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At Tobacco Road, every buckle is designed, built and finished with longevity in mind. To accomplish this, we implement strict standards of production with our suppliers. To begin with, the buckle designs must be functional and practical. Then, in the casting stage; the raw material (Zamac) must be of the purest source to insure proper surface reproduction and resistance to breaking. Finally, in the finishing stage; the plating should maintain sufficient microns of metals like copper, brass, nickel, silver and gold, to not flake, peal or oxidize. Last of all we inspect each buckle once received at our Miami Factory and again upon mounting and packing, to eliminate any damages due to transportation and handling.
Our premium leather belt straps are made using only eco-friendly Italian vegetable-tanned cow leather. The hides are produced in using an all natural process taking more than forty days to complete. Ingredients include powders extracted from the trunk and the bark of the Chestnut and the Argentinean Quebracho trees, thus avoiding the use of harsh chemicals such as chromium (a highly toxic pollutant). These antique techniques are still practiced by a select few artisans in Tuscany, who pass their secrets down from generation to generation, creating the most unique, durable, and luxurious leathers known to man. Attached to each of our belts is an individually numbered tag authenticating it to be made with 100% vegetable extracts that are safe for the planet and man.
The first and utmost important feature of any belt is the buckle. Its success depends on the creativity, inspiration and skill of the guiding hand that sculptures the first original wax prototype. In order to consistently come up with unique and fashionable buckle designs, we promote the art work of many artists within Italy which is historically the center of artistic and fashion expression for the world. The artisans sentiment is reflected in each and every buckle we carry. We value the ancient artisan’s skill of hand carving and avoid the cold mechanical designs generated by computers. Like many mass produced goods, they lack refinement and human warmth and tend to be cold and uninspiring. They may be good for a car part, but certainly not to be worn by a sophisticated customer. Tobacco Road produces most of its belt straps using only the most original and highest quality Italian “vegtan” leathers in the world. These leathers are not only fashion forward, but are made with respect for the environment by avoiding the use of harsh chemicals such as chromium (a highly toxic pollutant).