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I doubt it could be done better...wicked awesome

I've gone here before...there really is a lot of stuff there...Thanks for the reminder abn

Don't go makin' it purple Mike....That's just my photography. In reality it's a tan base med brown edge, with red over the edge that meets (brown to red to tan) Just a different stab at a different color starburst. That adjusting strap I came up with thirty years ago (not with the rifle sling button), it's okay, but I prefer to make it to the exact sizes, but like you, the shop owner says ADJ. is what they want. And I got a definite no to the Vintage style (thin strap through a padded shoulder), like you been making lately. I dunno why he said that, but I just do what I'm told...

I used a Tan Antique at first. then an Antique Brown over that to darken the highlights. Then I used a plain Med. Brown Dye over the edge for the sunburst effect. I've matched it up to several tobacco sunburst guitars, and it fits right fine.

35 years later I tried carving again. Sheesh I have a looong way to go, but at least I felt like I accomplished an overall look, with the tobacco sunburst effect ...it hid the carving well...lol The other was my attempt at basket weaving by hand...just trying it by carving, without the stamping. Sometimes it looks like brick, sometimes like a weave, I can't tell. Just putzing around until the skills come back into muscle memory. I may have to be reincarnated first...lol

You must be sewing under a microscope! Great work.

nice job...clean and simple

way kewl!

And people think these things are just gitar straps...sheesh You are absolutely right, there is a huge range in options. Not to mention specifically designed straps for mandolins, and banjos.... From a plain 2" strap with 2 holes and some latigo stips to exotic leathers and skins inlaid, backed, unbacked, lace, stictched, hardware, no hardware....the list goes on. Although Designs (carving, stamping, molding), and Shapes (straight, curved, ergonomic) can be limitless, I find the methods for adjustment are limited, and that frustrates me. One of the old books I have (c1800s) had a hook and eye made from heavy leather, that got my inventive juices going And then the customers come in with their ideas...... I look forward toward to your new pieces, they are inspirational...

Real nice job Mike! That's a lot of hand stitching! Top notch quality, and looks to be comfortable too. The basket weaved keepers look almost to be braided...hmmm, that would be a nice touch. I would make the adjustment sizing in a small and a large...say 44-50 and 46-52...most "normal" sized people clock in those ranges. Mostly 46-48, I've found. 53" will be down around their ankles....lol I use the button rivets once in awhile myself. Part of the new musician tastes include NO hardware. They are paying thousands for these instruments, and don't want scratches from their straps, so the buttons help with the limited use of metal in adjustments. The damage comes when they release the straps and they fall against the instrument. As an aside, They are also using what are called, Guitar Stops. They lock the Straps onto the attachment pegs on the guitar. The tried and true sure safe way is to use thong adjustments, but then the player has to become practically a leather lacer to make any adjustments. Thank goodness, most make the one adjustment they want, and keep it there. My one idea for possible improvement to use with the button type is a sliding keeper to actually cover the button and holes, but I haven't tried it yet. Just ideas being thrown out. I have a long way to go to regaining any skills I had way back when, and am deeply impressed with your work. Thanks for sharing. That's what great here, you don't have to pull teeth to learn from people, they willingly share their expertise. I'ld say that strap should sell for no less than $150, and that's a steal. But I hope you get much more. I've seen straps of far less quality into $200-350.

I used ten search engines and found nothing to explain crown splitter. Crown on a saddle? veternary use for crowns for horses....can't figger. sounds like sheridanleather knows but ain't tellin'...lol

Can't imagine what it may have originally been for, but it looks like you could use it to do the inside cuts on mystery braid straps, adjusting the sides as necessary.

Welcome Pete. I started my newbie thread about gitar straps here: http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2489 Mike has a nice one here: http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.p...ost&p=14309 Not sure what you are describing in your post. I use three holes for the thongs...maybe a drawing of what you are wanting will help.

Welcome! I can't wait for Pics! I love braidwork.

Thanks Alex. I think most of the pros use an airbrush for this effect. It probably looks better, but for non-production, this is a simple method.

After seeing Mike's Basketweave, which was awesome, I thought I might try something. At the shop I sell my straps, there was a "sunburst" electric gitar, I wanted to match colors to. I'm too rusty to match anyone's skills here, but just to dip my toes I combined the sunburst idea with a basketweave. I "stretched" the weave, it's not easy to line up that way, there's a few mistakes if you look close, but overall the whole thing gave me the sortof effect I was looking for. Antique tan as the base. Med. brown dye along the edges, with a hint of black along the very edge. I applied the brown, and black with just a cloth, rubbed very well off on the back of scrap leather, until almost dry, then lightly rubbed it on the strap...not great, but overall, not bad. What do You think?

LOL... minor editorial correction..."there's a BIG market there"...not necessarily bi....lol

Real nice saddle there...pretty good pricing too! Find a retailer in Wenham Ma. Those should go over well with the Jumping Crowd up there. Back in the 70s I used to repair tack for the Polo crowd. There is a bi market there.

Memory is one commodity I lack these days...lol I do remember two things: I used a LIGHT touch, and had to case well. The impressions would sometimes "puff" back up, if it wasn't right. Even though it was calf, it was still heavier than garment leather, so I did oil them up before finish. Back in those days, I used Feibing's stuff, and Tandy, but I also had access to all the commercial products used by the Shoe industry back then, and I MAY have used their stuff (mostly wax and oil combination stuff...more conditioner than anything else). I just don't remember...sorry. The prototype my buddy has is still as supple thirty some years later. So whatever I did..I did TOO good...lol

I am humbled by the praise, coming from such a talented guy as You.

I thought you might like to see these. Somewhere back in my 20's (circa 1970s?), I made these for a Band. Scuttlebutt said they were going to be on the next album cover, but two things happened. First, their trailer with all their stage clothes was broken into, and the vests disappeared. Second, the Bandmates had a breakup for awhile, so nothing ever happened with these. If you ever see them out in the wild, give me a ring.lol My buddy still has the prototype. Silk lined, ivory buttons, laced edges, calfskin (boy is that stuff hard to tool...so thin. I had some old photos I scanned in for this, so the quality will not be so good, but just for fun, here they are. A star on the forehead for the one who guesses the Band.

Thanks for the welcome, Don. Nice wallet you did awhile back. How's the saddle going?

THAT'S what I'm talkin' about Mike. Great job!

Thanks Ken...but Alberta is a long way to look at things. I really like your Vests. Nice work!

Good stuff Freddie. Well executed.