Community Stories

Adventures in strap making

Duracuir1
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M megoanywhere
Wow, your work is stunning! It's awesome you can problem solve on the fly too. Thanks for taking the time to document your process - it's really fascinating to see. Do you have a favorite type of leather or watch to make straps for? Also, how did you get into leatherworking as a hobby in the first place? Sounds like you have a real gift.
Thank you. I have a pile of leather that I bought many years ago after a local shoemaker passed away. I have it stored in a dry room. Anything left in my workshop too long spoils and develops a nasty smell. I only heat/cool my shop when I am working, and moisture does adversely affect leather.

I was in shoe repair as a teenager. Slowly got back into it in my 40s. Now approaching my mid 50s I am hoping to enjoy it for many more years.

I don’t have too many watches, and mine are ironically (pun intended) on metal bracelets.

@DaveK that case is superb!
 
Duracuir1
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Sky-Rocket owner (not a OF member) pleased with his strap. This is always a relief.
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DaveK
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@Duracuir1 had generously given me an antique cobbler’s hammer that I needed to unenthusiastically donate to airport security.

Needing another one, and to celebrate my birthday this year, I hired a blacksmith to teach me how to make one. I made it out of a railway spike that followed me home from a memorable location. These spikes are too soft for hammering nails, but are great for leatherwork.

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Duracuir1
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DaveK DaveK
@Duracuir1 had generously given me an antique cobbler’s hammer that I needed to unenthusiastically donate to airport security.

Needing another one, and to celebrate my birthday this year, I hired a blacksmith to teach me how to make one. I made it out of a railway spike that followed me home from a memorable location. These spikes are too soft for hammering nails, but are great for leatherwork.

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Very smart!

Here is an old pic with the hammer I gave you. The large smooth part on the peen is ideal to go over freshly glued pieces of leather. Not sure if your spike is wide enough although it is longer. I like it!
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Duracuir1
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Old baseball glove…
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Into a 20/18 and a 20/16.
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I tried to make the loop with an old ball. It was too bulky. So I baseball stitched one.
 
Duracuir1
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It’s been a while since I’ve made a one piece strap. I dug out a couple old ones. The black one seems to be JB Champion. The brown looks much older and appears hand made with small pieces of leather.
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The little Rolex fits perfectly.
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Duracuir1
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Geme81 Geme81
@Duracuir, I add to your thread some of my handmade stuff with leather!!
Probaly too many pictures... but it's just a selecion
There are some sraps and some watch stuff (pocket, dispenser etc.. ) and also some interesting wallets and bags I made for my family and friends.
A couple of straps were made for my friend @The Master of Speed !! that mad beautiful pictures
I hope youìll enjoy it
Thank you

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Sensational! So relaxing to work on leather. Nice work and so much variety in your pieces. The fish key rings are great!
 
Geme81
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thank yo
Duracuir1 Duracuir1
Sensational! So relaxing to work on leather. Nice work and so much variety in your pieces. The fish key rings are great!
u!! it's my relaxing time spent on it during nights and ... nights 😉
 
DaveK
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Geme81 Geme81
thank yo

u!! it's my relaxing time spent on it during nights and ... nights 😉

That beach bag is super fun. Nice work all around
 
CBM1590
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@jankoxxx sent me an update with a pic of my finished strap for my old Seamaster this evening. Stunning work, Jan! They’re gonna make a great pairing!
 
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Walrus
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Made a transaction with @Duracuir1 fine leather goods. I was finally able to speak to the owner I usually get transferred to one of his many assistants
I really like the various watch rolls Steve has made and displayed here. It was great timing for me, temporarily separated from my collection I only had a three watch holder and six watches. So it was used the minute I open the package.

I have a single watch holder also from Steve which is great and well made but these are even better. One (the blond leather?) is made from a nice leather jacket and it is smooth as hec. My wife checked it out and was trying to see if she could convert it to a pocket book.

Granted I like Steve as a human but that has no bearing on my discombobulated review. I don’t think I could walk in a store and get quality like this unless it was branded Dunhill and cost 10k.
I do have a friend who makes some leather goods and this @Duracuir1 fine leather goods is head and shoulders over the people I know who do leather work or the BS or if I went to a store/Amazon and got commercial crap. Seriously I don’t know how busy steve is but this is the good good. So well made, great stitching, nice leather and great looking plus easily very usable I can’t think of any box not checked.
If you are in need all I can say is great stuff. Excuse my pics dreary day, indoor shots, need to vacuum the carpet but I gotta try to show these puppies off.

Very happy am I with the purchase and all my watch boxes are full so these will be used regularly until I figure out my next move on a watch box. Cool as hec. Once again excuse photos they don’t do the great work Justice
 
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Duracuir1
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Very kind comments @Walrus but you left out the best part... The amount of travel that your roll and pouches covered before you finally received them.

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Working on a Levis strap now.
 
CBM1590
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Duracuir1 Duracuir1
Very kind comments @Walrus but you left out the best part... The amount of travel that your roll and pouches covered before you finally received them.

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Working on a Levis strap now.
That’ll be a cool strap!
 
amcclell
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I echo the accolades. Here is mine and it is used every time we travel. My wife and I each wear one and pack 2.
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