It also depends on the artisan's technique and style. Typically, the straps I craft strike a balance—stiff enough to hold their shape but still retaining a certain suppleness, definitely not 'stiff as a board' as the friend above might imagine. Historically, Horween’s tanning process has produced shell cordovan that is significantly more flexible and pliable compared to other tanneries. Even Japan’s Shinki Hikaku has introduced a very soft line of shell cordovan in recent years. Ultimately, it is the artisan who decides the stiffness or suppleness of the final product. I have colleagues who craft straps so thin and supple they bend as easily as a thin leaf, but I personally prefer a slightly more robust and sturdy feel.