Abstract: A cylinder for supporting a fabric sample to be wear tested is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis and simultaneous reciprocation along its longitudinal axis. The sample to be wear tested is secured to the cylinder so that the inner surface of the sample is in congruity with the exterior of the major surface of the cylinder. Provided in proximity to the cylinder are a plurality of plates which are spaced from each other along the length of the cylinder, each plate affixed on one major surface to a separate rod with the free major surface of each plate positioned so that it may contact the outer surface of the sample. Each rod is attached at its other end to a crankshaft, by means of which a reciprocating motion is imparted to each rod, whereby each plate is moved back and forth from a position away from the sample to a position in contact with the sample.