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EXTREMELY DURABLE strap needed  Rate Topic 
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 Posted: Sun Sep 9th, 2012 11:12 pm
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jgarnett
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I am moving into a harsh environment for work. I have a 24mm Benarus Moray and want a strap that will suck up sweat, stay comfortable, wash easy and handle the elements. I have some really good NATO straps but they tend to stink up. Any other suggestions ? Maybe an ISOFRANE ?

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 Posted: Sun Sep 9th, 2012 11:34 pm
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Khronos
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I'm no expert on this but I remember chat about something similar a few months ago. I believe the consensus was that Hirsch was better than Isofrane in terms of durability. Hope this helps. Dim

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 Posted: Sun Sep 9th, 2012 11:37 pm
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Khronos
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Or GasGasBones?

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 Posted: Sun Sep 9th, 2012 11:49 pm
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oagaspar
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Isophrane all the way...Hirsch does not even compare,especially in the comfort aspect imho.

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 Posted: Mon Sep 10th, 2012 12:44 am
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stew77
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I would agree with the Isofrane recommendation from Oscar above. If you want to avoid the strap "stinking up", the key is to go with a strap that won't absorb sweat and environmental elements.

I agree that Zulu/Nato straps (and GasGasBones straps) are extremely durable and will stand up to harsh abuse, but they will absorb sweat and the elements, so you will have to wash them periodically to avoid the stink.

In my experience, the Isofrane is durable as heck in harsh environments and maintenance is also a breeze. Just a brief rinse in warm water or add some mild liquid soap for really dirty stuff. As Oscar already stated above, Isofrane is also absolutely tops for comfort...you can't beat it IMO.

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 Posted: Mon Sep 10th, 2012 07:12 am
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Hammerfjord
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I was newly in Greece(Crete) and took my Autozilla on mesh there: It was perfect even under 38 celsius(in shadow)...
No sweating, no uncomfortable feeling, no stinking of course: It's breathing perfectly and never gives you a wet skin under.
A cheap W.Jean mesh can do the trick.
Now, I have a very harsh environment at work on oil platforms: Did choose a Zulu to avoid any "cutting" accident (if hard pressed or pulled) with the clasp but they tend to stink after a while and it's irritating.
I may give a try for a mesh and see, after all , I wear constantly thick leather gloves and I'm not working on a drilling deck.
The thing you have to think: If I wear a nato/zulu , even there is no clasp who could cut me, a high velocity rotating tool/machine could rip off my hand because the nylon is going usually all the way around the wrist.
But my mesh would pop out from the lug-pins, loosing the whole watch and the physical damages would be "minor" in the sense that I would still have my hand on my wrist.
Now, we could argue that a 2 pieces nato/zulu would do the trick but it don't breath under so well and it stink after my 12hours daily shift.
Bottom line: I am not allowed to wear rings at work(even under gloves) and if I would work very close to H.velocity rotating tools, I would anyway take off my watch, put it in the pocket to get the job done safely.
Danger is never far away and even a hooked glove/sleeve can be your demise but we have to make some choices as best as we can and stay focused to what we do.ThumbsUp02.gif

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 Posted: Mon Sep 10th, 2012 08:19 am
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bigrustypig
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A week you say???? A nato/zulu costs about US$15. If you wear one a day and chuck it at the end of each day, you'd have spent just US$105 for 7 straps. A Isofrane will set you back about the price of 10 to 15 zulus/natos (depending on buckle and buckle finish) and while it won't stink, think of all the potential damage it could take.

My advice, take 3 zulus for the week and chuck one out every 3 days and fly home with a fresh-smelling, brand new 3rd zulu so your wife will kiss you at the front door....
dog smile.gif

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 Posted: Mon Sep 10th, 2012 08:51 am
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Hammerfjord
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bigrustypig wrote:
A week you say????

Who was talking about a week...??? Didn't get it Jeffhomerthinks.gif

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 Posted: Mon Sep 10th, 2012 09:25 pm
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bigrustypig
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Hammerfjord wrote:
bigrustypig wrote:
A week you say????

Who was talking about a week...??? Didn't get it Jeffhomerthinks.gif


Ooopppssss....my bad! 108 year old pair of eyes (each one 54 years old) read "work" as "week". Hahaha! However, I'd still say go for the zulus/natos option.....cheaper in a harsh environment and can be washed with mild hand soap and then air-dried by the window.

Thanks for the correction, Sheriff
ThumbsUp02.gifThumbsUp02.gifThumbsUp02.gif

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 Posted: Mon Sep 10th, 2012 10:18 pm
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Hammerfjord
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bigrustypig wrote:
Hammerfjord wrote:
bigrustypig wrote:
A week you say????

Who was talking about a week...??? Didn't get it Jeffhomerthinks.gif


Ooopppssss....my bad! 108 year old pair of eyes (each one 54 years old) read "work" as "week". Hahaha! However, I'd still say go for the zulus/natos option.....cheaper in a harsh environment and can be washed with mild hand soap and then air-dried by the window.

Thanks for the correction, Sheriff
ThumbsUp02.gifThumbsUp02.gifThumbsUp02.gif


Yeah I thought about that amigo: Start to know you...
No problem. I hope our friend in Cambodia will find some good answers there
ThumbsUp02.gif

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 Posted: Tue Sep 11th, 2012 01:28 pm
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Paladin
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I'll chime in here!

I have to agree with the nato/zulu strap solution. I agree that they will absorb sweat but they are so easily washed out that I have never considered it an issue. The "wicking" properties of these straps is one of the reasons why I readily use one. The Isofrane strap, as Oscar has said, is awesome but I really don't care for the slimy feeling between my wrist and the rubber.

Aside from that changing a nato strap on a Moray is about as easy as changing your socks!

I had an experience, with my Moray, in hot, humid and harsh enviroment. 2 zulu straps did very well for me (wearing one, washing the other). While at home I wash my zulu straps with my laundry, when I'm in the woods a simple bar of soap and some water does well and if need be I'll wear it till it dries.

I hope this was helpful... 

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 Posted: Wed Sep 12th, 2012 10:31 am
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bigrustypig
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I used mild liquid detergent some time back, no brushing, just dipping over and over, and then whipping motions to get the water out after the clear water rinse.

Mild liquid detergents don't wash out the color of the straps and they make them smell really good....like a woman's blouse
subtlelaugh.gif

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