Leathercraft: Buscadero Tooled Leather Cartridge Belt & Holster Cowboy Action Cosplay Leatherworking

Making an early-style western leather "buscadero" holster and cartridge belt rig. If you're following along in "Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West" by Richard C. Rattenbury, I'm using the rig on page 193 as inspiration (though it's not an exact copy). This is an interesting alternative to the standard buscadero-style belt in that you can wear the holster either high or slung low. It was a fun build I did over the holidays for some cosplay events. I blinged it up with a lot of nickel spots (technically domed-rivets) and silver buckles. The color is Fiebings' Russet thinned down with alcohol. Then weathered and aged it. All the extra buckles and bling make it a little complicated to put on and take off but not much more complicated than a money belt.

[@theariesexperiment4642]

The sure sign of a master craftsman is the ease at which he makes it look performing his craft. Top shelf.

[@devilsden2283]

OMG....nothing more relaxing then watching a master craftsman ply his trade....mesmerizing...a blessed gift!...subbed..👍💥🇺🇲💥

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@johnnivek9653]

Earned a like when I saw you didn't edit out making and fixing a minor fuck up. Beautiful work.

[@mague76]

You do gorgeous work. As a lifetime single action shooting society member I can say this rig is beautifully ornate without being Hollywood.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

I've wanted one of these since I was a kid.

[@midnightsailor1]

Gosh, that is just incredibly lovely work. I find it most relaxing just to watch but I love to aquire the tools, and skills to do this myself. Crafting such an awesome gun rig would not only be immensely satisfying but useful ,one of be proud to wear with my Colt.

[@daviddeaton1575]

Unbelievable work You look like you where born to do this great leather work One of the best looking made rigs I have seen

[@patrickretsel7048]

Awesome work, thanks for leaving in the rivet without the strap incident, we all do it, it’s nice to see a real pro has it happen too….lol thanks for sharing 😎

[@vickiefowler1429]

That is a nice looking rig! It reminds me of the one Tom Selleck wore in Quigley Down Under.

[@Slick1G3]

I'd hang that on my wall its a piece of art !! I love watching master craftsman like you do their thing

[@heribertobaezajr.3810]

Really enjoyed how you made this belt / rig. So many new ideas for my next projects....thanks

[@herbrice8933]

Incredible build! Very impressive leatherwork that is Hollywood worthy.

[@daveintheshed4870]

That's one of the best looking pistol rigs I've ever seen. Your work is really amazing!

[@JoelMMcKinney]

Agreed.

[@joedouche3818]

I wish I can afford a BEAUTIFUL BELT like this one, WOW! AWESOME! thumbs up!

[@sonnyby]

The belt recalls the gauchos, the Argentine cowboy. Very beautiful.

[@mohdsaeed4935]

Very very nice me from Saudi Arabia I like these working thanks pos

[@notfeedynotlazy]

I usually prefer plain, unadorned gunbelts and despise the so-called buscadero rigs with a pasion, but THIS is gunleather in THAT style that I would actually not mind wearing. Bravo. Good job on the whole thing. From the tasteful decoration whose rivets actually serve a purpose to the variable wearing style, this is the best rig I've seen in quite a time.

[@theresacox8207]

Love It, Now I would purchase that for my Husband.

[@billwessels207]

An interesting treatment of an old problem. Looks good enough for a movie prop. I like the shape of the holster, obviously due to your experience with SASS rigs as you have the thumb cutout for the offhand draw. Just need the other holster now! I enjoyed the video. Thank you, Sir!

[@ataarjomand]

Absolutely beautiful and a very clear clip. Thanks

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Many thanks!

[@TheRovingDM]

@33:05, I would like to say I have never done this while making a belt. I would be lying, but I would LIKE to say it. ;-) Great work, beautiful set.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@GH-cp9wc]

Artistry in motion!

[@jeffallen3382]

That turned out looking awesome!

[@minerblue9641]

Great design. Very well made!

[@mayhem13007]

Amazing work:!

[@xyridius516]

Thanks for leaving your mistake in the video and showing how you dealt with fixing it 👍 That's an important part to learn as well.

