C.F. Stead Crazy Cow

The leather combines a sueded underside with a glossy grain surface, allowing it to be used either grain side out or suede side out. Chrome tanned from cowhide, Crazy Cow is characterized by its shrunken fiber structure, tight grain pattern, and high initial gloss level that distinguishes it from other flesh-out leathers in the C.F. Stead product line.

Crazy Cow exhibits intense pull-up properties, producing deep highs and lows of color as the leather bends and flexes. The leather achieves its visual depth through a wax layer trapped between natural antiquing and an aniline top finish, creating a glossy appearance on the grain side while maintaining a sueded texture on the flesh side.

The leather displays a one-of-a-kind texture with natural veining and markings inherent to the flesh-out finishing process. Individual skins may contain small holes as a natural characteristic of the material. The shrunken fiber structure creates a tight grain pattern that contributes to the leather's distinctive appearance and handling properties.

Crazy Cow demonstrates firm stiffness and requires a typical break-in period, responding quickly to wear. The leather's texture naturally camouflages nicks and scratches, earning a patina potential rating of three out of 10. While initially waxed during the tanning process to provide water resistance, this protective quality decreases as the leather is worn over time.

Crazy Cow is chrome tanned from double butt cowhide, processed with aniline dyes and finished with a semi-glazed surface treatment. The leather measures 1.8 to 2.0 millimeters in thickness, equivalent to 4.5 to 5 ounces by weight. Individual skins range from 12 to 16 square feet in size.

The leather receives wax impregnation during tanning, followed by application of a top coat that produces the characteristic glossy finish on the grain side. The flesh side undergoes a sueding process, creating the dual-surface construction that defines the flesh-out leather category. This processing allows the leather to be used with either surface exposed, depending on the desired aesthetic.

Crazy Cow is available in multiple colors including Coach, Coupole (green), Ginger, Samba (red), Snuff (dark brown), Claudel, Classic Blue, Royal Purple, Victoria, Hot Pink, Teak, Russet Red, Winter Smoke, Overcast (gray), and Seaweed (green). The leather is sold as individual skins rather than in standardized cuts.

Crazy Cow's versatility allows use across multiple leather product categories. The glossier finish makes the leather particularly suitable for bags and leather goods, while the dual-surface construction provides options for different visual effects in finished products.

In footwear applications, bootmakers including Truman Boot Company and White's Boots have produced boots using Crazy Cow leather. The leather's water resistance, combined with its ability to hide surface scuffs through texture, makes it functional for boots subject to regular wear. The leather can also be used for watch straps and other small leather accessories.

Crazy Cow leather requires occasional application of a leather boot protector to maintain its waxed finish and water resistance. For routine cleaning, debris should be removed using a horsehair brush. Stubborn dirt can be addressed with a damp cloth, avoiding excessive moisture that could affect the wax treatment.

The leather's initial water resistance diminishes with wear as the wax coating is gradually abraded through use. The glossy surface finish and tight grain structure make the leather more resistant to visible scratches compared to smooth-finished leathers, with the textured surface naturally concealing minor surface damage.