Thread: Grip causing Artisan to cup?

Hi folks, my no-handle artisan is cupping a little whilst I hold it to strop. On the downward stroke (toward me) on my x at the bottom as my square point comes down it is marking the strop over the bend.

Is it the way I hold it (between thumb and forefinger)?

How do other users of this strop manage to avoid this?

I usually roll the strop in my hand by bending it at the bottom upward, rolling it. My hand then acts like a roller point. My index finger supports the strop flat and rolled. You should not grab the strop with the thumb and index finger such that the inner portion would bend in. The tension is not via the thumb but rather against the index finger held under the strop.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I usually roll the strop in my hand by bending it at the bottom upward, rolling it. My hand then acts like a roller point. My index finger supports the strop flat and rolled. You should not grab the strop with the thumb and index finger such that the inner portion would bend in. The tension is not via the thumb but rather against the index finger held under the strop.

Thanks for replying. I think I understand what you mean. To clarify, do you coil your hand a little way under the strop and keep your index finger straight?

Yea, exactly. The knuckles of my left hand run under the strop. You can't use the last 3-4 inches of the strop near your hand though, because of the rise.

The grip used is very important with any traditional, no handle strop. I would lay it acros my index finger as was mentioned.

Tony

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

The grip used is very important with any traditional, no handle strop. I would lay it acros my index finger as was mentioned.

Tony

Hey Tony, thanks for your comments. I've read these posts and run upstairs to test them out on my strop. I understand what you mean and I see the error of my ways. I think I was perhaps gripping too hard as I was needlessly holding the linen as well as the leather. I think I could almost add this to the "stupid newbie mistakes" thread, lol!

Thanks all.