I've used straps only for personal bests.
Nothing worse though than a back that is much stronger than a grip.
(looking like you're really powerful, but really unable to deliver the goods)
Are you using the "hook grip" a bit painful at first, but you soon get used to it.
It's your own natural lifting strap. It'll deliver twelfty % more gripping power than a conventional grip.
The most effective grip and forearm developer I know is this:
Seat yourself on a bench and hunch forward placing your forearms on your thighs
with your palms facing up, and palms just sitting over the knees.
Get a light* barbell and now let it roll controlled down to your finger tips and now return it
to the heel of your palms.
You're doing curls but keeping your forearms in contact with your thighs throughout.
This exercise is so effective that it is really easy to over do it.
So much so, that it's a total mission to pick up your post-workout shake and get it to your mouth.
* that's all you'll ever need for this one.
When I've hit dead-lifting plateaus, through grip issues, I've gone back
to the above exercise for a while and it's helped me break through them.
