Karl Derrick

Thanks very much for the addiitonal input. The required tweaks are becoming clearer with each player's comments. Yes, there's a lot of real estate to decorate, should you wish to I won't offer any kind of embellishment as standard, as I think the leather itself looks very nice. Karl

Thanks very much for the pics and input. The strap looks good on you ! So, another vote for a slimming in the neck area, check. Karl

I think it's the best way to design something. It's not my fault you guys are weird shapes.... On a serious note, individual opinions will become consensus as more and more players try out the strap. I can already see where we're heading. This is good Karl

Gareth, Thanks very much for the pics and input. Much appreciated. There seems to be a clearer picture emerging of what and where the tweaks need to be. 1. One inch narrower at the shoulder. 2. Scoop out a little at the inside at the neck, possibly. 3. Narrow the strap down as we head down the back, to take out the slack. Karl

Good news! Looking forward to it. Karl

I can answer some of this right now. You can have white thread on black leather if you wish. It's way too contrasty for me. The stitching seems to 'shout' against the black. When working with lighter threads on darker leathers, I use dark cream coloured threads. Still light against the dark, but a little more gentle on the eyes Short answer on the snaps is that they NATO spec and I order them specially in lots of a thousand at a time. I don't stock any other colour, as they go with all my main colours of leather, as they are are black/dark brown over brass. The black can be sanded and polished off to reveal brass, but I don't carry chrome in the NATO. I can get them, but I have to order a thousand. There are options in other fasteners..... The lining suede will be dark chocolate brown, as on the proto. Karl

The leather is the very best there is. I make a point of using the best quality material, produced by small family run businesses. The black is the very same leather, identical but for the colour, yes. I'm always available for custom work, and to talk about custom work Karl

Marc, I think we're going around in circles. The point of the exercise is to get the strap out there to people to try. A luxury you'd bever have with another maker. There will be tweaks and changes, for certain. The straps are £140.00 each, posted. If you do go back and read the thread, you'll see why Karl

Mega-Grippy

Thanks for that. I think I've already said a few times that the width can be adjusted in the pattern, if enough people would prefer it narrower. It's not a deal breaker. It was designed to be as comfortable as possible, so I started out as wide as possible. For the record, there's now way this strap will slip. Karl

This is why we're doing the field trials. We'll take a look at all the input and comments and see where we are. Karl

Just so we have a frame of reference, The strap doesn't overhang my shoulder at all. Be interesting to see how it fits you other guys Karl Karl

Absolutely! Karl

Thanks for the pics and inupt Andy. I made the basic strap shape to fit an average body. I'm what I consider average: I am 5' 10" tall and weigh 13 stone. I'm not huge. I am probably a little larger than Andy. It contacts me very well all around. I can adjust the pattern to make the strap narrower at the shoulder, no problem. It could come down by an inch without affecting comfort. I can also narrow the area at the lower end of the strap, no problem. It should be said at this point, that although the straps will be made to measure for each client, they cannot be patterned entirely for an individual. That would be more work than the job is worth, to be honest. So the shape can't 'be tweaked' for every single client, no. I can of course make a custom strap to fit an individual, but it would be priced accordingly. I would like to see what the other players on the list make of it. Karl

Thanks Myke, Black is available to order. Best thing is to jump on the filed trials list, and try it out for yourself. Karl

Thanks for that Myke. A bit out of my price range, sadly. If possible, I'd like to keep this thread on topic for the strap discussion and feedback. Karl

Sorry! 1. Andydye 2. Walbassist 3. Ead 4. PlungerModerno 5. Xzodar 6. Edster 7. dougieb 8. Vmaxblues 9. Badass

Glad it arrived safely yes, the leather is really nice. Tanned in oak-bark liquor by a small family tannery. It takes a 'year and a day' to tan from the raw hide to the finished leather. It's my very best material, very supple and very strong. The lining suede is a full 1mm thick. Karl

'Course I can 1. Andydye 2. Walbassist 3. Ead 4. PlungerModerno 5. Xzodar 6. dougieb 7. Vmaxblues 8. Badass I'll be looking to Badass to send the strap back home to me at the appropriate time. Hope you guys like the strap (and order at least three each!) Karl

Andy, It went out today, first class signed for. You should get it tomorrow. Karl

Right, The proto strap goes out to Andydye tomorrow. We're going to need everyone to have a good play with the strap and then get it on to the next guy on the list as quick as is reasonably possible, so no one has to wait too long. I'll be looking for Vmaxblues to get the strap back to me at the end. Feel free to PM me for my address at the time. If anyone has any private comments or questions, I can be reached anytime by email: [b][email protected][/b] Karl

Done,done, done! 1. Andydye 2. Walbassist 3. Ead 4. PlungerModerno 5. Xzodar 6. dougieb 7. Vmaxblues

Of course, here you go. 1. Andydye 2. Walbassist 3. Ead 4. PlungerModerno 5. Xzodar 6. Edster