First, ignore the reviews that this belt is too hard/difficult to remove, it's not, people who think it probably won't fit wear the belt at all . As for the belt itself, the buckle appears to be made of good metal. 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.