Thread: SRD English bridle strop conditioning?

Browsed SRD's strops and was interested to see the claim that their English bridle leather needed no further conditioning. What does anyone here think about that? Has anyone tried that particular strop ? It looked really nice.

English Bridle leather is supposed to be very good for stropping razors. I don't own a SRD English Bridle strop but do have a strop I made from English Bridle leather that I use after honing razors. It gets plenty of use as I use it after honing razors, I've had it a couple years and all I've done is rub it with the palm of my hand before use. It's still in job condition except for the nicks and cuts.

I own one of SRD's Long English Bridle strops. I really like it, and I'm sure you will. It has a medium draw to it, not slick like horsehide, but not heavy like Latigo. It's right in between. As far as conditioning, there's lot's of conflicting info out there. I can tell you that oiling up a strop can make the draw heavier. You need to be careful. As the above poster states, All I do is rub them with the palm of my clean, unwashed hand. I have strops that are older than me.....All are in great condition.

I appreciate the feedback I'll be giving one a try soon.

I have an Illinois #827 which is a great, heavy draw strop...things a beast and does a great job. When I purchased it from the Classic Edge, it said it is one of the few strops that need to be treated with Fromm Strop Conditioner - which I did as per instructions.

My other strop, tan leather, should be able to have nothing more than the palm of your hand, but it is so dry here, the strop had become almost brittle. So I applied some of the Fromm Strop conditioner, the strop literally drank it up, and after two applications, the strop is beautiful, nice light to medium draw...so that worked for me...just seemed to give it the kick it needed.

So the absolute dryness of the cold, complete lack of any humidity, really dried my strop out, and the conditioner worked wonders on it...YMMV.

Love my SRD bridle. I have it, a latigo, and a kangaroo strop. The bridle is my favorite no doubt. Smooth draw without grabbing like latigo, and doesn't feel like the blade will fly off like the kangaroo.

My forehead gets oily, so I wipe my palm on it, then condition my strop thusly. Works like a charm.

I've used my SRD English Bridle long version for at least two years and it is serving me well. No complaints.

I bought two strips of bridle leather from a leather shop in Maine. The leather is identical in looks and feel to the SRD strop.

A daily rubbing with your palm and the strop will respond to your liking. I think you would defeat the purpose of bridle leather by adding any conditioners at all. Just my 2 cents.

I have both English leather and latigo. love the English and just rub it with the hand and it does great.