grip size

[voodoo]

what size grips do you use?do you stretch you hands and wrists after long tattoo sessions?

[framey]

:evil:

[Luckyshot]

i use 1"

[voodoo]

a lot of what i have read says to use the largest one you can to avoid carpel tunnel .

[framey]

:evil:

[kwizxi]

theres a thing called the cats paw that is designed to kep carpel tunnel away, reccomended for tattooists. We use the biggest grips we can find, they seem to ease the trouble of cramps and they weigh the right amount for our machines, so u dont have to grip so much, it just kinda rests there.

[taurbaby1313]

3/4" and 1 " ergo grips from pulse.i use a chair as opposed to a table sometimes they get a bit heavy-but waaay more comfy then the more conventional styles i've tried.

[Choppers4Life]

3/4" and 1 " ergo grips from pulse.i use a chair as opposed to a table sometimes they get a bit heavy-but waaay more comfy then the more conventional styles i've tried.

I have looked at their ergo grips several time and wondered if it would make a difference in comfort. How long have you been using yours? Does it make a noticable difference in comfort for you vs. straight standard grips? I keep thinking about the ergo large grooved for me. I prefer 3/4" to 1 1/4" grips myself.

[framey]

:evil:

[MontanaPiercer]

I like the 1", seems to wreak less havoc on my wrist after an all day run.

[geoff]

i only use 19mm or larger teflon grips that i make myself seems to stop cramps as i have large hands

[voodoo]

we dont use no stink'n metric around these parts!
3/4" = 19mm i think! :lol:

[DOPPLENHAKEN]

1 inch!!! :oops: grip i ment :cry:

[Curby]

I've got big ol' meat hands, so I use 1"

[kreepster]

wow. Seems like the general consensus is 1". I've been using 5/8" for a while. That's what I learned on. I tried my partners 1" on a shader once and it just felt so damn bulky.Maybe I'll have to give it another shot.
If using a stainless steel 1" grip is used with a lighter machine, does it help absorb some of the vibration?

[skullman]

yeah I plan to switch too a 1" grip later as well these big hand get tired. :D

[Cockroach]

Try Red Rats, they're supposed to be dope! They are also auto-clavable(I believe I just made up a word, haha)whereas many similiar contraptions are not. The dudes at my shop use them and say they are the best things ever.

[Grafx]

I've used quite a few different sized grips. Now years ago they didn't have all the tapered, grooved, and ergo grips. So hand fatigue was just part of the job. Thank God thats changed!
Now I use 1&1/4" to 1" Nylon ergo's, and also the 1" alluminums. I have long fingers and they are virtually stress free on the hands.

About the hands, and stretching them. I know from personal experience that stretching the hands is not only good for them but to have a spouse, girlfriend or even better yet, a manicurist massage them is amazing, and will work wonders. Keep the nails trimmed as well.
I swung a hammer as a union carpenter for 14 years, and also, while doing a quite a bit of gripping as a Judo player for about 20 years, and a coach for about 9 of those years made my hands ache like mad.

I still stretch them, and get hand massages often.I've been blessed with no carpel tunnel at all.
Take care of your hands as you would any other tool that you wish to keep for a while and experiment with different things. It's all about what works for you. And if you have something that works well and is time tested then don't change it. (If it aint brokeen in other words don't fix it)
Sorry so windy poeple.

[voodoo]

i was in judo for a while!loved it!
man this an old post!

[Grafx]

yea and there weren't many so I thought I'd post

[FORGIVEN]

I switch according to the piece , if its a large piece I use an 1' ergo grip w/ a redrat grip cover for both lining & shading ,(I use redrats on EVERY one of my grips , if youve never used them check em' out !!!! Theyre amazing !!!)...if its a medium piece I'll grab a 3/4 or a 5/8 . With the redrats you're adding a 1/4 ' to your grip , takes a little bit to get used to but once you get the hang of it , it's on !!!!

[pipster]

where can these red rats be acquired? if I may be so bold????pipster 8) :?:

[Grafx]

Here ya go Pipster

http://pulsetattoogear.com/home.php?cat=273
Remember that they add a quarter inch to the grip size.
re: 3/4 will become 1"

[pipster]

many thanks to you grafx..I will give them a try....pipster 8) :D 8) :D

[FORGIVEN]

www.kingpintattoosupply.com .......Ask for Brian (ext.202) , tell em' Redemption Tattoo told you to call !!!

[philip goodwin]

I dont feel that there is a significant problem with vibation, i would sooner sit all day working the tattoo machine than in a fab shop wielding a 12 inch angle grinder day in day out. Point taken though its always best to fine tune and find the best working tools i find a larger grip helps counterbalance the wieght of the machine.Great web site

[Unnerving]

I use 1" nylon grips, but I just started at a new shop and the boss has all 5/8" grips. I'm ordering more 1" soon. After using the 1" and going back to 5/8" my hands hurt constantly.