Who makes the best bag strap?

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 4:44 pm

I just ordered an MK VII from Swindy's source.

I already have a WPG bag, so I'll need a leather strap for the authentic MK VII, once it comes.

Any opinions on which one I should buy?

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 4:48 pm

normally, I would advise the Noel Howard strap, but he's outa business now, so I'd say, go for Lee Keppler's strap. Don't be surprised if it takes a LONG time to get.

Magnum · Post by **Magnum** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:00 pm

Lee Keppler. Hands down, no comparison.

Cooler King · Post by **Cooler King** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:17 pm

By far, Lee's gear is excellent, I own one of his straps and it's perfect. Yes, definatly a Lee strap.

Kentucky Blues · Post by **Kentucky Blues** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 5:59 pm

Actually, if I got my facts straight, Keppler Gear doesn't take that long to get. The Fedora, however, tends to take a while because of the company, not Lee (this part I KNOW I got right). I'm pretty sure I've read threads where people got their holsters and such very quickly.

Indiana · Post by **Indiana** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 6:18 pm

It took Lee about a week and a half from the date i called himto get it in the mail. Once in the mail it took about 2-3 days. Definatly get the Keppler.

Cabinetman · Post by **Cabinetman** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 7:36 pm

I tell ya, another source worth looking into, and you've all seen it with the holster, is Prairie Flower. He'll send you split rivets to complete the strap, and I believe it was Raider1138 who gave him a link to a good buckle source. If not 1138, someone gave Steffan the info. Check out my JoAnn Fabrics buckle in another thread - 99 cents. The bag strap, though, sun-tanned and regular Pecards, is a striking resemblance to Lee's (based on the pics I saw on the Adventure Supply site). And it's inexpensive. You've seen how reasonable the holster is - $42.95 with shipping included. My holster and strap (with rivets) - $52.95. I am quite pleased.

I'll get some pics up once I'm finished. Rather, once it is appropriately tanned. But it is coming along nicely.

Anyway, something else to consider.

Cab

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 10:21 pm

The cabitnet man is right, make your own!! Its so easy....get a latigo strip from tandy leather, (they also have buckles) and screws from your local hardware store....really simple!!

If you decide to do it and need help, feel free to email me!

I J

Indiana Joe · Post by **Indiana Joe** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 12:09 am

Hands down, it's the Kepler strap. It took a few weeks for my bag strap to arrive but that was because Lee was having a strap cut and made to a length that he doesn't ordinarily sell---per my request. Excellent customer service and an excellent product.

I.J.

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 12:32 am

New Braunfels Leather makes good straps. I'll post some pics of the latest one I had them make and we can discuss.

Raider1138 · Post by **Raider1138** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:41 am

As Cab said, Prairie Flower does make a nice bag strap. I have one myself and I love it. The best part about it (next to the price) is that you can tell Steffan what you want as far as color and length and he'll custom make it for you. I had my strap made in a dark brown with both sides finished which looks great and I highly recommend. I then had the decorative grooves placed on each side, having it made based on the Noel Howard strap. Stefan gives you 2 Chicago screws so you can take the strap off of the bag to give it a nice coat of Pecards without having to worry about getting any on your bag or buckle. I was the one who gave Steffan the link to the A+ buckle that has been in other posts but I'm not 100% sure if he's received any yet or not. You can see pictures of my strap here http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tbaile ... =ph&.view= The strap is on page 2. You can also see pics of my Prairie Flower holster on the first page for those of you interested in a holster as well. Good luck hunting for your gear. I hope this helps.
Tim

agent5 · Post by **agent5** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 11:28 am

I just ordered another strap from NH and it's much, much bettert than what I'd gotten from him 2 years ago. It's much more of a brown in color and it seems it's alot more flexible than before. His straps from a while ago were a little on the stiff side, even after a nice coat if Pecards. I'd recommend getting one from him if you still can.

Flash Gordon · Post by **Flash Gordon** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:14 pm

Thanks for all the terrific suggestions!