[@reginaldsmith752]

Beautiful craftsmanship

[@fordfan3179]

Love the speed dye shake-a-color system you have.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Three words: Big Pickle Jar.

[@marianosgj1831]

Excellent job !!!

[@westcoast3595]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@bradsrestorations1085]

Good looking belt. Nice work!

[@minerblue9641]

Gonna have to make one now. Thanks for the inspiration and for a great video. I can't say enough good things about your work sir. I'll bet that was a horrific amount of work. Doing the video and everything else for it I mean.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@minerblue9641]

@@RoadAgentLeather, It was my pleasure sir. Thanks again for a top shelf video.

[@kentuckyjustice1408]

*You're a true craftsman.* I thoroughly enjoyed watching this entire video. Don't eat Taco Bell before wearing that awesome rig. You'll never get it off quick enough to avoid the impending disaster. 💩

[@stalrev]

love the belt, in the fantasy its called a war belt, when without holster. i think i will give this a try using some of your adaptations :) you are for sure one i have subscribed to.

[@reginaldsmith752]

I saw that little error. Nice job of correcting it. You were definitely in the zone.

[@maverickbryan7579]

Well DONE, VERY Well DONE.

[@JW-fb5us]

That's a BUNCH of work. You do well.

[@rafaelfranciscocarreteroma5214]

Magnífico trabajo,excelente!!!!. Y buen gusto para los adornos. Un saludo desde Madrid

[@einarlotric]

Really great craftmanship.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@jackcorke1534]

A brilliant craftman

[@richj5762]

Another work of ART.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@MrAnubis0]

Unbelievable, the craftsmanship, thumbs up x 10. I would like to buy one, but I'm afraid it's above my pay grade

[@timothyperrigoue3997]

Love that texturing stamp at 4:25!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@robscroggins4685]

Very nice. I think I will make one like that for my six shooter

[@barryrollins2728]

What a rig (great)!

[@DragonQueLee]

I've made a stage version of this whih, instead of a slot cut in the leather, has the lower decorarive strap securely rivetted to the main belt at points separated by a holster width. You can hang the holster/s from any of those loops, allowing you to (say) switch from single to twin guns to side + crossdraw without having to cut multiple slots. Truly versatile.

[@andreluissortica2637]

A guaiaca of the gaúcho. Good job man!

[@JustBeAdude]

Now that is a sexy six gun rig.

[@ericsorbara5386]

Magnifique travail

[@Gunrunner4532]

Cool music. I enjoyed it

[@19plymouth69]

Excellent!!!!

[@user-kv2gw5vj2e]

Шакарная работа.Достойна самого Клина Иствуда.Бравооо!!! Очень красивый ремень.Пожелаю успехов .Привет Тексису из России!!!

[@walkeralemao31]

Parabéns pelo trabalho, uma verdadeira arte. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇧🇷

[@terrynoles8539]

First off, ...as usual, Beautiful craftsmanship! Secondly, I watched you do it, and felt every ounce of that "Shit!" Let me tell you, it made me feel sooo much better. Not that you made a mistake, but...ok, because you made a mistake. It let me know that I'm not alone. We've all done it, and will likely do it again. Love watching true craftsmen work, because they show that they are human, and carry on, handling it like a professional. ..Back track, fix it, and move forward.

[@brianbean1195]

Why Ed, are we cross? Love Tombstone, just about every line is quotable. Great work too!

[@ianstradian]

Couldn’t figure out where I’ve heard the music from… then I remembered playing a Borderlands 2 DLC where this music played.

[@maverickbryan7579]

If I had the FINANCES I would LOVE TO purchase THIS BEAUTIFUL PEICE OF WORK.

[@scottrvguy]

Well Done Video. Thanks

[@alexschmidt8167]

Ein Meisterwerk

[@GarrKhan]

This is under rated background music.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@bigjay123]

I always wanted a crossbody pistol belt like that, like a Bandalero style with a holster.

[@maverickbryan7579]

The holster is quite sufficient FOR the RUGER 44 double ACTION 7.5"barrel.,PERFECTLY DONE SIR.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

7.5" would stick out the bottom . . . but you could do it.

