Making a Beaver Tail Knife Sheath with a Braided Edge

[@workshop719]

With care this will last for generations to come. Thanks to you, the skills needed to make another are also preserved. Respect!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I like the way it turned out.

[@curtsweet2581]

Best darn video on making a sheath out of beaver tail I ever saw.... Great work, Thanks!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!!!!

[@richgoss6013]

WOW!! Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU! That is beautiful and I will be proud to wear that while woods running. It is very cool that the Canadian knife is in a beaver tail sheath too. That sheath you made is so much better than the one that came with the knife. Of course, now you'll have to make one for your new knife too. Thanks again Gary. I will write soon. Rich

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you Rich! I was going to ask if your address was still the same? I'll get it mailed out today.

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

That sir is absolutely brilliant looking sheath!👍🏽😀❤️🇺🇸

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!!!! Beaver tail is neat stuff!

[@davemcnamee2298]

Minnesota Rancher. I can really appreciate your craftsmanship. In my younger days, in Idaho, I used to do some leather work and rawhide braiding. You are talented and skillful. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@thecamocowboyoutdoors5693]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing how you do that stitch. I've always wondered how it was done. I'm going to save this video into my favorites. Have a great day Brother!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Great! Thanks! It really isn't hard to do, and looks good when it's done.

[@IdahoHillbilly]

LOVE THE WOLF TRACK!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Me Too! I'm looking forward to making some more as soon as I get this one cleaned up. I think it will make a better pattern, I hope!

[@IdahoHillbilly]

DANG...That turned out NICE!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

THANKS! Beaver tail is neat stuff.

[@reginaldwinsor2759]

That was impressive craftsmanship. It would look great with my moose handle knife.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! It might!

[@ronwatson4902]

Ladies and Gentlemen,that is how it's done. Thanks Gary. I am impressed.Big Time!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! Thank you Ron!!

[@timberdrifter8225]

Man you move fast! Quiet to😄. That sheath turned out great. That braid is beautiful and looks really nice with the texture of that beaver tail. The beaver tails I've tried to tan came out stiff enough I could just about use them for a shovel. I was going to try a second round on them but a neighbors dog figured they made a pretty good chew toy. She was probably right. That was years ago. Haven't shot or trapped a beaver since then to try it again. I always wanted to make one of those big trade daggers with a beaver tail sheath. Nice work. Take care

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! These tails turned out stiff too. That should be good as a knife sheath though. I think I've figured it out how to tan them better now, but they are still kind of stiff. Quebracho bark is what I used the last time. I'm still trying to learn too. Lime to slip the scales off.

[@10aurum48]

Always an excellent job no matter what you do Gary.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much JR. Do you still have much Snow?

[@10aurum48]

@@MuskratOutdoors We have about 5-6 inches of fresh snow that fell yesterday and a bit more this morning.

[@amyeteel5379]

A true artisan! I so enjoy your videos Muskrat.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Glad you like them! I kind of like making them. Frustrating sometimes though! My computer "updated" last night and had to start over on this one....

[@amyeteel5379]

@@MuskratOutdoors aw heck, that is frustrating! lol, didn't stop ya though. Keep up the good work, your inspiring.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@amyeteel5379 Naw, just annoying! Ha!

[@ImixSpb]

Looks like that cow was pretty disappointed: "What the hell, such a beautiful sunny day, why should this little dog bark at me?" Ha )) The sheath you made fits that knife well. Good job!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! Yeah, she just wants to be friends, but the dog thinks she's tough! Thanks! It turned out pretty good over all.

[@marktroha2639]

Muskrat, I appreciate the hard work you put into all your videos and all the time it takes to make them. The lace job on the knife sheath was excellent, I have been making leather work since the 90's and yours is outstanding. You have to have a love for the craft and I enjoy it very much

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much Mark! I like to do leatherwork, but I'm so far behind it sure takes the fun out of it. I don't want any more "orders". I like making this stuff, but I don't have a lot of time to do it either. Making things when I have the time, and the want to, then putting them up for sale is better than having Folks get mad when it doesn't get done fast enough......or at all. Anytime you take something you enjoy, and turn it into a "job", you won't enjoy it anymore.

[@homegrowncountryhomeplace]

I enjoyed seeing how you made this sheath. Turned out great. He will really like this. Have a Blessed Day Friend! Justin

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I hope it will fit his knife....it should....

[@masstrapper7645]

Very nice work. Amazing braid work. Great use for beaver tails. The two colors go real nice together. 👍👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! Beaver tails are pretty neat.

[@berniesmith8163]

Nice work nice piece

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@alext.]