You guys are the best!

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 8:19 pm

could someone make a stinking a bag strap tutorial. You would
think with all of the stuff we know we would have just made one
for ourselves. It seems like it would be easy to make for me, i just
need to understand how the bag is made and what it looks like because
i have never owned a bag of any kind and have one
coming to me in the mail from swindys source.
and i need to make my self a strap its a heck
of a lot cheaper when you learn how....
thats how most things are...well mostly..
mola

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 8:47 pm

At one point in time, a person wrote a very good tutorial whose website is not currently online. Therefore, the pitcures referenced are not available. However, thanks to Google, the text was cached. Hope it helps and many thanks to Sevaan Franks.

Pyro.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN INDIANA JONES
LEATHER BAG STRAP
by Sevaan Franks

Let's discuss equipment. You will need the following to make your own back strap:

1. Leather Strip (1" wide, 6' length)
2. Metal buckle.
3. Chicago screws

Now, I'm tall, so 72" in length is perfect for me. If you are smaller, you can always cut the strip. Indiana Jones' actual strap is 65". The leather I bought is called "Lattigo", but feel free to experiment with other types.

The buckle just looked right, so I picked it up. Do some research to choose one that looks as authentic as possible. Don't worry if you have a prong in the middle. It's fairly easy to remove:

See? Just fiddle around with the pliers and it shouldn't be any trouble.

The Chicago screws are important. They looks like like regular studs, except that you can unscrew them if you ever want to wash the bag. TIP: Put a drop of clear nail varnish inside the screw to hold it together extra tight. It will still be easy to crack open to remove the screw if you need.

I bought all of these supplies at Tandy Leather (check your phone book for a location near you). It set me back about CAN$25.00 (US$16.00).

Now comes the fun part. Putting the thing together. Cut off the webbing strap from your Mk. VII (or similar bag).

You can use a razor blade to make a nice clean cut, if you want. I just used my trusty Swiss Army Knife.

Now, wrap about 2.5" of leather around the right D-Ring of your bag. This will be our first tab. Make sure the tab is on the inner side of bag so it's not visible when you are wearing it. Line it up nicely, and make a little indentation on each bit of leather as a guide to where you should put your holes.

I couldn't find my leather puncher, so I used the old noggin and found a drill.

If you're using the drill method, make sure you stick a block of wood underneath so you don't drill into the floor (or your hand).

Put the both bits of the screw through the holes and tighten it up.

Note: In the above picture I accidentally put the tab on the outside. I quickly corrected it before the nail varnish (see tip) dried. Learn from my mistakes!

So what do you think so far? It's getting there, right? On to the next step -- attaching the buckle.

That's the basic threading pattern. See the loose end? That will be attached to the middle divider of the buckle. Just be sure to wrap it around the left side of the D-Ring. Follow the same steps with drilling and screwing as above. When you are done, the buckle setup should look like this:

That's a nice photo, huh? Now, pull the whole set up tight and you're done!

As an extra step (which I highly recommend), you can take some fine sandpaper and lightly distress the strap, thus making it look a little more worn.

And that's all there is to it! You've got a cool looking leather strap, and you come away with the satisfaction of knowing you made it all yourself! Below is the final product (for some reason the colour is all messed up):

Henry Jones Sr. · Post by **Henry Jones Sr.** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:08 am

I had a NH strap (and I'm saving it as a souvenir of the dear man...), but Lee custom-fit a new one for my Mark VII in the Bar of the Queen Mary just a few months ago.... I prefer the Chicago screws to the NH rivets immensely.... Lee's leather is much more supple, and, to my eyes, a bit more Raiders screen accurate in terms of color. I like the buckle better, too!

Those of you who have had to endure shipping delays may want to remember that a good portion of Lee's income comes from traveling the gun show circuit, which for those of you in the know, is nearly every weekend, and can be grueling. He's one hard-working independent businessman, and a fine and true gentleman. I get impatient like all of us, but good things can take time. Like bringing 20-year-old films to DVD...

