Club Obi Wan

I'm considering a TAG bag strap to replace the stock WPG strap, and the question of border grooves has come up. I did a search and couldn't find a discussion of whether the strap had grooves or not. Can anyone comment on the border grooves issue as it relates to the movies, and can anyone relate to how the different straps look in real life?

I think there may have been two different versions, one with grooves, one without. Some people don't see them but I certainly do. I'd say get the strap with the grooves.

I would have to answer that by saying that neither the gunbelts nor the bag straps should have these border grooves. After many many years of gearing that was the first thing I noticed about the TAG gear. I am myself interested in getting some, however, no offense to TAG but I have issues with quality and the accuracy in terms of the border grooves. So My advice to TAG is loose the grooves.

TAG offers both grooved and ungrooved specifically because there is disagreement about the authenticity of the grooves. I'm hoping someone has seen both and can comment on which is more screen accurate and which actually looks better in person. I wouldn't want to get grooves if they look good on film and crappy in person.

Rosenet wrote:TAG offers both grooved and ungrooved specifically because there is disagreement about the authenticity of the grooves. I'm hoping someone has seen both and can comment on which is more screen accurate and which actually looks better in person. I wouldn't want to get grooves if they look good on film and crappy in person.

Personally, I think what looks good depends on the quality of the leather used. Saying that
a 'border grooved' or 'edge creased' strap gives a better finished appearance to the leather
in my opinion.

As to whether these 'groves' are screen accurate, I don't think we will answer that question
in this thread...

ID

Really I´ve tried hard but I just can´t see those grooves

If you hop over to Lao Che's Table there's a post about beards. Ken posted one of my all-time favorite Indy photos. It has a REAL nice view of that strap and there are no grooves. I don't know where the idea of grooves on either the strap or the gunbelt came from.

Based on that pic, it doesn't look like there are grooves.

In my opinion, the original strap did not have grooves at all. If you want authenticity, go without them. But I will say that I sell the border groove strap about 90% more than without grooves.

Of course, the gooves are cool! They add a more "finished" look instead of a slab of Leather.

Why do you think grooved straps sell better? Are they more rugged or long lasting? Do they look better? Are they sexually attractive? <grin>

I know thats why I sell better!

My understanding is that the edge crease line on leathergoods was once a necessity, but now is there for traditions sake, more than anything
when leather was tanned without modern machinery to ensure even penetration, there was a tendency for the grain (top) layer to seperate from the fibrous fleshy part beneath.
to stop this, a hot crease was run around the edge to bind the layers together
people got so used to it, that nowadays, though there is very little chance of seperation, leathergoods look unfinished without an edge crease, so I for one, tend to crease, but do it cold.
with most modern leather, there is no practical, but only cosmetic, advantage in an edge crease.

I think maybe grooves are preferred because it does add that "finished" look. It says "This was always meant to be a strap" as oppsed to "this is a raw piece of leather I cut into a srtip". Interesting historical info on the grooves, by the way. I always assumed it something to do with a machine holding the leather secure while it was being cut.

lol, I know Mr.Texas Jones but from my view, I preffer them without the grooves and seeing that you got them without them, if I ever order you one it will be without them

If you've got that 1981 issue of Rolling Stone with Indy of the front, you'll clearly see the grooves on the strap. When I look at the original Amsel Raiders poster, I see grooves there as well. I think it's possible they were on the Raiders strap- but definately not in the following films.

If any one has that pic, could you upload it to the net, id really like to see it cuz i just can´t see the grooves

I am afraid it wasnt me who posted the pic it was Rick but you're right its a great pic:



Ken

You see, NO GROOVES , btw does the grooves make it more resistible, i mean harder to break or something or is it just ornament?

It looks cooler.

Bah, it ain´t the Indy way , btw are tag straps thick?