About
Flint is a warm-based charcoal colorway of C.F. Stead Waxed Kudu leather made from hand-selected wild African kudu antelope hides. Produced by British tannery Charles F. Stead, Flint features an aniline dyed combination re-tannage with subtle wax application that yields a matte finish with pull-up qualities. The color name references the grey-brown tone characteristic of flint stone, with natural variation derived from the wild antelope hides' tight, pebbled, and striated grain enhanced with scars from the terrain.
About
Flint is a warm-based charcoal colorway of C.F. Stead Waxed Kudu leather made from hand-selected wild African kudu antelope hides. Produced by British tannery Charles F. Stead, Flint features an aniline dyed combination re-tannage with subtle wax application that yields a matte finish with pull-up qualities. The color name references the grey-brown tone characteristic of flint stone, with natural variation derived from the wild antelope hides' tight, pebbled, and striated grain enhanced with scars from the terrain.
Characteristics
Flint Waxed Kudu combines the inherent properties of kudu leather with C.F. Stead's specialized waxed finishing process. The leather is remarkably flexible and strong with distinct grain characteristics, sourced from kudu antelope native to Southern Africa. The tanning process uses C.F. Stead's proprietary Janus tannage to maximize natural mellowness, followed by full wax impregnation that makes a feature of the natural grain blemishes. This wax treatment provides an added layer of protection while highlighting the unique grain and texture of each hide.
The leather measures 1.6 to 2.2 millimeters in thickness, with average skin sizes ranging from 13 to 15 square feet. As one of the lighter shades in the Waxed Kudu range, Flint shows character marks and natural blemishes more prominently than darker colors, giving each piece unique visual character. Wild kudu hides feature scratches and scars from grazing habits amongst thorn trees in their natural habitat, contributing to the leather's distinctive appearance.
Products
Several heritage footwear makers have utilized Flint Waxed Kudu for boot production. White's Boots offers the MP Sherman, a six-inch pattern based on World War II infantry field boots, available in Flint Waxed Kudu sourced through Division Road. The boot retails for $835 and features hand-sewn welted construction with a natural finished leather midsole set atop a Vibram 4014 Christy industrial sole. White's also produces the Springdale HSC pattern in this leather.
Tricker's manufactures the Ripon Derby Field Boot as a Tricker's exclusive in Flint Kudu, featuring brown commando sole construction made on last 4497s. The company also produces the Ethan Monkey Boot with seven eyelets and a half-bellows tongue, available in Flint Reverse Kudu Suede, which offers a characteristic rough, casual suede finish with the completely natural full grain on the reverse provided oiled and waxed for weather proofing.
References
"Waxed Kudu". Charles F Stead and Co Ltd. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
"White's x DR MP Sherman - Northwest - Vibram 4014 - CF Stead Flint Waxed Kudu". Division Road, Inc. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
"Kudu Collection". R E Tricker Ltd. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