.

Henry Jones, Sr.

Gobler · Post by **Gobler** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:05 pm

I'm gonna hijack this one by asking who's buckle is closer to Raiders. The Kepler rounded or the NH flat. The reason is I am makeing some straps for myself and two others and we all want the Raiders style. I found a source for the flat square buckle but if i is not correct I will not use it.

Cheers,
Jeff

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:24 pm

Most people would say the Lee Kepler strap, because it has a very accurate buckle, but to my eyes, the color of the leather is way to orangish. The NH is very nice in the leather, and the buckle isn't that far off. -IJ

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 1:35 pm

Pyro, is that the bag strap you're having New Braunfels Leather make for me?

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 8:30 pm

Golber,

Hands down the Lee Keppler buckle is more screen accurate. Its square, and the perfect length, and color. The Howard buckle is too flat and too wide IMHO. But I still like it!

I J

(I really wish we knew where Lee gets his buckles....)

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 10:07 pm

Flash, if you want the most accurate buckle, get an NH and a Lee Keppler and put the Keppler buckle on the NH strap. Kind of an expensive alternative, but if you've got the cash, go for it! -IJ

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 10:44 pm

Okay, who makes the most accurate Last Crusade strap-and-buckle assembly? I'm talking about the dark, practically black leather. Any takers?

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 11:08 pm

Lee Keppler, you can order it in the ToD/LC style. :junior: -IJ

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 11:47 pm

Is the leather really thick, or rather thin? From what I can see in the movie, Indy's shoulder strap appears thin and flexible. The pictures of Lee Keppler's Raiders strap makes it look really thick. This isn't a trait that I particularly care for, as I like to be as comfortable as possible in my gear. I've been using the same M.B.A. strap since 1999, and it is very light and flexible, although not as dark as I'd like. I also like the unique thickness and shape of the buckle, but I noticed that Indy's buckle in Last Crusade has a roller on it. Does Lee supply these kinds of buckles with his straps?

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 12:06 am

RonC wrote:Pyro, is that the bag strap you're having New Braunfels Leather make for me?

I believe so. Paul makes a good solid strap and there is not need to darken it as it's already dark.

Shishak · Post by **Shishak** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:45 am

I was at a tack shop this weekend and found a 6 foot lead 1 inch wide. They had various shades of brown and best of all had the grooves on the side. It was only $16 and would make an excellent bag strap for very little effort and money. I also found a buckle at Tandy Leather (link below). I talked to a woman at the tack shop, told her what I was doing, and she said they have barrels full of buckles and would let me root around to find one I like.

Tandy buckle:

http://www.tandyleather.com/prodinfo.as ... 4&mitem=43

Post by **Michaelson** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:53 am

Just be careful what leather you pick up at tack shops, as a lot of the dyes are not set, and will bleed onto your shirt the first time they get damp. Lots of folks have learned this the hard way when making their own straps for their bags. Regards. Michaelson

Shishak · Post by **Shishak** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 11:56 am

Excellent point. Thanks. I'll look into that before I buy.

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 12:09 pm

But, Michaelson...that gives your shirt that "heavily used" ambiance everyone is trying to get....doesn't it????

Rundquist · Post by **Rundquist** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 9:22 pm

Lee makes the best strap hands down. It’s no thicker than a Noel Howard and much more accurate. Cheers

buletman · Post by **buletman** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:35 am

How can I get in touch with Lee? I need to order a strap

...

Shtick · Post by **Shtick** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:46 am

Just be careful what leather you pick up at tack shops, as a lot of the dyes are not set

Is there a good way to set the dye? I got my strap from a saddle maker, and I'm concerned about staining.

IndianaJames · Post by **IndianaJames** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 12:05 pm

adventure-supply.com email him at rotla007@aol.com
Im 99.9% sure on the email adress, but there is a contact form on his website!

Indy J

Who makes the best bag strap?

Who makes the best bag strap?

...

The most accurate buckle