Thanks for the links. I like reading anything Bruce has written and I value his opinion. Although I am a taptalk member, the link provided the dreaded “Access denied” page. Do you have another source for that article? The Larry Meaux article is the same one that has been regurgitated by many a online magazine and I dont give much credence to it. I will say it is the only article I’ve read that addresses this exact tip coloration on the strap so maybe I need to open my mind a little.