Club Obi Wan

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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