I absolutely love watching you do leather work. My step dad started teaching me how to work with leather in the late 60’s. He had a small gun shop, repairing old weapons, reloading ammunition, and leather work of all sorts. I spent many hours designing and working out puzzles of what the client wanted. I fiddle with it here and there, but nothing compared to the work that you do. That’s why I truly would like to have a pair of those suspenders. Like I have said a few times, spring is a ways off and I won’t need suspenders again until spring. I have a pair that I can get by with, but they are synthetic garbage compared to real leather work. Thank you for taking the time to video your journey 👍💪🙌🌈✌️🐖🐷🐽
@ I’m not sure if the return address is on the package or not, but I did put it in the email that I sent you. Please don’t rush to try to get them done, I’m in no hurry to get a quality outcome. I fell in love with the suspenders that Hillbilly wears and when he said that he got them from you is when I started watching your videos
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 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.
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?
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.
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...
" 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!
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.
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.
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.
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'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.
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! 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.
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!
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.
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!
I made a holster back in the 70s for an 8 1/2" S&W 357, jumped in with both feet, and lined it. It was a disaster. Sad part is, instead of learnin from my mistakes, I quit. Spent a lot of money on store bought holsters that dont fit, and I ended up hatin. So, 50 years later, I'm startin over, slow, small, with fewer expectations. I'll see where it goes from here. Take er easy!
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.
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.
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.
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 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!!
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.
@@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
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
My email is muskrat14@hotmail.com The problem is....time! I do leather work in my spare time, and there isn't much of it. The other problem is fitting the gun to the holster. To make it fit right, I really need the gun to fit it to. If it's one I have, no problem. If it's not one I have, or can borrow....big problem! Mostly I have Colt Peacemaker copies from Uberti, and most of the percussion revolvers. I also have a Colt 1911. I do have friends I can borrow from sometimes also.
@@michaelwhitehead6310 Because of moving, I only have 4 muskrat traps out, but I've caught around 25 rats, maybe a few more. I hope to get more set soon! Good luck this season!
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 TH-cam listing, my email address is there. If you send me a message we can go from there. Thank you, and thanks for watching too!
Sure Joe. I'm behind right now and have been moving ,so my shop is torn apart also. Email me please and I'll try to get it done as soon as possible. muskrat14@hotmail.com
Most of my tools I have collected over the years, but there are a lot of leather stamps for sale on ebay. For leather, look for saddle skirting, or tooling leather. Herman Oak, or Wicket & Craig are the best brands, both USA tanned, but not cheap. Any leather that has a finish on it already won't stamp very well. 8 ounce is probably the most versitile for most smaller things. It just takes time and practice. The main thing is to have fun with it. The more you do, the better you will get.
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!
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.
Thank you and welcome! To tell the truth, I don't remember where I had it made. I did it at least 15 years ago. If you look up "Custom makers stamps for leather" there should be places to order them from. Sorry I'm not more help.
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!
Yes, and no. I'm really behind on my leatherwork....so far behind it's not even much fun anymore. I really can't justify adding to that list until I get some of this stuff done. I would be glad to make you one, but I don't know when.....sorry.
I now this is a old video but I was going to ask. I had a guy tell me to but my gun in a plastic bag and put it in my holster and soak it in water to shape it the way I wanted it to look. Is that true because I don't want to ruin a good holster?
You can to a point. If it is dyed. the dye will run. If it has a heavy finish, it might not work very well either. Get the holster wet, then put the gun in it to shape it. Don't soak it, just wet enough to shape the leather. Good luck!
Awesome holster! I own the latest model of the Ruger blackhawk 357 magnum with the 4.62 inch barrel. Would you be able to make a holster for that gun? If so, I'd be eager to get into contact with you.
