Finnegan's Wake

[finnegan]

Those weapon making threads are awesome. Im hiking a 60 mile leg of the John Muir Trail this July, and im considering making some of your toys to protect me from bears, mountain lions and moonshine-addled red necks. Im leaning towards the spear just for the reach advantage. Suggestions?

Get a Cold Steel Bushman. Use the staff as a walking aid. If you you need to, just affix it to the end and slam the butt of the staff on the ground. If you can plan it out, go w/ good weaponry, especially against bears. In this video, a tester shoots one through a TV. The thing is cheap too, something like 20 bucks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHtnYQ8fJq0

 

[juanlawnmower]

Purchases today:
Straps (Harbinger)
Chalk (climbing chalk. I understand that it is the same stuff as lifting chalk, correct?)
CoC #2 grippers (ordered)

I got these two items for a couple of reasons. The straps and chalk I got becasue my grip is lagging behind my pulling power, and I don't want to slow down on it. Secondly, it is hot in my dungeon, and sweat is becoming a problem.
However, not to completely wimp out, I ordered the CoC grippers so I can keep up on the grip work. I don't expect to be able to close them at first, but we'll see.

Should have got MMA chalk.

If your grip slipped with chalk and mixed grip, sans straps, I'd be surprised. The blacksmithing should contribute to grip in your hands. Try going sans-straps unless it still slips hard.

 

[SmashiusClay]

Purchases today:
Straps (Harbinger)
Chalk (climbing chalk. I understand that it is the same stuff as lifting chalk, correct?)
CoC #2 grippers (ordered)

I got these two items for a couple of reasons. The straps and chalk I got becasue my grip is lagging behind my pulling power, and I don't want to slow down on it. Secondly, it is hot in my dungeon, and sweat is becoming a problem.
However, not to completely wimp out, I ordered the CoC grippers so I can keep up on the grip work. I don't expect to be able to close them at first, but we'll see.

It's all magnesium carbonate, climbers have the same grip issues as lifters, use the same stuff to fix it.

You use plurals several times to refer to grippers, but only mention one gripper you've bought, did you buy the #1 as well?

 

[mschatz]

Get a Cold Steel Bushman. Use the staff as a walking aid. If you you need to, just affix it to the end and slam the butt of the staff on the ground. If you can plan it out, go w/ good weaponry, especially against bears. In this video, a tester shoots one through a TV. The thing is cheap too, something like 20 bucks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHtnYQ8fJq0

I want one! I hope i see a bear...

 

[finnegan]

It's all magnesium carbonate, climbers have the same grip issues as lifters, use the same stuff to fix it.

You use plurals several times to refer to grippers, but only mention one gripper you've bought, did you buy the #1 as well?

Sorry. I guess it just "gripper" then. I blame the word "pants" for the confusion.

 

[Cap'n]

Sorry. I guess it just "gripper" then. I blame the word "pants" for the confusion.

I prefer the term "pantaloons"

 

[the_w1se]

I prefer the term "pantaloons"

I prefer the term "pantalones"

 

[finnegan]

I prefer the word "pants".

 

[finnegan]

Should have got MMA chalk.

If your grip slipped with chalk and mixed grip, sans straps, I'd be surprised. The blacksmithing should contribute to grip in your hands. Try going sans-straps unless it still slips hard.

Blacksmithing only goes so far. For instance, I'm sure I have more wrist strength in my right hand due to the hammering, but more grip in my left due to holding the tongs. My right hand normally gives out before the left in double overhand pulls.
eidt: Your suggestion is what I plan on doing. However, if I feel that I can pull more than I can hold at present time, I like the option of straps being available.

 

[finnegan]

Zercher Deadlift
205 x 3
255 x 3
305 x 3
325 x 1
345 x 1
365 x 1
375 x 1[, +10 lb PR
385 x 0 (got it half way on the second attempt)

Deadlift
385 x 1
405 x 1 (chalk)
425 x 1 (chalk)
435 x 1 (straps for the rest)
445 x 1
455 x 1
465 x 1
475 x 1, 5lb PR
485 x 0, broke it off the floor.

Impressions: Chalk is awesome. Straps are awesome. Zerchers are awesome.
The Zercher Deadlifts went up smooth, all the way to 375. No crazy leg shaking on any of them. I was kind of disappointed with not getting 385. I'm going to start doing the elevated ones again, as this will be the equivalent of a Zercher rack pull. That should take care of that pesky sticking point.
The straps and chalk made it seem like I was cheating. I broke a deadlift PR AFTER breaking a Zercher Deadlift PR. Crazy stuff. My plan is to move the wieight I use them up each workout to gradually work on my grip strength without sacrificing pulling power at heavier weights. That combined w/ the CoC gripper should do the trick.

