Every piece is made to order. Current turnaround is 2 to 3 weeks
Chief Mountain at first light above a golden prairie

About Us

Meet the Maker

Marcus Williams, the maker behind Old Chief Leather Co.

My name is Marcus Williams, and my love for design and craftsmanship has shaped every step of my journey. From a young age, I've been fascinated with the art of working with my hands, whether it was building something from scratch or experimenting with new materials. There's something incredibly fulfilling about turning raw concepts into tangible, lasting pieces.

Leather, in particular, captivates me. The feel, the smell, and the satisfying way it moves when I work with it all remind me of nature's rugged and untamed beauty. My designs reflect a commitment to simplicity and timeless quality, inspired by the outdoors and my appreciation for the unrefined elegance of the natural world.

Thanks for visiting my shop. Each piece I create is crafted with intention and built to last, and I hope you feel the same sense of adventure and passion that went into making them.

Marcus Williams

Chief Mountain standing alone at the edge of the plains

Old Chief Mountain

My leatherwork draws from the rugged beauty of Old Chief Mountain where my family's heritage lies. This iconic landmark stands as a testament to strength and resilience, etched in my memories from childhood visits and stories shared around campfires. Old Chief Mountain embodies the untamed wilderness that has always inspired me, its rugged cliffs, rolling foothills, and serene majesty.

Each item I make pays homage to Old Chief's rugged elegance, combining simplicity with lasting quality. Each creation is a reflection of the mountain's timeless spirit, crafted to honor nature's raw beauty and the legacy of a landscape that will always be part of my story.

“There's a grand view of land way up yonder
its the forest were silence has lease
its the beauty that fills me with wonder
its the stillness that fills me with peace.”

Robert W. Service
A faded film photograph of a man and a boy beside a blue car, with Chief Mountain behind them
Karl Williams Great Grandfather
A rider on a four-wheeler looking out at Chief Mountain at sunset

Ground rules

What I won't do

Use split leather

No “genuine leather,” no bonded, no corrected grain sprayed with pigment to hide the flaws. Full-grain only, or I'm not interested.

Glue what should be stitched

Adhesive holds panels in place while I work. It is not what holds the piece together. Thread does that.

Paint over bad edges

Edge paint is a way to make a rough edge look finished for about a year. I bevel, sand, and burnish instead.

Pretend it's a factory

You'll never get an email from a “team.” It's me. If something's late, I'll tell you it's late.