I could. The biggest trouble I have is getting it to fit right without having the gun. I don't own a Blackhawk. The frame is bigger than Colt style revolvers(I do own those). Right now I do have a Blackhawk on loan to make a holster for, so I can do it. Time to do it is also a problem. I wouldn't be able to get to it until after Christmas sometime probably. Do you know if there is a difference in size between the Blakhawk and the Super Blackhawk? If you would like one, let me know if it's right or left hand. Standard hip carry, or cross draw, and what you would like tooled on it. I've been charging about fifty dollars plus shipping. My e mail is.... muskrat14@hotmail.com.......Thanks!
Thank you! Yes I do. The trouble is, that there ate so many types of guns out there. To make it fit right, I really need the gun to fit it. If it is one I have, no problem, but often it's one I don't or don't even know what it looks like. The other problem is finding time to do it....I can be slow getting them done. What type of gun did you have in mind? Most of mine are revolvers. I do have a 1911 also.
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.
Thank you! I've been charging about fifty dollars plus shipping. In the "About"section, is my email. If you want one, I can send some pictures of other holsters I've done too.
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.
I absolutely love watching you do leather work. My step dad started teaching me how to work with leather in the late 60’s. He had a small gun shop, repairing old weapons, reloading ammunition, and leather work of all sorts. I spent many hours designing and working out puzzles of what the client wanted. I fiddle with it here and there, but nothing compared to the work that you do. That’s why I truly would like to have a pair of those suspenders. Like I have said a few times, spring is a ways off and I won’t need suspenders again until spring. I have a pair that I can get by with, but they are synthetic garbage compared to real leather work. Thank you for taking the time to video your journey 👍💪🙌🌈✌️🐖🐷🐽
Thank you! I do most of the leatherwork in the Winter. I'll try to get some made! Is the return address on the backpack box yours or a shipper's?
@ I’m not sure if the return address is on the package or not, but I did put it in the email that I sent you. Please don’t rush to try to get them done, I’m in no hurry to get a quality outcome. I fell in love with the suspenders that Hillbilly wears and when he said that he got them from you is when I started watching your videos
@@KunesRGr8 Sounds good! I have several I need to do anyway. Soon it will be too cold to do much outside anyway.
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!
Thank you. I enjoy making them. This one was plain, but fancy ones don't take much longer.
You deserve my subscribers, you made this like it was nothing and explained it in such a way people can learn so much without being overwhelmed
Thank you very much! Hopefully soon I'll do a few more videos like this one.
You Sir are the Bob Ross of leather work....and I mean that as a 100% compliment. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! I just found your comment.....11 months late...
Muskrat Outdoors how does someone contact you for a holster?
@@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?
Muskrat Outdoors i will email you. Thank you.
I'm about to design and make my first holster and belt, so found this most educational and entertaining. Many thanks and greetings from a UK cowboy ;)
GREAT! I'm glad you found this useful. It's fun to do too.
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 loved your Avenging Angel video and your hand made tool. Looking forward to seeing more. 5:02 5:03
Thank you very much! I have other leather working videos on here too.
That's a pretty cool process. There's a lot of craftsmanship that goes into holsters!
Thank you!
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.
That was awesome Hoss! As the proud owner of a bunch of your holsters and sheaths it was cool to watch you in action. You are the master!
Hey!.......This sounds like Chris! Am I right?
Thanks, and I haven't forgotten those rifle slings!
Did ya subscribe? I need a 1,000 or more ha!
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?
HA! I'll git ya for that!
She's doing good, how's yours?
This was pure joy to watch. Thanks.
Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked it.
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.
Thank you! Keep practicing and making things. It's a fun hobby and you can make some really neat things. It just takes time, you can do it!
You do amazing work with the leather. Very interesting. Thanks.
Thank you very much! It is pretyy fun to do,
Awesome video....very intuitive approach...gorgeous result
Thank you very much!
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...
Thanks!! It is fun to do. I hope things open and get back to "normal" again soon too. I really enjoy making things out of leather.
" 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!
HA! Thank you! I've been doing leatherwork a long time.
that was one of the coolest videos I've watched on youtube in awhile.
Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked it.
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.
That's the way I like it too! I do a lot of leather work, both plain and fancy. Everything from key chains to saddles.
Gary, Mad Skills bro! Digging the hand made tools you have!
