MooksWilson

Hi Karina, I stand corrected, Crown and Buckle does sell the buckle I am looking for. However, would love to know if anyone has a lead on a supplier who doesnt want 5 dollars a buckle. http://www.crownandbuckle.com/accessories/buckles/hybrid-brushed-18mm-buckle.html Thanks, Kevin

Hi Karina, Thanks for your response. Believe me, I have already tried the search feature with various combinations of words and have come up with very little in the way of suppliers for this specific NATO hardware. It is mostly people in the same boat as me, unable to find anything and the occasional person stating "pm me for details on my private supplier". If you were able to find something via search I would love to see it. I've actually been searching for a couple of years now in hopes that some enterprising person would start supplying this stuff with no luck. Whoever is supplying all these Etsy sellers with their hardware, I can't find them.

Thanks for the reply David. I went with the 43mm, hopefully it doesn't come defective.

Just bought a single bend of hermann oak 3/4 oz veg tan from Springfield today. I've never worked with HO before but from what I understand it is top of the line. http://springfieldleather.com/25852/Bend%2CBelt%2CHermannOak%2CSngle%2C3-4/

Has anyone found a decent supplier for Nato Strap hardware? Plenty of people are selling Nato straps on Etsy so they must be getting bulk hardware from somewhere. I'm looking to buy relatively small quantities (probably in the 25 sets range to start) https://www.etsy.com/listing/166424534/handmade-leather-watch-strap-with?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_query=nato+strap&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery That is the exact hardware I'm looking for and have not been able to find anything through googling. Thanks! Kevin

Thanks for the responses guys. TheKid, our edge burnishing methods are actually quite similar aside from your attention to detail and the staggered sandpaper approach which is something I will definitely try out. Thank you for that write up. The only thing I can think of is that the edge of each piece is dyed a different color prior to being stitched together. As for the finish, that is definitely the glossiest edge I've ever seen.

Any idea how they are achieving this edge work? Curious how they achieved the colored stripes as well as the super glossy finish.

Looking to purchase a Vergez-Blanchard sewing awl and wanted to get your guys advice on the size. The one I had in mind is this one: http://www.fineleatherworking.com/blanchard-leather-sewing-awl. I am currently using .8 mm tiger thread, 6 to 7 SPI with John James 004 needles. Mostly stitching 3 to 4 oz veg tan and 5 to 6 oz pull up. What size awl would you guys recommend? Thanks! Kev