How to distress a leather bag strap?

[Tinplatejeff]

I have a Mk VII bag strap from WPG, it's very nice, but stiff and new looking. I'm looking for step by step instructions for distressing it. I'm kinda surprised there is not a sticky here on COW with instructions, did I miss it? I did find these articles online, do people agree this is the way to go? Is rubbing alcohol a good choice as they recommend?

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to ... her-belt#b

https://www.bespokepost.com/the-post/th ... ss-leather

[Holt]

Well, I am sure there are tutorials around if you do a search.

But to break down what I usually do...

you need,

A hammer, (you make a bend in the strap and hit the backside with the hammer to soften it up)
Steel brush,
sandpaper,
Blow torch (this is to dry it out and make cracks in the leather) a lighter can do the trick as well.. but this takes time.
oils (pecards) this is to oil up those cracks.

and you need alot of time. Go slow. And be sure to post pictrues of your progress

[Cajunkraut]

Jeff, I guess it depends what movie's strap you're going for. As per Holt, search "bag strap" or "strap" in this section.

Any variation of Holt's techniques should give you the desired look. The strap's out-of-the-package color will come into play too. A white rubber mallet, a black mallet wrapped in an old t-shirt (to prevent color marking the strap), or a hammer bumper can be used if you're worried about circular compression marks. A Raiders strap won't require heat though.

[Nitz146]

In my experience, the bag strap from WPG is not very durable. After a few uses for me it got a break in the leather like it's about to rip in half. My guess is it's maybe faux leather. I would say start slow with the distressing and see how it's holding up.

[Tinplatejeff]

Hey thanks for all the input! I do really appreciate it.

WPG claims it is genuine leather and the packing lists states that it is buffalo leather.

I'm wanting the Raiders look. Here is how the bag strap currently looks.