[CAUT] Knuckle Direction

[Fred Sturm]

My take is that it really doesn't matter, period. Once the action has  
been played a few hours, the leather is nicely compressed, usually  
glazed with some graphite and/or dirt (plus powdered teflon or  
whatever else might have been applied to it), and whatever nap there  
was in its pristine state has essentially disappeared: it is firmly  
packed down. So functionally, after those first couple hours, there  
simply IS no nap.
	With a used instrument, I find it next to impossible to determine  
what the nap is (after brushing to get rid of the glaze and buildup of  
whatever). Maybe with a microscope, but my fingers can't tell. So I am  
unclear whether it actually does make a difference that all are the  
same initially. Maybe, but you couldn't prove it by me.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
fssturm at unm.edu
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/FredSturm

On Jun 1, 2010, at 1:57 PM, Dempsey Jr., Paul E wrote:

> OK, maybe just too much week-end or perhaps old-timers....
>
> I am re-knuckle-ing a set of grand shanks. The new parts are of Able  
> manufacture and have a pencil line on each.
>
> Does this line face the flange or the hammer?
>
> I know the line indicates the direction of the nap of the leather,  
> but which way is preferable.
>
>
>
> Paul E. Dempsey, RPT
> Piano Technician Sr.
> Marshall University
> Huntington, WV
> 304-696-5418
> 304-617-1149