the story behind the buckle. (punintentional) The front of the buckle is a steelhead. The back of the buckle says: “Where steelhead” “When steelhead” “What guide got you into massive numbers?” “How many hooked?” “How many landed?”
And maybe it says “Who was there to back up your story.”
Your inscription might tell these stories: “Thanks for your years of service.” “Congratulations on your new ranch.” “Can’t believe you made it to 40!” “Thanks for the trip of a lifetime.” “To the best decision I ever made. Here’s to twenty five more years.” “To the man who taught me to catch fish - and also to expect to get skunked every once in a while.”
As a maker - the inscriptions mean a lot. Because it will mean even more to the person who wears the buckle.
And Now - The front of the buckle
Keeping the design simple, makes a better belt buckle.
By that, we mean, instead of trying to express your friend’s love of Nature and Architecture on the front of a buckle - its better to focus on something specific that they love about nature or architecture. Remember that the “canvas” we have is maybe 6 inches square -tops- so it works best when we focus on something specific that can be shown in detail and immediately recognized by this lucky person as soon as they open the box. A good rule of thumb is; “Is it recognizable by a stranger, from 5 feet away?” Because nobody wants a stranger to lean in close to see what’s on your belt buckle. Pretty sure about that.
Since you’re investing in a custom buckle - let’s not try to make one that everyone else has. You saw what the kittens had to show you - we’re not here to compete with the mass production market. So let’s take advantage of our collaboration to make a specific expression based as much upon what YOU want Cityboy forge to make.
In the form below tell us what you see in your mind’s eye and we’ll start there to guide the design process.When you see your custom buckle for the first time - the one YOU designed with our help - you will be thrilled to wear it, or proud to give it as a gift.
Pricing*
Materials and their affect on your budget.
*NEW: Pricing on orders placed prior to 12/31/23. Increases coming in 2024.
Since we work on so many custom designs, we came up with a pricing structure that’s focused on materials and complexity instead of trying to price each project individually. This streamlines your process when creating your buckle, because your budget can be a guide.
Each project has two major parts: The Buckle and The Design.
If the buckle is made of silver plated steel - that’s one price range. If the buckle is made of solid sterling silver - that’s another price range. In the grid, The Buckle is the left column.
The Design can be Copper/Bronze or Sterling Silver or it can be “Complex”, using more than one piece or more than one metal. In the grid The Design choices are across the top. It shows our price points for these material choices. Gold buckles or options aren’t listed - they’re priced separately, so feel free to contact the Boss for more info.