Leather will stretch in time and soften slightly but it does take time. Leather conditioners are to help keep the leather moist and try and rejuvinate old leather and prolong its life. You might want to try working with a softer or slightly thinner lleather to start with.

I was making some straps for a Gretsch Floating Action, and found a synthetic leather used for horse harnesses. The goal was to find something that wouldn't stretch as a lot of my hardware has straps -- Slingerland Hi Hat and Tempo King the FA...

It's been a while since I got it...may have to recover some of the information. That might be the A+ solution.

If it works, I may have to invest in some that has the characteristic Rogers color

Can you post a picture of what it is you are making? I am not real familiar with the Gretsch strap you mentioned.

I've done a couple Gretsch Floating Action pedal straps and have used mink oil to re-condition the leather. The leather strap was stiff and light colored, but after the mink oil it's very flexible and has a nice dark/rich tan color.

You can usually find mink oil in the shoe care section. It comes in a round metal can like shoe polish.

- Tim

Tim-- I've used mink oil as well as the other softener and although it works well, it doesn't really penetrate. I elected to use the stiff leather to avoid -- or at least postpone -- the stretching of the leather strap.

That's why I started exploring the ideas of using a synthetic. I originally tried using a layer of nylon strap underneath the leather, but it was just too bulky. I have the synthetic in 2 widths...maybe I should get off my butt!

And, as long as I'm making them, there's no reason I couldn't make them a little longer and punch the holes a little ****her apart. It'd be easier to fold!

Just before I fell asleep I had the idea of soaking in brake fluid... a mechanic friend use to soak parts that were stuck, or rusty or whatever in brake fluid - he told me it is the thinnest lubricant there is and consequently has great penetrating attributes.

I figured it'd either soften it up or make it super stretchy!!

Have you tried to crease it with a hammer where you want to fold it ?

Well, more or less.

I did get it to work last night - just folded, held, and screwed it in. Fortunately the hole size is small enough and the leather strong enough that the threads for the screw bite into it. As I tightened the screw, it tightened the fold...

Dosen't Gibraltar sell kevlar replacement straps for the swivomatic.If not you can also try nylon webbing.Its the same stuff climbers use as a climbing harness,and pretty bullet proof stuff that you can buy by the foot.

Steve B

I've never been able to get the Gibraltar straps to work right. But that was one earlier pedals I was playing around with.

I checked into the nylon webbing, and found it. Also found a guy who explained that putting holes in it was a real production. That was also an issue for me...I was hoping for a neat row of holes, with an original look.

And THAT's how I happened on the harness strap stuff. Just haven't experimented with it yet. I think it'll be pretty much perfect. It does look like leather, but shouldn't stretch, etc.

I'll let ya' know!