Making a Leather Basketweave Cowboy Holster and Cartridge Belt ASMR

In this leathercraft video I make a leather western-style cowboy holster and cartridge belt rig. And once again, I'm diving into "Packing Iron: Gunleather of the Frontier West" for inspiration.
Many thanks to the folks at Tandy Leather for the materials they provided to help me complete this project!
Follow me on instagram @roadagentleather

[@jeffallen3382]

Somebody needs to remake that Packing Iron book!

[@SixRoundsStudio]

When viewers complement me on my own work and workmanship...I am nearly embarrassed by the recognition given for something that has become so natural for me over 40 years of practice. After watching this vid....I get it! I love craft, craftsmanship, and craftsmen. I was simply sucked into your vid...shaking my head in awe as I watched. Subscribed!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

thanks!

[@roadking99jokerst60]

Spinning your revolver was icing on the cake. I do enjoy seeing a craftsman working.

[@thumpershd]

Another fantastic holster and belt creation. Thank you for the tool tips and showing your dyes and adhesives. Well done sir!

[@1442GlennLane]

Beautiful workmanship. Well done. 👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@BanzaiYoutubeChannel]

Best holster Ive seen in a long long time

[@RoadAgentLeather]

thanks!

[@joshuapoche5137]

Yes im watching it again. Just like a great movie, the more you watch it the more you notice things.

[@MarshalleatherSweden]

As a great fan of packing Iron I wish you would make more videos like this, but I really enjoy all of your videos 🤠exquisite work. Really enjoyable to see a professional in action.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@patrylaurent3868]

Beautiful Equipment Belt Holster, For A Beautiful COLT Revolver 👏👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@davidsims1329]

You do great work in our field. I I think people would learn more. I’m just watching you if you get more commentary and explain more things than you. Where are you course you don’t but the I believe in giving back so in my later years, I decided to teach and I’ll be doing that for disabled veterans like myself through update warrior solutions in my city, and of course I want to teach my grandsons but you’re doing a great job. I watch you all the time so I learn more stuff..

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Excellent job, as always.

[@jeffallen3382]

Holster and belt look awesome! Another great work of art sor!

[@masonbouldin6819]

Same as usual. FREAKING AWESOME!!!

[@Huntersmoonleatherco]

Great video! Love watching the western holsters getting built!

[@joshuapoche5137]

I love your videos. Ive been doing leather work for many years but thanks to your videos ive changed the way i do some things. The main change has been the way i dye. Ive never had a more even coverage. Thanks for your time in doing these videos

[@charleysparks9671]

Terrific work. I like to watch and get inspiration for my own leatherwork. I've learned so much from your processes that I don't see others using. From now on, my tooling leather is getting saddle soap.

[@kimcurtis423]

VERY NICE!!!! Before, I became disabled with a rare disease that eats the cartilage from all my joints and erodes the ends of the bones, I used to do decent work like this, too. Sometimes, one just can't win! That's some fine work!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@williambrown6721]

Great!! Video..... Most of all great craftsmanship!... I love getting up in the mornings and watching your videos while drinking my coffee. I also build holsters but nothing like your gear!!!... You make it look so easy... Thanks again!! And God bless..

[@k4vms]

Love that book and purchased mine when I was a very young man about 30 years ago. Did not know it was out of print. I treat my things with great care and my copy looks brand new. I will be even more careful now with my copy. Ricky from IBM

[@stillnessbetween5103]

Just saw that book in this video. Paused it and went to Thriftbooks and picked up a copy. He was correct, they are pricey! However, the amount of copy in it makes it worth it! A buddy of mine is in the Cowboy shooters association and I think I will suprise him with a holster this year. Thanks, Road Agent.

[@samss9205]

Keep on 😍👍 Great job and beautiful video

[@Jlayism]

Man you make killer stuff. So much work!

[@danpatch4751]

The packing iron book is great, I've had mine for years.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Agreed. There's leatherwork in there I can only hope to do some day. There were some true artists back then.

[@danpatch4751]

@@RoadAgentLeather You appear to be right up there with the leather artisans of the past. You do great work.

[@richardburkow3792]

Excellent workmanship!

[@michaelbramhall6825]

This is a craftsman for sure. I've noticed on every edge he cuts he goes back over the cut edge and deburs every cut edge. Most craftsman don't do that or understand the importance of doing it. 👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😎💪

[@minerblue9641]

Very nice holster. As usual. Great job on the strap that holds the holster to the backing flap.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

thanks for watching!

