Utensil Handles

When I was still attempting to cook without gloves on, to prevent any mess on them, I had my dad adapt a number of utensils with inexpensive drawer handles found at any hardware store and many department stores. These are just a different style from the type I used for the Roll Handle on our headboard. I had him modify a few flippers, a ladle and a large serving spoon. For some I had him open one end by cutting off one of the posts of the handle. This made it easier to slide my hand parallel along the handle as opposed to perpendicular as would be the case with the handle pictured above.

It does require drilling a hole in the handle with either a vice and drill or a drill press but that is not too difficult for anyone comfortable with tools. I would recommend substituting the machine screws that come with the handles with either a galvanized machine screw or a nylon machine screw. They are more money but seeing the rusting problem with my previous solutions I would definitely recommend spending the few extra cents for something that is not going to wear out due to rust or, potentially, get rust in your food.

The problem with holding onto the utensil perpendicularly, with compromised wrist strength, is that flipping something like an egg or a grilled cheese sandwich is not done easily and fluidly. The open-ended handle helped to make that easier but, over time, I have ended up just using standard utensils and let The Gloves do the work. I posted the above photo because it was a very good solution for me initially and may be a good solution for someone reading this.

When choosing utensils to purchase I find a wider flatter handle, possibly with some rubber incorporated to it, makes for the most effective tool for me.

Source: Most department stores and any hardware store.

Universal Cuff

This is a standard universal cuff designed to Velcro around the hand. The pocket provided on a standard universal cuff is typically the right size for something like a piece of cutlery, toothbrush or other similar sized tool or utensil. Ironically, our standard cutlery was too large for this cuff. A prime example of how these cuffs can be very application-specific. As mentioned previously, I had a larger version that I used for my razor. I have also seen versions large enough for a modified ping-pong paddle or just about anything else with a handle of a smaller size. Some of the premade universal cuffs have a pocket, or even just a sleeve instead of a complete pocket, made out of an elasticized material so that they can accommodate a wider variety of utensils or tools. What I have found with these is that unless the tool is really big the elasticized sleeve does not provide enough tension to properly hold utensil, which results in it falling out or sliding all the way through so that the tines of a fork, for example, are right up against your hand. Once you get larger than a standard smaller size, say a pool cue, fishing rod, tennis or badminton racquet, there is a larger version that falls outside a standard universal cuff that will be shown in a future post.

As this cuff is shown it may be considered upside down by a lot of users of universal cuffs. Typically the utensil would be positioned the other way, with the pocket side of the cuff against the palm of the hand. For me, I found that it added additional helpful tension to use a universal cuff upside down. This way when pulling my wrist back into extension the raising of my tendons on the back of my hand would add tension, making the utensil less likely to slide out of the pocket. Something could be added to the utensil for additional grip to make it less likely to slide out of the pocket, but that means not just having a universal cuff but specialized cutlery to use with. It is a small additional price to pay for independence but it is one more adaptation to consider and possibly eliminate when the time is right.

I no longer use universal cuffs for anything. As mentioned in the Plasti-Dip and Typing Pencil article, I type with a pencil woven under my index finger, over my middle finger and under my ring  and pinky finger, with the eraser side coming out the bottom of my hand, which is what I type with. For eating I rest the fork on my thumb with the end of the handle between my middle and ring finger. For anything involving cutting I place the knife between my palm and my glove with the handle of the knife protruding between my middle and index finger, as will be demonstrated in next week's post regarding knives.

Source: These are available in occupational therapy catalogues, but since each application can be so specific, they are typically custom made by an OT or aide.