Mooh,

I have a Levy's. Before that I had a cheap cloth strap with metal hooks. They constantly rubbed against the neck heel and resonator. I took the clips off, attached a leather boot laces to both ends and tied them to the hooks. It worked well, didn't mar the wood, until the actual cloth strap broke. I agree with Martin. Banjos are expensive and heavy instruments. I feel that my Levy's will last a lifetime and is specifically designed not to damage the banjo.