Making a Belt & Harness with Secrets Inside... 

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Tuck a piece of metal in the secret pockets to protect your kidneys from a knife attack.

The several layers add to the authenticity of this. A thief would build their armor as they would be able to afford the next piece.

I'm in renal rehab (again) and my roommate is an amateur leatherworker, while he doesn't do things for LARP he liked the video and it's info.

You ought to add a diamond connection for the back, a lot of suspender types use them. It's a double layer of leather with slots through it that your straps go through and it stabilizes things better in the back.

There's some serious Dark Brotherhood vibes going on when you put that crimson shirt on underneath. "We know."

the leather daddy bit was hilarious!

Not going to lie, I think I'd prefer the suspender parts under the chest armor, or simply connecting to the bottom of it. That leather vest is clean as hell and deserves to stand out on it's own.

To fit your whole thieves' harness fit, have you considered making a thieves' pocket kit, similar to your healer kit, sewing kit, etc.? It could contain all sorts of burglary tools like a set of lockpicks, a tiny angled mirror on a stick to look around corners and under doors, fishing line with a hook to snatch hard to reach keys, a small pocket pry bar, all sorts of things a skilled thief would use to sneak into a nobleman's mansion to snatch away his gold.

A nice addition could be a handcuff key in the center back so your rogue can escape the corrupt powertripping town guards that get panicky over educated adventurers with scrying spells auditing them

I’ve been really impressed with larp furniture builds, and I thoroughly enjoy your larp costuming and prop projects as well. I imagine that you have a bunch of tools, materials, and miscellany to try to organize. Would you consider a video on what all you have, how you store it, and, if it’s not already, maybe making aesthetic and functional storage for it?

Simple answer to the question about the lower abdominal strap/article, it’s a girdle.

For sealing leather, I've had the best luck in using Fiebing's Tan-Kote after letting the dye dry overnight. A lot of saddle makers I know swear by it, and so far none of my own projects have bled through! It's a great sealant but I definitely recommend using a damp rag to apply because it can get sticky fast with a dry cloth

I seriously kept waiting to hear "Pocket Sand" when you were talking about the pockets

absolutely in love with how this armor is coming out!! cannot wait to see it in its entirety with the leg armor and the FULL costume with accessories/weapons

Chicago Screws are great for belts too. Especially since you can unscrew them if something happens to your buckle, or if you wanted to change your buckle out for something else.

I bought a belt that is substantially identical to this one from an Ohio RenFaire vendor. The basic belt is about 4" wide, long enough to overlap, lined, and has two small belts that do the actual work. They are full length and are held/guided around the large belt by a series of five vertical "belt-loops" riveted to the large belt. The small belts are free to move/be removed completely, which helps when you are trying to lay out/install pouches and other gear. Mine didn't come with suspenders, but the gentleman I got it from said he has added suspenders or cross-body ("Sam Browne") straps to a good many for customers. [ETA: on rewatching, I discovered I totally spaced out when you showed off this part of your belt] After watching this video ONE TIME, I think I'm ready to make my own complete rig!! (Granted, I've been studying the one I bought for the better part of a year, now, doodling at ideas for it...) But I'm totally adding on suspenders...

I've played D&D since it first came out. (Yes I had the red boxed Basic set, so I'm old.) I enjoy a good larp and cosplay, but I've struggled to see how these skills could translate into my everyday life until just now. I just figured out that I can make my own guitar straps! Thank you for what you do. The fact that you figure this out along with us is such a confidence boost.

As someone who made an accidental secret pocket in their gambeson, I highly approve of secret pockets. Well done!

Its a medieval Load Bearing Vest (LBV). Very usefull. Looks awesome!

Personally I'm not sold on the suspenders, I would have added for rings off the chest and back armor and used short straps to locate the belt where I wanted it. That said keep up the fantastic work.

was watching this in the morning with my coffee and that bite at the end woke me up more than any amount of caffeine XD

Upholstery vinyl is a great analog for making patters for leatherworking. It has thickness and lays like leather but costs a lot less. Love the videos!

Oblong punch, GET ONE KIT!... also looking mighty hadrian with that red and black!

The look is definitely coming together Cl3ver, it looks great, can't wait to see it finished.

LOVE THIS ARMOR!

The belt came out great! The suspenders were def giving me leather daddy Oktoberfest vibes, all they need is the lederhosen shorts in black leather.

Looks super cool!

Out here making a medieval battle belt. I love this so much

Threaded things (screws)... use Lock-tite

With the under the arm pouch. Think of it like a shoulder harness for a pistol. If made properly it is quite comfortable and doesn't make things bulky. I've worn pistols like this before and had no issues with comfort.

That armor is so epic! The build and the design are amazing, lovely work :D

That belt looks perfect for a Cloud Strife Cosplay. Throw a Wolf pauldron onto the strap on the shoulder and you're golden. Thank you for this!

This harness is totally awesome! Love the look and vibe from this. Could you post a picture while wearing a cloak or cape?

Another awesome build- keep levelling up YOU!!!

