Source of replacement leather straps/handles?

[Scott --]

Hi, all -

I know I've seen this here before, but I'll be dipped if I can find it: I'm looking for a replacement leather strap handle (similar to this on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Deardorff-8x10-Hand-Stitched-Leather-Strap-plain-/230557958746?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item35ae53425a#ht_1237wt_1046)) for a project camera. The eBay one'd work, but $24 shipped for a simple strap seems a bit steep (maybe not - if I'm out of line, lemme know). I know specific suppliers of luggage straps have been linked here; anyone able to remind me of some of them?

Thanks,
Scott

[Ash]

When I needed one, I cut the shape out of an old leather belt. Did the job and was cheaper.

The local key cutters has an industrial strength Singer, for sewing through leather. Check if you have a local cobbler who could run a line of stitching round the cut shape if you need it.

[Steven Tribe]

For our non-superexpert english reading friends with small dictionaries:

"Cobbler - one who cobbles or MENDS shoes"

These are a dying (dead?) race.

For very thick leather an awl (like a screwdriver - but pointed with a slight cutting thread) may be more useful than inexpert sewing machine use.

[Scott Walker]

Try a local saddle maker

[Steven Tribe]

Local saddle makers are bit thin on the ground where I live too!
I found discarded belts (local charity shop?) to have just the right "bearing" strength. The male kind of belts (not Gucci), that is.

[BrianShaw]

"Cobbler - one who cobbles or MENDS shoes"

These are a dying (dead?) race.


In my area they are certainly less plentiful than before, and often less skilled, but not dead yet.

[David E. Rose]

Rockler Woodworking carries leather strap handles for about $10.

http://www.rockler.com/

[jp]

That's not a bad price. I had a local cobbler make a new strap for my speed graphic, I wanted something a little nicer than an old used belt.

[BarryS]

That's not a bad price. I had a local cobbler make a new strap for my speed graphic, I wanted something a little nicer than an old used belt.

How much did your cobbler charge? I have some saddlery/leather stores in my area and I'm going to have a new handle made for my Pacemaker Speed.

[Pete Watkins]

We've got equine (horse related) leather workers over here (and a few cobblers left as well). Most will sell you bits of leather that you can shape yourself using strong sissors or "tin snips" (scissor like tools that are really designed to cut tin plate or thin sheet metal). Cordwainers is another term from the past. If you want/need stitching done I would suggest a saddler.
Pete.

[Peter De Smidt]

http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=53680&cat=3,45370,49938,53680

[jp]

How much did your cobbler charge? I have some saddlery/leather stores in my area and I'm going to have a new handle made for my Pacemaker Speed.

I paid $15 and got a nice black padded leather strap with black stitching. I'm sure prices vary depending on the busy-ness and interest of the cobbler and what the local market will support.

pic here:

http://f64.nu/photo/tmp/lff/speed/_DSC4509.jpg

[Brian Ellis]

I had one made by a local shoe repair store. Maybe there's one in your area that could do it.

[BarryS]

Thanks, that looks nice-----my guess is it'll cost me $30 around here.


I paid $15 and got a nice black padded leather strap with black stitching. I'm sure prices vary depending on the busy-ness and interest of the cobbler and what the local market will support.

pic here:

http://f64.nu/photo/tmp/lff/speed/_DSC4509.jpg

[Jim Michael]

I thought I had posted a source for this before but I don't see it either. At any rate, I think I searched on "suitcase handles" on Google and this may have been the link (http://www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/howto/parts/schandles.htm).

[John Bowen]

Thanks Jim

[bigdog]

Rockler Woodworking carries leather strap handles for about $10.

http://www.rockler.com/

Rockler is a good source, as is Lee Valley.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=40643&cat=3,41427,41377

EDIT: Sorry - should have turned the page before posting ... :o

[joselsgil]

I have been thinking of using a leather dog collar, without the spikes. :eek:

[Scott --]

Jim, that was the link I was looking for. I'm thinking the buckle end replacement suitcase handles would be nice. Or I might just leave it for the next owner. Selling the camera, anyway... :rolleyes:

[Jim Michael]

I have been thinking of using a leather dog collar, without the spikes. :eek:

That's exactly what I used on my 2D - latigo leather, rough cut to match the old leather and then finished with a dremel tool

[BarryS]

Finally got over to a saddlery/leather shop and they made a beautiful handle for my Speed Graphic. It cost $25--which is reasonable for the DC area.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5248/speedgraphichandle.jpg

[Peter De Smidt]

Looks good!

[Scott --]

My Asanuma strap broke a while back, and I missed having one. I checked all the usual sources, and no one supplied a strap small enough to fit the tiny lugs on the camera. Additionally, the lugs on were sewn into the original strap, and I wanted to keep it that way. And I didn't want to use a nylon dog strap on this camera, considering how much time I'd had invested in it to that point.

I checked around for local leather shops/cobblers, and none were available. I looked around online and found a guy in Washington State (Joe at Snakebite Leather (https://www.facebook.com/SnakebiteLeather?ref=stream)). The strap was on the order of a nylon dog collar in cost, shipped, and took a week door-to-door. Completely custom, oil-tanned leather, stitched, and some subtle stamp work to boot.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8611149928_369dca2ba7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott--/8611149928/)
New strap for the Asanuma... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott--/8611149928/) by Scott -- (http://www.flickr.com/people/scott--/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8399/8611145626_0f5bf37588.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott--/8611145626/)
New strap for the Asanuma... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott--/8611145626/) by Scott -- (http://www.flickr.com/people/scott--/), on Flickr

I'm a very happy camper right now. After 2+ years, all open items on this project are finally complete! Anyway, I recommend Joe, very good to deal with, very reasonable custom work.

Scott