Good Length For Leather Shoulder Strap?

[Windrider30]

Ok so making my first messenger bag but I want to make a shoulder strap for it so what is a good length to make the strap..and how should I go about making it adjustable?

[Jim]

Well Sir, first off, get a cloth tape and a helper. Position the bag on the hip at or about where you want it to set when carried. Get your helper to measure from one end of the bag, over the shoulder, and down to the opposite end of the bag. This gives you the overall length.

I recommend adding a buckle to the mix to make it adjustable.

Jim

[Windrider30]

That is a great idea thanks for that!!

[JLSleather]

That works IF you have the person it's for. Beyond that, it will depend on the user.-- 5' tall and 135 not the same strap as the guy 6'2" and 225.

Personally, I like conway buckles for that type of thing. Both ends of both straps are retained.. no tip to 'flop around'.

[Windrider30]

JL what would you recommend for a " general" good lenght of adjustable strap then as you have a good point.

[JLSleather]

Trying to remember, actually Using rings - which ended up about 1" above the top of the bag - then generally the solid strap was about 34" long. That's what I listed them as last time I made "strap" things... then they just let me know if they need it longer or shorter (few did).

With the adjustable ones, cut two straps about 24" long. Put the conway buckle a couple inches from teh end of one, with the prong up through the only hole in the strap. Then punch the adj holes in the other every 2 inches. This will keep the buckle from being right on top and digging in the shoulder, and will raise or lower the bag 1" each hole moved.

Oh, AU.... that would be about 60cm for you boys down there.

Edited August 29, 2015 by JLSleather