Man! An educational pleasure to witness. MO, if I had teachers like you as a kid, I'da stayed in school longer, till at least Grade 4, lol. You're a storehouse of knowledge and experience with the gift of teaching. I have the gift today of being able to learn from you. Thanks again.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you Alex! I spent most of my time in school either staring out the window wanting to be outside, or trying to figure out how to be outside and skip class without getting caught!

[@williamwebber6533]

Beautiful work. And absolutely a family heirloom. Thanks for the knowledge Sir.

[@perrybutler5970]

Boy, it is always fun to watch a true craftsman at work. A beautiful job, I always learn something watching you in action. Hope you and Cindy are doing fine. You talked about a hip replacement, looks like I may have one on the horizon. Sherry and I were able to pick up a few more pecans to day before the storms come in tonight. I took another 154 lbs. yesterday to the sheller. I will take the balance in on Monday before they close for the season. i will e-mail you for a mailing address soon and get yours on the way. I made some pralines yesterday that were pretty tastie. I will vacuum seal some when I ship the pecans. I will also include the recipe as I don't know how they will hold up in the mail. take care my friend. PB .

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Oh Man! That would be great! I love Pecans! I was born without a hip socket, so the first surgery I had was back in the 1970's. Back then, I was in a full body cast made of plaster for several months. This time, I was up and walking within about 6-8 hours of having the surgery. What a difference!! It's the best thing I've ever had done! I can walk again! It's not fun, but it's well worth it. You will be glad you did it.

[@tomhinkle2517]

That was impressive, you have a great skill. I knew a lady up at Stites that made her own rawhide and made horse tack and sold it all over the world ,I think you could to.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! Actually I have done that. I had a saddle shop back in 1997-2002. I've made a lot of saddles, horse gear, gun holsters....lots of stuff. We have a Horse & Mule sale coming up in April I need to get some stuff made for soon.

[@tomhinkle2517]

@@MuskratOutdoors I thought you looked like you knew what you where doing.I have no craft skills but I make some good bacon.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@tomhinkle2517 HA! Thank you!

[@aardhond]

Top class pice of art , that set will last a lifetime ..

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! I hope so.

[@akelkhunter]

What an art to doing leather work. Beaver tail makes a unique sheath. Nicely done.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Beaver tail is neat looking stuff. Tricky to try to tan though. I'm still learning how to do it.

[@sandyc6569]

It turned out beautifully!!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@sandyc6569]

@@MuskratOutdoors 😊👍

[@JC-uq5gi]

I appreciate you showing us how a beaver tail is a good size for a sheath. I think I was curious about that earlier last spring. Well, there ya have it! I've never made my own lace before, but I heard it got very pricey. Especially kangaroo. That lace cutter is neat. I really like hitching and braiding. Looking over the craftsmanship on a bosal about 25 years ago got me interested. It's been meditative to do. Frustrating at times, but good project to settle in on. I really like a Mexican round braid. The rounded edges are nice. Strong work Mr Gary, and my leather shop seems to look like a hurricane hit at all times. Dunno why that is? Lol. Very cool project. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! My shop is the first room you come to in my house and the closet is a food pantry....because of that, EVERYTHING gets piled in there! It's a pain to have to clean it up just to do a simple leather project, but I guess that's the way it is. Rawhide braiding is tricky. The rawhide has to be the right moisture or it's either too stiff to work with, or it dries with big gaps in the braid. If you don't already have it, look for the book "Encyclopedia of Leather and Rawhide Braiding, by Bruce Grant" . Great book with the best instructions I've found.

[@JC-uq5gi]

@@MuskratOutdoors awesome. I hadn't heard of that book yet. I'll find that before I attempt any rawhide work. Sounds like it requires some finesse to get right. Nice job on this scabbard! It turned out great. It'll be very durable too. Skiving down leather is probably one of my least favorite steps but it's the difference between amateur and professional. Especially saddle seats. Nicely done Gary.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@JC-uq5gi Thanks! It's the best book I've found. If you can find it, it's worth buying it. Good luck!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I just looked and there are several on ebay. Here's a link to one of them. www.ebay.com/itm/285114512408?epid=890356&hash=item4262263418:g:6mIAAOSwN~NjyStR&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA0FrYMF%2Fv6QqRhpY6cNKImvntuJFYKrnVqlizjzLK8glRCtdwTMFU9KHQPhxy6eHPm7N4PCnJBcF6MgqATWzR5H8Mw4%2BzuEvA77RYizW0N%2BdNvVZ7aKJyYEU7Zg%2BrlEpxAPnunGdo6am%2BAyJUEdbKgwwThNDEEb3ddBddofmw%2FQaGY7u%2FPWUBl5AKEDqtFb34J6Rv9fXtnJGra1SyjA1jsMb9rlRLNr6iI6U62vt2CsFxA%2FwmMuTksw9xh2%2BlBMOW9ci4M%2BCW64hQeYGKjnei1T8%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4SHjufKYQ

[@JC-uq5gi]

@MuskratOutdoors I appreciate you taking the time to share this. Thank you Gary!