 

[mschatz]

Im sure there is SOME crossover between "holding" grip strength and "crushing" grip strength, but I havent noticed a huge carryover from working with my grippers to holding heavy barbells. Most of my grip work lately has been farmers walks and pinch grip stuff and that seems to help my holding strength for deadlifts or shrugs more than the grippers did (do).

 

[finnegan]

Im sure there is SOME crossover between "holding" grip strength and "crushing" grip strength, but I havent noticed a huge carryover from working with my grippers to holding heavy barbells. Most of my grip work lately has been farmers walks and pinch grip stuff and that seems to help my holding strength for deadlifts or shrugs more than the grippers did (do).

What usually happens is that my hands get pried apart so I'm holding the weight by my fingers. I would think that gripper work would help me keep my hands closed.

 

[juanlawnmower]

Slipped on the 435?

 

[mschatz]

What usually happens is that my hands get pried apart so I'm holding the weight by my fingers. I would think that gripper work would help me keep my hands closed.

Im sure they will. Ive been playing around with individual finger pinch grips as well, and that seems to help strengthen them quite a bit

 

[finnegan]

Slipped on the 435?

Not really, just anxious to use the straps. My hands came open on 435, so that is where I put thes straps on.

 

[finnegan]

Im sure they will. Ive been playing around with individual finger pinch grips as well, and that seems to help strengthen them quite a bit

Sounds good. I seriously need to work on all aspects of my grip strength. Urban would say I have pussy hands. I fear it may be worse than that, I may have rainbow/unicorn hands.

 

[juanlawnmower]

Not really, just anxious to use the straps. My hands came open on 435, so that is where I put thes straps on.

Came open as in like callous rips? Or do you mean just they broke open?

I pull without a clenched grip, as strange as it sounds. I do 1 over, 1 under, thumb on same side.

 

[finnegan]

Came open as in like callous rips? Or do you mean just they broke open?

I pull without a clenched grip, as strange as it sounds. I do 1 over, 1 under, thumb on same side.

broke open. I was pulling with my fingers.

 

[finnegan]

Weapons Combat Training
2 hours.
The first hour focused on fire spinning practice. Weapons used were: Sabre, short sword, long sword, bastard sword, staff, spear, and shinai. My focus is going to be on bastard sword, spear, and shinai, as these are the weapons I'm going to use in my fire routine. A 7 foot long flaming spear should be quite unique.

Hour two was combat training w/ shield and sword, shield and spear, spear only, and sword only. We did some conditioning stuff as well inspired by Greek Hoplite training. Shield drills included holding ground, punch blocking, shield push, and "tree fucking," which is where one guy pushes against a tree, and the other puts his shield against the first guys back and pushes as well. The shields we use are about 8-10 lbs. Weapons practice was all slow paced and focused on stringing together combinations. I suck at sword and shield something fierce. Most of my practice is with a Scottish Baskethilt Claymore, Polish Sabre, Iaijutsu Katana style, and a bastard sword; none of which drequire a shield to use.

Impressions Doing shield work is a great way to build your endurance for keeping your hands up. It isn't a fist coming at you if you let your left arm drop, it is a fucking sword ( axe handle in practice). We didn't have armor on tonight, so we didn't do any full sparring.

 

[Darph]

Weapons Combat Training
2 hours.
The first hour focused on fire spinning practice. Weapons used were: Sabre, short sword, long sword, bastard sword, staff, spear, and shinai. My focus is going to be on bastard sword, spear, and shinai, as these are the weapons I'm going to use in my fire routine. A 7 foot long flaming spear should be quite unique.

Hour two was combat training w/ shield and sword, shield and spear, spear only, and sword only. We did some conditioning stuff as well inspired by Greek Hoplite training. Shield drills included holding ground, punch blocking, shield push, and "tree fucking," which is where one guy pushes against a tree, and the other puts his shield against the first guys back and pushes as well. The shields we use are about 8-10 lbs. Weapons practice was all slow paced and focused on stringing together combinations. I suck at sword and shield something fierce. Most of my practice is with a Scottish Baskethilt Claymore, Polish Sabre, Iaijutsu Katana style, and a bastard sword; none of which drequire a shield to use.

Impressions Doing shield work is a great way to build your endurance for keeping your hands up. It isn't a fist coming at you if you let your left arm drop, it is a fucking sword ( axe handle in practice). We didn't have armor on tonight, so we didn't do any full sparring.

That's bad assed.