[@done168]

Very nice rig .. I am a cowboy action shooter and wear a double buscadero drop rig plus my rig has a derringer holster on it as well (front right) .. I would like to see you make a angled Bowie sheath for right hand draw (on back of rig) some time that would be nice... Keep up with the great videos 👍👍.. JD Hawkins aka Don E. in Denver Colorado

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Funny enough, I don't do a lot of knife sheaths for the simple reason that I don't own many fixed-blade knives. I have made custom sheaths for others, but I physically need the knife shipped to me first.

[@dillonpropst1454]

Glad to know I’m not the only one who forgets straps or other important things! I’m fairly new here but love the content! Keep it up, it is much appreciated

[@RoadAgentLeather]

lol. In my defense, I was on auto-pilot setting all those rivets while at the same time trying to keep it all in frame on video.

[@williamolliges2622]

I’d have used a snap to attach the buckle. End user might want to shop the Great many buckle makers that could build a buckle to take that piece to the next level. I’m a fan of blued or browned iron and silver inlay, myself.

[@joshuapoche5137]

Beautiful belt. Could you imagine though having to buckle and unbuckle all 3 buckles everytime you put it on and took it off.

[@user-of2bf6in6f]

Просто офигительно!!!

[@johnhenry7097]

YES!!!!!!!!!!

[@mario7mag]

I am speachless, WOW what an amazing job you did. The details, the precision of all the cuts, the fit and finish is absolutely amazing! Could you share the colors you used to get that very nice color?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

It's Fiebings' russet thinned with denatured alcohol

[@mario7mag]

@@RoadAgentLeather Thank you for the info and keep up the great work!

[@thomashale4968]

Could you give me a ballpark idea of the cost of a holster like this in a crossdraw? Thank you, You are truly an artist

[@julioflores7022]

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

[@A.E.2023]

Great job. Can you make a Arvo Ojala Holster?

[@waynepainter3000]

What style round cutters are the ones you used the maul on at very beginning? Beautiful work btw

[@Stuingtion]

Your craftsmanship is always outstanding and this was a really nice belt rig you made! Also, what is that nice theme you were playing in this video? It sounds very peaceful.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks! It's "Jaracanda" from iMovie's jingles library

[@glennvirgin1045]

@@RoadAgentLeather I swear it's also in the series "Cowboy BeBop"

[@rocky6202]

Do you sell the rigs you build? I really like this one. Beautiful work and awesome videos.

[@louisgreenberg5384]

ill take two

[@terryloveuk]

I can't help wondering how this would look with a cross draw holster on the left side (either as part of a 2 gun rig for cowboy action, or as the main/only holster). Also, how would the a cross draw holster look as an over the belt design, the higher position would be better for access either standing or while riding.

[@reefgratos2035]

Looks better than my modestone holster… this one does not have metal sheet inside the leather so it looks more natural along the leg.. where can you buy this exact one?

[@geraldclavenna6413]

I want one

[@raulcabrerah]

Okay. Opinion. I would not have put the 2 small buckles on the belt, it burdens it too much. The pin of the cartridge belt or holster of the revolver would have placed it inward so that they do not cross in sight. And the button - coin with two openings I would have simply held it inwards by the pins to make it more noticeable and I would not have put that braid.

[@reginaldsmith752]

Much Frio. I want one

[@darrelltemple1565]

Just excellent!! Could you share where you got the main buckle? Thanks, great channel!!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks! It's an Al Stohlman 1" buckle from Tandy

[@raulcabrerah]

Bueno. Opinion. Las 2 pequeñas hebillas del cinto no las hubiera puesto, lo carga demasiado. El pasador de la canana o funda del revolver la hubiera puesto hacia adentro que no se crucen a la vista. Y el boton - moneda con dos aberturas simplemente lo hubiera sujeto hacia adento por los pasadores para que se note mejor y no hubiera puesto esa trenza.

[@stevebarrus9733]

Thank you for sharing. This is quality. Where do you get your silver spots/rivets?

[@MegaRiffraff]

👍🏻

[@gregortiz2826]

I really dig watching your videos. You do great work. Can I ask, what brand of half round punches are you using?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

They're inexpensive, imported cutters I purchased off eBay. I don't think there's a "manufacturer" listed. If you look them up there's several sellers.

