C.F. Stead Brick Waxed Kudu

C.F. Stead Waxed Kudu leather has been used by heritage footwear manufacturers including WM1978 for paratrooper-style boots. The brick colorway provides an earthy, warm tone that develops patina through wear while maintaining the leather's characteristic pull-up effect and water-resistant properties from the wax impregnation.

Brick waxed kudu exhibits the same physical properties as other waxed kudu colorways produced by C.F. Stead. The leather provides a combination of softness and strength, with a soft suede finish on the flesh side and a nubuck finish on the grain side. The wax treatment creates a pull-up leather with distinctive characteristics where bent or flexed areas temporarily darken and then lighten again when the stress is released.

The natural blemishes, scars, and scratches from the wild kudu's life are intentionally highlighted through the tanning and finishing process. These natural markings contribute to each hide's unique appearance and become more pronounced through wear. The brick color itself is a warm reddish-brown tone that complements the leather's natural grain texture.

Charles F. Stead produces brick waxed kudu using kudu antelope hides sourced from Southern Africa. The tannery applies its proprietary Janus tannage, a process designed to enhance the natural mellowness of the hide while maintaining its inherent strength. Following the tanning process, the leather receives full wax impregnation on the grain side, which provides water resistance and emphasizes the natural grain characteristics.

The finished leather typically measures 1.6-2.2 mm in thickness and weighs 4.5-5.5 oz. Individual kudu skins average 13-15 square feet, though available pieces can range from 10-22 square feet depending on the hide. The wild nature of kudu antelope results in significant variation in grain pattern, scarring, and natural markings between individual hides, making each piece of brick waxed kudu distinctly characterized.

Brick waxed kudu has been used for heritage footwear construction, particularly in boots requiring durable yet supple leather with distinctive visual character. WM1978 has produced paratrooper-style boots in brick waxed kudu. The leather's thickness and wax treatment make it suitable for work boots and heritage boot styles that benefit from water resistance and the ability to develop patina through wear.

The natural variation in hide characteristics means bootmakers often showcase the leather's unique markings as design features rather than defects. The brick colorway offers an alternative to more common brown and tan leather tones while maintaining compatibility with traditional boot constructions and sole choices.

Brick waxed kudu requires periodic conditioning to prevent the leather from drying out. Recommended conditioning products include leather protectors and leather creams specifically formulated for waxed leathers. Application should be performed using a dedicated horsehair brush with swift, intentional brush movements to work the conditioner into the leather fibers.

For water resistance maintenance, conditioner should be applied particularly to seams and upper leather areas where water might penetrate. The frequency of conditioning depends on wear patterns and climate conditions, with boots worn in wet or harsh environments requiring more frequent treatment. The wax finish already provides a degree of water resistance, but proper conditioning maintains both the leather's suppleness and its protective properties.