My Tony Miller is about 8 - 10 years old, and a superb performer. As I recall the material is European saddle leather, very smooth and slick. The second material is his original linen, which is also superb. All of my other strops are either English bridle leather (SRD and Griffith's) or shell cordovan (Kanayama #3, #50000, and #80000). You definitely won't go wrong with yours.