Driving down I-35, it’s hard to imagine this land in its natural state, blanketed with herds of bison stretching from horizon to horizon. But for millennia, spanning all the way back to the Clovis peoples, these enormous beasts were revered as the foundation to life itself. Every piece of America’s mammal had a purpose. And after any successful hunt, with meat over the fire for preservation, the sound of scraping would fill the air as hides were worked into leather.
This was the original American craftsman.
No matter where you look in the history books, leather has always been an essential textile to society. Even today, amidst the modern luxuries of electricity, air conditioning, and a Braum’s burger always within a short driving distance, leather — though mostly of the cowhide variety these days — is still a staple. From the premium trim options on those shiny new pickups to the heirloom-quality bags bought as beloved anniversary gifts, leather rides the line between fashion and utility, a delicate balance it has danced for centuries.
Maybe it’s something primal that reconnects us to our roots. Or maybe it's simply the fact that nothing compares to the feeling of running your hand along fresh leather. Regardless, we are hooked. And when Tyler McKee first filled his lungs with that warm, earthy leather scent, he found himself hooked too.
The genesis: W Durable Goods in Fort Worth, Texas. When Tyler first stepped into the shop, he was taken away with the craftsmanship that filled the space. These weren’t the dime-a-dozen products you could find at the mall. These were real, made by the hands of a craftsman who earned his 10,000 hours in every stitch.
“I was looking at this bag that costs $400, but whenever you grabbed ahold of it, and you felt the handles and then the zipper, it just felt like such good quality.”
Tyler didn’t know it at the time, but that bag held something bigger.
When a job in sales called him back home to Oklahoma City, Tyler looked around for a similar store but couldn’t find the same style. Fascinated with the craft, he decided to take things into his own hands, literally. After a quick search online, he found a leatherworking kit on Amazon.
Like any new hobby, there’s always that learning curve. And the only way to truly overcome it is with consistency. Quickly, Tyler developed a new daily ritual. Every cut, every carve, every crack at his new craft brought Tyler a new outlook on life.
“It just takes a lot of focus. It forces me to be present.”
Before clocking into his day job, Tyler would wake up early to hone his craft. At first, he was in no rush to sell anything. In fact, it took him years before he even put his brand on any of his pieces. But, after encouragement from his family and friends, Tyler attended his first pop-up. Lost River Leather Goods was born.
Whether it’s the simplicity of honing in on the perfect stitch or the precision that goes into stamping, traditional leathercraft, despite its age, leaves plenty of room for modern innovation. Despite a history rooted in utility and survival, leather has simultaneously allowed us to create and inspire through artistic expression. That pursuit to improve the craft and finished product likely existed just as much during the times of the Clovis people as it does today. And that endless, timeless pursuit shows a connection to the craft that is rare to find in most of our trades.
“Success for me is just a byproduct of getting better at leather crafting. Just having something that you truly enjoy doing and that you can just pursue and get better at—it’s a really cool, fulfilling feeling.”
See Tyler's work for yourself at Brass Tacks Provisions.
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