Grip strength

Lynn LeFey · **on:** March 28, 2012, 05:24:47 AM

No, not a joke. Keep dirty thoughts to yourself.

My brother used to work in a place where he made custom orthotics and prosthetics. They had a tool that was used to calculate grip strength. A little google-fu tells me that's called a 'Hand Dynamometer'. These usually go to about 200lbs force.

I found a cheapo ballpark method by squeezing my bathroom scale (the spring kind) with one hand, and looking at the reading. I did weight lifting years back, so assume my numbers are really high for a female, at 65lbs. This grip strength was sufficient to grip the Husky 14-in-1 multitool to the point where the handles of the pliers touched... which I'm pretty sure shouldn't happen. I just wanted to make sure I'm not some kind of freak of nature, and that in fact the pliers are seriously weak.

If any of you out there have a bathroom scale (the old spring kind at least), any feedback on grip strength? Also, if you could check a second number. If you hold the scale between your palms and squeeze it with both palms toward the middle, what's the reading? This would be like using both hands on the handles of a MT.

Anyone care to give me some data here?

dks · **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2012, 08:15:50 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on March 28, 2012, 05:24:47 AM

If any of you out there have a bathroom scale (the old spring kind at least), any feedback on grip strength? Also, if you could check a second number. If you hold the scale between your palms and squeeze it with both palms toward the middle, what's the reading? This would be like using both hands on the handles of a MT.

Anyone care to give me some data here?

If the handles touch it is not really a problem, provided the pliers work ok and the handles go back to their original shape after you release them (spring back).

For example, the pliers handles of my Schrade, US made, tough tool will touch if squeezed hard, but they spring back when released. The New ones, as found out by J-sews at the shot show, will touch and then stay bent.

Grip strength is not allways proportional to size, since it depends on actual leverage and training of the involved muscles. Some people naturally have a strong grip.

Or, you could just be Super-strong.

I assume someone will give you feedback on the bathroom scales method soon.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2012, 08:43:44 AM

If they sprang back normally, and it was from flexing through the frame, I wouldn't have a problem. They're flexing at a point where the plier heads attach to the tool's frame, because the connecting screw is bowing under the force. I can't imagine them lasting long with that kind of movement.

My point in this is how much is 'normal' grip strength, and what should tools be able to handle within normal limits.

Okay... I admit it... I'm She-hulk.

Biru · **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2012, 04:07:54 PM

This is a very good post because it touches a lack of faith I've always had about MTs: I just can't seem to trust any brand when it comes to the strength of the handles and pivot points attaching the plier heads. Maybe a Leatherman, Vic or SOG could take the lugnut off a Mack truck, but I just wonder...

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2012, 04:29:57 PM

This points out the limitations of pliers based MT's (not all, but most), as Biru points out.

The pivot point for folding MT's is a weak point and will always be in comparison to a dedicated pliers forged in tool steel, where the handle and pliers jaws are one single forged piece, with a central pivot.

The other thing I find is that the jaws distort more easily on a MT when twisting around the long axis. Again, I think it's a function of the size and construction of the jaws pivot, more than the actual materials in the jaws deforming.

Re: Grip strength. If you want to see REAL grip strength, go to a climbing gym or crag. Some of those guys can pinch a rock with one hand and do pull ups. That's gotta be at least 150 lbs grip strength and probably much more.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2012, 05:57:30 PM

A well known tool designer once suggested to me that folding pliers weren't weaker than fixed pliers. He didn't go into details but he seems to be pretty well versed in materials and relative strengths so I would tend to give him some credit, even though I am skeptical.

When it comes to the cheaper brands there tends to be less engineering involved and thinner/cheaper materials meaning higher loads on.lesser sections. Your Husky brand tool is likely a lot less robust than most name brand tools because of the lack of engineering going into it. There's more to designing a multitool than sticking two Swiss Army Knives into some folded sheet metal and bolting them to a plier head, despite what some folks think.

Def

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Syph007 · **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2012, 06:08:42 PM

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on March 28, 2012, 04:29:57 PM

Re: Grip strength. If you want to see REAL grip strength, go to a climbing gym or crag. Some of those guys can pinch a rock with one hand and do pull ups. That's gotta be at least 150 lbs grip strength and probably much more.

Yup for sure. I remember the gym I used to frequent when I was an avid climber, had a regular there that could do a pull up with one arm, and only one finger of that arm in a hole. I was impressed. The best I could do at that time was two armed pull up with 1 finger of each hand in a hold.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2012, 06:16:06 PM

Grant, exactly.

If >I< can look at a tool and in about 3 minutes figure out a major design flaw, the folks that assemble these things (the cheapos) didn't put much thought into them... OR DID, and made decisions based on cost to produce (which is probably much more likely).

Anyway... discussing rock climbers doesn't get me data. Go get me data!

