First, ignore the reviews that this belt is too hard/difficult to remove, it's not, people thinking it's probably not allowed to wear belts. As for the belt itself, the metal buckle seems to be of good quality. It feels solid without looking bulky. It appears to be scratch resistant, although I don't handle it very roughly. The leather is decent and well stitched. The ratchet feels solid and shows no obvious wear. I loved how easy it was to trim the strap to get the perfect length/look I wanted. To remove the strap, simply release the tension (pull in your stomach) and pull a small lever away from your body and it should immediately slip off. To be honest I find it easier and more comfortable to wear, put on and take off than a traditional belt. I'll probably buy another one in brown soon.