How to Make the "Buckhorn" Briefcase

The "Buckhorn" Briefcase was created for a client in our shop based on a bag that I had designed and built years ago. Using the customer's requests and ideas, we came up with a very unique briefcase that is functional and fitting for any agricultural business man.
This Project Video shows you step by step how I built this bag. The leather the bag is made out of is the new Hermann Oak 1880 leather. The leather is a veg tanned chap leather that is specially formulated to be completely water proof. The one I used for this bag is the Chestnut Expedition.
I bought this leather from Maker's Leather Supply. You can contact them here:
makersleathers...
This is a great project if you are looking for a more involved leather craft project. We do have a complete pattern pack for this bag. The pattern pack is available in PRINTED version only... we are NOT offering this as a digital download. If you purchase the pattern pack, we will mail that out to you. If you would like to purchase a copy, use this link:
dgsaddlery.com...
UPDATE: 7/1/2021 The first run of this pattern pack is SOLD OUT as of right now... we are having more printed and should have them in a few days. Feel free to email us to reserve a copy or check back on the website. Thank you all so much!
This bag was sewn on the Cobra Class 4 from Leather Machine Company:
leathermachine...
For more information on Hermann Oak Leather visit their website:
www.hermannoakl...

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

Never throw out scraps you can have them with kits as practice pieces, a friend made a dowel with sandpaper glued to it for his shop for tight places

[@kevinbrown9144]

First time checking out your channel. Picked up some good tips. Thanks a lot. A big project beyond my budget, but maybe one day! Looks very nice.

[@davidwinters2552]

I really enjoyed this video! I probably will never try to make a bag like this, but I still feel this video will help me with my sheaths and belts! Just started doing leatherwork after I retired. I think your videos will definitely helped me to be a better craftsman. Thanks for the effort and time you put into it! Thanks teacher!

[@ColbyPhillipsPhD]

Beautiful bag, I look forward to making it. But don't have a machine so I'll be stitching by hand...

[@user-zm1ho5ko6s]

Love your teaching style ❣️🙋🏼‍♀️

[@josephsperlazza3135]

Excellent video. Your skill, commentary and attention to detail is much appreciated. I learned a lot. Much thanks.

[@rwest0782]

Wow, Just damn wow...What a Craftsman.

[@leathermule4824]

Thank you so much for the hammer. Not all hammers are for metal working. The one you sent will definitely be used for all of my leather work. Tapping down stitches, making creases or bends in leather. That hammer is 100% American made! Great job dog bone

[@troywilkins8255]

Got all my material, fixing to tackle this bag. Excited to give it a shot. Thanks for the video, I know I will be referring to it many times. Thanks again Don

[@JosedosSantosBarbosa-tt5nc]

OK ótima bolsa, muito bem trabalhada

[@quanals]

I love that style bag 👍

[@badachemirela3663]

I am watching from Romania. Congratulations! I learned a lot from you.

[@patrickkier]

Been looking forward to this video. I went ahead and ordered a pattern pack this morning.

[@darrellcollins4268]

Awesome work Don!!! Could you possibly do a short video on how to size for and make a ranger style belt?

[@richardkatzman2066]

Don, this bag turned out absolutely beautiful. Great job!

[@victoriabright6364]

Briefcase is absolutely gorgeous.

[@JohnKodiyil]

Could you please let me know where I can get the music that played in the background? I came here for the leather works. Your video is fascinating but the music touched me.

[@trayharris81]

You gave some great ideas! Thanks!

[@mannycontreras5266]

Wow Gonzales your video and how you explain is just awsome. First time seeing any one doing a back of these caliber and you hit it right on the nail. You would be an awesome teacher on how to in leather 101. Thanks for explaining everything so vivid. You left nothing to ask on the hole process. You were precise on how to doing step by step don.. Thank you for that nice video.

[@131dyana]

A wonderful work of art. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@funnyriverred2501]

Wow that turned out awesome! Such great work done here.

[@Handles-R-Lame]

When that music kicks in, you know what time it is..... Its time to tool.

[@fireemtguy]

I was so excited to see this video, amazing work, bag looks awesome Don

[@archiem6323]

Great video. Great tutorial. 😃👍

[@oliviahart531]

Gorgeous

[@jdl1276]

Wow, what a jewel of a video! Thanks!

