I've made a bunch of holsters over the last decade and it's always fun to see the steps other people take. I learn a few things, and get to watch a more experienced craftsman like yourself. Excellent work!
@@robertmccutcheon7797 My email address is muskrat14@hotmail.com Right now though I am behind and can't get to it for awhile. What type of gun do you have?
How did it go? I still have my first one because it turned out far better than I was expecting. 10 years later they are far better, but it's still fun to see that original next to newer ones and see how my techniques developed.
I'm not a gun person, but my mother is. She expressed an interest in going shooting with me a few times. I finally broke down and went shopping, came away with a cap and ball revolver like the one featured here. Thing is, I am a knife maker and have begun to branch out into leather sheaths to go with my work. Now.. I could always buy a holster, but if we're going to get along, I have to meet it half way. My Big Iron will sit on my hip in something I made for it.
@@MuskratOutdoors Messy's fine with me. I'm not the type for injection molded high tech polymers and fast actions, machined and stamped and marked with a soulless number. I need some personality, something that takes deliberation and discernment. A weapon should demand as much from its wielder as the wielder demands from it.
I'm just starting to tinker around with making leather belts and holsters, and this has been the best instruction on tools, and how they mark the leather I have seen in the year or so I've been watching youtube clips. Your making of a fine holster without all of the "gaudy" over-carving is a pleasure to watch. Form follows function, beauty is in simplicity of purpose. Plain working class holster for every day carry. Thank you for a very good video.
Thank you very much Ed. I really enjoy making these holsters. I never liked the flower tooling very much either until I started doing it. Then you realize what go's into doing it. If you stick with this, it becomes fun. A plain one like this is a great place to start. Thank you for watching and good luck. It's not that hard to do, but takes a little practice.
My grandad made some simple leather holsters for his revolvers...made some belts too. Very simple look...he was quite the homesteader...just making do with what he had. Mainly raised cattle for money. Grandmother worked too at a sock mill. Moved the socks from one building to the next. It was like going back 100 years whenever we visited them. Very simple living.
" Yah stick it in the microwave for about an hour." hahahaha That was funny. love your sense of humor. I can tell you have lots of experience with leather work. Looks nice. really nice!
That was Great. What I picture in My mind doesn't always end up on the table, but these hints get Me closer. I like comparing My tools, are needing a glass slicker next - I'm not trying to get to Your level, but I like it all. Making a pattern like You do will give Me a big boost over using packing paper and no clear tape - poster board, etc, on the cheap. Thank You.
Sure enough. Maybe those slings can be a baby gift, I should be a grandpa again within 3 weeks! I know your kinda busy with the movie star thing. How"s that trophy wife of yours doing?
I just rediscovered leatherwork and can't wait for the stores to open up again so I can hang out at tandy leather, there's one down the street from me here in Dallas, great video sir, you have the patience of a saint...
Love this style holster. Recently picked up a set of 5' Navy 44s for CAS and plan to make my own gunbelt and holster setup. I'm going to try and recreate this style for myself, but will hopefully keep the leather a bit lower on the trigger guard. Your skill makes this process seem so much simpler than it's ever been for me. I've made a few holsters over the years and it's been anything but the seamless ease you portray in this video. Well done and very impressive. Thanks for sharing
Thank you very much. I've had a lot of practice. Over the years I'll bet I've made a couple hundred holsters. The leather over the trigger guard kind of pops over it to help hold the gun into the holster. Take your time and pay attention to detail and I know you'll do a great job.
Yes I'm in Canada, and there is a Tandy in pretty much every large city. I just checked, they have them in a lot of US cities as well. www.tandyleather.com
The regular stamping tools are pretty poor, but they have a new line "Pro line" I think, they are pretty good. They do mail order. Great holster job by the way!
Very Nice and Kind Thanks! I do some leather work for myself mostly and from hide I’ve tanned. I just made a holster for myself two weeks ago. I’ve subscribed! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
I had to subscribe,i found you very easy to listen to. I do a bit of carving & stuff,i was thinking of starting to work with leather. I have been watching a few leather makers & stuff & found it nice to watch,you also done a nice job on your holster,i believe you made the owner happy.
Thank you Ginger! It's fun to do too. This holster was a plain one, but leather tooling/carving is not that hard either. You said you do some carving, is it wood or something else? Thank you for subscribing also!
