Wider Or Narrower Wrist Straps

[richard]

Hello

 

I just ordered new Anglo wrist straps. They are 1" wide at the widest part (the part covering the back of my hand). The straps I have now and like are 1 1/4 " wide at the widest. I think I would like to stick to the wider shape. There is more surface area making contact with my hand and the pressure more distributed.

Maybe a smaller surface is better?

 

Does it make any difference.

 

Sorry about my concern over what might seem like frivilous minutia.

 

Thanks,

 

Richard

[Rhomylly]

the wrist straps on the anglo I have now are a fair bit wider than the straps I had on my old anglo. I have come to prefer the wider straps for the same reason you mention: pressure distribution.

 

Although I think the amount of "give" in the strap is equally important for this. softer straps absorb the pressure better than stiff ones.

 

At least that is what I have found.

[Robin Madge]

I have played an old lachenal that had straps les than 1/2" wide and it was still comfortable as they were of very soft leather and the instrument had a low "working pressure" and was light.

 

On the other hand I have used wide straps that were uncomfortable because they were too stiff and the edges cut into the back of the hand.

 

Sometimes the shape just is'nt right when you have to reach for an odd accidental and you have to fight the extra resistance.

 

At least if you have wide straps you can do a bit of careful carving to get them right for you.

 

Robin Madge

[JimLucas]

"Width" comes in many flavors.

One can compare wider and narrower straps of uniform width, but...

Many straps are wider in the middle than at the sides, and the additional width can be offset toward the wrist, toward the fingers, or distributed toward both sides.

People's hands differ, and so do their preferences.

 

As others have mentioned, degree of flexibility also matters.

By varying the leather's thickness, this can also be made to vary at different points on the strap.