S.B. Foot Black Cherry Featherstone

Red Wing Heritage incorporated Black Cherry Featherstone into three boot models: the Beckman 9011 round toe, the Beckman 9010 moc toe, and the Congress 9077 Chelsea boot. All three models have been discontinued and are no longer in production, making them sought-after items in secondary markets where they are frequently described as rare.

Black Cherry Featherstone exhibits the standard characteristics of Featherstone leather while presenting a distinctive burgundy-brown coloration. The leather features a smooth, polished surface with a semi-aniline finish that provides medium to bright luster. The full-grain construction maintains the natural grain patterns of the hide while the finishing process creates a protective top coat that enhances scratch resistance compared to less-finished leathers.

The color displays purple undertones that become more apparent with wear and break-in, as the leather develops patina through use. The smooth finish feels slightly waxy to the touch and presents a stiffer hand when new compared to more heavily oil-tanned leathers. This initial stiffness softens with wear while the protective finishing layer helps maintain the leather's appearance over time. The full-grain construction allows the natural characteristics of the leather to emerge through the colored finish as the boots age.

The leather provides water resistance through its finishing treatment, though it requires regular maintenance to preserve this protective quality. The smooth surface shows scuffs and scratches more readily than roughout or heavily oil-tanned leathers, necessitating attention to care protocols to maintain the polished aesthetic characteristic of Black Cherry Featherstone.

Red Wing Heritage used Black Cherry Featherstone in three distinct boot models, all of which have been discontinued. The Beckman 9011 round toe boot featured a 6-inch height with round toe construction, utilizing Goodyear welt construction with a leather sole reinforced by rubber at the forefoot and an oil-resistant rubber heel. The boots incorporated rawhide laces and were built on Red Wing's standard Beckman last in D width.

The Beckman 9010 moc toe variant adapted the Black Cherry Featherstone leather to Red Wing's moc toe design, featuring the characteristic stitched toe box detail. This model maintained Goodyear welt construction with leather welt and included an embossed Red Wing logo on the ankle. The design bridged casual and office-appropriate styling, presenting a less formal appearance than the round toe 9011 while maintaining the same construction quality and leather characteristics.

The Congress 9077 represented Red Wing's application of Black Cherry Featherstone to a Chelsea boot format. Built on the Mil-1 shoe last originally developed for military officer dress shoes, the Congress 9077 featured side gore elastic panels for pull-on wear. The boots utilized Gro Cord Medallion outsoles with slip-prevention properties and were positioned within Red Wing's Classic Dress collection rather than the work boot-oriented Heritage line. This model emphasized the formal dress leather qualities of Black Cherry Featherstone.

All three models featured full-grain Black Cherry Featherstone uppers, leather insoles that absorb moisture, and were manufactured in Red Wing's Minnesota facilities. The discontinuation of these models has made them increasingly rare in the secondary market, where they command attention from collectors and enthusiasts of Red Wing Heritage footwear.

Black Cherry Featherstone maintenance follows the care protocols established for smooth-finished leather by Red Wing Shoes. Initial cleaning requires removing surface dirt with warm water and a soft bristle brush, taking care not to oversaturate the leather. For heavier soiling, Red Wing Shoes Leather Cleaner should be applied with a clean cloth or brush, working the cleaner into affected areas before wiping away with a damp cloth. The leather must then air dry naturally in a cool, dry location, as heat can damage the finish and remove essential oils.

After cleaning and drying, Red Wing Shoe Boot Cream provides conditioning and color enhancement specific to Featherstone leather. The cream should be applied with a clean, soft cloth using gentle circular motions, allowing the leather to absorb the conditioning agents. Once the cream has been worked into the leather, a soft horse-hair brush can be used to buff the surface and restore shine to the finish.

For ongoing protection against environmental elements, Red Wing Leather Protector spray creates an invisible barrier against water, dirt, oil, and mud without significantly altering the leather's appearance or feel. This protective treatment should be reapplied periodically based on wear frequency and exposure conditions.

General care practices include alternating wear with another pair of boots to allow the leather to rest and dry naturally between uses, particularly after exposure to moisture. When not in use, boots should be stored with shoe trees or packed with newspaper to maintain their shape and absorb residual moisture. Regular surface cleaning removes debris that can gradually wear the finish, while periodic conditioning prevents the leather from drying out and cracking. Natural beeswax polish in matching colors can supplement Red Wing's care products for maintaining the characteristic burgundy-brown tone of Black Cherry Featherstone.