@@MuskratOutdoors Hi,and thanks for the rep lie. I know the feeling when you say it is fun,it is wo0d carving & i make some t0ols. I just bought a camera to make some videos of future creations & will be taking pictures of the stuff i made in the past,i buy the needed to0ls with birthday money & Christmas money my family give me, then i put the t0ols to work. I make sp0ons,bowls & kuksas Amongst other stuff. I also own a w0od turning lathe,but it is not setup due to no workshop lol yet. Have fun & thanks again.
@@villain1409 Great! Wood carving is very similar. The only difference is that you don't remove the background, you just compress it. I think you will enjoy it. Looking forward to seeing some videos!
@@MuskratOutdoors Yeah i think i would get a lot out of leather work,i also have a few material shops & places i can stock up on to0ls,so i am going to go price it all after new year,talking about new year,i hope you have a nice 1 thanks.
Thank you! I'm glad hear there are still a few around. The closest one to me was about 150 miles away in Missoula Montana, but it closed down years ago. I used to get sales flyers in the mail too, but they quit coming about the same time.
Very cool. I have an old tackle box full of Tandy Leather working tool my father-in-law had. I have never touched it but after watching your practiced skill I just might try to make a knife sheath I have had in mind for a spell now. Thanks for sharing. Rich
Thanks Rich. You really should. It's not that hard to do, and when you make something yourself, it makes it all the more special. With a knife sheath, be sure to add a third piece inside the fold for the sharp edge of the blade to ride against so it won't cut the stitches.
I don't have a sewing machine to stitch, so I use a small diameter drill and a drill press. Then I hand stitch, saddle stitch to be precise. Rarely do I whip stitch, nothing fancy, just practical. As far as stitching material, artificial sinew. A shoulder harness is easy as well.
You bet! Really, a two needle saddle stitch is stronger than a sewing machine anyway. Basically, you are sewing it twice doing that. I used an awl and did that for years before I got my machine. On saddles, there is still a lot I have to hand sew.
You can do it! I use grocery sacks. Cut them out a little too big. At least a 1/2"-3/4" inch bigger because the leather is thinker that the paper. If it's too much, you can always trim off the extra, but it's really hard to put it back!!
Thank you for posting this! I need to make one for a cap-n-ball revolver you have shown me the way to get it done. I especially like the way you show it can be done without $500 in tools.
It does. The other thing I have used is a piece of canvas. Just needs to break off those fuzzy fibers. That stuff I use really just kind of glues them down smooth instead.
Really interesting and informative video, my Friend! Have a pile of those tools that were picked up at a auction sale but I didn't know what most of them were for. I do a little bit of leather work. I have made chaps, a few scabbards, etc. But only one handgun holster. I want to make another one soon for cross drawing. Thanks for the great instructions!
Thanks so much for your video. It was extremely informative, especially on the tools. I'm considering making a holster for my Ruger GP100. I'm left-handed and I can't find one I like.
At one point I thought Tandy was gone too, but there was a store in Denver Co. And now it is in Aurora not far from me. They have their head quarters in Houston. PS Nice job.
Thank you. It looks like Tandy closed a lot of their stores, but there are still some around. We live in a remote area, and the closest one to us looks like at least 300 miles away. Too bad, I miss going to their stores. Always found something I needed.
I really like the idea of that stylus, I'm thinking I might be able to make one from a dried out ball point pen. Maybe a brass rod with the tip of a bic ink stick in it, if I had a nicer classy pen I didn't need i'd use it. I sure as heck ain't gonna use my Chrome Fisher bullet, and I gave the old Cross executive to my dad.
A good watch. I like how talkative you are during it. Though I do wish you used the names of tools, so people could learn from it and know what to buy when they need it, like that edge beveler, etc. In fact, if you want to make some money while doing it, you can get affiliate links to put in your video descriptions, and then you make some money every time someone buys by clicking on your link. 👍 Hope you keep it up.
Thank you! The trouble I have with selling like that, is time. There never seems to be enough time to do it. I'm way behind on my leather work, truck needs fixed, work, and then there's just the things that I want to do like hunting and trapping. Heck, I haven't been prospecting for gold in a long time either.....always something "more important" to do.....
@@MuskratOutdoors The good thing about affiliate links is that you only need to take the time to set them up. Then you can copy and paste the links into your video description, etc. Once you get used to it, shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes to an hour, depending on how much stuff you used in the video and whatnot. After that, though, it's passive income. You don't have to do anything except enjoy whatever earnings come in from it. Since it's just affiliate linking, you aren't touching the product. It's all handled by the seller. You just correct a commission from having steered the buyer to the seller. As for hunting... Too many people moving in around here. Got 100 acres with a small herd of doe on it... And a buck tag. No luck this year. Hope you're having better.
