Our signature die-cast buckles are made from the best and strongest buckle material available. Under "normal" wear conditions, our buckles should last for years and will not rust, pit or bend. Each buckle is finished and polished by hand, ensuring that each buckle adheres to Mascot's high standards of quality. We produce our buckles in two widths - 3/4” width for small and medium sizes, and 1” width for large and x-large sizes.
We finish our buckles several ways, depending on the collar they are paired with.
Enamel - our enameled buckles allow us to offer the bright fun buckle colors. Our enamel process is “baked and ground”. This means that the outline of our signature bone buckle is over-filled w/ liquid enamel. The entire buckle is then baked to set the enamel. Once cooled, the enamel is then ground down to a smooth and brilliant color. This process ensures that the enamel will not chip or flake off, and that the color clarity will always remain like new. All of our enamel buckles are paired with a shiny nickel metal finish.
Antique Silver - While the core of the buckle is die-cast, we apply an antique silver finish to the outer layer. This finish is extremely durable and will not flake or chip.
Antique Brass - A similar antique process to the silver allows us to achieve an authentic aged brass finish. This finish is extremely durable and will not flake or chip.
Our Vintage Horseshoe Toggle is cast from solid brass. This is the best and strongest hardware material available. Our solid cast brass toggle will not rust, pit, or bend. Under “normal” wear conditions, our toggles should last for years - many summers of swimming, rolling, digging, and sleeping. Each toggle is finished and polished by hand. This ensures that each toggle adheres to Mascot's high standards of quality. Finished in antique brass, the Vintage Horseshoe Toggle has a wonderful aged brass patina that compliments this authentic design.
Our resin bone toggles are just that - a toggle in a bone shape that is molded from resin. The beauty of this material is that it is extremely lightweight, it can take on any color in the rainbow, and it is incredibly strong. Our resin bone toggles can withstand 220 lbs. of pressure before they will bend. We have yet to have one break! It may be a surprise to you, but dogs are able to apply 2x their body weight on the buckle clasp of their collar. For these reasons, you can be assured that your mascot will be secure in one of our toggle collars.
Our ID Tags are cast from solid brass. Brass is the best material to use for hardware because it will not rust, tarnish, pit, or bend. Once cast, the mold is then filled with enamel that is baked into place. The ID's are then ground and polished by hand to achieve a brilliant saturated color and shine. The baked enamel process ensures that the enamel is extremely durable and will not chip or flake. The metal finish on all of our tags is shiny nickel. Since the base metal of our ID's is brass, the engraving quality is similar to fine jewelry. This means that the id information is deep and legible, and will not easily scratch off. Each id is delivered to the customer with a matching steel s-hook that attaches to the dog's collar.
All of our Mascot charms are solid 3-dimensional charms cast from solid brass, and hallmarked with the Mascot logo. Solid brass base metal ensures that our charms will not rust, tarnish, or pit. We offer two finishes - antique silver and antique brass (please see buckle finishes for a description). Each charm is delivered to the customer with a steel s-hook that attaches to the dog's collar.
All of our logo rivets are cast from solid brass, which ensures a quality long life free from rust or deterioration. Enamel is then applied to the cast rivet shape, and baked to set the enamel. The entire piece is then ground and polished by hand to achieve the saturated color and shine. This process also ensures that the enamel is extremely durable and will not easily chip or flake.
Our side-release buckles are constructed from a clear polycarbonate plastic (PC). PC is an extremely strong, lightweight, and stable plastic material that is used widely from bullet-proof windows, to compact discs and computers, to greenhouse walls, to automobile headlamps. Unlike other plastic materials, PC is a heat-resistant and shatterproof plastic. For these reasons, we commissioned our side-release buckles be constructed from this incredibly strong material.
Unlike most all of our competitors, our side-release buckles all come with a measured breaking strength. It may be a surprise to you, but dogs are able to apply 2x their body weight on the buckle clasp of their collar. With this in mind, our clear side-release buckles hold to the below strengths: