Gosh, I am a real green horn here so bare with me as I could not even figure out how to post! This is a great forum, with a lot of generous people and talent. I am looking to make watch straps for myself. I've acquired a lot of leather tools from my grandfather in Oklahoma prior to our move to Alaska back in 69. I have some rather nice high end watches and want to make watch straps that reflect my history around the globe. Thanks in advance for any help with my questions below.
Where does one get quality leather and what size, type, etc. I hear 4-6 oz vegetable tanned leather. Do you buy a hide or have someone precut the widths (I can cut the lengths)? I don't have a machine width leather cutter so it might be easier with precut widths. I am an Architect by education and know how to use an X-acto blade.....having made countless models...but leather will be different. I noticed when tooling around with cutting leather with an X-acto it can tend to move on you depending on the size of cut.
Where does one get quality buckles? They seem rather pricey on Ebay.
Finally, do you refinish the inside of the strap or leave natural? I see some straps that have a fine leather backing. Where would one buy this leather?
I would like to call a US supplier who has a lot of history selling and perhaps evening making watch straps as a one stop shop. Perhaps many of these questions could be answered by them.
thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
