Trimming nato type nylon straps

[liner33]

Bought a new strap for one of my watches and its miles too long , whats the best way to trim it so it wont fray ??

[Shaw Tarse]

I thought you just tucked it back on itself?

[liner33]

that looks awful though

[andy_s]

It's designed to fold back on itself, but if you use a 2p or similar (obviously not a 50p...) to mark and cut and then just briefly use a flame to quickly weld the fine strands. As it's meant to be folded back though the 'keeper' (metal strap holder) is sized for two thicknesses, so you may find the strap is a bit loose when tucked in.

[Waspy1]

Shaw Tarse said:

I thought you just tucked it back on itself?

liner33 said:

that looks awful though

I think you'll find that's a matter of opinion, a lot of people (including me) like a tucked NATO.

[liner33]

I think i need a better quality strap , this one is really thin

[RemainAllHoof]

These days, I just leave it sticking out. Same for the strap.

If you insist on trimming it, cut it where you want to stop it but about 2-3mm longer, then trim the corners so you get this shape: \___/

Then clip a 2p coin on either side of the end with a bulldog clip.

Then apply a soldering iron to melt the nylon down to give you a nicely curved end.

[RemainAllHoof]

liner33 said:

I think i need a better quality strap , this one is really thin

Oddly, I prefer the plasticky, thin ones!