Disappointed...

[Mosco]

I always had a 'draw' toward handmade items - be it statuettes, watches, straps... I have been looking at having a strap made for my next watch (most likely a 312 or a 320). The small shop which I am entrusting it to are fairly well known, they do amazing leather work, mostly for custom Harleys. They have a large presence at the Cavalcade of Customs as well. One of the 'masterminds' stopped by my shop yesterday and I started showing him the straps I liked - Kaktus, Big Ammo, Micah Mauser.... Next words out of his mouth were: "these ain't handmade!" He went on to point out some of the signs of machining, ranging from stitching to holes, to the actual strap itself. Turns out, most of these straps are machine-cut and stitched, which, IMO, takes away from the uniqueness. Sure, the leather is hand-picked, but that's about the extent of it.

What do you guys suggest - the custom-made one is going to cost me a pretty penny, so I am not sure if I can keep having these guys make them (unless we make a business out of it, which may be likely). What maker do you suggest for the 'raw, utilitarian, rough' look and feel? I also like the strap to be robust and thick.

Thanks in advance!

[alphamale2012]

Hi Greg. I ordered 3 straps from gunnystraps.blogpost.com

Peter is a nice guy and if you like a vintage looking strap he is your man. Gd luck.

[mfer]

Greg, there are hand made ones out there. There are also machine stitched ones as well.

Look at Rob Montana's V1 & V2 line and Kevin's (adeeos) vintage line that he call's Adeeos style.

This one is from Rob and 100% hand made, to my exact specs. No machines here.

[AWATCH]

Hi Greg, I had a strap made by a friend in Poland , He did a really nice job. He is a TRF member if your interested - danielb8

[Mosco]

MF, I like that one... May I ask about the pricetag, if you don't mind? If you don't want to publicize it, you can PM me. Again, thanks, dude!

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by AWATCH

Hi Greg, I had a strap made by a friend in Poland , He did a really nice job. He is a TRF member if your interested - danielb8

Got pics?

[B. Doggy]

Big B all the way!!

[newmedia]

I would feel same way, disappointed knowing it now but if the quality and price is good, I would keep using it.

[mfer]

It's no secret. I think it was like $180 or $200 shipped.

Check out.

www.thestrapsmith.com

He'll work with you down to the exact stich if you like (that's what I did).

[mfer]

Originally Posted by B. Doggy

Big B all the way!!

Greg, also check out the Kevin/Adeeos/Big B.

These are 100% hand made as well. IMHO, Kevin and Rob make the best true 100% hand made.

There are many good makers out there, but they often use machines as you stated. These guys are hand made, unless stated otherwise. They are clear.

[AWATCH]

Originally Posted by Mosco

Got pics?

this is some of his work

[esm]

greg, after my research, im pretty certain i will be ordering a couple from Richard from Toshi straps here in london.
It seems he handmade all his straps.
A few members has bought from him and are very happy with his products.

[promethus]

You should check out Jason from JNS. All hand cut and hand made. He have exotic materials and some really nice color selection as well.

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by promethus

You should check out Jason from JNS. All hand cut and hand made. He have exotic materials and some really nice color selection as well.

Thanks, but don't like any but one (stitch-less) - too commercial and cookie-cutter. Definitely not hand made there...

[Idle Swede]

What about Micah in California?

He used to make beautiful, (all handmade) straps.

Is he still around?

[mfer]

Micah is still around. He does hand made and machine sewn/cut ones.

[Daytonaboy1977]

Originally Posted by mfer

Greg, there are hand made ones out there. There are also machine stitched ones as well.

Look at Rob Montana's V1 & V2 line and Kevin's (adeeos) vintage line that he call's Adeeos style.

This one is from Rob and 100% hand made, to my exact specs. No machines here.

Hey Mfer!! Love the strap - I currently have a Heroic 18 for the 312 but not put it on yet. Would love to get one of these though. Where did you get this one from??

