I'm fairly young at 27. My idea of recently is the last 5-6 years or so. When I first starting paying attention to defensive firearm related stuff outside of the military was around 2013 or so. Around that time, all I really saw was 1.75" belts. That could have been a byproduct of my always wearing one growing up, and while in the service. It could have been based on my knowledge level at the time as well. Around that time frame I was mimicking the typical gun guy lines and incorrect idioms, espousing "Hybrid Holsters" and not knowing any better. I seriously regret some of the things that I thought and said regarding defensive firearms during my first year or so of carrying.
Yeah, the Blackhawk belt was pretty stupid. I was a 19 year old Specialist in the National Guard on deployment when I bought it. It was handy for carrying an M9, magazines, and multitool OWB, but the rappelling hookup was useless and in the way. I did use it in my personal life later when I started carrying strong side IWB, but didn't care for the obnoxious buckles.
All of my pants and shorts (save dress pants that are worn sparingly) accommodate a 1.75" without issue. Maybe I seriously underestimated the amount that others wear dress pants. I truly haven't experienced any pants fit related issues with 1.75" belts. I was always under the impression that 1.5" and 1.75" belts were both equally standard. Perhaps that was never the case, and it was just my total misunderstanding.
The low demand would suggest I was just completely mistaken that 1.75" and 1.5" were ever equal standards. I just always thought they were, but perhaps I just grew up managing to never really get exposed to 1.5" belts.
I didn't know that it was so difficult to source webbing for 1.75" stuff. Seems like this is material availability driving what's offered, at the same time customer demand drives what material is available. Either way, the fact you're making quality belts is pretty obvious.
-Cory