Billykirk No. 117 Mechanics Belt

Got this belt from a friend of mine who runs an exquisite online shop that sells mainly Men's Fine Leather Accessories.

Been a fan OnlyBrown since years ago. And that day while I was looking at my Facebook page, he posted an update about the Mechanics Belt back in stock. I remembered seeing the belts back then from his website too. And just when I was looking for a new belt*, this post came right in time and poisoned me.

*If you remembered seeing my earlier posts, yes I did bought a belt just last month, the Levi's belt. But it was a bad purchase. Not that the quality isn't good (it really isn't that GOOD actually), just that I underestimated my waist size and bought 1-2 size smaller that I ought to be. So everytime I have to pull the belt to the max to get into the 1st hole. Bad.

And I was saying, after I saw his Facebook update, I immediately messaged him and the whole buying process, and delivery arranged within hours. Received the belt via courier the next day! All less than 24hours!

Thumbs up to you bro!

Here are some pictures of this awesome looking belt:

Packaging. I just love how they wrap their stuff.

And a handwritten note. Nothing beats a handwritten memo in today's society.

OnlyBrown

BillyKirk

Nice, thick leather.

Billykirk and their signature logo

Yeap, I'm a size 34

You must be wondering where are the holes?

There! Hidden behind the flap. Why is that so? More on the story to come.

Nice stiching that binds the 2 pieces of leather together.

Back of the leather. Nice finish!

Well the story behind the mechanics belt is interesting. The flap was used to protect the metal buckle from scratching the car paintwork, wore by the mechanics back then.

The Mechanics Belt is a Billykirk favorite and easily garners the most interest. Can be worn casual or with a suit. Our mentor's grandfather was making a similar belt for the auto industry back in the 50's and we loved how it functioned. The flap of leather covering the buckle protects the car's paint job from being scratched. A very simple but effective design and a true piece of Americana. We made ours slightly wider, changed the tips, and added some hand stitched details. Also popular with guitarists who don't want to bang up the back's of their guitars. Hand-burnished and edged. 1 1/4" wide. US sourced leather.

From Billykirk

No doubt this will be another belt of mine that will follow me for years. The first belt that stick with me that long, and still around, is the Swedish Army belt.

Looking forward to update more on this belt in time to come!

Kawatako 24oz Indigo Camera Case

Went in search of, yet another pouch. The first one that I owned, the leather one, was good but abit too much eye-catching. I don't want to look like a cowboy wannabe in the hot tropical Singapore. I just wanted a pouch to place some tools and maybe my iPhone when my pockets are full.

Searched around and almost went ahead with a typical black nylon one for outdoor hiking use. BORING!

Luckily I didn't check out the cart and searched furthermore till I saw this from Self-Edge.

Very nice.
Very pricey.

But I LIKE! Sadly it was SOLD OUT!

Images courtesy from Selectism

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Perfect size for my needs and the indigo color is Sweeeet!

But then again, it was depressing to see it's Sold Out. But my Never-say-die attitude pushes me to search more on it. Thanks to Google Chrome auto translate function, I found the manufacturer homepage, in Japanese.

Kawatako website has got a product that is similar, but I think its not the same. But its ok, the one they have in their webstore looks great too! (and cheaper)

This is what I bought: LINK

Took about 2 days for the domestic shipping. Now its on the way to Singapore! Can't wait!

Timberland Earthkeepers: Update

After almost a year of daily wearing, I have to say I am impressed with this pair of boots. My initial impression wasn't too good on it. Why? First the leather was very thin (and soft) and after 2 pairs of Red Wings, the first Timberland was heavily compared.

What I like about this pair is that it looks like any lace-on boots, WITHOUT the lace-on hassle! PERFECT! And the shape of it looks beautiful.

Look how dirty they are. Gonna clean them with Obenauf's Leather Cleaner and they will be good as new!

First day out with Timberland Tremont Chelsea

Timberland Tremont Chelsea Boot

Due to work practicality, I am now more inclined to wearing Chelsea boot. It offers best of both worlds to me as it looks and feels like a decent pair of boots, and at the same time I don't have to tie & untie the laces. I still missed wearing my RW 9013. Just that it is too much trouble to undo the laces every time I go to client's house.

Bought this pair of Timberlad Tremont during the Black Friday 2013 sale. It costs me about $90USD. Pretty good price compared to local Timberland store. Perhaps I need to fork out at least $150 for the same pair? Just a rough guess cos I didn't really go out and find out the actual price. But based on past experience, it is DEFINITELY cheaper to get from Amazon. (love ya amazon!)

Ok here's what I like about this pair of boots:

Overview

Looking tough & sturdy!

Leather grains

2-tone stitching

Tough looking leather, Full Grain?

Sturdy and non slip soles.

Very nice boots on first impression. Love the contrasting color stitching and the leather grains. Much thicker leather compared to my previous Timberland. With the thicker leather comes heavier weight. Hopefully I will get used to it soon.

What I Don't Like about this:

Wore it out yesterday for the first time and boy have I regretted. The boot bit my heels so bad I was limping when nearing the end of the day. I wasn't expecting such "toughness" as my previous Timberland requires 0 break-in. I thought this would be the same too. Afterall, who would had expected this to bite more than the Red Wing!?

Another thing that I don't like, the insoles. It felt cheap and lousy as compared to my previous Earthkeepers. This is just a normal insole with no value add.

Thin and without support.

My previous Earthkeepers with Anti Fatigue insoles.

Pardon the dirt. Been wearing this almost everyday for the past year.

Overall, hope this will be my daily beaters after its been broken in. And perhaps I will drop by a Timberland store tomorrow to get a Anti Fatigue insole.

Levi's 501 Jeans & Belt

Saw a great offer on levi.com that all items were on 40% sale!

Initially, I thought why not just browse the items and add into cart.

Chose a 501 Original Fit Jeans - Rinse. Added into cart. When I saw the price after discount I almost fell off my chair. It only costs USD$28.80!!!!!! My goodness, the same pair could had easily costs more than SGD$100 in Singapore!

As I further shopped for more great bargains, decided to get a belt too and got the Leather Belt - Tan, for USD$22.80.

Here are the pictures of my hoot!

 Jeans & Belt

Levi's signature logo

A little disappointed to see the "Made in China" though :/

Stitching was alright.

Leather looks thick, but feels very soft

The Leather belt felt soft and definitely not full grain leather. Well, I have to say I expect a little more from Levi's and from the price I pay. I could easily get a much better quality and unbranded belt from the local leather artisans here.

Jeans-wise, no complaints and definitely good stuff, as you'd expect from Levi's. I got the Raw jeans last year from Levi's website too. Was disappointed to see there's no selvedge (self-edge) so I decided to get something different this year.

Next, while waiting for my Timberland boots to arrive, maybe I'd put some LP on the belt.

Black Friday hoot!

Hoot - Singlish term; referring to damage done to a person or an object. In this case, its damage done to my wallet :(

Didn't buy much leather goods this Black friday 2013. Just got my DHL parcel containing my Levi's jeans and belt. Can't wait to go home and show you guys the picture. At 40% off, I really don't have much to ask for. But if its really as awesome as the pics are, its a bonus!

Next shipment will have a Timberland boots that I hoot! Stay tuned!