Thank you very much!!
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.
I found this to be instructively informative, as well as enjoyable. Thumbs up from this ole Kentucky boy.
Thank you very much, I'm glad you liked it! I've made a lot of them over the years, more to come soon!
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.
Beautiful work. I really like the way you use old modified impliments as tools. Very nice old school work sir. 😉
Thank you very much!
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
GREAT! Thank you! I never have had a lot of luck tanning. I would like to get better at that.
@@MuskratOutdoors Check out Steven Edholm at Skillcult. He has super how to videos. Happy New Year! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
@@daveyjoweaver6282 Thanks! I'll take a peek!
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.
You bet! A holster you make yourself adds a little more pride to it. You'll like that can-n-ball. Messy, but fun to shoot!
@@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.
Very nice work and a good video! Tandy Leather is alive and well in Kansas City, MO.
Thank you! I', glad to hear that. None left out here that I know of.
Very nicely done. I prefer the simpler looking holsters like this one.
Thank you very much!!
With the sound of your voice, I thought you would say
"and we'll leave the light on for ya." lol
Nice Little holster. I like it.
HA! Thanks! That is funny! I'll have to watch for that commercial now!
Respect from Ireland. Great craftsmanship
Thank you very much!
Great work man you pay good attention to detail and using a lot of your home made tools good job
Thank you! It's fun to do.....when I have the time!
LOL,YEA,AND EXPLAINING EVERY LIL OL DETAIL☼
Very very nice, thanks for sharing your artistic talent.
Thank you very much!
Great holster, Well done......... Jim from Mich.
Thank you!
Thank you for your video. I am making my grandson a holster for his nerf gun and your video has been very helpful and easy to follow.
GREAT! Glad it helped!
Really great tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Thank you! Thanks for taking the time to watch! I have another one to make soon....
I love this style of holster. Hey, if you make custom boots you'd make a fortune.
Beautiful work!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸
Thank you very much!
I struggle at making this pattern...I have no idea why. Great video tho! Hello again from Soda Springs Idaho 😊
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!!
@@MuskratOutdoors yeah I just need to keep practicing. I know it'll all click one of these days.
@@thewasatch208 It will. Keep at it!
I live in the Tampa Bay area, and we have a pretty decent Tandy Leather store here. I like your work.
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.
Thank you for all the info...much appreciated...very cool
You are very welcome. I think you will enjoy it if you get into it. It's kind of expensive at first, but those tools last pretty much forever.
Just so you know, Tandy is alive and well! I buy stuff from them all the time.
But do they still have stores? I haven't seen one in years.
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
Good to know! All the ones I used to go to are gone now.
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!
Thank you!
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.
Give it a try! Really it isn't that hard to do. Let me know how it turns out!
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!
Thank you! Now that the summer busy season is winding down, I plan on a few more of this type of video.
I made a holster back in the 70s for an 8 1/2" S&W 357, jumped in with both feet, and lined it. It was a disaster. Sad part is, instead of learnin from my mistakes, I quit. Spent a lot of money on store bought holsters that dont fit, and I ended up hatin.
So, 50 years later, I'm startin over, slow, small, with fewer expectations. I'll see where it goes from here.
Take er easy!
Take your time, fit it damp to the gun, and make a paper pattern first. You can do it!!
Great video! I'm pretty new to this and I'm thinking about making a holster similar to this for my 1873 cattleman. Thanks for the great content!
Thank you! Really, they aren't very hard to make. Just take your time and try to do your best. I bet it turns out great!
Beautiful work!
Thank you very much! I enjoy doing it.
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.
Nice work. We still have a Tandy store in Sacramento.
Thank you! I don't know of any left near here. I'm glad to hear they are still around.
I like it now I want two left and right in black with tasiles I think that’s the best holster I’ve seen
Thanks!
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.
You’re a very talented individual
Go for it.
I have been working with leather for about 9 years and found that you can sand down the edges with sandpaper and it does just as well.
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.
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.
O enjoy your comment and explanation of tools and uses.
