Cutaway Handstraps Tested

[Dirge]

"What sort of handstraps do you want, straight or cutaway?" I was asked. The cutaway ones have the broad part of the strap swept back by about 1/4" and, I was told, were supposed to move the pressure of the strap off your knuckles and allow easier movement. I had straight ones on my existing instrument, but this sounded reasonable so I had the cutaway ones fitted to my big duet (which at that stage was new to me and being sorted after many years sitting)

 

I think the idea is flawed. When you play the straps try to settle in a straight line across the back of your hand, going to roughly the same position a straight set would take, so I don't think it gains anything. However the crank in the shape means one edge tightens first and the strain is all on one side. One of mine is tearing already after 18 months and it's easy to see why when you look. Finally, even if it worked, is it a gain to put pressure on the tendons in the back of your hand instead of riding on the bone of your knuckles?

 

I won't buy them again and find myself wondering whether a completely symmetrical strap might work best of all. Perhaps it's time to look through the handbags and belts in the charity shop for one to cut up .

[Alex West]

Dirge

 

I've a mixture of straight cut and cut-aways - albeit on anglos. They're all adjusted slightly differently, but on balance, I'd say I prefer the cu-aways (Steve Dickinson's manufacture).

 

I don't seem to have the same problem of uneven tension and early tearing, but I have noticed that on the "conventional" Jeffries handrails, the tightness of the brass strap loop can make quite a differnece to the feel - and also the wear on the strap.

 

I suspect it's down to personal hand bone/joint dimensions and playing style. I used to have a very simple strap 14mm wide throughout it's length (the standard on early Lachenals) but I found that didn't give me enough support but the previous owner obviously got on well with it

 

Alex

[Dirge]

It may be the size of the duet they're attached to gives them more of a thrashing; they are on my 71 key. I suspect them of slightly weakening my control over the brute too, but I can't quantify that bit. (unless I'm lucky enough to detect a sudden lurch forward in my playing ability when I change them. I'm not holding my breath on that one.)

[Frank Edgley]

I used to make the standard symmetrical handstraps for my concertinas, but once I tried the "cut-away" design, I was sold, and make them all that way now unless asked to do otherwise. This has only happened once. I'm guessing that there are other factors involved here--- the design, strap material, and how the straps are adjusted. What seems curious is the fact that you say they are tearing. This suggests that the material may not have been very supple, and this would make the straps not lie across the back of your hand comfortably.