Thread: TM English Bridle Old No. 2 Strop

Just received my Tony Miller Old No. 2 English Bridle Strop. 2.5" of Chocolately Brown premium Leather. This is by far the prettiest strop I have ever had. The leather is fantastic. Now I know the strop is not broken in yet, but so far the draw seems to be in between the Draw of his Latigo (or SRD Latigo) and his Horse Hide or New Steer HIde(or SRD Premium 1)

Very Nice medium draw.

Just want to say thanks for another great product from TM.

Pictures...... Man we need pics hahaha and awesome glad you like

no pics...cant get the camera working.

So i have used the strop now for a couple days...and i must have stropped on the dang thing enough for about 20 shaves...

The Bridle has already changed in draw a bit...which can be expected. The draw is there but feels different than latigo. Latigo at least the ones i have used feels sticky ... but the bridle is still smooth while having a nice medium heavy draw. Great strop, however because i tried out his steerhide by picking up one of the practice strops (which was intended to be used for knives) I really now would love a steerhide to compliment the Bridle.

Awesome. I didn't know he was using EB for strops

I have steer hide and love it.

Michael

2 1/2 years and I have still not mastered stropping.

I've got a TM Latigo, TM Horsehide, TM Steer ("scratch and dent" sale he had some time ago although I can't find the imperfection), SRD Kangaroo and I won't use any of them until I get better at stropping.

I got one I used for two years then got an English Bridle at Star Shaving because it was such a good deal but alas, I have nicked the Bridle strop as much as the one I chewed on the first two years trying to learn how to do it RIGHT (you know, keeping the wrist straight and flipping the blade).

I know how it's done and have made strides, thanks to some great videos from SRP members but it's kind of like Tiger Woods' golf clubs or Fred Astaire's dance shoes. You've got to bring skill to the table to make the best equipment work.

But I keep trying...
and trying............
and trying............

Maybe in the future I can attend a meet where we could work on stropping and not just shaving and honing.

I'm waiting for mr miller to get more material flap he can make a 3 inch strop for me

Originally Posted by Tylerbrycen

I'm waiting for mr miller to get more material flap he can make a 3 inch strop for me

Yeah i believe at this time with the leather he was using for the English Bridle he recommeneded the 2.5" as the best bet. I dont know if it was something with the workability or he just wanted to avoid anyone having issues with cupping with the wider width. (I hope i didnt mispeak for him) but the leather is beautiful and the crafstmanship obviously is wonderful.

The strop has already started to develop its own personality. A bit heavy (but not stickly like some Latigos I have tried, a smooth draw but its definetly there) with the first few passes until you get into a rythum and get the strop tention where you want it and then its got a nice medium draw and very smooth.

To be honest what is really selling me on the strop is the color. I love Dark colored leather, and this is a deep chocolate or espresso colored leather. Very nice strop.

I wouldnt hesitate if you were in the market or wanted a Bridle strop and dont mind getting the 2.5" width. As we all know he only puts out strops when he finds the time so these I am guessing are limited supply.

Thanks Tony for another great strop

Cant wait til he gets in some more steer hide. That practice strop of Steer hide was just awesome and would go great if you liked to do a multi strop progression...Bridle first then go Steerhide.

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

2 1/2 years and I have still not mastered stropping.

I have been at it for about 3 or 4 years and I have not mastered either. My biggest issue was being to tentative. You cant be afraid of the strop or afraid to nick it. If you are you will nick it for sure as you will go to slow and I think what happends is you actually push the blade a bit before you start your pass. That was my issue. Since i have gotten more aggressive (now this does not mean more pressure, just not so tentative and scared) my stropping has improved.

Cajun and Eric, I admire your tenacity. Its hard to keep trying year after year if things don't go the way you want.

I will keep improving my stropping for the rest of my life. I'm not a master for sure but I'm pretty happy with my results now. I'll be content to keep improving.

It's a learning process for all of us. Most important is to have fun and enjoy oneself.

Michael

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

Cajun and Eric, I admire your tenacity. Its hard to keep trying year after year if things don't go the way you want.

I will keep improving my stropping for the rest of my life. I'm not a master for sure but I'm pretty happy with my results now. I'll be content to keep improving.

It's a learning process for all of us. Most important is to have fun and enjoy oneself.

Michael

Hello Michael ,

Took me sometime aswell . My first strop as from Star Shaving - a 3" English bridle ( see photos) . I used a table top for awhile and then found the x-strokes made a huge difference . Now I prefer a 2-2.5" strop .

Will get a TM strop down the road . Take some photos soon of yours !

Cheers,

Scott