Hi Paul...I hit exactly the same problem when I turned my first vase, and posted much the same question on here. I got lots of advise, which basically said that the trick is to make up your own 'sticks' with bulbous shapes on the end, over which you fix your abrasive papers. Having said that, 'sticks' come in all shapes and sizes, and are limited only by the needs and the imagination of the individual turner who is going to use them. For my first 'stick' I took my knock-out bar and taped a piece of abrasive paper to it, and it worked. Now I'll try just about anything I can lay my hands on, but also still resort to turning them specifically to suit a job if I need to.
Les