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Thread: Can a leather strap width be trimmed?

  1. #1
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    Can a leather strap width be trimmed?

    I have a beautiful Pav leather in burgundy with grey stitch that’s 22mm. I’d love to have the same strap in 20mm but rather than ordering a new one I wondered how practical it is for me to trim it down?

    Any advice is greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    Depends on the strap I guess
    I would presume a nato might be a bit easier than a croc grained strap with stitching
    I know I would cOck it up and it would look a mess regardless of the strap.
    Might be easier to notch it?

  3. #3
    Craftsman zoiksy's Avatar
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    I've done it on a few straps. As long as there is still enough meat around the stitching it should hold well.

    Need a sharp knife and some patience but it's possible. Just measure three times and pray cut once. Depending on the sort of leather I have shaved it using a file or sand paper too before.

    Not a professional leather-smith I'm just a bodger really. But it's worked.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
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    I've got a 21mm rubber divers strap that came to me with a little bit shaved off one side at the end so it now fits comfortably in 20mm lugs. You can see it when the strap is off, but it is less obvious when on the watch and actually looks okay because the strap is wider than a correct 20mm one would be.

    Only do it if you intend keeping the strap...

  5. #5
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    This is how it looks squashed in....





  6. #6
    Grand Master abraxas's Avatar
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    It looks like too much strap for the watch.
    "Owning one is almost as satisfying as making one." ~ Rolex 1973

  7. #7
    Master
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    In a word David, put it on a NATO. You know it makes sense.

  8. #8
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    Isn't that ten words?

    Like this?


    Quote Originally Posted by MADDOG View Post
    In a word David, put it on a NATO. You know it makes sense.
    Last edited by TaketheCannoli; 8th October 2020 at 20:22.

  9. #9
    That strap doesn’t suit the watch IMO, and I think you’ll regret butchering the strap.

    Padded matte black leather, or a nato.

  10. #10
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    Actually I agree which is why it's now on a Phoenix Admiralty Grey nato

    Quote Originally Posted by vortgern View Post
    That strap doesn’t suit the watch IMO, and I think you’ll regret butchering the strap.

    Padded matte black leather, or a nato.

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    This is how it looks squashed in....




    If you still insist on trimming it you can do it very easy having enough space to play in between.
    All you need is a very sharp cutter,a steady hand,a straight metal edge and some edge paint if you do not decide to leave the edges rough
    Try it, you might end up enjoying this little experiment and also,feeling like you tunned your strap with your own hands and make it unique

    Trimis de pe al meu SM-N975F folosind Tapatalk

  12. #12
    Craftsman
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    I've tried it before, the cutting was easy (a razor blade or a scalpel from an art shop will glide through). The results were less good though!

    The cut edges will be a different colour, so stand out. That means you can't gradually take the width off along a longer length either.

    With a raw edged strap (without folded or finished edges) it should be more doable though!

    Sent from my SM-G973F using TZ-UK mobile app

  13. #13
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by TaketheCannoli View Post
    Isn't that ten words?

    Like this?

    That looks much better.

  14. #14
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    I’ve had this strap lying in the box for years, unloved and without a buckle. So I decided to try trimming it up today and it worked surprisingly well I think. A 22mm becomes a 20mm and very nice it is too. I’ll treat it with some mink oil later.

    What do you think?







  15. #15
    Journeyman
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    Looks like you did a nice job on that. How is the edge of that one sealed in comparison to the one in the first post though? Wouldn't want it to fray.

  16. #16
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    I trimmed all four edges. Later I’ll seal them over a low flame then mink oil them. TBH fraying on this type of strap doesn’t bother me.

    EDIT:


    Quote Originally Posted by Mattcurry View Post
    Looks like you did a nice job on that. How is the edge of that one sealed in comparison to the one in the first post though? Wouldn't want it to fray.
    Last edited by TaketheCannoli; 25th October 2020 at 19:51.

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