Handmade leather Nato Strap

What else is there to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon but get out the diy box and have a go at making my own leather Nato strap. A couple of photos for now and more later when finished.

It's taking shape looking good buddy

Every time I see that mug it makes me chuckle every time

All finished but I dont like it, I used the strap from a really old handbag but the leather is brittle and cracking , maybe I should have treated the leather with a conditioner or cream . Oh well it passed sometime on a Sunday afternoon.
Andy that is my favourite mug it kind of sums me up in one word

Well done, that looks great.

Iceblue wrote:It's taking shape looking good buddy

Every time I see that mug it makes me chuckle every time

if you could see the whole mug...its short for " that way are all the watches" what else could it possible mean ?

Well done buddy looks good

i also think it looks good, but may benefit from an off white thread ? not a criticism...just a thought

I used the existing sewing holes but never lined them up correctly so the stitching is uneven plus it is really stiff leather and not comfy . I have more leather so will try again during the week

If you condition it and let it soften, it might improve? I agree with Bruce that an off-white thread may improve the look? I kind of like the way that the holes don't line up.

I like the way it looks, a kind of rough, rugged, utilitarian appearance. Personally, I wouldn't soften the leather but that's just me. If you're changing the stitching, consider red or blue to go with your watch bezel, but then again, you're less likely to match it to other watches with red or blue. Your kitchen table is like a tidy version of my own!

I have some softer leather so may have another go today making another one

Here we have attempt number 2 I am much happier with this one , I like it and think it suits the watch kind of makes it look older

thats more like it !! well done, it looks great.......i would wear that [ if i wore leather ] you have done well there and it suits the watch too

i like it because of the leather it is a really soft leather yet has an age to it .

Must confess though I am a little nervous wearing this watch on something I made

SeikoJohn wrote:i like it because of the leather it is a really soft leather yet has an age to it .

Must confess though I am a little nervous wearing this watch on something I made

it cant come off unless the buckle fails which is unlikely

domecurb wrote:
it cant come off unless the buckle fails which is unlikely

I cant see that happening and as extra precaution I changed the spring bars for the extra chunky ones

SeikoJohn wrote:

domecurb wrote:
it cant come off unless the buckle fails which is unlikely

I cant see that happening and as extra precaution I changed the spring bars for the extra chunky ones

thats the thing with one piece straps, even if one spring bar fails the other will hold the watch so probably the safest strap available

That does suit the watch really well though I also liked your first attempt.

I think the stitching gave it a bit of colour which contrasted well with the colours of the watch. That said your latest strap looks better & more comfortable on your wrist.

I think it will be quite safe to wear so hopefully you can just enjoy the watch and your workmanship.

I agree about thread giving it a bit of colour I have some of the leather left so may buy some red or blue waxed thread to make another strap .

Quick update I couldnt decide on thread red or blue .... so I bought both

SeikoJohn wrote:Quick update I couldnt decide on thread red or blue .... so I bought both

That gives you the best of both worlds so money well spent I think.

Out of interest if you use one colour could it be unstitched and another colour used? It would be pretty good to be able to customise it though possibly that would be a lot easier said than done.

daff62 wrote:

SeikoJohn wrote:Quick update I couldnt decide on thread red or blue .... so I bought both

That gives you the best of both worlds so money well spent I think.

Out of interest if you use one colour could it be unstitched and another colour used? It would be pretty good to be able to customise it though possibly that would be a lot easier said than done.

Theoretically yes I guess it could be unstitched but might be difficult to do as on the underneath of the strap when I have finished my stitch I burn the threads to seal them and this makes the stitch stronger .

you could combine both

I had another go at making a nato strap this morning all went well until I tried it on the watch and the leather is too thick so doesnt sit right , ah well I enjoyed doing it plus it was more practice for me

SeikoJohn wrote:I had another go at making a nato strap this morning all went well until I tried it on the watch and the leather is too thick so doesnt sit right , ah well I enjoyed doing it plus it was more practice for me

That looks great.

Could the leather be softened in anyway which may make it more comfortable on the wrist?

SeikoJohn wrote:I had another go at making a nato strap this morning all went well until I tried it on the watch and the leather is too thick so doesnt sit right , ah well I enjoyed doing it plus it was more practice for me

you could always convert it into a standard strap for spring bars, that would work IMO

Not really its too thick , when it goes through the lug pins it is not flexible wnough so sits all wrong I think softening it wont really change much. I do have some thinner leather so will try that next

domecurb wrote:

you could always convert it into a standard strap for spring bars, that would work IMO

Good thinking I may give it a try

I think I would give the strap a number of whacks with a small hammer with the intention being to make it less thick and more supple.

That said I was never at the head of the queue when they were handing out practical brain cells.

Bruce's idea is definitely the wiser option.

nick some of Ruths face /hand cream and rub that in........it does work...just ask my wife