Why choose your camera strap from Oakside?
When you have spent a lot of money on a fantastic new camera. You get it out of it's box, spend ages setting that camera up and then go for the stock strap that came with the camera. Oh dear! doesn't look like you have much of a camera now does it?
Right Google - Blimey! I didn't know there were so many camera straps to choose from? So why should you choose one of my handmade leather camera straps?
Maybe it is just because you like to support UK small business? Whatever the reason, I would like to think that you choose to buy a leather camera strap from Oakside because you like the look and quality of my work!
I am trained as a Cordwainer (someone who works with leather). I use traditional saddlery methods to make a handmade camera strap to a standard that far surpasses shop bought leather camera straps and stock nylon ones.
I use top grade English Bridle Leathers from JE Sedgwick who have been established since 1900 They are world renown for producing some of the best bridle leathers. With thirteen different colours I am sure that you can find one to suit your taste.
For buckles I use Abbey England.
Abbey England
Founded in 1982 and based in Knutsford, Cheshire with a foundry in Walsall. Abbey England was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1995 for their quality goods manufactured in the UK foundry. I also buy all of my tools, thread, and dyes used to make my leather belts from Abbey England.
So now I have the best quality British materials - top quality leather, and the best British buckles. Now the work comes down to me.
The buckle and split rings are stitched by hand to the handmade leather camera strap. I use linen thread and double hand stitch. This means that each thread passes through the leather and makes a complete stitch, unlike machine stitching which interlocks the stitches in the middle of the leather. This means that on any one side is the same length of thread, break one stitch and you break them all! Double hand stitching uses two needles to stitch with, each stitch crosses inside the leather before moving on to the next one. This makes for a much stronger and more reliable stitch than machine stitching.
The other noticeable difference with my handmade Leather camera straps is that the stitching runs along the length of the leather and not across it. By stitching along the length the strength and integrity of the leather is maintained. It takes a lot longer to do but is better in the long run! Stitching across the length is essentially making a perforation across the leather camera strap, weakening the leather and making a potential failure point! I'm sure you don't want to drop that camera now!
So there you have it. In summary the reasons for buying a Handmade Leather camera strap from Oakside are;
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Top selection English Bridle leather.
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Solid brass or stainless steel buckles.
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Stainless Steel and Titanium Split Rings.
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Specialist camera fittings to fit different cameras such as Hasselblad posts (when available).
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Handmade in the UK.
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Traditional hand stitching methods.
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Made-to-measure.
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Custom Designs.
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Leather and Buckles made and finished in the UK.
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Free UK delivery
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Secure PayPal payment
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A selection of standard designs.
