Lakota Leathers mando strap

[Jeff from Point of Rocks]

A few weeks ago the Cafe had a link out to www.lakotaleathers.com. I checked them out, and really liked their various instrument straps. I ordered a braided two-tone mando strap, and it came yesterday- I love it!
I really like that this is for a good cause, it brings some badly needed income into one of the poorest areas of the country, the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.
My strap is made from the elk hide I think; really soft, nice grain, great colors- and made by a member of the Lakota Sioux nation.
No financial interest on my part, just wanted to let folks know what I thought.

Thanks,
jeff

[Big Joe]

They are nice straps. We do carry them as well.

[fatt-dad]

I've worked on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It was in the late 70s and politically volatile (Russel Means and Ernie Banks). Went to a pow-wow, ate buffalo, drove great distances on dirt roads, met folks with curious names, got a great suntan (back before we worried about the sun), stumbled on some cool fossils and collected alot of samples of volcanic ash (ala Badlands geology). First real exposure to helicopters, which continued well into my early career as a geologist.

Ah, the good ol' days. . .

I am interested in this business model as these folks can benefit from any local economy.

f-d

[Lakota Leathers]

Hello All!
This is my first post here on the cafe. I am Kenny Bohling the founder of Lakota Leathers. I just wanted to say 'hey' to all you wonderful mandolin pickers out there! I also wanted to say 'thank you' to Jeff for the kind words about our products. We strive to provide the best straps available. If any of you guys have a local music store that isn't currently carrying our products, we sure would appreciate you letting them know about us. We are a very small company operating from the Pine Ridge Indian reservation, and my home in TN. We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions about our products! Thanks again to everyone!
Kenny Bohling

Lakota Leathers
www.lakotaleathers.com
kenny@lakotaleathers.com
537 South Schrader Rd.
Sevierville TN 37876
(865)908-1360
(865)963-9303 cell

[Mandolin Mick]

These straps are so comfortable and look great!

[blindboy]

I bought one myself, braided elk, quite simply the most comfortable nicest looking strap I have owned. Oh yeah... it smells good too

[Sadee]

These do look very nice! Has anyone compared them to the Bailey strap?

[Mandolin Mick]

These are the best straps I've owned period!!! Can't say enough good about them. I've got the tobacco/tan round mandolin strap. Made of elk and soooooo........... soft. Well worth the money and you'll know that you have the best!

[Scott Tichenor]

Just ordered one for my Kimble dola. Interested in seeing one of these. I like eating buffalo, so expect to like the strap .

[Big Joe]

Uuuummmmm Buffalo! Good! Love Buffalo meat, and their straps are very nice as well.

[Dr. Jazz]

Thanks for the input guys. I just ordered a bunch of straps from Kenny. I'm very glad to hear that I won't be disappointed. - Not that I expected to be, but it's always nice to hear in advance from satisfied folks.

Just finished a plate of local buffalo sausages! Love 'em. Eat the beast, wear the skin, read the book!

[mandroid]

Tennessee seems quite a ways off the Lakota territory ..

[rgray]

Tennessee seems quite a ways off the Lakota territory ..

Take a look at the website's "About Us" page for some info on the connection between Tennessee and Pine Ridge. My hats off to the guy.

[gregjones]

I couldn't tell from the website if they make an A style strap that ties on the headstock. It looks as if they only have straps for A's that have a button installed on the heel.

Anyone know for sure?

[Gates Richards]

I, too, worked on Pine Ridge in the late 80's, and I was glad to hear about this venture. I'm hoping for a few straps under the Christmas tree...

[Barb Friedland]

I couldn't tell from the website if they make an A style strap that ties on the headstock. It looks as if they only have straps for A's that have a button installed on the heel.

Anyone know for sure?

Greg, I ordered the A style strap and will attach a cord to the end supplied. I think it will work fine.

[Scott Tichenor]

Just put one on my Kimble dola, and yes, I paid for it .

[Jason Kindall]

Interestingly, their strap prices have crept up in the month or so that they've been a featured vendor on the Cafe. Not that I mind - I actually approve of the increase since they're still in line with other strap companies and the money goes to a noble cause.

My tobacco and tan round braid is backordered - another good sign for a small company I think!

[Big Joe]

I have a tan colored one in stock and several guitar straps as well from Lakota Leather. Good stuff.