[@ricktuma3233]

Gary that sheath looks amazing , nice job 😊

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I like the way it turned out.

[@travisboling735]

Nice work I enjoy watching you do leather work I use to do leather work myself, I made a western gun belt and holster for the doctor that lived right out of challis Idaho when I was a kid in Highschool. My tools grew legs and feet and walked off never replaced them

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I've gotten where I don't "loan" anything to anyone if it's something I care about. A "Loan" anymore, people seem to think is a "Gift"......they don't hear "I want this back, but you can borrow it". I like Challis. I haven't been there in awhile now.

[@RonRay]

That is some danged pretty work, Gary! 👍

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks Ron!

[@KRM02]

Great job brother , hows Cindy been feeling??

[@MuskratOutdoors]

THANKS! Cindy is onery as ever, she must be feeling better! We have to go see the Doctor again on Friday, but I think she is OK. Thank you for asking!

[@jonfoy9166]

That's beautiful work bud!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! Kind of fun to do.

[@tomritter493]

That's very nice work .

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@MarkJLarsonOutdoors]

That was very cool brother! I have some beaver tails that I've tanned and might try that! Great job my friend!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

You should! It's really not hard to do.

[@MarkJLarsonOutdoors]

@@MuskratOutdoors You make everything look easy lol!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@MarkJLarsonOutdoors HA! THANK YOU!

[@SanJuanMountainBob]

That's just dandy - I tinker around with leather once in awhile. I'll have to try that braided edge - it looks really nice. Thanks for sharin!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! Give it a try. It's easier than it looks.

[@frankmonroe8320]

Thanks Gary. I dabble in leather a little. May try that.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It's actually pretty easy. Look up "Bruce Grant / Simulated Four String Braid Edge Lace". I bet there would be clearer instructions.

[@mesalyn]

That is excellent, you must have done a lot of those, I bet only a few has that knowledge and skill. Thanks, by the way the shop looks great, I have to step over a few things in mine.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! Yeah, I can't keep it clean! Junk builds up in there fast!

[@TJF8]

Very nice.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@mrwdpkr5851]

That turned out great ! Didn't know you was a pirate though....

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! Yeah that bird is kind of fun, but not much help.

[@IdahoHillbilly]

Should have said....See Ya Down the TAIL 🤣

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! I guess so!!

[@leonardryan8723]

Great job and beautiful workmanship on it buddy 😊.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! This tail didn't tan very well and is stiff....not a bad thing for a knife sheath though.

[@shermanbarnett6456]

I can't wait to see the video on the one you make for my knife.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I need to get after that!!! I have another big one like yours I need to get done also!

[@ALs-Outdoors]

Beautiful work! We really enjoyed this.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you Al !!

[@jeromycooley-outwestadvent5790]

Looks awesome. You come up with some creative ideas. Thanks for sharing

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@jimmywood7817]

That is awesome 👌. Thanks for sharing

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@wingnut7448]

Beautiful!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@kennyheelas3371]

Work of ART🇺🇸✌️👍🌎🇺🇸

[@MuskratOutdoors]

THANKS!

[@michaelross4041]

Oops caught a whisker at about 9:15 I do that all the time! Lol! Fantastic video! I wish I could do half the stuff you do.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! I DID! Kinda hurt too! I got my beard caught in a drill once......now that hurt! Same with a bow string! Not good!

[@kevinsmith9190]

Really nice work and great execution.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@AA-gj3kt]

I was wondering what was done with those beaver tails but was afraid to ask. Now I know! 👍😄👍!!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! Yeah, you can make a lot of neat stuff with them!

[@virginia7191]

Wow! That’s beautiful!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@ThomasFisherArt]

Great job. Really likeit.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks a lot!

[@danielkillgrove1449]

Beautiful work! Beaver tail wallets for sale could be next!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

A friend makes those. They are really nice! His tails turned out better tanned than mine, but he won't tell how he does it! I don't blame him!

[@claycomb556]

I bought a can of Barge years ago ,it was 32 dollars then , really nice job

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It is high priced! Back in the 1990's, a gallon was about $35 now a quart is about that! This Weldwood Dap Contact Cement is about the same stuff. I think a quart was $17 last one I bought.

