So I’m looking for a new figure 8, and here’s the catch: I need black. Which significantly narrows down my options, so I’d love some input. I’m a total leather snob, and only own Courbette, Crosby, Stubben, and Vespucci… all of which I got on sale cause I’m a broke college kid. So basically, I need to keep the budget lower and would love to hear if anyone has had experience with the Shires Phoenix (or any other lower price range ones for that matter).
I have two of the Shires, both brown. I find the quality to vary- the older one is in great shape and feels like a much more expensive bridle; the other has very obvious flaws and the leather quality is poor. I would definitely recommend trying to get your hands on one before buying it, to check firsthand. Like most low-range bridles, it does require regular cleaning and conditioning to stay nice.
Horze makes a few black figure 8s, I believe. I have a noseband of theirs (black figure 8) and it is good quality for the price, but the sizing is a bit odd and I didn’t like the fit on my horse. He has an oddly sized face, though, so YMMV.
Not sure what size you are looking for, but check out the Horze Mexican bridle ($62.96) or the Horze Nevada ($98.96) at The Connected Rider. Both are figure eights and come in black!
http://www.theconnectedrider.com/?tap_a=9643-134fe7&tap_s=54629-678c64
I absolutely love the Horze brand bridles. I am a leather snob also but can’t spend $400 on bridles. The Horze brand leather is absolutely top quality and you seriously cannot beat the prices!!
[QUOTE=cdeventing;8919694]
So I’m looking for a new figure 8, and here’s the catch: I need black. Which significantly narrows down my options, so I’d love some input. I’m a total leather snob, and only own Courbette, Crosby, Stubben, and Vespucci… all of which I got on sale cause I’m a broke college kid. So basically, I need to keep the budget lower and would love to hear if anyone has had experience with the Shires Phoenix (or any other lower price range ones for that matter).[/QUOTE]
Good things aren’t cheap, cheap things aren’t good. Honor your snobbery and buy the quality you expect and will make you happy, long-term. I support this initiative!
[QUOTE=Robby Johnson;8920273]
Good things aren’t cheap, cheap things aren’t good. Honor your snobbery and buy the quality you expect and will make you happy, long-term. I support this initiative![/QUOTE]
Agree ^
Although, you can get good things on the cheap if you’re smart. Trawl ebay and tack listings. I don’t consider Vespucci to be high quality, I have too many issues with dye and glue bleeds from them.
Kieffer has a gorgeous black figure eight, as does Bartville Harness. I’ve seen a few Stubbens too. If you keep an eye on ebay, they pop up for $100-120. Worth it, as they’ll last you a while.
ETA: TaraB can you please stop advertising your stuff on COTH? Horze isn’t even a quality brand of leather.
Where are you located? If in the PA area, go straight to Bartville Harness! Its an Amish tack store and they make the BEST products. Their leather work is unparalleled. Nunn Finer buys their exact products and jacks up the price for themselves. They make black figure eights with brass or nickle. If you are not close, try finding a friend who is! It is worth it
[QUOTE=RolexReady;8920307]
Where are you located? If in the PA area, go straight to Bartville Harness! Its an Amish tack store and they make the BEST products. Their leather work is unparalleled. Nunn Finer buys their exact products and jacks up the price for themselves. They make black figure eights with brass or nickle. If you are not close, try finding a friend who is! It is worth it[/QUOTE]
I love Bartville, so much. I wonder if they make a padded crown these days? I really like their stitching, and their brass hardware. It’s so distinct.
They do make a padded single crown! I have it for my dressage bridle. Its great. Not sure if they make it in the brown on any non-crank bridles ready for sale, but they would make that for you for the same price.
My black figure 8 came from Nunn Finer. Very happy with it!
No suggestions on brands bc I ride dressage, but have you checked European tack shops? Divoza, etc. I found a Schockmohle (which I really like) for around $170 including shipping, whereas many places here have then for over $250. And I got it in less than 2 weeks!
And not to be rude, but I agree–all the shameless advertising is getting on my nerves as well.
If you already have a black bride, you could just get a new noseband - much cheaper than buying a whole bridle. I ordered a black fig 8 noesband for my bride through a local tack shop that carries Bobby’s English Tack. I love Bobby’s and I think their prices are really reasonable- I don’t think you can buy directly though, so I would suggest looking for a shop that is local to you that carries them!
I would suggest that if you’re purchasing a Figure 8 noseband, that you get a real Figure 8: the nosebands with the metal ring connecting the nose piece with the chin piece are not the true figure 8: the old ones used one continous piece of leather that went through a loop where the ring is now, because the point of the noseband being to stop a horse crossing its jaw.
But I’m not sure there’s much point to this post, because do they even make 'em without the rings anymore? I do think the old style is a better design. I have one . . . from about 25 years ago lol.
[QUOTE=devvie;8920558]
I would suggest that if you’re purchasing a Figure 8 noseband, that you get a real Figure 8: the nosebands with the metal ring connecting the nose piece with the chin piece are not the true figure 8: the old ones used one continous piece of leather that went through a loop where the ring is now, because the point of the noseband being to stop a horse crossing its jaw.
