C.F. Stead Unicorn Elk

The Unicorn tannage uses hand-selected, aniline-dyed elk hides that are subtly sanded to reveal the distinctive grain characteristics unique to wild elk. The leather belongs to the Cervus genus of the deerskin family and is known for being comfortable and supple from day one while maintaining durability. Each skin bears natural marks from life in the Arctic wilderness, making no two skins alike.

Unicorn Elk leather originates from Scandinavian elk (moose) sourced from the Arctic Circle region. The full-grain skins were originally tanned by a Finnish tannery located in the harsh landscapes of the Arctic Circle during the 1970s. These skins were tanned to a crusted state and later rediscovered in an old storeroom. Following their rediscovery, C.F. Stead dyed and oiled the crusted skins to produce a limited range of colors.

The species belongs to the Cervus genus, a proud member of the deerskin family. Each skin showcases natural defects and imperfections from the animals' existence in Arctic wilderness, resulting in leather with dense yet incredibly soft texture. The brand name "Unicorn" was chosen partly because the leather is considered magical, and also because C.F. Stead prefers using made-up names to prevent other tanneries from replicating their products.

Unicorn Elk is a full-bodied, heavy-weight leather characterized by the distinctive grain pattern of elk. The leather has a dense yet incredibly soft texture, being comfortable and supple from the first wear while maintaining durability and a unique appearance. Each skin bears natural marks from life in Arctic wilderness, with natural defects and imperfections showcased from the wild habitat, ensuring that no two skins are identical.

The leather features a nubuck finish achieved through subtle sanding of the grain, revealing the remarkable grain characteristics unique to wild elk. The waxed treatment provides a matte finish with pull-up qualities, where the natural waxes retain and enhance the full natural character of the leather. This finish provides an added layer of protection to the already robust yet flexible leather, described as an attractive and durable lifestyle leather.

The tanning process for Unicorn Elk leather employs chrome tannage. The leather uses hand-selected elk hides that are aniline-dyed, ensuring transparency that allows the natural grain to show through. The hides are subtly sanded to a nubuck finish, revealing the distinctive grain characteristics of wild elk.

During the tanning process, the leather receives a subtle wax coating that yields a matte finish with pull-up characteristics. The finish of natural waxes is designed to retain and enhance the full natural character of the leather, providing durability while maintaining the material's inherent qualities. This process results in leather that has been nubucked and waxed specifically for a matte finish with distinctive aging properties.

Unicorn Elk leather is available in several size and thickness variations. Average skin sizes range from 12 to 18 square feet per hide, sold as side cuts (half hides). The leather weight ranges from 4.5 to 5 ounces, with thickness measurements between 1.6 and 2.2 millimeters depending on the specific lot and processing.

The leather uses chrome tannage and is supplied as half hides. The varying thicknesses make the leather suitable for different applications, with the heavier weights particularly appropriate for boot construction.

Unicorn Elk leather is produced in six colors: Bronze, Gaucho, Leaf, Polo Brown, Shingle, and Black. This limited color range reflects the leather's origins as rediscovered crusted skins from the 1970s that were subsequently dyed. The color palette maintains the leather's natural character while providing options for different aesthetic preferences in footwear applications.

Unicorn Elk leather is ideally suited to unlined boot construction, where the natural waxes and full character of the leather can be fully appreciated. The leather's combination of comfort, suppleness, and durability makes it particularly appropriate for heritage footwear applications. Boot manufacturers using Unicorn Elk leather include Viberg, Tricker's, Parkhurst Brand, Txture Boots, and Caswell Boot Company.

The leather's distinctive appearance, with each hide showing unique natural markings, means that no two pairs of boots are identical. This individuality appeals to heritage footwear enthusiasts who value the natural characteristics and story embodied in each piece of leather.