If the old leather is functioning as a hinge for the lid, you are courting disaster in a future failure, unless you make new straps. Always carry the case with the straps secured. Also, the leather in the handle looks weak to me. Take the handle apart and you'll find that it is a rather complicated and clever leather folding that produces the handle. copy it and learn to stitch with the two-needle technique, use strong thread and make a new handle.