@@MuskratOutdoors And... Hopefully you take up doing the links. You get a lot of views, which could be translating into affiliate sales... Which translates into income... Which translates into life being easier. Easier to fix a truck when you can afford all the parts, or to have someone else do it so you've got more time for... Say... Gold panning. Which is something I hope you do videos on. And add links to. 😂 I'll be rooting for ya buddy.
And not to spam you, but... I'm getting into leatherworking myself. Seems like a good bit of fun. I want to do mostly like... Holsters, belts, scabbards, and gun slings. Maybe try my hand at work bags and saddles when I get a real handle on my tools and processes.
@@Jento That's how I started too. I'm self taught with Tandy Leather tools that were given to me as a kid. Saddle repair taught me how they were put together. Fun to do!
Muskrat Outdoors thank you, storming here in Northern California so I’ve been watching your videos for the last hour or so. Guns, leather, jeeps, rodeo, hunting.. got yourself a new sub!
Man sure could use some of those scissors but I've adopted the way Sam Andrews., cuts through leather with an exacto knife and a piece of carpet underneath anyway thanks for your time. .
A round knife works too, but I'm more comfortable with the scissors. I think Tandy Leather, or The Hide Factory still sells them. I think they were about $25, but that's been years ago.
Mr.Muscrat Sir I could Watch that all day You are a True Artisan of Leather working It was a pleasure to watch you work I Have a 1851 navy sheriff colt with the 5 1/2" barrel, whats the chance I could have a Rh cross draw made up for me Sir and what are your wages? I'd REALLY Like on of your holsters after watching this Its the nicest one Ive seen yet. Thank you and Much Respect from Boston Murph.
I've made a few holsters, can't remember if I got the patterns online, or if I traced them myself. I think it's time I made another 1 or 2. nice video!
Yeah muskrat nice-looking gun holster there you got about some more hunting videos I don't know if you're hunting besides out or if you have any other big game animals are like Mount lion grizzly bear moose if you do and you do on some would like to see some videos on them take care
Thank you. I shot a Mt Lion back in 1994, but don't have a video. Moose tags are hard to get, so I haven't gone after them.....grizzlies are in Idaho, but there is no season on them here.
Great video.. I'm a bit of a novice, but I have made some knife sheaths and a few other small items, and now I'm ready to tackle a holster for my Dan Wessen 357 with a 6" barrell. Your video cleared up an awful lot of questions I had, but I'm a little confused as to the forming. At about the 22 minute mark, you have glued and stitched the holster, and when you come back with the pistol in it, the leather is much more formed to the gun than before. Is that simply the result of leaving the gun in the damp holster over night, or is there another process that I missed? Once again, thanks for all the tips, and for your response.
Thank you very much. After sewing it, you can shape the leather around the gun with your fingers or a smooth tool. I use an elk antler or a porcelain door knob a lot for doing that. You don't want the leather to be soggy wet, just damp enough to be flexible. You can do it, just take your time. I'd love to see a picture when you get done.
I like the design it's pretty simple i just ordered lots of tools dyes antique wax and leather as i wanna start making leathercrafts soon, can i use olive oil before dyeing or it doesn't add much if i was to dye and antique and finish ?
I don't use much dye. If it gets scratched, the light color shows through, so I prefer to buy the leather pre-dyed if I can. If you dye it, do that before the oil. Oil can keep the dye from penetrating. One thing I found that works really well coloring in letter stamps.....permanent sharpie markers! Names on belts and things like that, it works great!!
Awesome. Its just Beautiful to be able to watch a real artiican-craftsman make his art. Virtually the whole crafting process from start to finish. The1860 Army is a handsome practical revolver in all barrel leangth sizes. Was that Latigo Leather you were using? Please keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing.
@@timothywilson6754 Thank you, but no, you can't do that legally. I have a 22 revolver that is roughly the same size except mine has a longer barrel. I can use it. Please email me with your address and phone number. muskrat14@hotmail.com
goin prospectin soon. need a holster for my hog leg. went to the tandy site. that led me here, on youtube. how you traced around your gun is pretty much what I was going to do. your customer did not want a hammer thong? I found it to be a handy thing if the holster is of a one size fits a lot of hand guns kind. that one could have held a Walker Colt! but alas my was a brass frame navy
GREAT! It really isn't that hard to do. Just be sure to cut it out a little over sized. It's much easier to cut off extra, than to put it back on! Where are you going prospecting? I do some of that also. I haven't found much gold, but enough to make it fun.