[Mandolin Mick]

I just got a tobacco/tan round mandolin strap and it cost $50 when it was just $45 days earlier. But, it's definitely worth the money. Best strap made, in my opinion.

[Lakota Leathers]

Hello all!
Just wanted to chime in here...
As for the 'price increase', I wanted to clarify things a bit.. actually there has been no price increase.. we used to charge $5 shipping, but now we offer 'free' shipping. We use the USPS flat rate small box which is $5, so it is all the same... We just wanted to simplify the website. Sorry for any confusion. We are still a relatively new company and working out a few kinks..
As for the connection between South Dakota and Tennessee, you are absolutely correct.. It is a VERY long way.. Trust me, I have driven it enough to know! LOL.. When we first started this business, it was strictly a charity.. we carried blankets from local motels that we gathered here in East TN to the people of Pine Ridge.. After doing this several times and maxing out our Exxon card, we decided to try to do something to help the people of Pine Ridge 'catch there own fish'...
We are very happy to say that because of you guys, this is fast becoming a reality.. Just today I was able to send one of our strap makers $200 for propane, and another $200 for portable heaters... The temperature was 6 degrees and a blizzard is setting in.. this fellow has a baby and sleeps on blow up mattresses on the floor. He is a master braider and now is able to keep his baby warm and we are looking at the possibility of him getting a newer mobile home. The current one he has is infested with black mold.. a horrible, but rampant problem on the reservation.. The house should be condemned, but when it's all you have, you make due..
I am not trying to appeal to anyones sympathy here. The Lakota are a very proud people and some of the nicest I have ever met. I am simply letting everyone know where the money goes when you purchase one of our products.
I know it seems strange for me to be doing this all the way from TN, but I honestly believe this to be my lifes calling. I don't know why, but that's how it is. I owe a huge debt to Marty Stuart and his Badlands CD, for this was and is my inspiration. I guess when I sum it up, it's like this.. it took a TN boy who was a 'bluegrasser' all his life to realize the potential for instrument straps. I happened to have a buffalo hide banjo strap for over 15 years, though I never thought much about it, and it wasn't made by a Lakota, but after hearing Marty's CD, I rethought about that strap..The rest as they say is history.
I have invested thousands of dollars into this venture, and don't regret a dime of it. I know it has changed a few people's life on the reservation. I only hope that someday it might change a few more and that this business model might truly be one others can follow. Again thanks to all of you.. Kenny Bohling
Lakota Leathers..

[Mike Bunting]

My strap arrived yesterday, and I'm very pleased but I'm even more pleased to contribute to this cause that Kenny has espoused and is doing so much to help . Thanks Kenny.

[Lakota Leathers]

PS>.
On a note for the A models...
We have several options for A model player.. But we really don't have them on the site as 'options', because they are just different ways of using our product..
One of the first options is to unstring your A and simply put the loop around the headstock by the nut or first set of tuners.. an obvious option I'm sure.
Another option is to use a strap button, which again is obvious.
A third option is to notify me prior to ordering, and we can make you a strap with an extra large loop that will go under your fretboard extension if you have one..
A fourth option is for us to include a Chicago screw with your strap. You can look at our 'resophonic guitar straps' webpage to see just how these would work, but basically, it's just like looping around your headstock, but you don't need to remove your strings to do it.. It works great for the reso guys and they really seem to like them.
Also, we are open to any other ideas, so please shoot me an email at kenny@lakotaleathers.com if anyone has any suggestions.
Thanks again, Kenny

[Mandolin Mick]

Kenny-

Glad to know that our money is going to such a worthy cause! God bless you!!!

Also, you asked me to give your card to local shops around here. As far as mandolin straps ... I've been hanging out in music shops here in the land of beer and bratwurst since the mid `70's and I could literally count the number of mandolins I've seen ON 1 HAND!!! When I tell people that "I play bluegrass" they think that I'm talking about playing football on the frozen tundra of Green Bay or something. There is no market, but I do all I can to tell everyone here that you make the finest in mandolin straps, hands down.

Again, God Bless You

[Jason Kindall]

Thanks for the transparency, Kenny. Like I said - I was quite happy with the prospect of a more expensive strap given what I've seen of the quality and what you're trying to accomplish.

Good job!