citrusvanilla Report post Posted January 8, 2014 hey guys, working on a satchel.. i am using 6oz vegtan on a prototype for straps intended to wrap around the contents of the satchel and affix back on itself by button posts and keyholes/hooks (its like a belt with post and keyhole). The 6oz vegtan is not pliable and cracks a bit when the button post is fit through the keyholes from the tension. If the belt is between sizes (the post falls between keyholes), there is very little ability to stretch the straps to make the next size. So there are two issues: 1. the cracking, and 2. the lack of stretching. what would you guys recommend as an alternative leather? I've seen some splits/suedes that can stretch but retain shape. I was also thinking of just sizing down to 3oz vegtan. Another method might be to soften the vegtan. However, manually softening the leather is time-intensive so when I eventually want to make more than a prototype, the manual soften is not an ideal option. What do you guys think? Thanks! Justin Rockaway, NY Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted January 8, 2014 if your leather is cracking its bad leather. Good leather doesnt crack when bent. As for stretch, any leather that stretches will keep stretching and make the fit loose. Suggest you set predetermined holes on the strap and the user can select the one that is closest to the fit they need at the time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites