The Sun Belt

[neojacksparrow]

So I'm trying to upgrade my belts and I was able to get ahold of Jack's Anna Maria buckle, but I can't find his sun buckle. So does anybody have one they'd be willing to part with? PM me please

Thanks!

[Mojo Turbo]

Believe it or not, this is one of the toughest parts of the costume. ACME has the closest around (although I am sure Cristian will disagree with me) and I "believe" Empire Worldwide uses an ACME (if not an ACME recast) on his belt.

Many have made their own - as always do some leg work - compare pictures and make the best choice that fits your style and budget.

[Button It]

Believe it or not, this is one of the toughest parts of the costume. ACME has the closest around (although I am sure Cristian will disagree with me) and I "believe" Empire Worldwide uses an ACME (if not an ACME recast) on his belt.

Many have made their own - as always do some leg work - compare pictures and make the best choice that fits your style and budget.

The actual buckle is curved which makes it very difficult to make a 100% copy just looking at pictures of the original. To my eyes the ACME buckle looks a little too narrow, square and green to be 100% perfect, but at present there isn't all that much out there that's any better. It's definitely the easiest to model, however if you're wearing it a lot the buckle does come under stress so metal is probably the way to go

[Mojo Turbo]

Thank you Simon for that tid-bit

[Cap.cristianSparrow]

Mojo you are right.. ( the part about disagree LOL... ) but is nothing else on the market so acme is the way to go for all the sparrows Around.
Simon your double right.

[Mojo Turbo]

last I heard round these parts is that SOMEONE made a more accurate buckle..... hmmmm?

[Cap.cristianSparrow]

[Captain McCool]

Yeah, I always felt the original had a sort of curve to it. I never liked the completely square versions out there. And the super-green patina on ACME's was always a bit much for me. But overall these are very minor nitpicks. Who's going to notice other than us?

[Button It]

Yeah, I always felt the original had a sort of curve to it. I never liked the completely square versions out there. And the super-green patina on ACME's was always a bit much for me. But overall these are very minor nitpicks. Who's going to notice other than us?

I think the same can apply to most things on the costume though for us. The moment you're conscious that something is wrong it does nag away at you. I'm not sure I could be seen dead in my first costume now, but the reactions I get now barely differ from that day. Of course if you have two Jacks in the same place the human memory is a wonderful thing and it can usually tell which one is nearer the correct one quite quickly.

[HBJack]

Cristian -

How do you think it's best to make my ACME Flower buckle look more OST in color? The new buckle isn't green or copper patina. Any thoughts?

[Button It]

Cristian -

How do you think it's best to make my ACME Flower buckle look more OST in color? The new buckle isn't green or copper patina. Any thoughts?

A wire brush would take some of the edge off the patina, however if you do too much you'll end up removing the aged brass finish too and end up with something too shiny.

[Cap.cristianSparrow]

shiny you said?...

yeah simon is right..be careful .

the color is brown..brass really weathered color...

[Captain McCool]

I think the same can apply to most things on the costume though for us. The moment you're conscious that something is wrong it does nag away at you. I'm not sure I could be seen dead in my first costume now, but the reactions I get now barely differ from that day. Of course if you have two Jacks in the same place the human memory is a wonderful thing and it can usually tell which one is nearer the correct one quite quickly.

Agreed wholeheartedly! For instance, I just made myself a new movies 1-3 waistcoat, and I LOVE it. Except that I forgot about how Jack's buttons and button holes go up just slightly past the curve of the neckline. Now I am kicking myself, because mine do not, heh.

[neojacksparrow]

As I'm about to embark on the journey of making my belts, thanks to Neon and upnorthjack , I had a few questions about them. First of all, what color dye do you recommend for the sun buckle's belt? And how many holes are in each belt?

[Captain McCool]

I highly recommend using Eco-Flo antique leather gel in a dark brown color. Perhaps mixed with a tiny bit of mahogany, if you want a very slight reddish hue to come through (although I see no red undertones in Jack's belt. I just happen to like that look). I've used this stain for just about all my recent leather projects and I could not be happier. The gel is designed to get into all the cracks, crevices, and textured areas of the leather and really bring them out, giving them... well, and antiqued look. Just like it says. Stuff looks amazing when it's finished! You can get it at pretty much any Tandy Leather store, if you've got one nearby.

The only problem with it, as far as I can see, is that it's a water based gel. Which means that if it gets wet at all it will bleed all over the place. But as long as you seal it really well with some sealing product or another you shouldn't have a problem.

[Captain McCool]

Sorry, that antique gel stain is by Eco-Flo, not Fiebings. Changed my original message to reflect the correct info.

[Sparrowed]

I scrubbed the patina off my buckle... Question is, did I scrub too much off??

[Captain McCool]

Nah, I think it's perfect! It still looks nice and aged, without being neon green. If you want to add a little more green over time, just let it get wet and don't dry it off right away. It'll create a fairly natural look. Otherwise, you can buy this stuff called "Sophisticated Finishes" at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc. and there's a greening agent (for lack of a better term) in that kit which works wonders. Just apply it liberally with a q-tip wherever you want more green.

But honestly, I think it looks pretty darn good, as-is.

[Sparrowed]

Thanks CMcC!
I used nail polish remover and a toothbrush.

[Mojo Turbo]

hmm, now I wonder if mine needs a good scrubbin'

http://jacksparrowcostuming.wikispaces.com/file/view/BothJackBeltslrg.JPG

[Bilge Rat]

Did a side by side of the original and the sun buckles that are usually available. Simon's and the new Acme Version 2. I just picked up my new ACME buckle and I have to say, I think Richard got really close to the SA look this time. It has a nice curve to it all the way around, lays real close to the body. My picture does not do it justice in it's shape, My angle is off a bit, and I should have shot it more square on, but I was trying to shoot it like the screen used buckle picture. Here they are for all to compare.

[Button It]

That photo probably doesn't show mine in the best light - I now pre-weather all mine before going out, which takes off the protective coating (that makes it looks a bit new and shiny) - nothing Sparrowlike ever looks quite right when it's not seen years at sea! Richard's still looks a little narrow to my eyes, but definitely a much better improvement on his previous version, and I think between us there's a perfect buckle in there somewhere ;-)

[Captain McCool]

Yeah, I kinda' feel like at this point you can pretty much take your pick, because nearly all the replicas out there are getting honed to near perfection by this point.

[SHJack]

So true. I've got an "Empire Worldwide" buckle (including belt) and it's not that bad either - despite the stories I've heard so far.
Never asked where he got it from, though. I'm not really into speculating about who did a recast of whatnot, but jeez it was within my budget and is nicely done. All I care about, period.

Picture.

[Bilge Rat]

So true. I've got an "Empire Worldwide" buckle (including belt) and it's not that bad either - despite the stories I've heard so far.
Never asked where he got it from, though. I'm not really into speculating about who did a recast of whatnot, but jeez it was within my budget and is nicely done. All I care about, period.

Picture.

That sure looks like a recast of Acme's version 1 sun buckle,
I have one and when held up to your picture, it looks pretty much dead on to Richards!
The crescents are spaced exact and the tips of the crescents touch on the "petals" at the exact same spots!

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