Handmade the Hard Way: How a BeaverTag Is Crafted

In a world of fast fashion and factory shortcuts, the BeaverTag is proudly built differently.
Crafted by hand from start to finish using full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather, each piece is a commitment to quality, patience, and purpose.

This isn’t just a keychain. It’s a story you carry.

What Makes It Special?

The Leather

• Durable — made to last for decades
• Eco-conscious — no harsh chemicals
• Ages beautifully — develops a deep, rich patina unique to every owner

The Craft Process: Step by Step

Every BeaverTag is proudly made in Canada. There are no shortcuts and no mass production. Each piece is crafted with purpose, care, and intention. Here’s what goes into making one:

1. Selecting the Hide

We begin with the highest quality full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather. Each hide is carefully inspected for strength, surface character, and natural grain. This leather offers durability, richness, and a beautiful texture that evolves over time.

2. Preparing the Hide

The hide is cut into manageable lengths and widths. It is then lightly sprayed with water to soften the surface and make it ready for embossing. Moistening the leather allows it to accept the custom texture with more definition.

3. Embossing the Tail Texture

Our embossing die is custom-made and inspired by real beaver tail patterns. We studied photographs, museum specimens, and consulted with beaver ecologists to ensure accuracy.
Each piece is individually pressed to leave a clean and tactile impression that reflects the beaver’s natural design.

4. Cutting the Shape

A precision-made steel cutting die is used to press the embossed leather into the exact silhouette of a beaver’s tail. This step defines the final shape of the tag and ensures consistency in size and proportion.
At this stage, the top tab is also cut from the same leather sheet to match in color and character.

5. Inspection and Quality Control

Each piece is carefully reviewed to make sure the embossing is clean and the cut is precise. Only tags that meet our standards move forward in the process.

6. Dyeing

The leather pieces are hand-dyed using premium leather dyes sourced in Canada. After extensive research into the natural tones of a beaver’s tail, we developed a custom shade that gives BeaverTag its distinctive look.
Each tag is dyed in multiple layers by hand and left to dry naturally overnight.

7. Constructing the Beaver’s Tail

To mimic the actual structure of a beaver’s tail, which features a thick base tapering toward the end, we insert a shaped filler between two layers of leather.
These layers are glued by hand and then stitched together to create a full, dimensional form.

8. Stitching and Assembly

The top tab and bottom section are aligned and stitched using traditional saddle-stitch techniques. We use waxed thread for durability and to achieve a refined, clean finish.
During this step, the BeaverTag branding is also embossed onto the top tab.

9.  Burnishing the Edges

The edges of each tag are hand-burnished with beeswax and cloth. This process smooths and seals the edges, enhancing both comfort and durability.

10. Eco-Conscious Packaging

Every BeaverTag is packaged in a kraft box made from 95 percent recycled materials. To complete the handcrafted journey, each box is hand screen-printed using water-based, eco-friendly ink.

This process brings the BeaverTag to life — a simple yet meaningful companion designed to be carried with pride by anyone who values craftsmanship and Canadian identity.

The Patina Effect: Aging with Character

• Darken slightly with use
• Soften and shape with wear
• Pick up subtle markings unique to you