Originally Posted by
Lynn
Usually, I find that thicker leathers tend to be stiffer and not the best from a result standpoint for making strops. Even the bridle untreated, is a little stiffer, but once treated, provides excellent results and definite draw with feedback. I find there is a more pliability with a little thinner leather, but the key is in the leather itself. I like to look for leathers that have grain qualities that will produce as good or better results than the old vintage strops. Even with all the oil and wax on a latigo, it really seems that a thinner piece will break in faster and produce better draw quicker than with a thicker stiffer piece that can remain slick for a while. Thinner horsehide to me, also breaks in quicker and is more effective. I have seen some thick almost belt leather like strops out there and even tried a couple which have taken months to start getting unslick and still will almost stand up by themselves. I have not found the best results with these.
Draw or feedback with a strop is s very personal thing. Slick feeling stropping to me is really not as effective and materials that will give you some draw to a heavy draw with a short break in period, seem to work the best. This may not always equate to just thick or thin.