[@TheRedhawke]

Very nice, it looks great

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@jaydurtsche2569]

Very nice, often wondered how they made the stitch look like that

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you! There are other types of edge braids, but I like the way this one looks, and it's not very hard to do.

[@georgethomas4483]

Great job you make it look easy

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you George! Really, it is easier than it looks.

[@turdfurgeson8006]

Very nice! Loved the video! From the great State of Idaho!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@paulsisco7595]

Nice job sir ,might need to copy ur work ,be safe.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Please do!

[@stevemccoy8138]

Now that is Classic.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!!

[@pauloehmen1665]

Nice job 👍your work bench looks just like mine ,it’s all there if ya can find it lol😊

[@MuskratOutdoors]

HA! So they tell us! I can't prove it's under there!

[@janzoontjens1319]

Great verry nice work. Greetings from Holland Muskrat

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Good Morning! Wow Holland is a ways off! Kind of neat to know this stuff go's world wide!

[@indycharlie]

Wow !! Very nice !

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@johntwomey3732]

Beautiful

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!!

[@BuckskinDave]

That's a great job, I got to get the tails I have out and thawec

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I have some I need to get skinned too. They are on the porch, but frozen solid.

[@larrymills1487]

Nice work

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks!!

[@judithdandavis2206]

great job , can i get one made by you ? i can send you the knife to make one for it . the beaver tail leather is awesome . great job .looks like the sheath on the old green river knives .

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I probably could, but please let me try to catch up a little first. I'm way, way behind! Maybe later this Summer?

[@judithdandavis2206]

@@MuskratOutdoors ok.

[@MrBigfishcatcher33]

That turned out amazing. Did you hand sew the belt loop?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! Yes.

[@jamestboehm6450]

Man that turned out great. Did you tan your tail yourself or did you get it done at a tannery?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thanks! I tanned them. These came out pretty stiff, but they are getting better now.

[@ritabowles8930]

I like that only wish you would have showed how to dress out the beaver tail

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I have three left to skin, I'll show it again in a few days if you like.

[@melvinkidd1813]

very nice I would love to know how your town of BeaverTails and make them soft

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I'm still learning. These were some of the first I've done, and they are stiff. For a knife sheath it should be fine though. The last ones I did were better, but still kind of stiff. It's a bark tan.

[@melvinkidd1813]

@@MuskratOutdoors ok man thanks 👍👍👍

[@kingdarkem]

Id recommend mineral oil. I find neatsfoot oil eats stitches.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

The pure neatsfoot shouldn't, but the compound does. I haven't tried mineral oil. I'm sure it would work. Olive oil is used a lot on English saddles. I have used some of it....

[@toddschultz7477]

Good stuff , do you sell hunting knives

[@MuskratOutdoors]

No, I haven't been, but I might start. I like making them.

[@davidcheverie7652]

For someone that was called a hillbilly you could sure could put a lot of educated people to shame. Very nice job.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! Thank you very much! It comes from being poor....gotta make the things ya want or go without.

[@davidcheverie7652]

You my friend are not poor,far from it you have your health, you have a beautiful wife and lots to eat.People that are poor live in cities, they can't even grow there own food ,give them a gun, you better get out of the way.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

@@davidcheverie7652 Very True!! Good point!

[@IdahoHillbilly]

LoL 😆 Crazy want to be Cow Dog

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Silly varmint ain't she!

[@thomisjonasson6663]

At 3:50 what material did you use so knife does not cut the lacing ?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It's a piece of saddle skirting leather.

[@kdseiwert7360]

Hey i have seen ,there is rawhide on that deerantler thing! What kind?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

It's deer horn carved into a braid, but there is also some braided rawhide.....I don't recall what type.

[@kdseiwert7360]

Nice corgi! Im shure if she knew what to do! She would make a herding dog!😉

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Actually she does pretty good. She's funny to watch. I think that cow comes over just to bug her!

[@woodstacker5241]

Did you tan that tail yourself?

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I did. This was one of the first tries. It came out dark and stiff, but I think it will be good as a knife sheath.

[@t0manderson571]

The cow lives rent free in the dogs head.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Ha! That's for sure!

[@KRM02]

Hey Brother, if I sent u a cut out of my skinning knife what would ya charge me to make a similar sheath I'd love to have a beaver tail as well if I had a tail tanned I'd send ya what I had , I'll probably be doing a few removal jobs in next couple of weeks if I except the jobs I can send u tails. God Bless ! Kyle

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I'd love to, but I better try to catch up first. I'm way, way behind! Maybe sometime this Summer?

[@kevinsmith9190]

Quiet must be very quiet.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

I'm Huntin' Wabbits!

[@deadpinecollective]

Beautiful!

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Thank you!!