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Buckaroo tool belt vs occidental.

ive

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Hi all. Looking for a new tool belt. I knew about occidental but just found out about buckaroo.

I’m buying a fixer upper home and am looking to do as many renovations as I can myself.

does anyone have experience with any? Pros and cons?
 
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sparky 1971

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I have several Occidental bags. One set up for framing and and two for electrical work. The bags are awesome, but I hate the belts. It might be because I'm fat, but the belt is just too stiff to get tightened up enough to stay put. I use the Klein 2" belt.

I've never heard of Buckaroo so I can't help much there.
 

pl_silverado

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I bought a buckaroo setup before I started building my house. Worth every penny. Comfortable from day 1, not as bulky as the occidental either.

I’d buy another one in a heartbeat if I had to replace mine.
 

Gummi Bear

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No experience with either of the brands mentioned above, but I'd like to offer another suggestion to look at.

I've worn Boulder Bags for 20+ years. Very comfortable, and lots of choices on how you'd like it to be configured.


They're not cheap, but last a long time. Made in USA also.
 
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ive

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I have several Occidental bags. One set up for framing and and two for electrical work. The bags are awesome, but I hate the belts. It might be because I'm fat, but the belt is just too stiff to get tightened up enough to stay put. I use the Klein 2" belt.

I've never heard of Buckaroo so I can't help much there.
Hi Sparky.
I’m fat too so this doesn’t fare well for occidental. Thank you for letting me know about the belts.
 
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I

ive

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I bought a buckaroo setup before I started building my house. Worth every penny. Comfortable from day 1, not as bulky as the occidental either.

I’d buy another one in a heartbeat if I had to replace mine.
Thank you Silverado. The buckaroo seems like the way to go.
 
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ive

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No experience with either of the brands mentioned above, but I'd like to offer another suggestion to look at.

I've worn Boulder Bags for 20+ years. Very comfortable, and lots of choices on how you'd like it to be configured.


They're not cheap, but last a long time. Made in USA also.
I’m looking at Boulder bags now. Thank you gummy bear.
 
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ive

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Thanks Silverado. I never thought of using my old bags. I have a Cadillac now, suspenders and bags are great, but it’s just a normal belt.
 

KnurledNut

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@ive
If you’re new to this, and over 30 years of age, its gonna be hard to acclimate to leather bags.
The Oxy Lights ATF it a great setup, especially with the Stronghold Lights.
 
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dscheidt

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@ive
If you’re new to this, and over 30 years of age, its gonna be hard to acclimate to leather bags.
The Oxy Lights ATF it a great setup, especially with the Stronghold Lights.
I don't see the point of leather bags. Yes, they're gorgeous. Yes, they'll last a long time. But they're expensive, and heavy. Nylon bags are going to last too, if they're good, and they're much lighter.
 

Gummi Bear

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Thanks Silverado. I never thought of using my old bags. I have a Cadillac now, suspenders and bags are great, but it’s just a normal belt.
Maybe just a better belt then? Getting a padded one is a game changer.

Something like this maybe?


You can add suspenders if you like them, or maybe move yours over from your old belt.
 
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egdede

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I have a dark oiled craftsman branded belt purchased in 95. Not sure who the manufacturer was. It is so well built. I wore it for 3 years in the trades until I finished college. Mostly WE duty. the older I get the heavier it seems. I might give it to someone and buy a nylon rig just thinking about it.
 

rockinacummins

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No experience with Buckaroo, but I used Occidental’s professionally as an iron worker/welder for several years. No complaints, held up well.
 
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thr3squared

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I've used Occidental as a carpenter and they are well worth the money. First set was leather with strong hold suspenders, and second set was nylon with a cheap suspenders from CLC. As said above leather is amazing, but weight is very important....my advice is KEEP IT LIGHT AS POSSIBLE.

Two other options (thought I haven't used them) are Badger and Diamondback. You may want to look them up.
 
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dscheidt

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I have a dark oiled craftsman branded belt purchased in 95. Not sure who the manufacturer was. It is so well built. I wore it for 3 years in the trades until I finished college. Mostly WE duty. the older I get the heavier it seems. I might give it to someone and buy a nylon rig just thinking about it.
I saw a gorgeous set of latigo leather bags in an antique store a couple years ago. Absolutely amazing leather, construction, etc. they'd clearly been heavily used, the nail pouches showed wear and a couple repairs. I've seen fancy saddles not as nice, nor made with as thick leather. I nearly got a hernia, just picking them up off the hook they were hanging on. They must have weighed 10 pounds empty. I can't imagine wearing them, and running over rafters all day.
 
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Under_Pressure

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I've used Occidental as a carpenter and they are well worth the money. First set was leather with strong hold suspenders, and second set was nylon with a cheap suspenders from CLC. As said above leather is amazing, but weight is very important....my advice is KEEP IT LIGHT AS POSSIBLE.

Two other options (thought I haven't used them) are Badger and Diamondback. You may want to look them up.
Diamondback for years was the gold standard in nylon bags, and may still be. They were pretty much all completely custom and made to order; the drawback was they were a mom and pop shop, so this meant you'd generally be waiting months until you got your stuff. Several years ago they were bought by someone else, and pretty much did a 180- rather than exclusively custom, they became more or less exclusively stock (though they have a wide selection of configurations to choose from). But, now almost everything is in stock and ships that day. Their stuff does tend to be a little bit "fussy" though, with lots of little pockets for individual tools and stuff that some people don't like. They do have options with fewer, bigger pockets, you just need to pay attention. They are also expensive AF for a non-custom product; with a belt and a couple bags and one or two other accessories, you'll almost always be over $400. But they're nice, and I actually just had a new set arrive yesterday. I will say that they gouge you for shipping (basically 20 bucks every time you buys something) and make it really difficult to do exchanges, which on something like a tool belt/bags where you kind of have to get it to know if it will work the way you want, really *****. Especially considering the price point on these.

Badger has a lot of similarities to Diamondback, because the guy that started Badger used to make Diamondback bags and left to start his own thing when they got bought out. Honestly, I probably would have bought Badger bags all else being equal, but because Badger operates more like the old Diamondback, there is not a lot in stock and lead times are long. At least the last time I looked.
 
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ive

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Hi everyone. Thank you all for the guidance. Sorry for the late reply,

I think I’m gonna go with buckaroo. I had a leather belt and feel I’m not really moving on from the leather belt I currently have if I get a occidental.

I’d love to see a badger in real life. I’d love one.

thanks so much everyone.
 

KnurledNut

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One thing that drives me crazy about both of these companies (and others) is the lack of carry handles.
Such a simple feature that makes a world of difference.
I added them myself to my Oxys.
 
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ive

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@ive
One thing that drives me crazy about both of these companies (and others) is the lack of carry handles.
Such a simple feature that makes a world of difference.
I added them myself to my Oxys.
That’s a great idea. Thank you.
 
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