<html> <body> Hi Dave,                I  am chuckling out loud.  The debate will start and some will get passionate about it. Global manufacturing will favor the nap as you have described, but try and get a rational reason out of the action makers.   <G> Regards Roger <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>    I personally don't think it makes a dang bit of difference because the "grain" on most knuckles isn't all that pronounced.  Even when trying to rub it both ways to see which way it lies, it's sometimes difficult to tell.     However, for consistency, you should install them all the same way (sometimes holding in the light just right and rubbing the leather this way and that will show you which way the nap lies).     I just now went out to the shop and checked different makes of grand shanks and two upright butts.  They all favored let-off, i.e., the nap lies in the direction the jack travels when letting off.     --David Nereson, RPT _______________________________________________ pianotech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" eudora="autourl">https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> </blockquote></body> </html>