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2012, 06:45:24 PM

There's actually a huge story on cheap tools, why they are the way they are and what the folks in China think of them, but since I'm at work now I really can't go into it. Suffice it to say, its not as simple as you think.

Def

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Nikos · **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2012, 08:19:08 PM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on March 28, 2012, 08:43:44 AM

If they sprang back normally, and it was from flexing through the frame, I wouldn't have a problem. They're flexing at a point where the plier heads attach to the tool's frame, because the connecting screw is bowing under the force. I can't imagine them lasting long with that kind of movement.

My point in this is how much is 'normal' grip strength, and what should tools be able to handle within normal limits.

Okay... I admit it... I'm She-hulk.

An all-green, scantily dressed, furious female?

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2012, 08:26:22 PM

Okay, I admit it... I'm the She-Abomination. That better?

NO ONE wants a picture of me, least of all me.

enki_ck · **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2012, 08:46:19 PM

I think this ballpark method isn't going to give you the info you need as different muscles are used to grip different shaped objects but just for the record mine was 93lb.

jzmtl · **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2012, 09:22:52 PM

Dunno I'm doing it right since it's very awkward to squeeze a bathroom scale, but I got 120 lb, but the other two hand method is actually less, only 100 or so.

I'm always conservative when it comes to tools, if I feel it flex I go get a bigger one.

dks · **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2012, 09:27:05 PM

The two hand method is testing pectoral's and bicep's strength.

So, start benching!

jzmtl · **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2012, 09:32:38 PM

Quote from: dks on March 28, 2012, 09:27:05 PM

The two hand method is testing pectoral's and bicep's strength.

So, start benching!

There are somethings I don't do, going to the gym and wearing spandex while cycling are two of them.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2012, 10:10:06 PM

Yes, this is awkward, no it's not super-scientific, but I think it's the best I can do on 0 budget.

I suspect it will favor people with larger hands, but I have to start somewhere, and unless someone wants to spend 200 bucks for a hand Dynamometer and put it on the pass-around list... well, this is what I've got to work with.

Also, my 2-handed squeeze was 137lbs. Interesting.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2012, 10:21:42 PM

Should I ask when you DO wear spandex Jie?

Def

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jzmtl · **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2012, 10:41:13 PM

Lol, I was going to say I don't, but then I realized I actually do. Only as base layer for skiing though, never on the outside.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2012, 11:13:58 PM

Saving it for the locker room huh. I understand wink wink nudge nudge!

Def

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theonew · **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2012, 12:59:14 AM

I just tried it with my digital bathroom scale and it displayed "ERR". Perhaps I'm too strong for it

or maybe too weak

Threeme2189 · **Reply #20 on:** March 29, 2012, 01:38:13 AM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on March 28, 2012, 11:13:58 PM

Saving it for the locker room huh. I understand wink wink nudge nudge!

Def

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You forgot

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #21 on:** March 29, 2012, 02:43:25 AM

I wasn't sure I wanted to go that far on our second date.

Def

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J-sews · **Reply #22 on:** March 29, 2012, 03:01:39 AM

I can get my bathroom scale to "spike" somewhere between about 90 and 100, but I can't even begin to hold it there.

As regards the two-hand method, is this to be done with arms straight out, holding the scale away from you? Or with elbows bent, and the scale right up against your chest?

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #23 on:** March 29, 2012, 03:10:55 AM

Scales close to chest, like you're trying to crush it between your hands.

I don't need a sustained level. The 'spike' is what I'm looking for... the maximum level of force.

jzmtl · **Reply #24 on:** March 29, 2012, 05:05:24 AM

I don't get it, I can do pushups with a medium sized person on my back, but I can't squeeze the scale to pass 120 lb with two hands.

One hand I can hold it at 120 for a few seconds.

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on March 29, 2012, 02:43:25 AM

I wasn't sure I wanted to go that far on our second date.

Def

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You never even stopped in Montreal even after I offered to buy you a drink.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #25 on:** March 29, 2012, 01:32:54 PM

I would have but we were knee deep in a blue liquid crisis....

Def

Leadfoot · **Reply #26 on:** April 01, 2012, 05:41:16 AM

One hand 105
Two hand 160
Compression 105 also.

Shoulder surgeries rob some strength.

Leadfoot

scattergun13 · **Reply #27 on:** April 01, 2012, 05:57:15 AM

Quote from: Lynn LeFey on March 28, 2012, 08:26:22 PM

Okay, I admit it... I'm the She-Abomination. That better?

NO ONE wants a picture of me, least of all me.

Now we have to have pictures! For the record, my right hand is much stronger than my left...

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #28 on:** April 01, 2012, 02:41:34 PM

Yeah, the internet will do that to you....

Def

Threeme2189 · **Reply #29 on:** April 01, 2012, 05:10:57 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on April 01, 2012, 02:41:34 PM

Yeah, the internet will do that to you....

Def

I wonder why that is?
I bet it's because of moving the mouse all the time

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