[@jorgegarbin3907]

Tremendo trabajo !!! Me suscribo para ver si puedo aprender, va mi like...

[@sophiahanoa6128]

Beautiful!

[@joseLOGAN]

Fantastic video and ... fantastic job !. I love all his videos, they are very instructive. Greetings from Spain

[@jesshansen956]

Thanks Don. Another great video!

[@bwaldo1]

@dongonzales why not sew the strap dees on before installing the gusset? Seems like a lot of unnecessary fighting

[@zhanomar1818]

Amazing job! Watched with great pleasure! How much attention is paid to various little things that together form an amazing picture. Please tell me, how much will such a bag cost?

[@enriqueorlandotorressandov915]

Felicitaciones, un trabajo excelente y gracias por mostrar y transmitir sus conocimientos, gracias TEO

[@grimtt]

1880 is pretty soft, floppy and hairy 😬. good to know they have a firmer version of the waterproof one. 👍

[@synwannleathercraft8506]

Beautful ellustration....thanks

[@JayJay-sf2wn]

Gorgeous!!! LOVE IT!!!

[@jeremykropf5742]

Very nice

[@sofasquirrel]

I made the bag and it turned out great I have learned so much from your videos. Did you finish the 1880 with anything? Did you oil it? Please keep up the great work and excellent teaching.

[@WissLeathercraft]

Great video! Thank you Don! :)

[@RavenLunaticLeather]

Beautiful work!

[@droberts73543]

Nice!!

[@scottmorrell148]

amazing work,

[@makingthebagleather.srilso9511]

I love this skills brother

[@frankyantosca5012]

Antler dust is also very toxic. Always use a good particular mask when sanding deer antler.

[@custerranch]

Curious me had to Google why antler dust would be harmful. So for the next reader, here's why: Any antler, bone, or nail dust inhaled will cause death with even a small prolonged exposure. The macrophages in the alveoli in your lung can't process it and remove it so it builds scar tissue causing fibrotic lung disease...think mesothelioma. Your cure is a lung transplant.

[@floydieharris6236]

I’ve cut the antler off a many a deer. It smells weird but I don’t believe it’s toxic.

[@miguelsaldiasrossello861]

excelent ..goood job

[@charlesabbott5563]

Great Video 👍

[@Tradesman1156]

Where can I get the little die for dressing the head of copper rivets? Looks like it is forming the outer edge so they can't stick up! Great video, thanks!

[@jamesgarrison5546]

Great video Don. Subscribed

[@Tammy-un3ql]

Beautiful ❤

[@mattbarnett6632]

Dang! Looked all day yesterday for the pack.. no luck. Now it’s sold out. Haha

[@janchristiansen3358]

Super Video

[@ericwood4024]

Love your channel Don. Question I’ve asked others … do you find Herman Oak is easier to tool than craftsman grade hides of a lesser quality? I bought some from Aaron but haven’t used it yet. It appears so much nicer and high quality. I’m gonna make this pony express style bag. Thanks for your videos. You teach me something new every episode. You’re a good teacher/instructor. You make it easy to learn and your so relaxed and make it fun when it can sometimes be frustrating. Have a safe New Year. Eric Wood.

[@cliffspringer2611]

Anyone know what knife he has in this I like the fat replaceable blades and the thicker handle.

[@billmillsaps4431]

How thick is your cutting board?

[@emperorking3199]

Cool

[@dmack1827]

Would love to make this but my tooling is a long way from being a feature.

[@emperorking3199]

Fentastik

[@The_Solitarius_Lupus]

Hello Don, that bag is outstanding!! May I ask what grit sandpaper do you use on the edge of the leather?

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

Nice, but I might use an alligator tooth, maybe the horn is a better idea, where can I buy the pattern have you made any moccasins

[@fcojavieryanezvelasco2438]

Can you please tell me which scalpel you are using exactly to cut the leather pieces for the patterns?

[@aimeemorris3675]

Hey I heard about the leather convention that will be happening this August in Waco Texas...I wont be able to come this year, but was wondering if it is annual or will be happening next year?

[@rodkraal7255]

Great Job, I do like the leather, is it available through Weaver Leather, and what thickness is it. Thanks from Rod the Harness maker down under in New Zealand

[@smilingdog54]

When you are sanding the edge what grit sand paper do you use?