But I’m not sure there’s much point to this post, because do they even make 'em without the rings anymore? I do think the old style is a better design. I have one . . . from about 25 years ago lol.[/QUOTE]
Those are still made, but maybe not in black. Dover sells one that is ‘Wellington’ brand. They are called ‘slot’ or ‘loop end’ figure eight nosebands.
I have one. It is supremely adjustable; and far more superior in terms of jawstrap and cheek-strap versatility (can go from draft X to POA in one day) but there is a reason the ‘o’ (ring) is on the noseband; it distributes pressure better. The ‘o’ makes the leather pieces more versatile in their angles; the ‘o’ ring noseband’s drawback is that you’re stuck with whatever length the jaw-strap & cheek strap (the straps that crisscross) is.
Hard to put into words, maybe it is easier seen in a picture:
Slot Figure 8, correctly adjusted - see how it doesn’t angle as “steeply” from the cheek to the nose and that there’s a gap underneath the loop? It doesn’t really “lie flat” as well as the ‘o’ rings do, and doesn’t “cover” the same ground - AKA the angles of the crisscross are not as wide.
Of course, it is also a trend now to crank those Figure 8’s TIGHT, which is probably why the O ring has so much favor; it’s hard to crank one of the slot ones tight.
That being said I would not trade my slot noseband for anything. It’s probably 20+ years old too - it was given to me by an ULR and it was her horse’s that she rode in the 1980s… It’s too bad my current pony hates the nose pressure, because I’m one of those unrepentant heathens that likes the look.
Bartville still makes both the ring and the sliding figure 8 nosebands - both in black and brown
[QUOTE=beowulf;8920580]
Those are still made, but maybe not in black. Dover sells one that is ‘Wellington’ brand. They are called ‘slot’ or ‘loop end’ figure eight nosebands.
I have one. It is supremely adjustable; and far more superior in terms of jawstrap and cheek-strap versatility (can go from draft X to POA in one day) but there is a reason the ‘o’ (ring) is on the noseband; it distributes pressure better. The ‘o’ makes the leather pieces more versatile in their angles; the ‘o’ ring noseband’s drawback is that you’re stuck with whatever length the jaw-strap & cheek strap (the straps that crisscross) is.
Hard to put into words, maybe it is easier seen in a picture:
Slot Figure 8, correctly adjusted - see how it doesn’t angle as “steeply” from the cheek to the nose and that there’s a gap underneath the loop? It doesn’t really “lie flat” as well as the ‘o’ rings do, and doesn’t “cover” the same ground - AKA the angles of the crisscross are not as wide.
Of course, it is also a trend now to crank those Figure 8’s TIGHT, which is probably why the O ring has so much favor; it’s hard to crank one of the slot ones tight.
That being said I would not trade my slot noseband for anything. It’s probably 20+ years old too - it was given to me by an ULR and it was her horse’s that she rode in the 1980s… It’s too bad my current pony hates the nose pressure, because I’m one of those unrepentant heathens that likes the look.[/QUOTE]
I was hoping that someone would come along and say it better! Thanks.
What I’m looking to do is replace my brown figure 8s as I now have a black jump saddle. I actually much prefer the fixed figure 8 to the grackle noseband, I’ve had more luck on my strong horses with it. I’ve been looking into trying English tack shops but wasn’t sure who would ship to the US, if anyone has suggestions on that.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8920298]
Agree ^
Although, you can get good things on the cheap if you’re smart. Trawl ebay and tack listings. I don’t consider Vespucci to be high quality, I have too many issues with dye and glue bleeds from them.
Kieffer has a gorgeous black figure eight, as does Bartville Harness. I’ve seen a few Stubbens too. If you keep an eye on ebay, they pop up for $100-120. Worth it, as they’ll last you a while.
ETA: TaraB can you please stop advertising your stuff on COTH? Horze isn’t even a quality brand of leather.[/QUOTE]
She’s spamming the whole forum - has no one reported her?
Flexible fit brand is awesome! It’s in Australia and exchange rate to the US makes the bridle around the same price as the shires, but leather quality is better than shires. I ordered mine and spent $125 USD including the shipping. It takes just under 2 weeks to get to you, but it’s worth the wait! PLUS, it’s completely customizable. You build your own bridle. That was the selling point. My horse needs a horse size crown piece, throat latch, and cheek pieces, but cob sized brown and and caveson. It also includes reins. Any size or kind you want! All for $125!! Oh and, the selection of browbands is HUGE!! After getting mine, I’ll never buy another brand 
[QUOTE=Mara;8920970]
She’s spamming the whole forum - has no one reported her?[/QUOTE]
I’ve reported ten of her posts so far 
[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8920985]
Flexible fit brand is awesome! It’s in Australia and exchange rate to the US makes the bridle around the same price as the shires, but leather quality is better than shires. I ordered mine and spent $125 USD including the shipping. It takes just under 2 weeks to get to you, but it’s worth the wait! PLUS, it’s completely customizable. You build your own bridle. That was the selling point. My horse needs a horse size crown piece, throat latch, and cheek pieces, but cob sized brown and and caveson. It also includes reins. Any size or kind you want! All for $125!! Oh and, the selection of browbands is HUGE!! After getting mine, I’ll never buy another brand :)[/QUOTE]
Just checked them out, they look really cool, I love the customizable options. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like they have a figure 8. 
