"No Buckle" Belts

"No Buckle" Belts FARM HOME Clothes 34-1-32 Belts with no buckles aren't new, but finding them has become more difficult. Andy Turbyfill operates a small home-based business to fill the niche with his No Scratch Belt. "I use the best leather I can get," the Bryson City, N.C., leather worker says. Customers appreciate the quality and the two-prong design that holds the belt securely in place. Originally designed for electricians and mechanics - who need to avoid metal that can conduct electricity or don't want to scratch vehicles they're working on - Turbyfill has discovered other groups who also like his belts. "They're very popular with musicians who don't want to scratch the back of their instruments," Turbyfill says. "And a lot of preachers like them for dress belts." Other customers have metal allergies, and the metal plate holding the two angled prongs is between the leather so no metal touches the body. Also the belts don't pinch like buckle belts on people that have stomachs that hang over the belt. Turbyfill also makes custom belts for companies by embossing their logo in the belt. "I'm doing some belts for a fire department. It's a good under belt to wear under a utility belt," he says. "And firemen don't want anything that is conductive." He notes there are some overseas versions of the belt, but they often only have one prong and the belt tends to twist. Turbyfill offers belts in black and brown, plain and basket weave designs. He sells 1 1/4-in. belts for $17.95 and 1 1/2-in belts for $19.95. Embossed logos are extra, unless 50 or more are ordered. The belts are available through Turbyfill's website. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Andy Turbyfill, A&T Leather, 234 Earls Rd., Bryson City, N.C. 28713 (ph 877 955-0055; www.mechanicsbelt.com).

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