[@gregortiz2826]

@@RoadAgentLeather thanks, I appreciate your timely answer.

[@jenkins1979]

Beautiful work ..what leather texture stamp dis you use brand and type? Thank you for sharing video

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching! Stamp was a Craft Japan M865. You can purchase from Pro Leather Carvers. I usually buy from their eBay store.

[@bobbyroberts5751]

Do you make your own dye in the pickle jar? If not what brand and color? As always a beautiful product in the end

[@RoadAgentLeather]

It's Fiebings' Russet that's diluted with denatured alcohol so I can build the color up.

[@mattvermillion6062]

Any hope of Kickstarter funding a republishing of that book, please? I'm certain it would be popular.

[@deanransom2350]

What type of thread do you use when you hand stitch? You do beautiful work, a boat load of skills. Sit just to the right of Yoda the leather jedi at the council table. Appreciate you sharing your work on video, keep filming. Thanks.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing! I used to use the same thread that came from my sewing machine: #277 bonded nylon. Still do occasionally. I've since switched to Ritza Tiger thread. I buy most of my stuff from Tandy Leather.

[@Varundin]

Amazing as always! May I ask some questions? 1. What do you use to dye? Whats in the pickle jar?;) 2. What thread did you use to hand stitch this? Thank you so much!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

This one was dyed with Fiebings' russet thinned down with denatured alcohol. That's what's in the big pickle jar. After the dye dries I give it a coat of neatsfoot oil then use the antique finish. Stitching is done with #277 bonded nylon.

[@megs2436]

Love watching these builds! You do amazing work! Quick question for you. Do you put a resist on your piece before you antique it? New to the craft.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

@@megs2436 I don't usually. However, I do put neatsfoot oil on it first.

[@brotherBvideos]

I love your videos, you're a master leather crafter sir. Where did you purchase your leather and how can I obtain the bullet loop pattern you used? btw 32:40, I was working on my first leather project this week for my uncle, leather apron, and I forgot to add the buckle to the strap before hammering down the snap lol I blame getting distracted by my camera while I was recording..sorry you had to do it again to add the keeper =)

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I buy my leather from Wickett & Craig or Tandy. It just depends on what is on sale. The fact that I have two Tandy leather shops within short driving distance from me means they get first dibs. The bullet loop pattern is something I made up for this rig. I the loops are a little wider than I usually use so had to make one custom.

[@brotherBvideos]

@@RoadAgentLeather thank you for your reply sir and thank you for the information, your Hand of God rig was incredible and I've been hooked ever since, thank you for taking the time to record your projects, we all truly appreciate it.

[@TexasEdition]

Incredible work! You ended up putting the holster over the top, which is what I was expecing you to do. Did that slit in the belt end up serving any purpose? Also, what kind of pistol is that? Lookes kind of like a Vaquero.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks! The slot just gives you options for how you want to wear it. It's a Uberti El Patron .45LC in stainless steel

[@JoelMMcKinney]

Daaaaang!

[@JoelMMcKinney]

I liked that you published your mistakes. Good on ya. Nice rig.

[@jagitmax]

Loved it, but looks like you need to stain the holster slot and also stain the holes in the bullet loops.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Agreed on the holster slot. I left the holes in the cartridge loops unstained for contrast.

[@JWheeler331]

When you put your dyes in the jars do you cut it with something?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Yes. Usually denatured alcohol.

[@JWheeler331]

@@RoadAgentLeather Thanks. I thought it looked like you might. Do you mix it 50-50? I have never tried that with my dyes yet.

[@benjaminnicaise9533]

👍❤️

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@bobbyroberts5751]

In one of your videos you mentioned a pack online where you can buy the layout to make western holsters, do you recall what that pack or website was?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Tandy used to sell them. Not sure if they still do. Also look up Will Ghormley's website.

[@garyeamon8081]

Where did you get the tool for cutting the corners?

[@TheKkaelin]

Great looking rig. What kind of skiver is that?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

It's Tandy's "High Tech Leather Splitter". I have a video about it I made a few years ago.

[@rafajr1966]

Do you make these for people? I'd like to order one!