Photos 2001-Page 1          New-Page 2

    Here is the new photo page.  For a description on how some of these things were accomplished, check out my training Log the GripPage (The Black Log). I'm also testing out a new page style here.

 

 Now, this is a phone book tear!  I got a little tired of hearing how easy it was to tear a phone book from the binding side.  I think it's harder than people imagine, but from the top edge as in this photograph is definitely harder.  The book is about 2-inches thick.  The pages were not "fanned" while ripping in any way. The book was ripped from the side in the front of the picture.  Ripped February 6, 2001.

 

                                      
                              This bend scares me.  Check out the concentration on my face!  The steel is 1/2 inch thick and 30-inches long. This was bent barehanded with no padding whatsoever. If this is not Big Steel, I don't know what is!  Compared to last years 7/16x36" this is a much more significant bend, both thicker and shorter.  I'm approaching being able to bend a 100-penny nail, but probably with washcloths to protect my hands. The shirt is brand new, I bought it the day before I bent this at the York Barbell factory store. It smells like steel, cool.   Bent February 17, 2001.                                                                        

 

Here's the corner ripped off a deck of cards.  A classic strongman feat.  I don't practice this much, that's why the rip is so sloppy.  I like ripping the corner off rather than ripping in half because it is more challenging and you get more of a workout from the deck.  Looking at these pictures, people must think I'm bent on destruction.  I like to say "I use my power for good, not evil."  Ripped February 17, 2001.

 

                                Now this is more normal.  Nothing was bent or ripped here.  No animals were harmed.    The implement is a piece of pine cut the same size as a deck of cards, the weight is 120 pounds, plus the weight of the loading pin and card.  I pinched gripped the card.  Note that my hand is not underneath the edge of the "card."  I have no idea how good of a lift this is, but it seems pretty good considering I've only been reasserting myself for a couple of weeks on this lift.  Lifted February 17, 2001.

 

                               Here I am lifting 100-pounds with a 3-inch dumbbell handle.  I have smaller hands than most grip trainers, so this lift is exceptionally hard for me.  I haven't picked this dumbbell up in over 4 months.   The last time I tried this I think I only lifted one end of the dumbbell off the floor.  I have found as long as I'm doing other grip work that I don't lose too much strength on things I haven't practiced.  Based on this lift I predict I could easily do 145-150 on my 2.5 inch handle; maybe I'll give it a try in the next couple of weeks.  I lifted this about 5 times to get a good picture.  Based on how easy it was I could add a little more, or I might be able to clean around 90-pounds.  Once I clean that amount of weight I should have no problem push pressing it overhead.  Lifted February 17, 2001.

 

                            Kids don't try this at home!  A friend of mine says he's not impressed with "combination" feats.  Of course, he can't do either of these single elements.  That's a 6-pound hammer and two regular juggling clubs.  I've done a 10-pound hammer and clubs, but it's even harder to get a picture of.  This is harder than merely doing a 6-pound hammer alone because of the rhythmic bouncing caused by throwing the clubs.   Technically, this is a three-part combination feat because that's a remote shutter control in my mouth.  There's a whole lot to think about here.