C.F. Stead Waxed Elk (Moose)

The leather is chrome-tanned and showcases the natural characteristics of Scandinavian elk, including scars and marks from the animal's life in Arctic environments. Each skin displays natural variation in texture and grain pattern, with the natural wax finish providing both protection and pull-up characteristics that develop patina over time.

C.F. Stead waxed elk leather is produced from hides of Scandinavian elk, known scientifically as Eurasian moose. The hides are sourced from wild animals living in extreme Nordic environments across Scandinavia. Scandinavian elk are subject to controlled hunting practices as part of population management programs, resulting in limited availability of these hides compared to domestically raised livestock.

The wild origin of the hides means each skin bears distinctive marks from the animal's life in harsh Arctic wilderness conditions. Natural scarring, texture variations, and other markings from wounds incurred during the elk's lifetime are preserved in the finished leather, contributing to the unique character of each hide.

C.F. Stead waxed elk leather is characterized by substantial thickness and weight while maintaining remarkable softness. Skins measure 16 to 18 square feet on average, with a thickness of 2.0 to 2.2 millimeters. The leather weighs between 4.5 and 5 ounces per square foot (1.8 to 2 millimeters in the metric equivalent). Hides are typically sold as sides, or half hides, rather than full skins.

The leather possesses a distinctive elk grain character that differs from cattle leather. The grain is described as having a superb plump, full body with large grain patterns that can create wrinkles and creases in the material. The texture is soft and spongy to the touch, often described as buttery soft, yet the leather maintains structural integrity suitable for footwear applications. The texture is more rugged and less smooth than kudu leather, another African antelope leather with which it is sometimes compared.

Each skin displays a dense yet incredibly soft feel, combining the strength and durability of thick leather with the suppleness and pliability typically associated with thinner, softer leathers. The leather is highly breathable and adaptable to temperature variations, properties that reflect the elk's natural adaptations to harsh Scandinavian climates.

The leather undergoes chrome tanning, a mineral tanning process that provides durability, suppleness, and versatility. Following tanning, the leather receives a natural wax finish as part of the final processing stages. This finishing treatment with natural waxes retains and enhances the full natural character of the elk hide, creating what the manufacturer describes as an attractive and durable lifestyle leather.

The wax finish provides practical benefits for footwear applications, offering some water resistance and developing pull-up characteristics where the leather lightens in color when flexed or stretched. The finish does not mask the natural grain and texture variations of the elk hide, instead working to emphasize these inherent features.

Some Scandinavian elk leather producers also offer vegetable-tanned alternatives, though C.F. Stead's waxed elk specifically utilizes chrome tanning methods combined with the natural wax finish.

C.F. Stead waxed elk is particularly well-suited for unlined boot construction. The leather's combination of thickness, softness, and natural characteristics makes it appropriate for heritage footwear applications where both durability and comfort are priorities. The material is used primarily in high-end footwear, with applications also extending to gloves and leather accessories.

The leather's breathability and temperature-adaptive properties make it suitable for year-round wear. The substantial thickness provides structure for boot uppers without the need for additional lining materials, while the inherent softness reduces break-in time compared to stiffer leather types. The natural wax finish provides practical benefits for unlined applications by offering some moisture resistance while allowing the leather to breathe.

Heritage boot manufacturers value the leather for its natural character and the way each hide's unique markings contribute to the distinctiveness of finished products. The visible scars, grain variations, and other natural features are considered desirable characteristics rather than defects in premium heritage footwear markets.

Waxed elk leather can be maintained using various leather care products compatible with chrome-tanned, wax-finished leathers. Suitable treatments include Smith's Leather Balm, Bick4 leather conditioner, and other all-natural applicants or waxes. Waterproofing spray can be applied to enhance the leather's natural moisture resistance without significantly altering its appearance or breathability.

The natural wax finish provides inherent protection against moisture and wear, though periodic conditioning helps maintain the leather's suppleness and enhances its aging characteristics. The leather develops patina over time with proper care, with the wax finish contributing to attractive color variation and darkening in areas of frequent wear and flexing.