Hey all! I just really discovered saddle hunting this fall and love it. I threw together a diy sit drag that got me through this season in combination with my rock climbing harness, but now I’m wanting to make a saddle that won’t need a backup harness.
I like the idea of a free floating belt as it would let me move buckle positions or even swap to a rope belt if I wanted. However, the sailright guide for sewing webbing loops and the pages from “On Rope” (in the old kestrel clone thread) that I’ve seen all recommend the standard “W” or “diamond” patterns for load bearing seams. Obviously, the free floating belt style would require one long straight seam on each side of the channel through which the belt would slide. By my calculations, roughly 20 inches of seam would provide more than enough strength, and is easily achievable considering that there are two seams on the channel. Also, the 500D Cordura that I would use as the inside of the channel has a higher tear strength per inch than my planned seam, meaning it will fail after the seam.
So, as far as I can tell, I have a safe design, but I’m wondering if there’s any known data supporting straight seams the way we have for “W” and “diamond” patterns.
I like the idea of a free floating belt as it would let me move buckle positions or even swap to a rope belt if I wanted. However, the sailright guide for sewing webbing loops and the pages from “On Rope” (in the old kestrel clone thread) that I’ve seen all recommend the standard “W” or “diamond” patterns for load bearing seams. Obviously, the free floating belt style would require one long straight seam on each side of the channel through which the belt would slide. By my calculations, roughly 20 inches of seam would provide more than enough strength, and is easily achievable considering that there are two seams on the channel. Also, the 500D Cordura that I would use as the inside of the channel has a higher tear strength per inch than my planned seam, meaning it will fail after the seam.
So, as far as I can tell, I have a safe design, but I’m wondering if there’s any known data supporting straight seams the way we have for “W” and “diamond” patterns.