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Daytonaboy1977

Hey Mfer!! Love the strap - I currently have a Heroic 18 for the 312 but not put it on yet. Would love to get one of these though. Where did you get this one from??

PM sent.

[CorruptedSanity]

I guess you could get around it by asking the strap maker to have it taper slimmer from the lugs down like 24/22 or you could have the strap maker have the thickness taper from the lug towards the buckle.

[vman]

You know, you could make a strap yourself if you really wanted to. That's my next venture :)

[danielb8]

Originally Posted by AWATCH

Hi Greg, I had a strap made by a friend in Poland , He did a really nice job. He is a TRF member if your interested - danielb8

Thanks Alex for good words:)
Cheers

Originally Posted by Mosco

He went on to point out some of the signs of machining, ranging from stitching to holes, to the actual strap itself. Turns out, most of these straps are machine-cut and stitched, which, IMO, takes away from the uniqueness. Sure, the leather is hand-picked, but that's about the extent of it.

I agree, some of strapmakers call their straps as 100% handmade whreas they are not. Patterns are widely popular, especially for the strap ending.

If we talk about stitching, this is how machine does it.


It is hardly reasonable to think it was intended by the maker. Why? It is less
durable - if one point breaks - it causes to break them all. Cant find picture showing how handmade stitch looks inside the leather.

On the picture bellow pretty unique stitch, im not sure is there any machine able to does it :)


Some people use also chisels for making 10 or more holes for stitch per once - im also not sure of them...

sth about my straps, I cut stripes from leather by myself using knife... im also dying leather by myself, okay Im not writing more about myself - this post is getting to much advertising...

[Mosco]

Daniel,

All this research today has caused me to possibly be your next competition Think I have pieces of the puzzle together to start having a few straps produced here and there. However - I think your designs are very interesting, that stitching is incredible. Now., I just have to find a Panerai I want to keep LOL

[Nica64]

Like Mfer says:

"Another one from Rob and 100% hand made, to my exact specs. No machines here."

Beautiful straps and great service!!

[Mosco]

Nica, that's one hot strap, man!

[ersnyder]

Some sweet strap pics here!

[danielb8]

Originally Posted by Mosco

I think your designs are very interesting, that stitching is incredible. Now., I just have to find a Panerai I want to keep LOL

Thank You Greg:) I will work on similar stitching probably tommorow, it is not my invention, however I have not seen it before on leather - boatswain uses it to sew sails.
Good luck then on Your Panerai:)

[Esexx]

Originally Posted by mfer

Greg, there are hand made ones out there. There are also machine stitched ones as well.

Look at Rob Montana's V1 & V2 line and Kevin's (adeeos) vintage line that he call's Adeeos style.

This one is from Rob and 100% hand made, to my exact specs. No machines here.

I want a Pam just for these bands!!!

I don't have one yet, but I'm sure by the end of the year I will have 1!!!! Now I have to find a Pam which will go well with a V1 series strap.

[daveathall]

I am also a big fan of Rob Montana, strap is beautiful and the customer service was superb.

Strap looks a tad tight because of the way Ive positioned my wrist for photographing, I actually wear it quite loose.





















Toshi makes very thick straps, one of his is the reddy purple one on the left.

[A1000]

Greg, you're right I have learnt to ask about the manufacture. I know from talking to Tomas at Kaktus that some of his straps are machine stitched, however, the higher end ones such as his vintage range are hand made. I recently bought one from him and it's a great strap.

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by A1000

Greg, you're right I have learnt to ask about the manufacture. I know from talking to Tomas at Kaktus that some of his straps are machine stitched, however, the higher end ones such as his vintage range are hand made. I recently bought one from him and it's a great strap.

Adrian, just so that you know, you have the two Pam's that I am dying to own.... The 292 is one of the sexiest Rad's I have ever seen, bar none. And the 312... oh the 312....