.

[Bdgsi11]

That looks BEAUTIFUL! I personally like the grooves on my straps too. How many times did you leave it out in the sun and do you recall how hot the day was? That looks really great and sure wish that Wade would continue to sell his leather gear again. I really would love to buy another strap from him.

[whipwarrior]

Great work! You can achieve the same darkening effect with kangaroo whips, except with whips you have to turn it over to tan each side!

[Michaelson]

You can achieve the same effect by using a hair dryer on low, liquifying and driving the leather product deep into the fibers of the hide. That's essentially what you're doing by treating then laying it in the sun to dry. Pecards has suggested this technique for years.

Regard! Michaelson

[Cajunkraut]

Great tutorial as always, Michael! Nice work, and I like the glamor shots next to your Strain.

My Todd's strap went from orange latigo to a rich brown doing pretty much the same thing, just without the benefit of sunlight.

[Texan Scott]

Anytime untanned leather is exposed to the elements, be it sun, rain, etc., it will darken, imo a much more natural shade than when chemicals are applied. One of the best examples of this is "make it Jones" if you guys are living in the UK or Europe, this may be a good source for you as well?

Here is a link: https://sites.google.com/site/makeitjon ... ip-holders" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
discussing various shades of the leather as requested. He sent me a strap that is the most supple I have yet to handle. Made by a fan for fans.

Todd still sources a good strap. WPG sells one as well. Sometimes, the question is grooves vs. no grooves. Then a buyer can hone in on the vender of preference.

[whipwarrior]

Oh yeah, I'm a big fan of David's work! His bridle leather whip falls are fantastic (indestructible!), and I also got a LC whip carrier in dark brown bridle leather, with a Raiders-style pull tab. It's awesome!

[Michaelson]

Sigh.

Regards! M

[Texan Scott]

Michael, as I am reading through your main post, of course I can tell that you are an advocate of natural distressing. However, the undercurrent of this thread is your transactions with this vendor. While things appear rosey on the surface, lets tell it like it is. We had a vendor that basically stated....I'll take as much time as I want to, and if you dont like it, there is the highway, so guys waited for months and that was supposed to be 'acceptable'. Members like Ray waited for months and still never received anything, despite repeated inquiries. Not only was there an underlying form of arrogance there, but forms of unethical business practices. $50-60 for a strip of leather? You would like to have him back really? People deserve to know the other side of this.

I dont really see the wisdom in it.

[makeitjones]

Hi - this is David from Makeitjones

Just to confirm that I'm more than happy to supply undyed straps in any width and with or without edge grooves - just got a new side of undyed tooling leather in stock so can do straps up to about 80 inches long. Nice quality leather and very supple.