[@jonjensen6745]

Incredible work. Some of the best I’ve seen. Very inspiring.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@kneedeepinbluebells5538]

YOU Are Really Good At What You Do

[@deanransom2350]

I am curious about your little flashlight used in the opening scene cutting out the pattern. Where might one find such an item for purchase. Thanks for your videos, very educational and informative, and has spurred me to make a holster for my 1911, VP9 and SW .38 special. Keep filming, building.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

It' just a rechargeable bicycle light that always happens to be in the garage. :) It helps me see the lines I scribed. You could use any flashlight. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@johnrisher3007]

Beautiful work

[@jasonsummit1885]

I couldn't imagine making a holster and belt like that. I could only make a ring like what you were wearing in the video.

[@kylewood8327]

That was totally awesome to watch! Thanks for sharing..

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DavyLaStrange]

Great design on the rosette! Just luck the veiner came out even?! Great work and videos. Thanks.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!. Someone else asked the same thing. I did a couple of test runs on some scrap. Once I had the circle size, I designed and built everything else around it.

[@johnrisher3007]

Thank you for your videos. I have learned some stuff

[@kevinlucas8437]

Beautiful workmanship ❤❤

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@darrengriffiths2372]

Mazing pice of work 👍👍that be proud to hang on the wall wow 👍👍🛸.

[@SteelDinger]

That's slow precision tedious work, No Mistakes, love the Lonesome Dove background music

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@TexHoss1]

Excellent craftsmanship. Do you do leathercraft for hire or a hobby? I started out back in the 80's as a hobby & it grew into a fulltime job & now, I am retired & only do leathercraft part-time.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

just a hobby for now

[@len7970]

Very nice I'm going to take inspiration from this project to make one for my replica colt 45 thanks so much great work. What thickness of leather did you use. I subscribed can't wait to see more

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing! The outer shell is 7-8 oz veg-tan. The liner is 2 oz milled veg-tan. Both purchased from Tandy.

[@TheKkaelin]

Great craftsmanship! Have you ever used a perfect end thread burner? They work great.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I think I know what you're referring to. I need to look into that. Burning the ends with a flame seems a little low-tech :)

[@iamnoone.]

Very nice. You make it look so easy. How long does it take to make a rig like that?

[@yanceeplowman8601]

First off you videos are amazing and I love them but I have a question and hope it makes sense the void space between you basket stamping stands up really well I've been trying to work on basket weave patterns and can't for the life of me get it to look the way I want it to

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Do you apply any antique gel or paste?

[@davidmcnutt5390]

Need this in my life.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

check my Etsy page.

[@juliangonzales2916]

Saludos muy buen trabajo👍👍👍

[@jenkins1979]

On your basket weave holster you videoed ,you used a veg - tan (goat I think) can you tell me what weight it was? I love all your videos,thank you for sharing and teaching.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

For lined holsters, I generally use 7-8 oz veg-tan for the shell, and 3-4 oz milled veg-tan for the liner. I've actually never seen Tandy sell the milled veg-tan in anything but this weight. The goal being to make the total weight of the holster around 10 oz in thickness (which is what I use for unlined holsters)

[@johnrisher3007]

Wow awesome. I like that

[@FrankieG411]

Good day.. quick question.. what exactly is the leather you use on the inside? Youbsaid milled but what weight or how would I order some? Thank you. You have a superior technique that I have tried to incorporate into my work... many many thanks for sharing!!!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching! I've only ever bought the milled veg-tan from Tandy Leather. They sell it in 3-4oz I believe. You'll want to account for that in your shell material. I'll typically use 7-8oz if I'm lining with the milled veg-tan.

[@cornflake73]

I have an old clunker of a belt the holster isn't too bad, but the belt is just a piece of leather 4' wide folded over and sewn. It has the ammo loops, but they are really snug. the buckle is just pressed metal. So If I were to ask you for a commissioning job on a similar rig that is in this video can I get accomplished?

[@Murphy-if9uh]

Great job, as always. How do you get your stamps to go round circles without overlapping? Do you make the circumference of the circle a fixed multiple of the arc length of the stamp used?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks! I test on a scrap piece. Took a couple of test runs, but once I had the circle size I designed everything else around it.

[@TrebleForTheBass]

11:40 But you do have to tell me how you made those scalloped edges line up perfectly....lol

[@claytonreeve69]

For the belt did you use Tandy’s European bends? If so do you think that it is long enough to make a 55 inch belt?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I usually buy sides or double shoulders. I have bought the European bends when they've been on sale and used for belts. Very nice. But it's been a while and I can't remember exactly how long of a strap you can get out of them. They're not as wide as a double shoulder; I do remember that.

