• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

Vietnamese Strap Makers on Ebay

Ruski91

Respected Member
12/10/12
3,178
99
48
Hey guys, so after searching online and doing a bit of research even on the forum, i found that there is a group of sellers based in Vietnam that offer real Crocodile/Alligator straps for rediculously low costs. I saw that even some of our long time members had previously tried them out and had success.

So for the whopping price of $30 i took a gamble and have contacted them to make a custom Sontoni Style strap for me. So far there has been quick communication and they seem pretty legit. Normally i would not have gone this route without knowing for sure what i am getting but after researching it a little, and at the low cost, i figured it is worth the risk.

I should be getting something that looks like this, for my FA Jones:

These two pics are what they have made in the past:

Vietnam%252520Strap_1.jpg


Vietnam%252520Strap_2.jpg


and I have asked them to make something closer to this in terms of color:

IWC%252520Strap.jpg


I guess it will take some time for them to make it, but i will keep you guys posted on my results. If this works, I am sure that there will be quite a few members that are interested in this alternative low cost option. By no means am i trying to sell anything here, just sharing a potentially good deal.
 

barth

Respected Member
5/10/12
3,483
111
63
Interested to see what they come up with. Paid big $ for my LPV Bespoke strap, but the quality is great.
 

Ruski91

Respected Member
12/10/12
3,178
99
48
@elconquistador Can you give us some of your feedback of dealing with these guys? I know you have purchased from them before with positive results. Honestly even if they send me something like the first two pictures, and its not just croco print, then i will be very happy for this price.
 

yodog

Yo
Patron
Certified
2/9/11
3,601
1,730
113
In my parent's basement
I am actually going on holiday to Vietnam in about a month - trying to figure out if I can bring back a bunch to the states from these guys...
 

Ruski91

Respected Member
12/10/12
3,178
99
48
I am actually going on holiday to Vietnam in about a month - trying to figure out if I can bring back a bunch to the states from these guys...

Interesting. Keep us posted on that please.
 

Ruski91

Respected Member
12/10/12
3,178
99
48
Its my understanding that they are all coming from the same leather/strap factory in vietnam- i believe there are three or four people selling them on ebay. I would prefer to be the guinny pig here and test it out myself before giving links, that way no1 gets upset if something were to go wrong.
 

Eschenpod

Renowned Member
21/11/12
642
2
18
I have purchased two of these Croc straps from this Ebay seller, both excellent quality.

Here is the blue one on my 111.

I will try and take some pictures tonight of the PAM 029 on dark green Croc.

 

Ruski91

Respected Member
12/10/12
3,178
99
48
I am really excited for this. If it really is as nice as some people have said - i think this would be a huge asset to the community. You are getting real croc leather for the price of rep straps. This feels like one of those too good to be true moments so i still have my doubts but i guess we will see once the final product has been delivered. Keeping my fingers crossed.
 

kilowattore

Sales Moderator / Section Moderator
Staff member
Moderator Sales
Section Moderator
Certified
11/5/13
13,943
6,373
113
Italy
Great find mate, subscribed!
 

AP_VC

Active Member
20/2/12
373
4
18
I am really excited for this. If it really is as nice as some people have said - i think this would be a huge asset to the community. You are getting real croc leather for the price of rep straps. This feels like one of those too good to be true moments so i still have my doubts but i guess we will see once the final product has been delivered. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I'm trying to dig up a post on the forum about these sellers, a guy got a Hornback from one of them for like $45 and he said it feels incredible.

The thing is crocodile farms in Vietnam are notorious for having no regulations whatsoever, the whole industry over there is a mess so this probably is the reason for the low prices ; no CITES, no regulations, nothing!!!
 

Eschenpod

Renowned Member
21/11/12
642
2
18
Here is a custom 24mm green Croc that Tuan made for me.

Charged me the same price as the straps he sells on Ebay.


 

Jooc10

Active Member
17/3/15
493
15
18
For members who have bought croc straps and have had it customized, what thickness would you go for when it's with a PAM?
Also, where do you purchase your deployant buckle from?