[@donstueve3664]

Hi Don would this be possible on a flat bed sewing machine?

[@oboy9090]

@DonGonzales Would it be possible to sew this by hand? Any down sides?

[@thomasmanson1119]

What sewing machine , needle and thread are you using to sew the tooled piece on the pocket lip?

[@julioflores7022]

Saludos desde Perú tierra de los antiguos dioses precolombinos incaicos tierra de la maca kiwicha oca Quinua coca mashua y la papa.

[@tonialisonhouck6717]

What kind of glue do you use? I never hear.

[@CaulderLeather]

Where did you get the stitch groover compass?

[@allenstrickland4175]

Beautiful project. How much did you charge to make it?

[@skaishann168]

Thank for great tutorial. Do you sell digital pattern?

[@garrett6371]

Yep, sold out.

[@cliffspringer2611]

Which color of expedition is this?

[@Stevieboy7]

The problem with having your D-ring for the shoulder strap so low is that your bag is very easily going to flip upside down if someone is carrying something top heavy like a waterbottle in the bag, you have it on the exact middle axis. If you had it any lower it would flip over 100% of the time. The reason you want it so far up is so that when the bag is picked up from the strap, its really far away from that flip axis. The metal you're using in leatherwork is very soft (zinc or brass) and it won't wear a hole in the leather, I've actually seen the opposite more often, leather wearing a hole in the hardware. I would say also that your front flap is too long, rule of thumb is generally to have the "closure" at the middle point of the front, anything more then that is a waste of leather, makes it a nightmare to use (try opening that while wearing it) and adds extra weight. I would also widen the handle, I know you have big hands, but you should definitely be able to easily get your full hand underneath without touching the flap, Usually you want about 6" grip width, and 1.5" offset from the bag. Also curious on the final weight of the bag, it looks like you really went heavy with all the leather.

[@maddawgnoll]

You think this be too big of a project for hand stitching? I ask for those that don't have a machine, like myself. When I finally get a shop set up, I'm thinking this is gonna be a priority build.

[@ColbyPhillipsPhD]

I don't have a machine either but I think I'm going to try it. I've never made a bag with gussets before, and I'm thinking that may be the hardest part to do by hand. Everything else seems pretty straight forward (just a lot of stitching overall)

[@maddawgnoll]

@@ColbyPhillipsPhD i was thinking the same. I have made a few of the rounds purse from Don's patterns. It's small though compared to this. I'm thinking, because of my inexperience surg machines, the corners are going to be easier by hand. It'll be awhile before I get to try. Still trying to find the right piece of dirt here. Might be winter before the market cools off. Everyone is getting well over asking/value for their properties home or no home on it

[@sofasquirrel]

I hand stitched it. It was not bad at all. Turned out beutiful.

[@bettybilly2496]

What are the pliers called, the ones you used for crimping? Kennel or urban pliers ? Sound quality is not all that great on my end.

[@BoneLashes]

Cantle pliers. C.S.Osborne makes a pair.

[@bettybilly2496]

@@BoneLashes Thx

[@dwightpennington1925]

Why do you water, wax the edges before you stain them?

[@Stryker2]

It’s not wax. He uses water and then a glycerin saddle soap bar before staining the edges.

[@dwightpennington1925]

@@Stryker2 why how does it help?

[@Stryker2]

@@dwightpennington1925 It lays the loose fibers of the cut leather down and smooths the edge to a glassy finish. The water activates the glycerin saddle soap to creat a protective edge while creating a slicking agent so that the canvas cloth can burnish and smooth the fibers and edge down. The stain is mostly a cosmetic step. It makes the project look more appealing and finished.

[@Stryker2]

@@dwightpennington1925 Don has a detailed video on his process. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2bVpJlmoLCHedk

[@andreatthatsme]

Throw...leather...away 🤯😳😲 noooo never... We, military service veterans, would appreciate ANY scrap pieces. They make great use for small projects. OmG....

[@MichaelScottPerkins]

Great video. Great channel. Been binge watching ya all morning. FYI... You mention following you on Instagram, but you don't have a link in the description to your Instagram account. I'm sure I can find you on Instagram, but I thought I'd just let you know that 99.99% of people are so lazy these days, you'd probably get a lot more followers if you threw a link in the description of every video.