I have a semantic question for you: what kind of bit do you call a French link?
A French link, to me, denotes a very specific type of double-joint of a bit, like the above one. But I frequently see people describing almost any double-jointed bit as a French link, especially the double-jointed Herm Sprenger bits.
So, to you, what’s a French link?
I agree with you. French link is more specific than just a simple double joint. The joint is as you pictured. The second bit, I would just call a double joint with lozenge. I use that for my horses.
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French link is specifically a french link. Other three piece, double joint, etc, I will describe as such, or with a lonzenge, or roller, what have you.
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I agree with this!
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Yep Agree with this!
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I agree with L. French Link has a specific double joint…
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Agreed! I bought a Dr Bristol thinking it was “basically the same” a few years ago. Then I learned the difference. Not even close to being the same.
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Agree with you Karen- only the bit you posted is a french link. I have heard people call Dr. Bristols french links and it drives me crazy LOL!
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Agree with everyone – that is a French link
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I am with everyone else- a french link is a specific kind of jointed bit.
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I use French link to only refer to the bit pictured (with the flat link) at top. If I am talking about the one with the lozenge I say “French link with a lozenge”.
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Though I should also note that I would not say “French link Myler” for a double-jointed Myler, or “French link with peanut roller” for something weird and possibly imaginary. It pretty much just refers to the flat and lozenge link for me.
More than willing to accept that there’s a more accurate nomenclature though.
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Top bit to me is a Dr Bristol because the middle piece is flat and meant to exert tongue pressure. Bottom bit is a true French link with rounded sides. If you think this is wild, you should see what they call a Tom Thumb in Australia
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Totally guilty when I’m not talking specifics. I’ll throw out French link or double jointed if people are just asking, but not super interested. If someone is actually asking for my advice (or if I’m asking for their’s), I get more specific and go from there. Sometimes it’s easier to say French link because it’s popular and most people can pull a close-enough picture to mind.
I’m also zero percent a ‘bit’ person–meaning that I use a bit but I almost never play with bits and try different bits. Definitely not a bit nerd.
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