A Texas tradition: Cowboy bootmaker 

As long as Texas lives, there will always be boots and the need for bootmakers.

Someone in Mexico will always make boots by hand. Even 500 years from now.

When he told Arnold he had to wait 2 year Arnold said "I''ll be back" as he walked out the door

So many dying arts ..So amazed by the craftsmanship and dedication of Dave Wheeler ..God Bless.

no apprentice program? you are actually killing the art homeboy

When I was in high school I worked for Mr. S. Rios of Mercedes. He insisted that "impeccable" boots go out only. When you said "one wrong move..." it took me back 50 years. Thank you for making quality boots!

Do we still have these kind of great talented men in the United state or just some people to creat hate and trouble to destroys people lives?? Awesome man , amazing, thanks for sharing your nice clip. Peace

What a beautiful art and craft. Some one needs to be his apprentice. Wish I was 30 years younger .I'd be knocking on his door.

I been there and got a wallet for my son and as a graduation present for when he finished HS. A gator skin wallet. That was over 5 years ago. He still has it and loves it. I always said I would go back and get some boots. But they aren't taking new customers and there was a waiting list to even be considered. I have travel all over the country as a truck driver and seen many many boot stores and makers. But these boots seem like it's more art then boot. So nice u don't want to wear them...just look at them and admire the quality.

Your program took me back. I watched your program EVERY Sunday morning, early, when I was a boy in the 1960’s. My father was rarely home and the rest were always asleep. Thank You!

There is no way this is a "dying breed" get out of here way to many people (Me included) still wear Cowboy boots for that to be true.

if he wants to teach someone i would love to learn. we dont need any more trades dying in america.

Those boots are nice, but give me simplicity. A nice pair of black or brown boots is what I like.

My grandfather started making boots as a young boy he’s 72 now and still making boots by hand. It’s amazing to witness something made from raw materials.

Even though he retired, a true legend like him will never die!

The price is expensive but reasonable. Since this is pure hand made.

My Uncle Floyd Desbrow was a renown bootmaker living in Woodward, Oklahoma who made boots for working cowboys, rodeo cowboys, and as prizes for local, state, and national winners.

Proudly made in the USA ! We need more people like him that has a trade to offer someone to teach our children how to make things by hand !

Bought a pair from Goodwill, I did not know what it was until I did some research; for only $5, I guess I can't complain about the quality.

I love watching real craftsman at work, no matter what the product is.

There are plenty of boot makers!!!! He claims he's the only one this is his marketing pitch

I wish I could apprentice with him. problem is he would retire long before I was any where near good enough to make boots on my own. it almost brings me to tears to see this. such art should never fade away.

Fantastic craftsmanship! Respect.

I am lucky to have a Mexican family that has always repaired my boots. They have 6 kids and they are all in the same trade. I inherited a collection of 19 beautiful cow boy boots and motorcycle boots from my grandpa.

Love watching him sew and the eye in the sun symbolism at the end. see the light

His emotions at the end were very touching.

True artisan, be proud of the legacy you'll leave behind

I had a pair made by Mingo's in El Paso almost 30 yrs ago. I still have them. Still dang good boots even after all the resole jobs through the years.

Master craftsmen 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

He is probably the last of a American boot maker and he is a real craftsman, very few of those left!

Oh I forgot the boots are looking good enough to eat. Beautiful work my friends.

Boots are still a HUUUUGE industry, maybe even more popular today then in the past 20 years. And people that truly want a quality product will always get them custom made. I seriously doubt custom boot makers will disappear anytime soon but that’s just my opinion

Am from Europe ,cowboy boots always on my foot.best shoes ever

This guy is the Bob Ross of boot making

My grandpa knew somebody at Nocona boot factory in Texas I went down or they drew around both my feet and I pick them up that evening best pair of boots ever had custom made

When he's not makin boots,he's making people fight each other in his show,called the Jerry" Springer show.

Awesome boots and craftsmanship!

Man I thought he Arnold was going to say “I be back in two years”

That guy said it best when he said you'll be back again n again. I collect three things.. Rock Revival jeans, cowboy boots, and guns. I feel that with all these things, it's not possible to be satisfied with just one of them.

I miss news reports like these

What a master boot maker! WOW

Not my type of boot but the craftsmanship is wonderful!

I’m a proudly a young bookmaker learn it from the old guys

One of the Best

Incredible! Absolutely fascinating.

A true craftsman. He should pass on that wealth of knowledge.

American Natives make exquisite pieces by hand.

Nothing says classy like a pair of snakeskin cowboy boots with sterling silver toe caps, spurs and heels.

At least 50,000 steps. Great job Sir!

You have to love a craftsman

You know that cgi in the beginning was their entire weekly budget 😂😂😂

That is one skill I always wanted to learn

back in the 70s i worked for a older japanise gentlemen on his shoe repair shop ,he didn't make new ones but the ones he despaired were better the new ,i remember customers stoping by just to show him their shoes he had worked on them years before ,today's shoes. like allen Edmond sre still made in very good quality they can be repair and keep on but nit very many companies remain.

