When the strips of leather are cut from the hide in such lengths that the part termed the shoulder of the hide is utilised, a uniform lap of 8 inches is employed for all widths of belt. When the strips do not contain the shoulder of the hide, the following are the respective lengths of lap:—

Width of single belt.Length of lap.
1 to 41⁄2 inches41⁄4inches.
5 inches5 „
6 to 8 inches6 „
9 inches61⁄2„
10 to 14 inches7 „
15 to 24„8 „
All double belts are given a 6 inch lap.

Fig. 2697.

Another and excellent method of joining a belt, or of fastening two thicknesses together to form a double belt, is to sew it together with lace leather, as shown in [Fig. 2697]. The lace is in this case about 1⁄4 inch wide, the holes being pierced so as to have the lace diagonal, as shown in the cut. Sometimes four rivets are added at the joint as shown in the cut.

Fig. 2698.

Other methods of fastening the ends of leather belts are by means of metal hooks of various forms. [Fig. 2698] represents a fastening of this kind, the appearance of both sides of the joint being shown in the figure. In this case considerable leather is removed from the belt, but this is to some extent compensated for, because the hook holds each end of the belt in two places; that is to say, in the crook of the hook as well as at the end. This, however, while it has the effect of increasing the grip of the hook on the belt, still leaves the belt as a whole weaker, by reason of the removal of leather to form the holes.