thanks guys, I appreciate the help. Switching hands isn't an option, unfortunately I have the same condition in both hands (carpal tunnel combined with diabetic neuropathy). It's just recent that my right hand started showing any symptoms. One thing I may try is standing to the side of the strop rather than at the end. Dad might strop it for me,but he's in almost as bad a shape as I am, and Mom has Alzheimer's . If the switching positions in relation to the strop doesn't work, then I'll try the paddle strop with some paste. There has to be a way to beat this.