TNS #3 Close - After Coating With Wesson Oil

[Ben Edwards]

This is something that I've done in the past but have had a lot of requests to see it on video. I finally got around to taping it today and I think it's as clear as I can get it. The handles (with the #3 marking) never show up as clearly as I'd like, but that means I need a better camera probably.

I've messed around with coating the grippers in different types of slick substances like WD-40 and various types of grease. None have damaged the gripper in any way since I clean it with soap and water afterwards. The slick coating definitely makes for a harder gripper close though, especially at the finish.

This is a messy method of training, but if you can't yet afford to add to your gripper collection - but you need a harder gripper - this can help you get to the next level. Along with a bunch of other techniques.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZOF2BYguDM

[Derrick Clark]

This is something that I've done in the past but have had a lot of requests to see it on video. I finally got around to taping it today and I think it's as clear as I can get it. The handles (with the #3 marking) never show up as clearly as I'd like, but that means I need a better camera probably.

I've messed around with coating the grippers in different types of slick substances like WD-40 and various types of grease. None have damaged the gripper in any way since I clean it with soap and water afterwards. The slick coating definitely makes for a harder gripper close though, especially at the finish.

This is a messy method of training, but if you can't yet afford to add to your gripper collection - but you need a harder gripper - this can help you get to the next level. Along with a bunch of other techniques.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZOF2BYguDM

Well, you like me! Love to get creative,with your work-outs.
That sound like a interesting way.The slippier ,that harder it is.

[Randall Strossen]

Ben -

I enjoyed watching this.

Warren Tetting is the first person I know of who described this technique - Warren told me about this idea approximately 20 years ago, and I have talked and written about it a number of times over the years since then, so it's a good time to give Warren the credit he deserves on this.

I used to wonder if this type of training would transfer very well to closing a gripper under normal conditions - sounds as if you have found it to be valuable, right?

[Derrick Clark]

Ben -

I enjoyed watching this.

Warren Tetting is the first person I know of who described this technique - Warren told me about this idea approximately 20 years ago, and I have talked and written about it a number of times over the years since then, so it's a good time to give Warren the credit he deserves on this.

I used to wonder if this type of training would transfer very well to closing a gripper under normal conditions - sounds as if you have found it to be valuable, right?

I might have to add that technique,on a few exercise's,that I'm working on.

[Ben Edwards]

Ben -

I enjoyed watching this.

Warren Tetting is the first person I know of who described this technique - Warren told me about this idea approximately 20 years ago, and I have talked and written about it a number of times over the years since then, so it's a good time to give Warren the credit he deserves on this.

I used to wonder if this type of training would transfer very well to closing a gripper under normal conditions - sounds as if you have found it to be valuable, right?
Thanks Randall! Very neat that Warren described that 20 years ago too! I knew I wasn't the first to think of it, just didn't know who had. This type of training carries over very well to training under normal conditions! I haven't done many of the oiled workouts, but it only takes one to really feel the difference and feel much more solid with a chalked gripper in your next workout.

[Patrick Povilaitis]

I remember hearing about this (a la Warren) but never tried this till yesterday. To me it actually felt pretty good in a no-set situation, I think maybe a little easier than normal. I think that may be because the outer handle can find a home by squirming where it needs to go. If you lose the handle by the thumb I imagine it could get treacherous with the oil.

I have several non-knurled Tetting grippers, and to me they are way slipperier than a knurled gripper with oil. Of course I used Olive oil instead of Wesson ;).

[Chris Rice]

Udo's Choice - the choice of Gripper Greasers everywhere :)

[Randall Strossen]

Pat -

Interesting, what you said, and I don't know if this might be mentioned on Joe Kinney's new video, too, but he used to put electrical tape on one gripper handle so his fingers would glide over it (the other handle, as you note, needs to be anchored or the term flying gripper might become a reality).

In addition to increased comfort, this provides the mechanical advantage you observed too. Personally, I never liked the way this felt, but then maybe that's why I haven't officially closed a CoC No. 4 yet either!

[Jordan Rechsteiner]

Ben your grip is the stuff of legends. Superman would wince, spiderman would take a knee, and batman's head would explode from the backpressure caused by your introductory handshake. Very impressive wesson soaked close! A bit gross to my taste, but very commendable nonetheless. :;st) This Marine salutes you sir.

[Ben Edwards]

Ben your grip is the stuff of legends. Superman would wince, spiderman would take a knee, and batman's head would explode from the backpressure caused by your introductory handshake. Very impressive wesson soaked close! A bit gross to my taste, but very commendable nonetheless. :;st) This Marine salutes you sir.
Haha thanks Jordan! If I didn't "know" you from this forum I'd think that you were being facetious.:;hy) Pat P. is one of the few guys I know that feels using oil on grippers is somehow easier. I know one other guy who feels the same way. Otherwise, it's almost universally harder for everyone who tries it. Would be a good feat to have in a traveling strongman show. Well, not really since crowds don't respond well to grippers - but it would be very hard for a normal person to match. Probably not as hard to match as my 1" vbar strength - but close to it.

[Jordan Rechsteiner]

Haha thanks Jordan! If I didn't "know" you from this forum I'd think that you were being facetious.:;hy) Pat P. is one of the few guys I know that feels using oil on grippers is somehow easier. I know one other guy who feels the same way. Otherwise, it's almost universally harder for everyone who tries it. Would be a good feat to have in a traveling strongman show. Well, not really since crowds don't respond well to grippers - but it would be very hard for a normal person to match. Probably not as hard to match as my 1" vbar strength - but close to it.

Facetious is a favorite word of mine, but I promise I was not being so to you in reguards to a wesson soaked #3 close. The fact that you can do that makes you herculean to be sure!:;tu) I tried it today granted it was half an hr after my workout but still I know it is MUCH MUCH harder, at least for me as well. My hands get sweaty, and even though I work with them in the oilfield, I like them smooth because I do massage on the side. So vegetable oil and sweat makes them slip due to my desire to not keep calluses.