[T.G]

Looks it has some decent possibilities to cause wrapper damage, especially if the cigars are bouncing around inside a traveldor version of it. Also, it appears as if it might be less than ideal for storing shorter or smaller RG cigars unless you make different size drilled slats and base slats - it looks like a lancero might fall right through the hole in the center of the base slat. If any cigar falls out of the base slat when closing, it might get crunched.

Overall, I think it might be ok for a desktop if one can live with the cigar size limitations, but I dunno about a traveldor.

As for the straps, maybe some sort of synthetic leather? Has the pliability and "folding" characteristics of leather without the odor issues. It'll should naturally form loops in front of the slats when closed.