J. Peterman Counterfeit Mailbag

[Fifty150]

This is a new one selling for $100 off retail.

 

[Fifty150]

I don't mind the short strap all the time--sometimes it's the right length for what i need it to do--but i do also have a second longer strap for which i sometimes swap it out, when i need to carry it as a cross-strapped satchel.

I found the strap that came with the bag to be just the right length. Just long enough for me to pull over my head with the strap across my 50" chest, and the bag is close to my body right under my arm. This allows me to protect my belongings by keeping my arm over the bag flap opening, and I can easily reach into it to access whatever I'm carrying. On a rainy day, I could easily cover it by carrying it under my jacket. Something you really want to consider if you are carrying a laptop computer. The bag does not swing around, get caught on anything, or bounce off my hips or legs when I'm moving around. I could also adjust the carry position so that the strap is across my chest and the bag is across my back, like a sling pack. Just the right position when I'm riding my bike. This is why messenger bags don't have very long straps either.

But if you need a longer strap, it's fairly easy to make one that uses the original hardware that came with the bag.

First, find a local leather store. You will need to buy 1" strip(s) of leather. They come in different lengths. If in doubt, get it longer. You could always cut it down later. Leather stores carry these specifically for making shoulder straps and belts. Depending on the thickness, you may only need one strip. The J. Peterman OEM strap is made of two strips, bonded together, and stitched at the seams. Save yourself the extra work. Buy a strip of leather that is the right thickness. It will be stronger, and last longer. But if you insist on mimicking the OEM strap, then get several thin strips.

If you are using two strips of leather, you will need to glue them together. You local leather shop should have a rubber cement for this purpose. Nothing complicated about it. Apply the rubber cement as directed, then allow to dry. This could take up to several days or a week.

If you want to have the same look, you can stitch your strip of leather all around the edges. For a single piece of leather, this isn't necessary. For two pieces of thin leather glued together, this step is a "must do". The stitches will hold those two pieces together, and add strength to your strap. What you will use is a Speedy Stitcher sewing awl. The off white waxed thread that comes with the awl will work perfectly fine.

Now use your OEM strap as a template, and mark off the location of the holes at the ends. You can use an awl, center punch, or even a ball point pen. Be careful not to damage your original shoulder strap. Make the holes with a tool called a leather punch. This too, should be readily available in your local leather shop or hobby shop.

If you are not a do-it-yourself type, then a local cobbler should be able to make a strap for you. You could also experiment with different types of leather hardware, fasteners, rivets, buckles and snaps.

[video=youtube;yNFMzAEW0V0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNFMzAEW0V0&feature=player_embedded[/video][video=youtube;T4fZA-YZwGU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4fZA-YZwGU&feature=player_embedded[/video]

 

[Edward]

Gee...I didn't think that this was such an unknown item. I always thought that this was one of Peterman's staple items. I was thinking of maybe swapping out the current strap with a WW2 GI style rifle sling ( http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t.../search-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1 ).
Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Scott

Assuming the end-clips can be made to work, that would do the job. Makes sense to me to have two straps for different uses.... I tend to find with my work laptop case that I prefer the strap kept short, unless it's very full and heavy, in which case the extra weight does make a longer, across-the-body strap useful. I do like the look of the bag overall - looks like something that would be great for casual use. What I can't quite figure out is whether there is any sort of fastening to the flap, or does it just hang?

 

[Fifty150]

The top flap just sort of hangs there. I suppose a real mailman only needs it to keep the wind from blowing letters out, or the rain from wetting the letters. No mailman wants to buckle and unbuckle the flap every couple of feet as he is going door to door. It would be pretty easy to attach your own fastener of choice.

 

[Fifty150]

Here are photos of the bag's OEM strap and hardware. You can see how easy it would be to make a longer strap by just buying longer pieces of leather.

 

[Fifty150]

Here are the items needed to improvise a longer strap that is almost like the one from Peterman.


Conway Buckles-Nickel Plated


Ribbon Spring Swivel Snap 1" Nickel Plate



Natural Cowhide Leather Strap 1" (2.5 cm) x 72"