Bag Handle

[AndyL1]

Hey All,

First off, awesome forum! I'm so glad I found this site. Everybodys work is so inspiring!

I am working on making a messenger bag for myself and I was thinking about adding a grab handle to the top. I kind of want one like the hanle on the bag in the photo attached. Do you guys have any tips on how that's made? It looks like a "tube" of leather stitched around a flat piece I think. Now that I think about it and type this out I probably answered my own question!

Thanks for the help. I'll post some in progress photos soon.

Andy

[Rawhide]

  AndyL1 said:

Hey All,

First off, awesome forum! I'm so glad I found this site. Everybodys work is so inspiring!

I am working on making a messenger bag for myself and I was thinking about adding a grab handle to the top. I kind of want one like the hanle on the bag in the photo attached. Do you guys have any tips on how that's made? It looks like a "tube" of leather stitched around a flat piece I think. Now that I think about it and type this out I probably answered my own question!

Thanks for the help. I'll post some in progress photos soon.

Andy

that's kind of a small picture and hard to see, but it may be a piece of leather, wrapped around another piece and stitched at the top. Not sure though.

[abn]

Andy, I'd send a PM to Ed Santoro (username: esantoro). He builds these kinds of bags all the time, and I'm sure he could give you some tips.

-Alex

[Hilly]

Al Stohlman's book "The Art of Making Leather Cases" (I belive it's Vol. II) clearly explains how to make all different types of handles for any type of case you could imagine.

[AndyL1]

Thanks for the info guys! I PMd Ed like you suggested. I'll take a look at that book too. The bag is coming along pretty nicely, I'm going to start on the strap maybe tonight.

[HellcatLeathers]

I have made some bag handles out of veg tanned leather. I got a piece of hemp rope and put contact cement all over it and the leather. Then I rolled the leather around the rope and stitched it together at the top.

I'll see if I can dig it out of one of my boxes and post a photo for you....it was alot of work, but I think it came out pretty decent.

[oldtimer]

Andy, There is a plastic : polycarbonate , that is almost indestructible. It is, among other things, used as bulletproof windows, and it is found in various thicknesses.

[AndyL1]

  oldtimer said:

Andy, There is a plastic : polycarbonate , that is almost indestructible. It is, among other things, used as bulletproof windows, and it is found in various thicknesses.

I think you're talking about the brandname Lexan right? I'm sure I could make the handle out of just about anything. I think I'll browse some luggage at the store and get some ideas. I like HellCat's method. I think it will keep with the rustic look of the bag I'm making.