Abstract: A strand advanceable from a supply spool to a weaving machine of the shuttleless type under variable tension is routed through an adjustable braking mechanism. The braking mechanism includes a flat guide plate along which the strand advances, the strand being contacted at longitudinally spaced portions of the guide plate by means of a succession of angularly depending leaf springs which are carried at longitudinal intervals in an overlying holding member. The input end of the holding member is pivotally supported on a frame member that carries the guide plate, and a helical spring biases the holding member obliquely relative to the underlying guide plate so that the distance between the holding member and the guide plate increases in the direction of advance of the strand.