The lady who interviewed him is gorgeous

Esas botas son de exposicion una obra de arte de la zapateria

I love the anteaters he has, I thought that skin was band in the US.

thank you

i had the opportunity to meet Mr. wheeler

People will go to Mexico to get their boots all they make boots over there there No Lack of boot makers in Mexico.

God bless him cause those boots are 🔥 .

An AMERICAN legend.

All of these Anglo cowboy boot makers are recognized by how much they charge for their boots and what big shot buys them. Mexican cowboy boot makers are judged by how great their boots are. And they don't have two year waiting lists.

That reporter is a rocket and the boots are nice too

Hand made/custom boots are on the up, maybe not Cowboy boots , but all other contemporary styles , the boot makers are popular on the Tube, it’s a shame he hasn’t trained someone to take over

America, you are not the only country in the world!

Nice boots, a little to flashy for me. 1:20 Amaro is a rare Hispanic name. That's was my grandfather and moms last name. That name has been in Texas longer then Texas has been part of the Union.

surely a long lad would be happy to work as an apprentice and keep this skilled work going .

He did a good job talking like Arnold 😂

I wish I could have ever justified owning a pair of cowboy boots or a Stetson. I'm just not able to make those statements about myself.

Lady was beautiful! True ig model

WOW! what a legend

There's plenty of boot-makers besides him. In just Amarillo alone, we have 6 that do it.

Hello I'm from New Zealand and we had a boot/shoe maker in my hometown where you could choose the leather and style and sole. It would be measured to your foot and then crafted for you. I was in Australia at the time and when I arrived home the company went to mass produced. I was rather disappointed as I'd wanted a pair or two. As they say 'live for today'. Anyways these crafts I believe are a dying art and yes I do believe that if there is a need or your willing to pay then you may be able to find someone to make these items. Maybe the need can outweigh the reliance on technology but you also gotta find folks to carry the crafts on. Having said that walking into a shop and seeing an old timer work with their hands is a beautiful thing. For me I find it depends on where you live as to how easy it is to find these crafts. I am interested in Coopering. Making the wooden barrels for Ale's etc. A dying art I feel. Again this depends on where your looking. Nothing much in N.Z. but still active in U.K. for example. It must be difficult for old timers or anyone for that matter who has put years into their craft to find someone to carry it on. Not just as a job but someone who will carry on the name of the company. And do the person who started it all proud. I'm 47. Been a professional driver a volunteer firefighter. Sometimes no matter how keen you are age can be detrimental. I'd love a change of role. I've seen apprenticeships offered for some roles but they always want young folk. Anyways I guess there's different views for everyone on the same topic. I feel there will be a time when everything is all about technology and not possessing the manual hand skills and the ability to figure things out old school. I see that in my truck driving. Computers and Auto Trans etc. So much is done for us now days. Both good and bad.

Work of art

Do you ever go to the Boot and Saddle roundup in Wichita Falls? My Dad started that in Burnet, Texas which is also where he made boots.

There will be none because they do not want to take any apprentice. They want to take the secrets with them . I took a boot making class with C. T Chappell, paid $2500, and I offer to work for free and take me as a apprentice, but he refused because he wanted me to pay 2500 more for the other class. I still have the pair boots that I made because they did not fit. They were too tight even after I told him to take the measurement and add an extra cms.

I'd love to own a pair.

You know Jorge making 9/10 of them boots haha

The Academy of Western Artists selected Dave Wheeler as the recipient of the Bootmaker of the Year Award at the Awards Ceremony in Ft. Worth , Texas in March of 2019. awaawards.org

The interviewer is hotter than Texas in July nice boots as well!!!

Turr Minator: -"I LL Be Boot!...I Mean Back!"

Sad sad end to a time honoured tradition. Handsome boots

a good custom cowboy boots go for 1k and up ,but it's like buying a 20k car or 200k car after 20 years of buying 5 cars in 20 years it comes out the same price in the long run

I would love to learn how to make custom boots!

I plan to learn some of this from a bootmaker I met

at 1:33 really need to buy those boots

This Art form needs to be preserved. The master should take in new interns

Damn! That foot looks jacked up. 4:04

People make boots every day he just does it by himself. Most people make an assembly line and work together. Even custom boots. He is very talented but hes not the only 1 even in texas that can do that

>soon there will be no bootmakers >2 year backlog

Thanks RU-vid for forcing this knowledge in me

I unfortunately have to settle for what you might call a mass produced boot but they sure are comfortable. Justin and Ariat.

There are other boot makers, also there are boot makers in Mexico

It’s not a dying breed LMFAO

There's a custom boot maker in San Jose California, probably a tenth of the price!

I can order leather cowboy boots from China starting at $35.00.

I wonder if he knew Charlie Dunn the bookmaker, I’m sure he did?

Master craftsman

Oh my... that afro! 😂

There's a snake in my boot!