Thank you very much!
Very nice holster love the video
Thank you for sharing, very nice holster🤠
Thats some very nice work Gary and a thumbs up! Enjoyed this vid very much! Richard from Kansas;)
Thank you Richard!
Very nice job sir .
Thank you!
That turned out sweet !
Thank you!
Muskrat....That was awesome to watch ....nice holster!
Thank you Tony!
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!!
Good job on that gun holster
Thanks!
Great video! That’s a beautiful revolver by the way.
Thank you, thank you!! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
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.
It doesn't roll. It's just a smooth round ball like tip. Some dentist tools work well also.
How would I commission one of these. I have been watching you make it several times and love it.
What type of gun do you have? If it is one I have, I can make you one.
Mine is a heritage rough rider. 4 inch barrel. If you need it I will send you the firearm to use as a template.
@@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
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!
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.
Great video, thanks for showing. I’m about to make me one now. What type of leather are you using again?
I'm using either Wicket & Craig or Herman Oak brand saddle skirting. For gun holsters 10 ounce or so is about right. Thank you for watching Jay.
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!
Do it! Good gunleather is hard to find, the black powder revolvers even more so. Make it yourself!
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.
@@MuskratOutdoors Got it! Thanks again!
Excellent, learnt a lot, thank you.
Great! Thank you!
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.
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.
Tandy Leather still in business, you can order on line or visit the stores. Great video, thank you!
Thank you! All of our "local" outlet stores have closed. The closest that I know of, was in Missoula Montana....about 200 miles away.
When you're using the conditioning oil, what's the difference between it and say mink oil that I would use to condition my boots or saddle bags?
Mink oil would also work, but neatsfoot oil is thinner and penetrates deeper into the leather.
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
@@freedomwoodgasandoffgridin8925 I hope there is and you find a good pile of it! I'm hoping to get out prospecting more this summer also. GOOD LUCK!
Nice work, Muskrat! I like how you improvise your own tools and techniques. Do you think Linseed Oil would work for oiling the holster?
Thank you! No. Linseed oil is completely different and will ruin your leather. It's great for axe handles and shovels, but not for leather.
@@MuskratOutdoors Ok, thanks. Saved me the trouble of experimenting.
Fantastic video! Do you have a link somewhere for ordering custom made holsters?
My email is muskrat14@hotmail.com The problem is....time! I do leather work in my spare time, and there isn't much of it. The other problem is fitting the gun to the holster. To make it fit right, I really need the gun to fit it to. If it's one I have, no problem. If it's not one I have, or can borrow....big problem! Mostly I have Colt Peacemaker copies from Uberti, and most of the percussion revolvers. I also have a Colt 1911. I do have friends I can borrow from sometimes also.
How much do you charge for your holsters I have UBERTI 45 colt with 4 3/4 Barrel I been trying to find a good holster for it I just found one I like
I've been charging $50 as plain or fancy as you like. Right now though, my shop is torn apart from moving. I'm hoping to get it back together soon.
Just let me know when you have time to make a holster I have 22 I use for trapping I would like to one for to
@@michaelwhitehead6310 Sounds good. Maybe in a couple weeks?
Sounds good to me you doing any trapping I just went to Nampa for a trapping ed class cuase I can't show that I been trapping before 2011
@@michaelwhitehead6310 Because of moving, I only have 4 muskrat traps out, but I've caught around 25 rats, maybe a few more. I hope to get more set soon!
Good luck this season!
Very Good Work!..
Thanks a lot!
wow!!! Thats something. You ever make another one plx lemme know
Thank you John. I make a lot of gun holsters, what do you have? If it is a gun I have, or can borrow, I can make about anything you would want.
Muskrat Outdoors I have an avenging angel
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 TH-cam listing, my email address is there. If you send me a message we can go from there.
Thank you, and thanks for watching too!
You can get all the Tandy Leather tools on line.
Good to know. Thank you!
