Jeffries bridles quality?

[NeverSayNever]

I know this has been mentioned before on other threads about bridles but Ive now had a disappointment myself.

I have a Sabre bridle, in black, which I really love. I decided to get a 2nd bridle in havana and discovered the colour of the Sabre leather is not dark enough for me It’s also fairly water/oil resistant so isnt going to darken that much with cleaning or oiling. So, I decided to go for Jeffries, as I know their havana is the colour I want. I wasn’t sure what to go for and my horse needs different sizes, so I ordered some mix and match parts from both the Wembley (which is their budget range, still English leather apparently but made in India) and the more expensive Falcon range. The Wembley pieces for a start were all different shades of havana, although tbf the quality seemed pretty good. In the Falcon however, was the tattiest looking noseband I have ever seen! It was dry, cracked leather which did not look like quality English leather and was almost fraying on the edges, not to mention it was lighter again!

I sent the lot back, really disappointed and resigned that I might have to look at a different make. However today, I went into a tack shop who stock all the component parts, for both Wembley and Falcon. I’ve actually come home with a Falcon bridle, put together from components which I am delighted with! I have the exact same noseband that I returned, however this time is IS the quality I would expect and the quality and shade is uniform across all the parts, it’s lovely supple quality leather. So who knows what is going on with their quality control, Im delighted with the bridle I have now but I wouldn’t risk buying online again, Id want to see it in the flesh first. For those of you who have Jeffries, can I ask do you oil them and what you use on the leather? It doesnt have the same kind of shiny finish my Sabre has so Im wondering if needs ‘feeding’ more. thanks in advance.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I clean with warm water then use oil or saddle soap as necessary to feed it. I love jeffries leather I don't like the slightly shiny finish on a lot of brands.

 

[Honey08]

I have Jeffries bridles of both types. I love them (also love Sabre!). The quality has always been superb on them all. They're coming up to 5yrs old now and have gone through all kinds of weather (they are everyday and show bridles!). Perhaps you were just unlucky? Or perhaps quality has changed in the last five years. I also have their saddles, I'm a fan!

I use Stubben saddle soap on them and three or four times a year I oil with hydrophane leather oil (especially when new). I find it all darkens a fair bit over time. One horse had a reddish bridle, the other a traditional tan, nowadays both are dark tan coloured. Both shine up really well, and (thankfully!) can go a good while without any treatment/cleaning!

 

[blitznbobs]

I love jeffries tack - I only buy the made in England stuff (But this goes for all tack)... but I've never been disappointed.

Bx

 

[cob&onion]

I have an older type of jeffries bridle, its a hunter one and doesnt have the sheen finish on it. I bought it 2nd hand on ebay and its really soft and buttery.
I do have an evision bridle which is english leather and this has the shiny finish. Thats a lovely quality bridle too.
I always use the spray soap on my tack then finish off with some leather soap/polish/waxy stuff that the army use for their leather boots. Brings the tack u beautifully shiny

 

[rowan666]

I have an old jeffies english made hunter saddle (no longer have a pony to fit in it!) must be at least 15yrs+ old and its very rarely cleaned maybe once a year at most with saddle soap and thats it. It still looks great, no cracks and still very supple, and smells so good! (i love the smell of english leather!)
I have a sabre bridle and although the quality is undeniable, i can't put my finger on why, im jst not overly impressed.
English made leather will last a life time. Cheaper imported leather is definatly a false economy!

 

[Tern]

I have a VERY old sabre (horse is 27 and on loan) so god knows how many years it's been around - My brown sabre bridle is very well dark brown.

 

[NeverSayNever]

thanks all - rowan666 yes i agree, the jeffries smells gorgeous
I wonder if a substandard batch went out somehow, I did hear that they had had a new MD but the old one is back? I think it was in that time the ‘nut brown’ colour was introduced and is now being phased out again. I was tempted by the new Wembley Pro comfort bridle but I couldnt see one in the flesh so after my other experience i played safe.

 

[cremedemonthe]

Some suggestions as to why your bridle colour and quality isn't as you'd hoped for.
When bridlework is made it is best to cut a complete bridle from one hide, you'll get uniform colour and finish that way.
Unfortunately when you buy some bridlework the components may have been made from the next hide and if that hide is from a different batch from the tannery it can be a slightly different shade even made by the same tannery being a natural substance it can vary.
I am making an ex full bridle at the mo, it's all cut out from the same hide so no variations but I am only a one man band, the big companies buy in dozens of hides in one go and these can get mixed up and /or be from different batches.
Also, leather loses moisture everyday whether it's used or not, so if your bridle has been made, then sat in a shop or warehouse for a few months it can dry out a little which can make it look tired, dry and lighter to a certain degree.
Leather is best kept in a dry room at 56 degrees celsius.
The bridle I am making although new leather is still a little dry for my liking so I dress my leatherwork like a currier would with Saddlers grease before I send it to the customer.
The best leather today is from Aberdeen Angus cattle as it tends to mature slowly and that allows the fibres of the hide to knit together to make a good substance when tanned. In the olden days the leather was much better as a rule because the cattle were matured more slowly, now with intense farming methods we have lost the slow pace of life and a lot of the slow maturing cattle.
Oz

 

[Bennions Field]

All my bridlework us jeffries, i purchased it when i worked for them years ago , over 25 years i think! Its been amazing leather, and still going strong, i also have a newbridle for my youngster, its a colliegate brand and its no where near the quality, i clean them all with basic saddle soap and use hide food / jeffries leather conditioner and they come up like new, not sure about modern bridles from them but very happy with my very old ones

 

[conniegirl]

I've got a jeffries bridle that is over 20 years old and still looks incredible in the show ring.

 

[Dizzle]

Good to read, I'm looking to get the Jeffries tradtional hunter style bridle for my mare at some point (although not until she promises to stop being lame!)