Why won't tips of chopsticks pinch together with Standard Grip?
This is a first article in a new series called "Why Can't I Chopstick". Beginner chopstick practitioners often run into a common problem: they are unable to bring chopstick tips to meet - they swing past each other.
State of patent applications as of Jan 2022
As of Jan 2022, we have filed 3 US utility applications, and 2 US design applications on various training chopsticks. The two design patents have been granted. The first utility application has been granted and issued. The second utility application has been allowed, and will be issued in Feb 2022. The third utility application has not yet been examined.
Design Patent on Ergonomic Nugget for Chopsticks - USD934037S
A web-version of our Ergonomic Nugget for Chopsticks design patent granted by USPTO as US D934,037 S, now with inline illustrations.
Design Patent on Training Chopsticks - USD933430S
A web-version of our Training Chopsticks design patent granted by USPTO as US D933,430 S, now with inline illustrations.
Chopstick Buddies - US2021282579A1
A web-version of our Chopstick Buddies patent application published by USPTO as US-2021-0282579-A1, now with inline illustrations.
The Double Hook Grip
Double Hook is a chopstick grip halfway between Idling Thumb (for extension) and Chicken Claws (for compression).
Chopstick Grips of TWICE Members
What chopstick grips do TWICE members use? Chaeyoung, Jihyo, Dahyun, Sana, Momo, Nayeon, Mina, Tsuyu, and Jeongyeon.
The Hook n Clamp Grip
The Hook n Clamp chopstick grip uses the index finger to pry chopsticks open, and the middle finger to clamp chopsticks shut.
Classification of Chopstick Grips
We classify chopstick grips by finger placement and finger movement, for each combination of top/bottom chopsticks and open/closed postures.
Training Chopsticks - US20210196065A1
A web-version of our Training Chopsticks patent application published by USPTO as US 2021-0196065 A1, now with inline illustrations.
(clickable catalogs) 19 Common Chopstick Grips
19 common chopstick grips are illustrated in this clickable catalog. Go ahead. Click on any grip thumbnail to read about it in details.
YouTube episode on chopsticking from WorldFriends
Marco reviews an excellent episode on chopstick types and chopsticking, from the World Friends YouTube channel.
The Double Tripod Grip
Double Tripod is a variant of Standard Grip where the bottom chopstick too is supported by a tripod of three fingers.
The Lateral Chick Grip
Lateral Chick is the bridge connecting all Lateral grips to Chicken Claws, and thus the rest of the family tree of chopstick grips.
The Lateral Thumb Wrestler Grip
Lateral Thumb Wrestler is an underswing variant of Lateral chopstick grips, where the thumb operates the top chopstick as if thumb-wrestling.
The Lateral Money Grip
Lateral Money is a sideway-swing variant of Lateral chopstick grips, with a money-gesture-like index and thumb movement.
The Lateral Gangnam Style Grip
Lateral Gangnam Style is a variant take on Lateral Turncoat, where thumb and index finger dance a la horse-ride move, from Gangnam Style.
The Lateral Squid Grip
Lateral Squid is a Lateral Classic variant where five fingers pulse like a squid, when extending chopstick apart.
The Lateral Turncoat Grip
Lateral Turncoat is a special variant of Lateral Classic, where the thumb tip engages in chopsticking, unlike the rest of the Lateral family.
Lateral Classic grips
Lateral Classic are chopstick grips with a "classic" swing in the Lateral family, featuring Lateral Chick, Lateral Squid, and Lateral Gangnam Style.
Lateral chopstick grips
Lateral grips form the largest family in all chopstick grips. All variants share a common compression posture named after its namesake penhold.
Model B: Chopstick Buddies
Chopstick Buddies are attachments to a chopstick. They fix a severe thumb pose issue, allowing beginners and lifelong users to learn the Standard Grip for the first time.
Ergonomic chopsticks - US20210059445A1
A web-version of our Ergonomic Chopsticks patent application published by USPTO as US 2021-0059445 A1, now with inline illustrations.
marcosticks.org in Chinese
The Chinese version of marcosticks.org has launched: 馬可筷.org. Over time all English materials will become available in Chinese as well.
一筷萬拿
拿筷子有哪幾種握法？ Here's your pictorial map to ten thousand grips.
The Italian Grip
Italian Grip is a cross between Cupped Vulcan and Scissorhand, named after the Italian hand gesture for "what is it that you want ?!"
The Art and Science of Chopsticking
A retrospective on two years of research that attempts to explain the art of wielding two sticks with power, dexterity and finesse.
The Cupped Vulcan Grip
Cupped Vulcan is an under-swing chopstick grip that resembles a cupped hand. It expands Vulcan and Scissorhand into an intricate machinery.
The Equal Opportunity Grip
Equal Opportunity grip allocates two fingers for each chopstick, with the thumb spending equal attention on both chopstick.
Caswellian thumb and chopsticks
To use chopsticks with the Standard Grip, a flattened, unnatural thumb pose known as Caswellian thumb is needed.