possibles bag strap

[Mean Gene]

I have been contemplating making a possibles bag, I've been looking for materials and getting prices but one thing keeps alluding me, I haven't been able to locate a source for an adjustable shoulder strap, maybe some of you have made your own bags and know of a sourse.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Black Hand]

An inexpensive vegetable-tan leather belt makes a good strap - The last ones I bought were about ~$5 each. Check your 2nd hand stores.

 

[Mean Gene]

Actually I was considering a fabric belt one with leather attachment points and buckle!

I could make a leather belt without much trouble but I also like the look of a fabric like hemp.

 

[Black Hand]

Leather is better and more comfortable. Dealing with the cut fabric can be annoying.

 

[azmntman]

Fabric is far superior if you prefer fabric

 

[Black Hand]

In the continuum of strap materials, fabric is the worst choice I've used. Woven Hemp straps are better and leather (not flimsy leather) is the best.

Your bag, your choice.

 

[Artificer]

Gene,

By hemp fabric, do you mean hemp webbing?

Gus

 

[spudnut]

Turkey foot traders carries several widths

 

[Artificer]

Yes, I found them earlier, but have no experience with them or the hemp webbing they sell. Please don't read anything bad into that, I just have no experience with them.
http://www.turkeyfootllc.com/Hemproducts.html

Gus

 

[Coot]

I have used them for some years for hemp rope, canvas and webbing - the rope for the yokes that I carve, the canvas for folding stool seats and the webbing for straps on folding table legs. I have been quite happy with them & their hemp (from Romania I believe) products.

 

[hawkeye2]

In the continuum of strap materials, fabric is the worst choice I've used. Woven Hemp straps are better and leather (not flimsy leather) is the best.

Your bag, your choice.

I'v used fabric straps before with no problems, what do you find bad about them?

 

[Mean Gene]

Yes but not necessarily hemp that's just what came to mind, I'm just weighing my options trying to decide which way I want to go.

Many years ago I made my possibles bag from a Tandy leather kit, it's still a good bag just a little small. So I thought I would try my hand at making a larger more finished looking bag. I have been making gun belts and holsters for a lot of years but not bags, it seemed like a fun project.

 

[Mean Gene]

Hawkeye, did you make your strap or buy it pre made?

 

[SgtErv]

Turley Foot's hemp webbing is pretty good stuff. The thinner ones (as in width) are stiff enough that they won't bunch up on you. I used a wider one, herringbone style, for a cartridge box strap and it works well, but it'll bunch at times. It's all well made.

I considered replacing a leather shot pouch strap with a hemp one, but it has never bunched up on me so I've left it. Just my experience. I think woven hemp looks a lot better, really, and an inch wide one has worked well for a haversack. Note, I replaced the linen haversack strap because it bunched up and dug into my shoulder like a string. It was pretty uncomfortable, and I go pretty light.

Just my experience and preferences after some experimentation. Always found the right combo with this gear to be a balance between utility and appearance.

If you make a leather one and dye it, I'd seal it as well so it doesn't bleed the dye into your clothes. This is especially true if a super hot day.

Enjoy the new gear, whatever you choose!

 

[Mean Gene]

Ha ha, yah I think the wife might be a little upset if I had a stripe going across my shirt from the stain leaching out of the strap.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[Artificer]

I've had the same problem with 19th and 18th century haversacks over the years with linen straps that were too narrow and often too thin. So I looked for wider straps and double thickness. However, they still bunched up a bit, though not as bad as the narrower straps. 19th century Confederate Gun slings made of linen and reinforced with leather were better than nothing, but only somewhat better. They became a bunched up string as well. However, THE most uncomfortable things I found were 19th century suspenders with linen straps too narrow. Took me some looking around, but I finally found a pair with rather wide straps that did not roll up and dig into my collar bone or shoulders.

You are very much correct the heavier the item that is suspended by linen fabric shoulder slings, the more likely it is for the linen to roll up. That is why I would NEVER have one on a Shot Pouch/Bag.

However, with thicker hemp webbing, it should not be as bad.

Gus

 

[hawkeye2]

I took pillow ticking folded and sewed, turned inside and then covered the face with wool. The one for my hunting pouch is 2.5" wide and very comfortable. You can do this with almost any cloth and it isn't necessary to face it except for a desired look. If two thicknesses aren't enough to keep it from bunching fold and sew again giving four thicknesses. I made a fancy 2" wide shoulder carriage for an old hunting sword using a similar method and faced it with a dark red velvet like material stitched to the backing with gold colored thread and used the same thread to form the small holes for the buckle tongue.

 

[rfisher]

I always make my straps out of the same leather the bag is made from. I will often use pillow ticking folded in two with the seam on the back side sewn to the underside of the strap to help keep it from stretching . This also adds a nice look ,especially if you line the bag with the same material. And you can buy a nice brass buckle from track of the wolf or crazy crow for your adjustment. I have made about 6 or 7 this way and I find it works quite well.

 

[Silky921]

Look up Ohioramm and her straps. Proud owner of a few myself. :thumbsup:

 

[KLWeaver]

Thanks for the recommendation silky!

I was just going to say, I could gladly weave you a strap for a bag!