@@MuskratOutdoors I only live a few miles from Lake Huron. With all the little breakwalls between Port Huron and Lexington. Each little break wall has it's own little pile of gravel at the water line There just might be a bit of gold caught in that gravel
Nice holster, Muskrat ! Thanks for the instructional video, from a man of many talents. I take it you have been leather working for several decades. Were you wearing a scout carry pistol or shoulder holster in this video ? Could have been the butt of a scout carry knife, maybe ? You are so right about Tandy leather stores. I wish there was one around here, as I have no luck trying to get what I would like on there website. I would like a few leather working tools to mess around with and a little leather. Pretty much the tools you were showing for sewing. I don't know enough about buying leather to try and do it on line. 4 am again, don't whether to try getting some sleep again or just get dressed :-{
Thank you Victor. The gun is my little 22/22mag trapping revolver. About two years ago, I had my hip replaced. I couldn't fasten my belt tight enough, so I made some suspenders along with my belt........an official "old guy"! Now that I'm used to wearing both, I kind of like them. Anyway, that little revolver, I have a holster attached to my suspenders shoulder holster fashion.
After seeing you turn that deer loose I assume your hip is doing pretty good ? I hope so. Yes scout carry is pretty nice if your sitting much. I've not had a pistol holster,but have a couple of knife sheathes made. They are real handy when sitting. I have never had a neck knife and not sure I would like one. Don't even like a wrist watch when doing anything.
Neat gun! Summer is my bust time, but I could probably get one made if you want it. If you go to the "About" section of my RU-vid listing, my email address is there. If you send me a message we can go from there. Thank you, and thanks for watching too!
Can a finished holster be made to fit the gun tighter? I have a bianchi holster basket weave for my Colt 22 diamond back, but I think maybe it was built for the 38 or a Python.
Saw you on Idaho Hillbilly. Do you do leather work for a living? Was thinking a while back someone ought to make leather seat covers for work trucks. Someone may make them already??? I was thinking something kinda simple that would lay over seats and maybe strap on a little to keep from sliding too much...maybe some leather straps with brass snaps or something...wouldn't be a complete seat wrap...maybe an apron look??? Would wear cool as got dirty/oily and would smell awesome...no need for air freshener! Could make standard sizes for popular truck models.
Thank you! I just found Idaho Hillbilly not long ago myself. They seem like nice folks and are fun to watch. That's not a bad idea! The price of leather has gotten high the last few years, but then again, what hasn't? I used to have a saddle shop in town until about 2002. My wife had some medical problems so I had to get a "real job". (Things are good with her health now). I make mainly smaller things like gun holsters, and horse gear since I don't have a shop any more, but I still make a saddle now and then. We live in a small trailer house, so there isn't much room for anything very big. Your seat cover idea, is a good one, for those, it wouldn't need the #1 quality leather. #2 quality is less money, but has scars or brands here and there. I'll have to think on that, thank you for the idea!
Wonder if you have a local cattle processor that could hook you up with some hides? Although I've heard it is a lot of work to tan...might not be worth it?
No, tanning hides is an art of it's own. I've tried to tan things like deer hides, but never had much luck. About two hundred yards from our house though, is a stack of cattle hides about 8 feet tall! A local butcher, butchers cattle right there since it's not legal to shoot in town.
I'm glad to hear that. I don't know of any out here in Idaho. There was one in Missoula Montana to the North of us, but it closed down at least ten years ago.
I LOVE YOUR 1860 .45 COLT!!!!!!!! That baby is such a SWEETIE!!!!!! I see it's your prized possession; if i was you I'd NEVER put a price on it..... KEEP IT!!!!!!! 🔫💎🔫💎🔫💎🔫💎😍
Im new to your channel but Im rather enjoying it👍 Im headed to Tandy this week in Reno NV. I've made a few knife pouches and what not and would like to try my hand at holsters, do you have any recommendations on books?
Packin' Iron is a great book full of Old West holsters if you like the old style ones. I don't know of any "How to" books on holsters. Thank you very much for watching and subscribing!
