What is the best way to poke a hole in a leather watch strap?

August 24, 2011 5:34 AM

I have several watches that I wear that all have leather watch straps. With a couple of the watches, my ideal placement for the hole in the strap is actually in between two current holes. What is the best method to create a hole big enough to use? I have tried a sharp turkey skewer to poke a hole in it, and while it pierced the leather, it didn't leave a hole large enough to easily go through every time. I have thought about a leather punch (which i guess is used for belts?) but that would be way too large. Suggestions?
posted by dbirchum to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

Is there a cobbler in your town? They're usually able to handle jobs like this.
posted by telegraph at 5:37 AM on August 24, 2011

A lot of leather punches have a revolving head that allows you to select holes of different sizes.

Or any jeweller ought to be able to do it for you, maybe even for free.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 5:48 AM on August 24, 2011

There are dozens of ways. I've used an X-acto knife to cut a small hole. I've pounded a nail through it into a board. I've used a leather punch.
posted by sanka at 5:58 AM on August 24, 2011

A watch shop/jewelers should do this for a few bucks.
posted by carter at 6:48 AM on August 24, 2011

Try an awl. Works on leather belts too.
posted by PickeringPete at 8:08 AM on August 24, 2011

I've had cobblers do this exact thing, on watch bands, belts, and tall boots that had a back buckle. Oh, and a pair of lederhosen. I've been charged a varying amount between 0 and 3 dollars, but I always gave them 5. A jeweler/watch shop is probably a more sure bet if you want to make sure they have a small enough punch, but any cobblers should have one too.
posted by brainmouse at 9:09 AM on August 24, 2011

I've used a corkscrew on belts before and it's worked well.
posted by Susanna King at 10:55 AM on August 24, 2011

Drill with a small bit also works.
posted by 6550 at 8:13 PM on August 24, 2011