Thread: Another stiff Latigo solution

I recently posted that I found a source for Bridle leather and several members PMed me for the info which I gladly shared. The leather shop owner informed me that it was not English tanned bridle leather but American tanned bridle leather. He wasn't too sure how English and American would compare so I ordered 2 strips 3" x 64" and gave it a try.

I cut 2 strops and a flatbed strop piece from one of the strips. I decided I didn't like the stiffness of my Latigo strop so I unscrewed it and relaced it with the American Bridle leather (I have included a photo). I CUT A REINFORCEMENT PIECE FROM A SCRAP SUEDE THAT I HAD AND PUNCHED HOLES , THEN INSTALLED THE AMERICAN BRIDLE STROP. I have difficulty telling the difference between the English and American leather as far as softness, suppleness and drag are concerned.

A previous thread by pcb01 ( "glazed red latigo" ) prompted me to start this thread because I too do not care for the stiffness of my red Latigo. However, the main idea on this thread is the fact that I replaced the latigo with the much softer bridle leather.

When it's all said and done, I will probably prefer my English Bridle strop over my American Bridle strop but the American Bridle strop is no slouch and a few cents cheaper if you are a leather worker of any sort.

Pm me if anyone wants to know the source for this American Bridle leather. It has a very nice feel to it..........I am glad I have both the English from SRD and the American. It gives me a choice.......

I would buy a strip of this leather just for flatbed strops. It is very soft and has a great feel.