[@graf666orlok]

Beautiful work! I have only ever hand stitched, can I ask what type of machine you are using?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks. It's a Cobra Class 26

[@FernandoSouza-jc9rj]

Muito bom seu trabalho. Parabéns

[@dillonpropst1454]

How did you line up the stitching with the diamond punch so well? I can never get mine right and always end with one or two left out holes

[@RoadAgentLeather]

That is a very good question that no one else has ever asked. I think I made a vague reference to it in one of my previous videos but it basically comes down to punching the holes in one side . . . counting those holes (using your multi-prong diamond punch helps with this), then making the same number of holes in the opposite side. I'll include a better explanation in one of my future videos.

[@dillonpropst1454]

@@RoadAgentLeather thanks! I’m surprised no one has asked

[@johnrisher3007]

Looks great

[@alfredoislas4302]

Very interesting works, could you recommend a book that I taught about this!? Thank you

[@jcmac185]

Amazing!!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@thomasomalley2861]

Fantastic are you using the same thread in your machine that you use for the hand sewing ? It looks beaded thanks

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Yes. I use the same bonded nylon for both my machine and hand sewing. Keeps it consistent.

[@samss9205]

👍

[@deputydang8291]

Could you tell me where I could get the stamped punches you used for the designs? I keep looking around for western styled ones but come across like butterfly's and stuff lol. Great video!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Tandy Leather

[@kakaaikido]

Parabéns Mestre 🤝🏻👏🏻👌🏻🙂

[@clydecox2108]

Sweet rig…

[@johnrisher3007]

What kind of glue are you using. It doesn't look like what I'm using

[@franciscochavez791]

like it want one

[@synwannleathercraft8506]

Hi I want to ask you about that machine you use to soften the adge is it really good and make it good adge ? Thanks

[@tfildaed]

Anyone have a guess as to what that belt would weigh fully loaded with a pistol and ammunition?

[@backpages1]

Packing Iron, now available used, from 140.00 to 405.00! At that price, buy two!😂

[@RoadAgentLeather]

lol. I guess it's a really niche market. Hence the price. I see it sometimes used on eBay.

[@backpages1]

@@RoadAgentLeather Thanks for your comment!

[@daniellemoine8619]

Superbe travail, le résultat est d'une grande beauté ! J'ai adoré cette belle vidéo, un grand bravo monsieur, vous êtes un artiste !

[@joshuapoche5137]

Ive never diluted my dye. Is that rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Alcohol. Diluting provides more control by allowing me to build the color up. Also for subtle effects. It's not as dramatic on this particular piece, but I often use it to build up darker tones on the edges and leaving the center lighter.

[@DWinthekeys]

Do you have a website? I am in need of a good rig and the folks I was going to go to are going out of business.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I have an Etsy page where I sell the stuff I make in my videos. But there's nothing listing there at the moment.

[@Tammy-un3ql]

big fan

[@robertmoore6700]

An, I would pay a pretty penny to have you make. This exact holster for me. I don't suppose you do that?. Let me know in the comments.

[@seymourwrasse3321]

nice book, pricey is an understatement. I used to think I did good work....till I saw your work, luckily it's just an old hobby from my youth

[@joncomte6443]

I want a cross draw and a right pule in a east wood holster

[@jimstancil3]

What is the thickness of the milled leather?

[@clos19851]

thats a nice book lol

[@RoadAgentLeather]

If you can find a used copy online, they're usually pretty expensive. I wish they'd print a re-issue. But doubt it.

[@antoniopannese7052]

Nel costruire sei un maestro ma El maneggiare la pistola sei una frana🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 grande 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🇮🇹😭

[@jeffsummitt4397]

Why is the hammer loop never permanently affixed to the holster?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

So it can be easily replaced. They wear out after a while.

[@angelraygoza4957]

What size bullets are those?

[@joshuapoche5137]

Do you make your own belt loop patterns? I tried one i bought the other day to save some time from making my own and the size didnt come out to well.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

You mean the cartridge loops? I have some from patterns I've purchased. But the ones I've been using recently have been my own.

[@joshuapoche5137]

@@RoadAgentLeather yea cartridge lol.

[@TrebleForTheBass]

Yay!!!!!

[@むぎ-r2n7l]

your hands are god

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@roberthouzenga9694]

Make a pattern pack available for sale and take my money!

[@michaellong6002]

Please ad me to your list of holsters like this one....Please

[@johnrisher3007]

I think you did that a couple of times

[@johnsmith-lx9lw]

Hate the hump, make it flat.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching! Curious what you're referring to as the hump?

[@johnsmith-lx9lw]

the back flap, when you put the holster through the loop, I just don't like it but that's me, the holster looks great.

[@danielpollard3969]

Nice job . I’ll have to make one.

[@samiam12895]

how much would you sell this to me for? or something like it?

[@serpent6710]

Good stuff but I now have that annoying sound track in my brain. Muting next vids🤣