I made one of these for myself and thought they were cool, so I also made one to give away. Now, apparently, I’ve developed an addiction to making these this week

Some of us change straps regularly, while for others, it’s a seasonal thing. Whatever the reason or regularity, it’s nice to create a sense of occasion that will elevate a task into a memorable moment.

These strap changing mats will do just that. They are entirely made by hand from premium vegetable-tanned leather, and hand-stitched to look dope and last forever. A inset tool tray gives your spring-bar tool, extra links and spring bars a place to rest without rolling away. I’ve lined these with suede to keep the pad in place regardless of how much you are fiddling around or cussing because you’ve just launched a spring into space. Size is 8.5” x 11”.

Using a changing mat has the added benefit of protecting your table from getting gouged with your springbar tool - just in case you were wondering how to justify buying a treat for yourself. Plus, you’ll only ever need one of these.

I’ll be having more available shortly, and will post a photo.

Some previous projects


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These take a good bit of time to produce, so I’m asking $190 CDN for each to reflect my time and to some extent, increase in materials. Local pick up in Vancouver BC, or shipping at buyer’s expense.

Thanks for looking, and thanks to the forum for this space

 

These are cool!
I surely could use one.
Certainly the one that comes with the Accutron!
Let me PM you in a bit

 

Free bump on me and a huge thanks to @DaveK ! Received my pad today. I opened the parcel and my partner, sitting next to me but looking the other way, instantly asked if I ordered something made of leather. Great first impression.

The pad is thick, soft, doesn’t slide around on the desk. It doesn’t blink when you slip with the spring bar tool, and just as Dave stated, you can quickly see that it’ll age nicely. It’s also not sticky, so the gunk that comes of an old BoR for example can easily be cleaned off. Lovely little thing!

And with that, I’ll stop the typing and start fiddling around with some of my watches. Not because I need to, but because I suddenly feel like changing some straps and bracelets.

A picture, because that’s what we do:

 

Glad it arrived to such a nice reception

 

Can't wait for mine...
@MtV would you be surprised if I told you I didn't go for the same colour patterns as you )

 

I should have taken the free one! Now I'm like, grrr, ok, take my money, dude!

 

How much would it cost to ship one to Europe, and more specifically to France?

I absolutely love the idea, and I've been wanting one since the giveaway.

 

thank you so much PM me your mailing address and I will take a look. I think it went just lettermail for CDN $7 or so to the US. More if insured and tracked of course.

 

I also took a shot at making a fancy schmancy brogue-pattern strap changing valet. For the first try, I am very very pleased. I’m still not sure how pleased my neighbours are from all the hammering I was doing . There are some alignment errors, and next time I’d use a different stitching pattern & ivory thread instead of blue, plus other refinements you may or may not see. These are a lot of time to make, with a correspondingly high level of satisfaction. Throwing it out to gauge interest.

 

Wow, that is some fine work Dave!

 

The DaveK elves humbly suggest these colours of stitching for the sexy brown strap mat. Open to exploring other requests

 

Thank you

 

On the one hand, that's an amazing first try. To me, this is splendid work!

On the other, what constitutes to me part of the charm of the original is its tool-like simplicity. The mat was clearly (well-)made with one purpose in mind, and that was it. We're getting away from that here.

So it's really a matter of personal tastes, I suppose. I would choose the initial workmanlike design, but I certainly couldn't fault anyone for fancying this more elaborate iteration. Great work in any case!

 

Am I getting one of this stitching colour? Can't remember what we said

 

Excellent question I’ll make up a colour sample in a bit

 

I wanna play as well, so sign me up please. But now I'm a bit overwhelmed by the options

 

I just saw the updated cognac brogued mat and realized that I forgot to tell Dave, 11.5” on the right foot, 11.25 left -E/B with a high instep and long arch please,

 

So, I just arrived yesterday to visit my sister in California, and today the mailman brought me this... I couldn't be happier, looks dope and with great attention to details! Even a hand written thank you card
Order yours now, you won't be disappointed, thanks Dave