Mk VII Original Bag - Cut the Cotton Strap?

Indy45 · Post by **Indy45** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:41 am

Bought a great Original MkVII bag from Jerry at WhatPriceGlory.

The original comes with a cotton strap with the ends sewn to two narrow metal buckles. The strap loops back through both buckles to attach to the bag rings.

My question: is there a trick to removing the cotton strap without cutting it, before installing the leather strap and buckle? Seems a shame to destroy an original strap.

Currently, I have the cotton strap tucked inside the bag and the leather strap attached through the rings.

Regards,
Indy45

Rabittooth · Post by **Rabittooth** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:04 am

I've always just cut the web strap off, but if I remember correctly, you might be able to just cut and remove the stitching that's holding the loop on the rings.

-Rabittooth

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:08 am

Some guys here do exactly what you are doing and are fiine with it.

I cut the stitches on mine with a scalpel, a razorblade will be as good, 20 seconds later and with as little damage as possible all done.

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:29 am

CUT THE STITCHES! Dont cut the strap itself! Heck, I felt bad cutting the stitches, but thats the WWII buff in me.

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:35 am

Cut the strap and be done with it! The world will keep spinning, I promise.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:42 am

I've cut the stitches on all of mine. (One side is enough...) Plus, if you keep the strap you'll have some nice spare material in case the O-ring holders come off.
Another possibility is to fold the strap and keep it in the bag while still attached.

Regards.
Swindiana

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:31 pm

Definitely cut the stitches. It may take a little extra time, but as an Indy buff you owe it to history to keep that bag from being damaged any more than necessary. Just ask yourself: What would Indy do? :junior: -IJ

Floribama Steve · Post by **Floribama Steve** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 3:26 pm

I just folded the strap and tucked it into my bag's back pocket. Since the bags are becoming harder to get, I didn't feel justified in cutting the original strap off, espcially after I saw that the original stitching had been repaired with the spare twine at on point.

Indiana Jerry · Post by **Indiana Jerry** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:26 am

Here's a link to the best discussion of this topic I've ever seen, courtesy of ob1al:
viewtopic.php?t=9540&highlight=illumination

Me, I removed mine, but kept it for posterity. I just cut the stitches, so it could be reattached w/ standard OD thread.

Indiana Williams · Post by **Indiana Williams** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:41 am

Im one of the "strap tuckers"

I just dont have the guts to cut the strap off ,even to cut the stitches. but in the end the choice is yours

Best Regards,
Joe

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:42 am

Dont cut it off at all.
The cotton strap is much more comfortable for daily use than the
leather strap!

Indy45 · Post by **Indy45** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:37 pm

Indiana Jerry, thanks for that link to the great past thread.

I WONDERED what the strings in the Mk VII, plus the metal side disk, were for!

I thought that strap might be like one of those string and ring puzzles; a few loops and pull throughs might take it off. Guess not.

I think I'll leave the strap on, and tuck it in the bag.

Because I do appreciate old things. Like Karen Allen and Carrie Fisher!! (And for Canyon, I guess Harrison is no slouch pushing 60...)

Indy45

Prof. Ed · Post by **Prof. Ed** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:09 am

whipwarrior wrote:Cut the strap and be done with it! The world will keep spinning, I promise.

I agree. I just did mine and I've had it since 1971. 35 years. I tried to take out the stitches, gave up.

Best,

Prof. Ed

Strider · Post by **Strider** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:52 pm

Y'know, I'd cut it. I don't think it'd bug me at all to do it.

Mk VII Original Bag - Cut the Cotton Strap?

Mk VII Original Bag - Cut the Cotton Strap?

Thanks all for posts - Strap Lives...