There are advantages...

[Mesquite]

Of having some basic leather working skills

My watchstrap broke this evening so I thought I needed a replacement now but I want one that will last... so out comes the leather and a couple hours later I have a 100% genuine veg tanned leather strap.

It's still got to have a oiled finish applied but I'm please with it so far, especially as the fit is better than the original strap

 

[John Fenna]

Very nice!
I like a velcro strap so I have velcro mounted on veg tan

 

[joejoe]

very goodcan you make one for a 40 year old timex

 

[Karl82]

nice one Steve.

 

[Mesquite]

Cheers guys

Very nice!
I like a velcro strap so I have velcro mounted on veg tan

I had the buckle from the original strap so thought waste not etc

very goodcan you make one for a 40 year old timex

Not much difference between a Timex that's less than a year old and one that's 40

 

[John Fenna]

As to an oil finish - I left my veg tan straps unfinished but with wearing them constantly they have turned almost black with the oil from my skin. I say "them" as I have more than one so I can wash them now and then - so it aint just dirt!

 

[sasquatch]

Nice one Steve. How thick was the leather used?

 

[Dreadhead]

nice job there

 

[Still Waters]

Looks good and should last a long time

 

[spandit]

Great work - need to make a new one for my watch too as it broke and the new strap isn't very comfortable (despite saying "genuine leather" I don't think it is). Did you skive the leather where it goes round the pins?

 

[Mesquite]

Nice one Steve. How thick was the leather used?

It was about 1.5mm thick goat skin Chad

Did you skive the leather where it goes round the pins?

Nope... It was thin enough to go around the pins without any trouble. The only bit I skived was the joint down by the buckle. You can just see the joint in the second picture

 

[John Fenna]

Great work - need to make a new one for my watch too as it broke and the new strap isn't very comfortable (despite saying "genuine leather" I don't think it is). Did you skive the leather where it goes round the pins?

"Genuine leather" can be leather dust and chippings bound in a resin base... you need to look for "Full Grain Leather" for decent straps - but they are few and far between!

 

[spandit]

"Genuine leather" can be leather dust and chippings bound in a resin base... you need to look for "Full Grain Leather" for decent straps - but they are few and far between!

Think we covered this in a previous thread of mine. I think half the strap is leather but the rest is vinyl - I must try making my own strap anyway!

 

[grey-array]

Nice one Steve, looking good
And it is always my motto it better to have the skill to make something then have the money to buy another
Yours sincerely

 

[R.Lewis]

Very nice strap, Steve. Will last far better too!

Nice one Steve, looking good
And it is always my motto it better to have the skill to make something then have the money to buy another
Yours sincerely

Too true Ruud! I agree 100% with that statement, I try and do that all the time. May take longer but far better in the end