I can't wait until you figure out Tokonole for the edges, I used to use water or beeswax for my edges, as 'That would do the same job', but the difference of efficiency and feel is sooo great and underrated in my taste.

For the under-arm strap. Maybe one of your water bottles like LIVING ANACHRONISM suggested. Especially, a not quiet period flexible one. Just a thought.

17:50 whenever I have a lot of leather to edge, I use a rotary slicker in my drill press. Makes quick work but you have to be careful.

Love this combo. I have a similar project percolating in my head for a Ranger rig. I'll deffo be using some of the techniques you've used on this project 🤙🏻

I look forward to the next leg armour video. Cheers mate.

If you take a heat gun and go over everything after waxing them, it will help the wax spread out and soak into the leather and better waterproof it.

Some pointers from a saddler/leather smith: Skiving should never be done on the grain side since it’s the grain that holds the majority of the leather’s strength. For a keeper it’s not a big deal, but if you need to skive for something that has to have some integrity you should never skive the grain side. The spacing of the holes in a belt is usually determined by the width of the belt: If the belt is 1” wide the holes are spaced 1” apart, if it’s 1.5” the holes are 1.5” apart and so on. Of course this is a matter of taste first and foremost but we usually tend to prefer stuff that has some sort of harmony to them like similar spacing and so on. Belts should always be cut along and as vlos to the spine as possible since the fibers are most compact there and has no stretch in them at all. Leather has stretch in one direction but not in the other so you can choose if you want some stretch or not in your projects. Parts like the belly, neck, groin/armpits are always more stretchy than the other parts of the hide since the animal would have to be able to move the legs and the head and thus making the fibre structure more flexible. You really don’t need anything other than water and a wood slicker or cloth to flatten the fibers on the edges. Just dampen the edges and use the cloth or slicker in the same direction over and over again. Because if you rub back and forth the fibers will lay down and then stand up again as you go the opposit direction. When dyeing, make sure you let the dye dry completely (like 24 hours or so) and then put on something like Resolene, Tan-Kote or other type of sealer and let that dry completely between each layer (it usually needs at least 2 layers). Make sure you use it everywhere you have dyed (flesh side too, wax won’t stay on for long) otherwise you risk getting rub-off on clothes and other gear.

I just watched the first part earlier today- imagine my surprise when I see this fresh off the burner! Nice.

Q: what about the 18th century pocket?... They were tied around the waits and not exactly into clothes, maybe an apron or part of some undergarments depending on the time period.... Try looking it up. Most of the extent examples was sewing kits. For item you needed on hand, a Siantarle' was used. (I've watched a bit of burnadte banner and the historical clothing stuff)... I hope I spelled that correctly.

You should use lock tight to hold the screws fastened its used in the automotive industry to keep screws and bolts in place but be removable if needed.

Cool project. Very much like we had when I was in the Army. When I was in the Army, we were issued a harness and belt called an LBE, Load Bearing Equipment. A lot like this but made of nylon. Since I got out in 1997, they’ve gone to more of a vest.

@20:30 - OR, OR, if you have a bit more time than sense, or really enjoy the serenity of unending saddle stitching, you can just hand stitch your belts. I have made 6' belts hand stitched down both sides. My fingers hurt, but I am very proud of them.

Your sincerity and originality is really refreshing! 😊

Another thing that might help keep the straps from coming apart would be a belt keeper arounf the cross point in the back

I know your fond of rivets, but when it comes to buckles, I like to use heavy duty snaps instead, making the buckle replaceable ( I have an extensive collection of buckles too) with different buckles depending on the look or mood I'm going for. It's much easier to make one belt (or strap) and change out the buckles than it is to make and more importantly, store a lot of different belts. I have 3 belts, in 3 different colors, and popping on a steampunk buckle, or a viking shield buckle or a plain silver buckle is so easy to do

You definitely need a black and red hood for that!

When you go to hang the thigh plates from the belt, ensure the anchors run as close as possible to the outermost side of the hip joint. This will let them pivot with the leg when you squat, whereas attaching them to the front will allow them to slide down and bind up or tear harness when you go to stand up. Check out the Fantasy armor pattern from Prince Armory for a visual.

I haven't looked through the comments yet, just wanted to say this harness gave hard Cloud Strife vibes and I love it

I think a set of bracers like the ones you made about a year ago with the hidden thieves' tools in them would fit the theme really well for this armor

This looks so sick! And the hidden pockets are an excellent addition. The design is freaking awesome!

I’ve been waiting for a full armor kit/project since I subscribed. This is so awesome.

I think, instead of/ as well as the sternum strap you could add a diamond shaped back mount, which you could have attachment points for anything including a grapple and rope. The cross would hold the straps in place especially if there were buttons there.

I am so excited! Lets start!

Great build! Your leather designs, the tools & skills to pull them off and the vocabulary and delivery to communicate all this to an audience, with a sense of humor is impressive! Good job!

That thing is coming together wonderfully

I loved your approach to this. You answered questions I didn’t know I had. I appreciate you educating us on this new product.

Man you're getting good... I remember your earlier video and all the mistakes you learned from and improved on are awesome and inspiring. Keep doing projects you enjoy.

