Straptology: Tail length & Keeper configuration

[Travelller]

Lads,

One of my favorite strap-makers, D9, made me another super Swiss Ammo strap which I recently received; The strap came in the classic configuration of a fixed and floating keeper.

However... when it comes to the thick-style straps we usually pair up with our PAMs, I prefer to go with one fatter, "floating" keeper. So John, being the great guy the he is, will reconfigure my strap for me

This did bring up the question of how the average PAM wearer prefers their [custom] strap?

Here's the argument for my own personal preference...
Although the OEM rubber strap that came with my 233 fits my 6 3/4" wrist fine (75x115, one ~15mm keeper) I usually have my thicker PAM straps made to 75x130 so that there's a little bit of tail "hanging out". If I measure the amount of tail starting from the strap-hole "in use", then I have 65mm on my 24x24 Swiss ammo strap. Once I pass it though one standard (~11mm) keeper, I have about ~30mm still sticking out. On my 24x24 ammo, it's quite fortuitous as the +Sz stamp is visible...


If I pass it through two, I have only maybe 10mm sticking out and (of course) the stamp is hidden...


So my preferred configuration in general is one, fatter (~15-18mm) floating keeper:




The nice thing about having the one floater is that I can move it towards the tail if I need to have it fit nicely under a shirt-sleeve Clearly this will backfire some years down the road when the keeper is too loose to properly keep the tail in place, but I alternate my straps often enough and of course thoughtful strap-makers (like John ) usually include one spare keeper so I can swap out the keeper; Worse case, I can send the ailing keeper off to the strap maker for some TLC ;)

Of course, I have no problem with off the shelf straps, they work and look fine too...

(l)Wotancraft 80x130 and (r)OEM 75x125, both w/std sized fixed and floating keepers.

...but since you've got options when going custom...

75x130, 4-holes, one floater

~~~~

So let's hear your preferences and please tell us why, while you're at it


Next chapter, strap holes - where to start and how many should there be...

[Cru Jones]

great write up, fantastic pix and impeccable taste in straps, serge! thank you.

as for me, i've come to learn that i prefer one floater over fixed and floater. i find it gives me more flexibility with the fit of the strap and reduces the mass of leather under the wrist. this works for me especially because i'm not into really long tail.

[Travelller]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

...as for me, i've come to learn that i prefer one floater over fixed and floater. i find it gives me more flexibility with the fit of the strap and reduces the mass of leather under the wrist. this works for me especially because i'm not into really long tail...

Thanks for your feedback, Cru Maybe you can dig up an old wristshot that shows the back of your strap?

@Everyone, this is not a review - this is a request for feedback on how you wear your own straps... so let's have it - pics also welcome

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Travelller

Thanks for your feedback, Cru Maybe you can dig up an old wristshot that shows the back of your strap?

sure, here are a few "before" pictures.

in each case, i removed the floater and was left with a better fit, in terms of less mass under the wrist and a tail end that was not partially covered by the floating keeper.

all of these straps were one fixed, one keeper. in the future, i plan on asking for two floaters when possible.

it took me a while to try this solution, as i was afraid that the tail end would "flap around" beyond the fixed keeper. however, i have not found that to be the case. instead, each strap fits me better and i am happier.

[wmh2]

As always, great photos with excellent insight. I have not tried the single keeper, but I like the look. Will have to order one. Thanks for sharing.

[Watchdog]

Really great shots

Thanks for sharing the info and straps

[wmh2]

Traveller - would you recommend D9 Straps? Any particular strap that he does exceptionally well?

Thanks!

[ejvette]

Love the look of that strap

[Travelller]

OT

Originally Posted by wmh2

Traveller - would you recommend D9 Straps? Any particular strap that he does exceptionally well?

John's top notch - I can highly recommend his work

My 24x24 Swiss Ammo, my Great Hornback Alligator and of course the new kid on the block for my 47mm 217

[Mystro]

Looks great. I figured this out too. I could get a much more precise fit this way.

[wmh2]

I wear this standard size Navy Blue Simona with only the fixed keeper. On my small wrist it doesn't look so busy, and still keeps the tail in place.

[Travelller]

Thx for the feedback guys! I guess I could give my OEM straps a shot with only the fixed keeper to see how it looks works for me too... !

WMH, that Simona of yours has a very long "loop" for the fixed keeper that gives you a bit of play; on mine, the loop is barely larger than the keeper so that it is literally stuck to the buckle. With the exception of the canvas, it looks like Cru's are also built with tight loops like mine... . For such straps, a floater will give one a bit more flexibility to choose between showing / stowing the tail

[KBM]

Great idea for a thread! I have recently ordered quite a few straps, from different makers, like Stone Creek, Dangerous 9, Gunny, George Lan, Ted Su, Mario Paci (coming to think of it, I might have gone a bit overboard lol), and for almost all of them I opted for loose keepers, and in one of the cases, a larger single keeper, exactly like you suggest. I haven't received/worn/photographed the straps yet, but will sure come back to this thread with my impressions once that happens.