D Handle

[old] seat5 · Post by **[old] seat5** » July 28th, 2004, 9:47 am

I just purchased a nice used C model that has been upgraded with D nylon sprockets and handle. Last night I used it for the first time (it was really great to be able to listen to music--my B model was so loud I couldn't hear a thing, even with the volume up so loud you could hear it clearly outside). I did a 30 minute piece, which is about what I'd been doing previously. While I rowed I had the feeling I was developing blisters, but there weren't any actual blisters when I stopped. But this morning my hands are just really sore, as though I had been doing very unacustomed work, like running a jack hammer or using a crow bar or something all day, especially the tendons at the base of the thumb. Did anyone else experience this? Does it just go away as you get used to the handle? I am thinking I may put the wooden handle back on, since it came with the replaced handle in the box. Carla

[old] Sir Pirate · Post by **[old] Sir Pirate** » July 28th, 2004, 10:16 am

Hi Carla I have a D handle on my C and yes; I found it tough on the hands. I have developed blisters in addition to the ones I already got from the C handle. Mine have all hardened up know. I would stick with it if I were you, may cause a bit of discomfort but worth it in the long wrong. Sir Pirate

[old] Bayko · Post by **[old] Bayko** » July 28th, 2004, 10:21 am

Absolutely! A lot of others have had adjustment blisters with the D handle, including me. My blisters improved, then went away after about three weeks. It was well worth the temporary discomfort. The new handle never slips out of my fingers during long rows as the old one did. Even drenched with sweat it allows a good grip. Rick

[old] Cran · Post by **[old] Cran** » July 28th, 2004, 10:22 am

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>especially the tendons at the base of the thumb </td></tr></table>How do you hold the handle? My thumbs either just rest lightly on the back of the handle or don't touch it at all...

[old] PaulH · Post by **[old] PaulH** » July 28th, 2004, 11:27 am

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (seat5 @ Jul 28 2004, 08:47 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> But this morning my hands are just really sore, as though I had been doing very unacustomed work  </td></tr></table> There you go - you were doing unaccustomed work, you were holding a very different handle. As everyone says, give it time and it will calm down. The thing I like best about the new handle is the variation in hand positions possible compared to the old version. Cheers, Paul

[old] seat5 · Post by **[old] seat5** » July 28th, 2004, 1:56 pm

Thanks for your replies, everyone. I have usually held the handle with the thumbs under. Maybe I am holding too tightly for the new handle shape or something. I will try to hold it more loosely today. The plastic-y feel of the new handle makes my hands feel sweatier, and it feels like your skin rubs harder on it than on the old handle, which did sometimes slip around in your sweaty hand. I had taken to wearing sweat bands on my wrists, which did keep my hands drier. I'll try that again and see if it makes for fewer "hot spots". What is supposed to be the advantage of the new angle of the handle? Carla

[old] Cran · Post by **[old] Cran** » July 28th, 2004, 3:58 pm

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>What is supposed to be the advantage of the new angle of the handle? </td></tr></table> It's more comfortable, and also more like the angle of the handles when sculling. flat handle tends to make the elbows stick out a bit.

[old] seat5 · Post by **[old] seat5** » July 29th, 2004, 6:18 pm

Yesterday's row (12K) gave me 7 blisters. They aren't open but I am sure they will tear open today...I am dreading this! Yesterday I tried different hand holds which helped a bit--best was holding it almost in the center so that each hand was very angled...but I don't think there is anything I can do today except grin and bear it. Maybe bandaids will help but not likely. I am only 130K away from my first million and that's only 13 10Ks and I really want to achieve this so here goes... Carla Does anyone remember the strange blister remedy that was on the forum about a year ago--it was some food item you put on them, but I can't remember what it is.

[old] Coach Gus · Post by **[old] Coach Gus** » July 29th, 2004, 7:39 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (seat5 @ Jul 29 2004, 02:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> Does anyone remember the strange blister remedy that was on the forum about a year ago--it was some food item you put on them, but I can't remember what it is.  </td></tr></table> Tea.

[old] seat5 · Post by **[old] seat5** » July 29th, 2004, 9:15 pm

As in wet tea bags, or soak hands in tea? Today I did 12K and put my terry cloth wrist bands around the blisters. It worked really well. They didn't hurt too much and didn't pop, but the bands did shift around & have to be adjusted every 1K or so. I would never have thought of tea. Carla

[old] Dr. Z · Post by **[old] Dr. Z** » July 30th, 2004, 8:40 am

Here is the address for the row2k article on blisters & tea bags, <a href='http://row2k.com/columns/index.cfm?action=read&ID=152' target='_blank'>http://row2k.com/columns/index.cfm?acti ... br> For bandages over blisters, the extra thin, clear plastic Next Care bandages from 3M stay in place considerably better than any others. Now go for that million. MP

[old] seat5 · Post by **[old] seat5** » July 30th, 2004, 12:21 pm

Thanks!!! Going downstairs to make some tea! Carla

[old] dadams · Post by **[old] dadams** » July 30th, 2004, 2:55 pm

I'm not sure why there is so many problems with the D handle. I never had the problem when I got mine. Could it possibly be that we're gripping this thing just to darn tightly?? The only thing that really touches the handle for me, are my fingers. They are wrapped around the handle during the drive. During the recovery, I hold the handle just enough so it doesn't fall out of my hands. Nice and relaxed. Where on your hands are you getting these blisters? Dwayne

[old] seat5 · Post by **[old] seat5** » July 30th, 2004, 4:47 pm

Hi Dwayne, Here's where I get the blisters: Left hand, at the base of each finger except the index finger; right hand, base of ring and middle finger and below first knuckle of the ring finger. I usually get a dreadfully thick, ball like callous on that last spot, for some reason that I have to trim off with a clipper because it gets really annoying. My right hand was pretty severely injured by a horse stepping on it when I was around 20, and is missing the tip of the middle finger. Though other than that it looks pretty normal, I think I pull differently with the right hand--there's not much strength in the middle finger. I don't feel like I'm really gripping hard but maybe I'm holding it tighter than I think I am. Carla

[old] dadams · Post by **[old] dadams** » July 30th, 2004, 5:28 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (seat5 @ Jul 30 2004, 03:47 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> Hi Dwayne, Here's where I get the blisters: Left hand, at the base of each finger except the index finger; right hand, base of ring and middle finger and below first knuckle of the ring finger. I usually get a dreadfully thick, ball like callous on that last spot, for some reason that I have to trim off with a clipper because it gets really annoying. My right hand was pretty severely injured by a horse stepping on it when I was around 20, and is missing the tip of the middle finger. Though other than that it looks pretty normal, I think I pull differently with the right hand--there's not much strength in the middle finger. I don't feel like I'm really gripping hard but maybe I'm holding it tighter than I think I am. Carla  </td></tr></table> That's strange. Those are the type of callous's and blisters I get when I row. I know that's from the feathering of the oar. But seeing how that doesn't happen on the erg.... Maybe PaulS has some suggestions on this one. The only thing I could possible see is that you're putting the death grip on it. Dwayne

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