savage_here Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 OK, so I was inspired by the people that have started making their own straps. So, I went out and bought some tools to try my luck. I started with some scrap leather that I picked up and learned how to stitch and some of the finer points of cutting, finishing, etc. Once I had made three attempts (that actually all turned out fairly decently), I decided to buy some good leather and give it a "real" go. I was able to find some fantastic leather and the following is what I made. Here's the breakdown: Hand-selected hide and hand cut Skivved Joint on the short side Skivved where tubes and buckle go The long side is one piece, so no joint Hand-grooved for stitching Hand-waxed thread Double-needle hand-stitched (true hand stitching) Hand-beveled edges Hand-burnished edges and holes I have tried my hand at making buckles as well, but I did not put a sewn-in buckle on this strap. I really wish I would have though! It's on my wrist right now and the only thing that would have made it better is a hand-made buckle. You'll notice a bit of a color difference in the pics on the watch and those off because of a change in lighting. These are quick-n-dirty pics since I didn't have a lightbox set up, so bear with me. The actual color I would say is somewhere in between. It's sort of a PAV or lighter ammo strap color with beige stitch. Anyway, any comments would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecrow Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Looks great. How long did it take you to make? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 That is a really nice looking strap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HauteHippie Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Fantastic job. That is a sharp strap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Category 5 Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Far out! That's probably the best self produced strap I have seen yet. Great job! We want to see pics of the construction in progress now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltatahoe Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 wow -- great looking strap. where did you source the leather? that is a really nice hide. deltatahoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
section8 Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 Wow, that looks amazing With everyone trying their had at strap making lately, I feel like giving it a go too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage_here Posted February 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 (edited) Thanks for all the positive comments. The hide was sourced locally here in Houston and the strap probably took about 3 hours total to make. It's a bit hard to add up since there's quite a few steps involved and it was done over a couple of days. Believe me, unless you start machine stitching and have a lot of automated processes, one wouldn't be making much of an hourly rate if these were put up for sale (when tools and materials are factored in)! Edited February 28, 2007 by savage_here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pubus Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 fantastic strap I love the leather and Im pretty envy there is no local place here to find a hide of that quality Anyway what have you used for the edges? Looks like Crazy Horse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackseal Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 great work you did with this strap. would be nice if you post some pics on "the making of" this strap. i guess there are a lot of guys in here sewing their own straps... please continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonthebhoy Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 Very nice and especially for a first attempt. JTB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastergod Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 Damn that looks good. I really look how the strap looks from the side. Do you use some kind of dark wax on the edges to make the leather upside and downside look like they're "fused" together like that? Pls advice, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage_here Posted February 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 Damn that looks good. I really look how the strap looks from the side. Do you use some kind of dark wax on the edges to make the leather upside and downside look like they're "fused" together like that? Pls advice, That's the burnishing. The way I did it (and there are numerous methods) was to swab a bit of Gum Tragacanth onto the edges after beveling. Then I took a piece of heavy canvas on which I had rubbed a bunch of beeswax (just natural, not colored) and then worked into the canvas. You just start rubbing pretty vigorously on the edges. When it heats up a bit, the edge color starts to change a little and the loose leather fibers start to lay down. The edges starts to take on sort of a slick appearance and you're done. It's really time-consuming and fairly difficult to do, but the results are stunning. Much better than just slapping some Edge Kote on there and calling it a day. That pic that you referenced actually is a little darker than it really turned out. The ones on the watch show the true edge color a bit better. Cool process though! Best regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aronax Posted March 1, 2007 Report Share Posted March 1, 2007 Congrats !!! love it , looks vintaged as i like them keep on stiching... cheers, Aronax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadog13 Posted March 1, 2007 Report Share Posted March 1, 2007 really great looking straps...lately more and more members are doing this...it looks so easy...but damn if i could do so... great job...keep on doing it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage_here Posted March 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2007 If you are interested in a custom strap similar to the one posted, please pm me. Best regards, Scot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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