Club Obi Wan

Hey all,

My first post here. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for fixing damaged shoulder bags. Recently, my very first MKVII finally gave up and its left strap attachment broke right where the metal ring holds the bag in place.

I've heard this is a known weakness, I guess sort of unavoidable after enough use. Can't say they didn't make these things tough, however. I've had the bag for almost 12 years, bringing it with me everywhere nearly every day, and it only started showing signs of deterioration very recently, and only on that particular spot. Heck, it took a trip to Jordan just two weeks ago, to the Grail Temple itself, for it to finally break. So the whole incident couldn't have been more cinematic and Indy-centric.

Here are a couple of pictures of the undamaged side, and the damaged one:





One thing that occurred to me was that, since I have a second bag with its original strap, perhaps the fabric from that strap could be used to rebuild the damaged part? Has anyone tried that? After all, it's the same material (only difference being that my second bag is slightly darker than the first one, but overall it's close enough).

At first, I considered simply moving on with the second bag. But that first one has been through so much that now it has a lot of sentimental value.

PS. Bonus shot from the bag's final adventure (yes, I took that photo - no, no tourists were there ):



UPDATE: Aaand... I just saw the tutorial post about how to fix this more or less the way I was guessing one could try to. So at least looks like I had the right idea. Now if only I could see the original pictures there.

Welcome aboard!

I had the opportunity to visit Petra as well in gear. It's an amazing place, especially so given the Indy connection. A fitting place for your bag to give up the ghost.

Not sure to which thread you are referring without pictures. There is this thread that does show the pictures. http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=49516" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Indiana Jeff wrote:Welcome aboard!

I had the opportunity to visit Petra as well in gear. It's an amazing place, especially so given the Indy connection. A fitting place for your bag to give up the ghost.

Not sure to which thread you are referring without pictures. There is this thread that does show the pictures. http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=49516" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's the one. Weird, last night the pictures weren't showing for me. Great then!

I admit I wasn't wearing all the Indy stuff at once... I never really do. Good thing about the Indy gear is that, when combined with normal clothes, nobody even notices. And if they do notice, you know you just met a hardcore fan, which is always fun.

Replaced with seatbelt material.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Liberance wrote:One thing that occurred to me was that, since I have a second bag with its original strap, perhaps the fabric from that strap could be used to rebuild the damaged part? Has anyone tried that? After all, it's the same material (only difference being that my second bag is slightly darker than the first one, but overall it's close enough).

That's precisely what I did when one side failed (dry rot).
I used a "Speedy Stitcher" sewing awl that has served me well for many years, so it has that "fixed in the field" look.

Nice fix, DanielP! Looking good, glad you gave new life to your trusty bag!