Handle Modification

Building up handles is an easy way to help decrease vibration and facilitate a better grip.

Using built-up handles on tools or other household items may benefit those who are post-stroke, have rheumatoid arthritis, are missing fingers, have decreased grip strength, or experience hand pain or numbness while gripping objects.  

HERE ARE SOME INEXPENSIVE WAYS TO BUILD UP HANDLES:  

• Wrap a WASHCLOTH around the handle and secure it with tape.

• Wrap SELF-ADHESIVE ACE BANDAGE around the handle until desired thickness is achieved. The Ace Bandage is reusable, can be purchased at pharmacies and other stores, and costs less than $7.00 per roll.

• Wrap CRAFT FOAM around the handle and secure it with tape. Craft foam is typically sold in 8”x11” sheets in a variety of colors. Craft foam can be purchased at craft stores for less than $1.00 per sheet.

• Wrap pieces of RUBBER HOSE around the handle and secure it with tape. An old rubber hose is an item that can be found around the house, purchased at a garage sale, or purchased new at a hardware store.

• Wrap ELASTACK SPIRO-WRAP around the handle. Elastack Spiro-Wrap is a reusable elastic band ¼” thick by 6” in length that provides cushioning and suction adherence to handles. It can be purchased from Sammons Preston Rolyan 1 for $5.95.

• Wrap ELASTACK TAPE around the handle. Elastack Tape can be wrapped to form any size handle and is not reusable. It can be purchased in rolls that are (0.8” wide x 0.0045” thick x 2’ long) from Sammons Preston Rolyan 1 for $4.95 per roll.

• Form a grip with DYNA-FORM-IT, a putty-like material that can be manipulated and formed into any shape. Dries in 24 hours. Available from Sammons Preston Rolyan 1 for $13.95 per 4 oz. can.  

A portion of the information shared from: Sammons Preston Rolyan P.O. Box 5071 Bolingbrook , IL 60440 (800-323-5547).

For further information please contact the NY AgrAbility Project, Cornell Agricultural Health and Safety Program, 777 Warren Road, Ithaca New York 14850 or by phone 1-877-257-9777. The New York AgrAbility Project can not guarantee the effectiveness of any suggestions, solutions or recommendations. The New York AgrAbility Project is administered by Cornell University through funding provided under the United States Department of Agriculture CSREES project number 2002-41590-01372. http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/Research/AgHealth/

---