Shortening the length on a Ring belt.

[JJames]

My family and I had our first venture wearing garb this weekend! LOL, for whatever reason, I was oddly nervous, guess when its ur first time doing something its the "unknown" or concern of "does it look right" that seems to be playing in mind..I had a great time however ... anyhow, my belt is really long; I believe it is this exact one; http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/Medieval_Ring_Belt_BTS-2550c.html. The problem is, when I wear it, the end that is hanging down is 3 - 4 four inches from the ground, needless to say, ti was kind of annoying to have the thing flapping and kickcing it around... so, my question is, can this belt be cut? or is there something else I can do w/ the excess belt end? If I can cut it myself, how much should I cut? and what should I use to cut it with? I have other questions but we'll just stay on topic w/ this... many thanks folks...

[Kruzar]

First off.. Congrats on your first foray into wearing garb...

To answer your question, yes you can cut length off the belt.  And really how much you cut off is really up to you.  When I was wearing a belt similar to yours, I cut off a good bit of it, but I still kept around a foot or a little more for extra length.  You want to allow for a little room for growth, and you need to have enough there to properly tie the belt.

As to what to use to cut it.. just about anything will do.. a good exacto knife or pair of scissors should get through the leather.. or of course you could get leather cutters from the hobby store as well.

Good Luck..  and just remember once you cut it.. you can't re-attach it.. so measure twice, cut once...

[LadyShadow]

I can attest to the exacto knife.  Hubby and I use that most of the time to cut our leather.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

If you have a good shoe repair shop, I would take it there.

[DonaCatalina]

I bought leather shears from Tandy 20 years ago and I use them for cutting plastic cable and leather. They were guaranteed to never need sharpening and so far they are still as sharp as when I bought them.

[Marietta Graziella]

If there's room, wrap it around twice!  That's how I wear my belts.

[JJames]

Thank you all, I liked ur Idea Marietta Graziella , ha ha, and I tried it but it lacks 4 inches or so for a 2nd go around. I will simply cut it, as I dont think I could tolerate it when I hit the faire again.

[Celtic Lady]

What the vendor who sold my son his ring belt told him was that the longer the belt the richer one was.... kind of a status symbol thing. Not sure how true it was but he went with it... lol.

[LadyFae]

I've heard that too, Celtic Lady!

[Hoowil]

I heard that the style for the long belt came from the knight/chevalier. If your belt was long enough, it could be used in a pinch to replace broken harness, such as saddle girths. Of course, the mounted warrior would have been well off, and the idea could easily have shifted to a status symbol.
But then, I've not ever really thought to try to confirm the story one way or the other, so it could be all hot air.

[angusmacinnes]

It was actually an extra belt they wore for the purpose you mentioned and the trend became medevil fashion. Or at least that is the information I have. 

Other than cutting the belt off is it too short to wrap around twice?  Just a thought.

[Goody]

and u can use the portion u cut off for other purposes like a mugholder

[Scribe_Wear]

for ring belts they say that it should end about the knee caps