Need Some "straightening-Out'!

[lowes48]

Hey Guys,

Does anyone here have any ideas on how to straighten this watch strap? I built this for a customer a little over a year ago, and it's obvious that it's been worn hard, but I've never seen one "twist' like that before… Do any of you know what I need to do to straighten it out so it won't twist again? The customer isn't upset about it but I want to help if I can! Thanks in advance for the help!

[DoubleC]

What part of the hide did you use do you know? and what weight? Some leathers are stretchier than others and it looks like it's just stretched to conform to his wrist. When I intentionally distress a strap, I get it wet and roll the leather, hair side in tight rings in on itself. You could try wetting it and doing the opposite, roll it in tight rings toward the flesh side and trying to keep the edges straight at the same time. That might straighten the edge and get the wrinkles out at the same time. But I don't think it will last over time, leather just isn't straight. I mean I make guitar straps and when I punch the holes I measure down and side to side for each one because if you just measure the top hole position and last hole position and scribe a line between them, the holes never come out straight. A lot of people glue their leather down to keep it from 'squirming' away from the tool, stamp, etc. I hope someone else can be more helpful than me. Good luck. Cheryl

[Sylvia]

Leather has a grain and because it was once "wrapped" around an animal... it will naturally have a curve sometimes. It looks to me as if you've cut across one of the curves which gave it a natural curve.

[Northmount]

The tongue end is too long. It absorbs a bit of moisture so is being wet formed while wearing. It looks like the shirt cuff, or the way he wears it pushes it out of alignment with the rest of the strap. Cut shorter, and maybe an additional keeper will help keep the tongue in alignment with the rest while being worn.

CTG