Anatomy of a Cityboy Forge Buckle
  
     
  We at Cityboy Forge are simple folk. Our buckles are made of simple parts. When ordering a buckle, knowing what these parts are called can make it easier for a client to tell the design team at Cityboy Forge just what it is that they want. On the front of the buckle pretty much every element can be customized. The back remains the same in most cases to ensure that the buckle fits the belt and holds the pants up properly.  
 
The Front of the Buckle.
  Anatomy 101  
 

Let's talk about the image above:

1. The "Body". It means the metal structure on which the buckle is built. Customizable in terms of material, shape and size. Usually the body is made of  hammered steel which is then shaped and sized to fit the decoration. Other materials could be silver, iron or copper fused steel.

2. The "Applied Design". In this case, a repousse copper trout. The applied design could be anything that's practical. You may have always wanted to wear a buckle with a cowboy hat on it. Applied Designs are limited only by your imagination.

3. The "Finish". Not because it's done last. The finish refers to the way the "Body" looks and feels. It can be hammered and buffed, like the one in the photo, or it can be left rough to highlight the "Applied Design". In any case, all rough edges are smoothed and the buckle is given a paste wax coating to help seal the metal.

  
     
     
 
The Backside of the Buckle.
  
  Backside Anatomy  
     
 

This is a busy photo. Most of the items are simply names for the parts on the buckle so relax, it won't take too long to cover.

1. The "Back". The back of the buckle is the main body to which all other parts are attached. It can be customized in many ways. Shape, material, finish and weight can all be adjusted to make you, the client, smile.

2. The "Hook". Pretty simply, it pokes through the hole in the belt.

3. The "Boss". One of two per buckle, these little guys, in concert with the hook and the bail, will keep your belt from being rendered useless.

4. The "Bail". The last of the "Four Horsemen of the Belt Attachment", the bail is what you snap your belt to. (Please don't end your sentences with prepositions, it's just not cool.)

5. The "Signature". Cityboy Forge only signs the buckles it actually makes. Sometimes the signature is like the one in this photo, and sometimes it's done one letter at a time. It will have the company name, the name of the maker, and a serial number. Depending on the buckle, they could be organized like this one, or they could be all Willy-Nilly.

6. The "Inscription". This is where you express yourself. This buckle was made for... Sam. (Very good. You've passed the test.) Space can be kind of tight, so we don't recommend that you request your Oscar Acceptance Speech be stamped on the back of your Oscar-Night buckle. (This means you, Mr. Malkovich.)

7. The "Applied Design Fastening Apparatus". I don't know the technical term for these. Sorry.

  
 
   
 
  All words and pictures © 2004-2008 WJG/Cityboy Forge. All use in any media prohibited without the written consent of the owner.