Really love the harness but i do think the connection for the straps across the chest would look better with a buckle just aesthetically but thats more personal taste than anything still WHAT AN AWESOME BUILD

Whenever I make a belt or similar that is two pieces of leather attached flesh side to flesh side, I include a strip of poster board or heavy card stock to help cut down on the stretching as well. I just stick it down with contact cement and sandwich it between the two pieces, stopping just short of the edge so that I don't expose it when I'm beveling and finishing the edges.

Oh and add that new cloak you made would be perfect with this armor 😮❤

I don't know what the big piece of the belt is called, but if was making it I'd call it the girdle.

I do not know why I never thought of doing this when making a keeper. Even now I'm still learning things!

I love these thief themed videos

When I was working the Leather craft / Shoe Repair shop we used a stapler like the ones used in stores for bags to put 2 staples in the belt keepers to assist the glue.

blue loctite will hold the threads from working loose on the SB buttons and it can break loose for replacement or moving later

Was listening to you grupe about the slicker and was about to suggest pulling it through a rag when you beat me to the punch! Great build!

20:40, you said "it's time to assemble this mofo", but I wasn't looking at the screen and I TOTALLY heard the actual word 😂😂 I had to go back several times just to check

Outstanding build !

"Robert's your father's brother" = "Bob's your uncle, your done" lol. Googling "Belt buckle anatomy is says that Belt buckle tongue is a 'Prong' . I would have called it a tongue. I guess the thicker belt is a leather girdle. I can not find it. The fact this stuff is 'pretend' for larping but 100% realistic and functional very much satisfies that nerd satisfaction part of my brain. It's supposed to be for 'larp' and would make a real leather armor smith jealous.

I made a warriors belt very similar to this last year for my ren fair outfit without the suspenders. I am definitely going to add suspenders to mine.

I'm grateful for this video because it made me realize that I own a strap cutter 😂 The pieces were separated in the box of tools I was given, so I had no idea they were even related.

Loving what you are doing. You make it look so simple...Easy. Definitely getting the wheels turning to try something myself. Maybe one you are done you could put a final price list. I think this would help us newbies on a budget.

It’s gonna be so slick seeing it with the new cloak. Posh beyond posh

I love this armor set. Can’t wait to see the leg armor and the whole outfit. Maybe add a cloak, some bracers and footwear. And the clothes ofcourse. Keep up the great work brother

Nice work, no doubt about it. Just a side thought though...why not put D rings in the bottom of your chest armor and connect your belt to that and forgo the suspenders?

At least half the entertainment value of your videos comes from your enthusiasm. I love it. Also "Thief Armor" sounds very similar to "Thee Farmer"... I don't know, it's what I thought you said at one point. lol.

Eyyy! That looks awesome!

Bro made my modern jungle rig battle belt In leather Add 2 canteens, A Large utility pouch between them, an Arrow Quiver, A Seax, and you'd have the medieval fantasy version of a Ranger's Battle Belt. Oh and you can call the big leather section a "cummerbund"

This is very similar to how I make shoulder holsters. Also, to your point about a knife under the arm pit, I carry one daily and rarely notice it.

Leather Daddy 😂😂😂 great presentation 👌

you could make some hardened leather plates that go onto the belt for your kidneys and then you could be one step closer to having a SCA heavy fighting kit, making your own SCA legal helm would be a heck of a metal working project.

I use an under arm holster for my personal defense weapon and i can vouch for its comfort especially as a more portly individual

Gosh you're so faaaast! I dig the look of those multi belt belts, and yours turned out so great with this perfectly aligned croco look. And it does promise to be handy! I suspect that feeding the little belts through things could be a bit of a hassle - maybe adding a buckle to the loops of pouches and other things could help out there. I hope the glue on the large belt isn't going to come lose. In the chest piece, you secured those edges. Well it should hold up well enough so that fixing it eventually later if needed should be a valid option.

Chicago Screws are a good alternative to rivets for belts if you want to be able to de-construct it or replace the buckle

cant believe you only have 150k subscribers. this feels like an at least 1 million channel.

You need to do the thin leather around the outside of the belts with stitching to keep it on that would complete the look.

PS I love your energy. You gained a subscriber 100%. I'm teaching myself leather working, I've made mistakes and either fix it or go with it haha. Made two bracelets so far :)

Can you do a short or a little video of you jumping around with your armor rolling on the ground climbing rope and stuff like that. My goal is to see how the armor will restrict you movement.

This is great! I may have used Chicago screws instead of the double capped rivets so things can be fixed or adjusted more easily on the go. But looking stealthy and dangerous

Time to Leroy Jenkins this video

This looks so badass!

Personal opinion here : I’m a big Gambit from X-men fan. He is a Thief by origin. He has a long leather coat. I think all Cool thieves should have one. Next project for this character should be a long coat. Level up to the max!!!!!!

A strap cutter is amazing! I bought that same one when I first started on leather work about 7 years ago and still use the same one to this day.

I'd love to see a project that used rivet and burrs. Rapid rivets and double cap rivets are nice, but it doesn't compare to the amount of strength a rivet and burr can take

Loving this project! Thanks!