MMT Specialist Belts Now in More Colorways

[SAWBONES]

I'm really enjoying my specialist - some feedback though, it's a bitch to get the belt to feed back through the buckle to undo it since it's a near interference fit between the buckle and the width of the webbing that goes through it.

That's the very feature combination I most appreciate in the Specialist.

The close fit between the metal buckle and the polymer belt material makes the stability of the "closed" belt almost absolute, since it's far more dependent on friction than on the tail staying in place via hook-and-loop adhesion.

It takes a little extra trouble to thread the belt through the metal buckle, but if you like the belt tight, as I do (for enhanced concealment in AIWB), it provides for a more solid lock than does the polymer buckle, which, while looser and quicker to thread, doesn't grab the belt tail as strongly, and it can slip backward prior to engaging the hook-and-loop, which never happens with the metal buckle.

To each his own, of course.
I have several examples of the belts with both buckle types, but I wear the metal buckle ones 90% of the time.

[jeep45238]

Thanks for the reaching out we appreciate hearing your feedback.

In regard to the difficulty experienced when threading the tail through the buckle and over the center bar; this is by design that it is not easy. The Specialist Pro was designed as the name states for professional use and the number one piece of feedback that we have had over the years is that more active retention of the tail was desired (over the previous Graith Specialist with cast brass buckle). The Specialist Pro is one of the most if not the most secure hook and loop closure low profile belts around.

The buckle on the pro was selected for a number of reasons, the number one reason outside of being small is the narrow interior dimensions and the sharp angular corners, this makes for a buckle that interacts with the tail in the desired manner which is giving it the most retention possible. Additionally mil-spec webbing believe it or not is not very consistent from lot to lot, from mill to mill, or even color to color, so this buckle allows for the variation in material width but also the turn of cloth when dealing with varying thicknesses of webbing.

If you wish to have a belt that is easier and quicker to put on and take off I would suggest looking into an AIR, they are the same belt with the exception of the buckle. The buckle on the AIR is a very strong polymer and for how it will be used in a belt is just as durable as the steel but it is easier to thread on and off because of the reduction of friction both because of the material but also because it features rounded surfaces on the interior of the buckle. There are also friction ridges molded onto each bar of the buckle which allow the buckle to retain the webbing, and when combined with the construction of the Specialist tail offers a high amount of retention, not as much as the PRO but a lot more than most any other low profile buckles out there.

Although we do not recommend it for anyone that decides they do not need active retention of the tail you can skip threading the tail over the center bar on either belt, it is much easier but this means that you are relying on the hook and loop closure only.

That's the very feature combination I most appreciate in the Specialist.

The close fit between the metal buckle and the polymer belt material makes the stability of the "closed" belt almost absolute, since it's far more dependent on friction than on the tail staying in place via hook-and-loop adhesion.

It takes a little extra trouble to thread the belt through the metal buckle, but if you like the belt tight, as I do (for enhanced concealment in AIWB), it provides for a more solid lock than does the polymer buckle, which, while looser and quicker to thread, doesn't grab the belt tail as strongly, and it can slip backward prior to engaging the hook-and-loop, which never happens with the metal buckle.

To each his own, of course.
I have several examples of the belts with both buckle types, but I wear the metal buckle ones 90% of the time.

Thanks for taking the time to reply Mac. I understand tolerances - there's little doubt in my mind about what variances you deal with on your supply stock given it's non-solid 'block' style of nature. I appreciate the active retention and the low profile - I just think there's a way to make it easier to undo for taking a piss (I have to drink a lot of water). Reducing the height of the tail (and only the tail) by about 1/16th of an inch and giving a burnish/melt of some sort on the edge would allow it to pass easily through the buckle and back over the center bar, not taking away from any retention value or the low profile or the strength while making it a tad bit easier to thread back though the other way.

In this way, you get the retention, not reliant upon sole the velcro, and a bit easier to get the bladder empty when the gas station pisser door finally opens after a pot of coffee and a liter of cola make their way through. For what it's worth, I have what I think is the predecessor to the air in grey from MMT, and the Specialist blows it out of the water.

[Mack]

@Mack,

Although I shouldn't be, I'm always surprised at the amount of thought/design that you packed into your products. That's some quality stuff, right there.

Thank you for the compliment we appreciate it very much!

Thanks for taking the time to reply Mac. I understand tolerances - there's little doubt in my mind about what variances you deal with on your supply stock given it's non-solid 'block' style of nature. I appreciate the active retention and the low profile - I just think there's a way to make it easier to undo for taking a piss (I have to drink a lot of water). Reducing the height of the tail (and only the tail) by about 1/16th of an inch and giving a burnish/melt of some sort on the edge would allow it to pass easily through the buckle and back over the center bar, not taking away from any retention value or the low profile or the strength while making it a tad bit easier to thread back though the other way.

In this way, you get the retention, not reliant upon sole the velcro, and a bit easier to get the bladder empty when the gas station pisser door finally opens after a pot of coffee and a liter of cola make their way through. For what it's worth, I have what I think is the predecessor to the air in grey from MMT, and the Specialist blows it out of the water.

One thing that may help when taking the belt off is to hold the buckle securely while feeding the tail section through, once enough of the tail has passed through it should be fairly easy to grab the little loop the tail has formed and then slide the remainder of the tail through the buckle. If you do not hold onto the buckle itself it will be pretty challenging to quickly remove the tail and remove the belt. It does sound like the AIR will do pretty much what you want from your current belt, it is easier to take on and off, and is very secure and strong.

As said before we appreciate the feedback but the PRO is how the majority of our customers want it and we won't be changing anything. Also it is not possible to modify the belt how you describe because of how webbing is made it cannot be narrowed in width; by removing the edges of the webbing it will ruin it. If you melted the lengths that were reduced or if they were simply reduced by melting itself after a short amount of use the melted edges would begin to crack and the webbing would begin to fall apart. Additionally any modification to the webbing or buckle even if possible would add a tremendous amount of time to the production of the belts which would result in a significant increase in price to the belts which goes against what MMT is about.

[J0hnny]

Thanks for the support, we appreciate it very much! Over the years we have a lot of customers make the switch from riggers style belt to a Specialist. It should prove to be a much different experience than your other belt.

This belt is fantastic. Light weight, zero print buckle and just the right amount of flexibility. As usual, PF wisdom is strong.

[Mack]

This belt is fantastic. Light weight, zero print buckle and just the right amount of flexibility. As usual, PF wisdom is strong.

Thanks for taking time to post and for the support! We are very happy to hear that you are liking your Specialist.

[rca90gsx]

Just received my first one, ordering a 2nd one for a spare. That is how well I like it!

Thanks for taking time to post and for the support! We are very happy to hear that you are liking your Specialist.

[Mack]

Just received my first one, ordering a 2nd one for a spare. That is how well I like it!

Thanks for the support! We are very happy to hear that the Specialist is working for you. Thanks again.

[Mack]

Also for anyone that missed our previous post on page 2 we are currently running a limited time FREE US shipping promo.

Use the following code out checkout: FS20

[Naddington]

Also for anyone that missed our previous post on page 2 we are currently running a limited time FREE US shipping promo.

Use the following code out checkout: FS20

I tried using the code and it said that "This discount is no longer available"

[GearFondler]

Also for anyone that missed our previous post on page 2 we are currently running a limited time FREE US shipping promo.

Use the following code out checkout: FS20

I noticed that on Saturday... When I placed my order. And it should be here on Friday... That's pretty impressive, all things considered.