Phizzy 0 Posted September 28, 2014 So today I was bored and with nothing but a few scraps of leather to work on, I made this: Think I'll get a D ring for it and make it into a keyfob. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helldiver 0 Posted September 28, 2014 Do the second part for a kid wrist! LOL Nicely executed! Lovely color combo and nice stitchings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Genius 281 Posted September 29, 2014 That rust coloured one is very nice, wonder if you could make it fit a pam deployant clasp? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted September 29, 2014 It would be too thick as it is, definitely sounds like my next challenge when my leather order arrives though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yjoe989 0 Posted September 29, 2014 fantastic work Phizzy! have you tried it on the wrist? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted September 29, 2014 The first one in the thread I tried and was great... The 3 pictured together I haven't yet as waiting for a decent punch to cut the holes and a spare buckle. Will take some more shots once they're done. The one pictured with the sharpie is a little small for my wrist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helldiver 0 Posted September 29, 2014 How long do wait the glue to work it's magic before starting to work on the stitchings? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted September 29, 2014 For the long part of strap usually at least an hour and for the short part I prefer to leave overnight due to the weakness at the join. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akelkun 0 Posted September 29, 2014 This leather looks gorgeous especially its pattern, non speaking of the quality of your work. For a first time it looks pro to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edigital 0 Posted September 29, 2014 The straps look pretty spot on. As a previous poster said, seems you got the basics down pat. Look forward to seeing more of your work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
P4GTR 0 Posted September 29, 2014 Hopefully it stays a hobby because if you count the hours you need to make a strap and by example the labour cost at 15$/h (that's cheap) by example, you reach easily 50 to 80$ per strap not counting the material and tool investment! (Making a strap in less than 3-4 hours that would be a rush job I think!?). Craftsmanship also count at a certain point and the number of orders too. I am sure that certain strap maker limit the number of orders by keeping high prices. (I must admit that I have problem buying strap more expensive than my rep.) But I find a watch beautiful mostly in combination with it strap. Straps do change the all watch perception. (My wife often accuse me to have bought a new PAM when actually I just changed the strap!) lol Very true. When you buy a high end strap you are essentially paying for the makers time. Time is by far the most expensive resource. Even if a strap maker puts out $600 for an alligator hide, a few watch straps can recoup that cost. But on average, just the process of stitching a strap takes roughly two hours. This means in an average 8 hour work day you've stitched 4 straps. Just the stitching. When you buy a fine strap, i'd say 80% of your money go's towards the experience and time of a professional leather worker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted September 29, 2014 And here's another one...almost complete and soon to be on its way to Akelkun to adorn his PAM bronzo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helldiver 0 Posted September 29, 2014 "Simple" design but really beautiful finish. Congrats! I hope Akekun share the pics mounted on the watch. Should be really nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted September 29, 2014 Cheers HD, this was another giveaway. So hopefully he'll feel obliged to provide some feedback New leather has arrived....boy does it smell good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helldiver 0 Posted September 29, 2014 Do you buy your leather locally? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted September 30, 2014 Finished and ready to ship tomorrow: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helldiver 0 Posted September 30, 2014 Too green for me but nicely made! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted September 30, 2014 My thoughts exactly HD - I just had the leather lying around and offered to make someone a strap for free if they thought they had a watch they could pair it with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helldiver 0 Posted September 30, 2014 Bronzo indeed! With a nice big bronze buckle it should balance the color. (Actually it looks like a nice quality leather this green hide) Or maybe more stichtings on the green will cut the over green feeling. Like big boxes maybe with double diagonals?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaqv2 0 Posted October 2, 2014 Looks good.. once you get better, try better leathers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted October 2, 2014 You mean leathers which aren't green? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helldiver 0 Posted October 2, 2014 (edited) You mean leathers which aren't green? "it's not easy to be green" (actually the green leather was quite a nice quality I think!) LOL Edited October 2, 2014 by Helldiver Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phizzy 0 Posted October 2, 2014 And a couple more...what do you think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helldiver 0 Posted October 2, 2014 Doc Phil you are doing good! Have to start to think about a special project for you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