I ordered one in white steel. Can you make me one in Chocolate brown. Right cross. Two inch belt loop? Joe
Sure Joe. I'm behind right now and have been moving ,so my shop is torn apart also. Email me please and I'll try to get it done as soon as possible. muskrat14@hotmail.com
@@MuskratOutdoors Thnk you for the quick reply. Havent gotten gun yet even. Ill try you after Bew?Years we can go over it again. Good luck with shop
What is the best way to start as far as materials?
Most of my tools I have collected over the years, but there are a lot of leather stamps for sale on ebay. For leather, look for saddle skirting, or tooling leather. Herman Oak, or Wicket & Craig are the best brands, both USA tanned, but not cheap. Any leather that has a finish on it already won't stamp very well. 8 ounce is probably the most versitile for most smaller things. It just takes time and practice. The main thing is to have fun with it. The more you do, the better you will get.
Nice work! 👍🏻
Thank you!
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!
great job sir...
Thank you!
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.
Great work!!
Very nice you have me as a subscriber
Thanks and welcome!
liked and subscribed. Where did you get your name stamp made? I really need one for my work.
Thank you and welcome! To tell the truth, I don't remember where I had it made. I did it at least 15 years ago. If you look up "Custom makers stamps for leather" there should be places to order them from. Sorry I'm not more help.
@@MuskratOutdoors thanks, I'll try that.
Tandy Leather still has a shop in Austin, Texas. 2021
Good to hear! There aren't any around here that I know of.
What weight leather are you using?
About 8 to 10 ounce.
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!
Can I buy a holster for the avenging angel 44?
Yes, and no. I'm really behind on my leatherwork....so far behind it's not even much fun anymore. I really can't justify adding to that list until I get some of this stuff done. I would be glad to make you one, but I don't know when.....sorry.
@@MuskratOutdoors I completely understand you definitely do great work keep it up
I now this is a old video but I was going to ask. I had a guy tell me to but my gun in a plastic bag and put it in my holster and soak it in water to shape it the way I wanted it to look. Is that true because I don't want to ruin a good holster?
You can to a point. If it is dyed. the dye will run. If it has a heavy finish, it might not work very well either. Get the holster wet, then put the gun in it to shape it. Don't soak it, just wet enough to shape the leather. Good luck!
What weight leather did you use for the holster?
I like mine a little thick. 10 ounce or so most times. 10-12
@@MuskratOutdoors Thanks
Great job! I liked your instruments' kit a lot. I've never seen some of these tools before. That seems, did you do them yourself?
Thank you! Some of them are home made. I've been at it since the early 1980's or late 1970's so some are not made anymore or hard to find.
Cool! If there are no some tools, just do them out yourself. That's the way a real master is working. Respect!
Awesome holster! I own the latest model of the Ruger blackhawk 357 magnum with the 4.62 inch barrel. Would you be able to make a holster for that gun? If so, I'd be eager to get into contact with you.
I could. The biggest trouble I have is getting it to fit right without having the gun. I don't own a Blackhawk. The frame is bigger than Colt style revolvers(I do own those). Right now I do have a Blackhawk on loan to make a holster for, so I can do it. Time to do it is also a problem. I wouldn't be able to get to it until after Christmas sometime probably. Do you know if there is a difference in size between the Blakhawk and the Super Blackhawk? If you would like one, let me know if it's right or left hand. Standard hip carry, or cross draw, and what you would like tooled on it. I've been charging about fifty dollars plus shipping. My e mail is.... muskrat14@hotmail.com.......Thanks!
I like you channel. Do you make hosters for sale to public?
Thank you! Yes I do. The trouble is, that there ate so many types of guns out there. To make it fit right, I really need the gun to fit it. If it is one I have, no problem, but often it's one I don't or don't even know what it looks like. The other problem is finding time to do it....I can be slow getting them done. What type of gun did you have in mind? Most of mine are revolvers. I do have a 1911 also.
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.
Nice work... What do you charge for that exact model ?
Thank you! I've been charging about fifty dollars plus shipping. In the "About"section, is my email. If you want one, I can send some pictures of other holsters I've done too.
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.