frugalolegeezer

I also have an old belt driven forge and I used an automotive serpentine belt on the fly wheel. It is one inch wide and no stretch. You can also adjust the belt on the forge by dropping the bearings down that attach to the legs This will tighten the belt also. The belt will not work on the drive mechanism because it is too stiff. Found this out by experience.

Yes it is clutch driven and I have one simaliar to yours. If you take the clutch apart be sure you document the way it is put together. I took mine apart and am having trouble getting it back together so it will work. As for the leather belts they must be very flexible to work right and they also must be put on the correct way. I did not take a picture of mine before I took it apart and am now regretting it.

Thier is no wrong way in making a knife for yourself. It is all in what pleases you not someone else. Looks good to me and if it suites the need you want to use it for, more power to you. Expeirment, experiment, expeirment.