Hand size and Cardistry, myths and reality

[VasilisD]

Dear all,
I am a newcomer to the field of Cardistry and I really love it. I would say I have pretty decent finger dexterity and strength due to piano playing experience, on the other hand I have small hands.

<a href="https://ibb.co/d9mfk8"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/eZdFJT/IMG_0198.jpg" alt="IMG_0198" border="0"></a>
I have read all sorts of (encouraging) views of the relevance of practice as opposed to hand size.
I am doing my best for almost a month now to get used to basic one hand cuts.
Charlie is ok. Scissor cut is manageable. Knuckle cut, unless I tweak and use the ring instead of the middle finger to rotate the upper pack, it is impossible. Revolution cut is a nightmare, works only 20% of the time, as the upper pack revolves slightly "on air", there is no sufficient finger length for a firm grip. Thumb cut and index cut, absolutely impossible. Can't bend geometry...
Size discussions vs, performance have been always a taboo , however I try not to be discouraged. But I think I have to accept it, I will never be able to perform certain flourishes no matter how hard I practice.
I would like to read the views of more experienced fellows here, who may also have small hands. Maybe, in relation to the cuts I mention above.
I dread thinking all those Sybil variations I should soon try...

Love and peace to all of you,
Vasilis

 

[Mr_ARPY]

I have fairly long fingers and my overall hand size isnt gigantic but not too small either.
I dont consider myself to be a master or anything but when I was starting out, despite my long fingers I had the exact same problems in the first 3 or 4 months.
Cardistry is a difficult art form which needs a lot of dedication. If you thunk it isnt for you, just dont continue.
But if you do wanna continue, here are a few tips about what you mentioned:
Rev cut is a knack which is really hard to get down. I struggled on it much more than kryptonite. You just need to practice and just tilt your hand in a 30 degree angle towards yourself and use your pinky to keep the cards from falling down. 52kards's video really helped me get the move down.
Thumb cut doesnt need long thumbs. You should use your other fingers to get the deck towards your thumb, not stretch your thumb to get to the edge of the deck.
Knuckle cut is not easy at first either, but what I suggest you do is put your fingers in the position and then put the deck on top of your fingers with the other hand. Do it at first till you get the mechanism down. Eventually with enough time and effort you can do it.
One more thing, except for the charlier, none of the one handed cuts you mentioned need a firm grip. You should have your hand as loose as possible for the best result. To not drop the cards with such a light grip, you need to try changing the angles of your hand and using the momentum of the cards.
If you put enough time into it, and get your expectations lower, you can do anything.

 

[Lord Magic]

I play the Harmonium (yay for India ) but actually, a piano is better for getting the finger dexterity going. Because both your hands' fingers work simultaneously. What's your age and what size are your hands? Like, round about?

And here are a few pics for you



That's the Charlier.



That's the Rev cut.


Scissor Cut right there...



That's the Judo Flip...which even the most encouraging people I know say they don't think people with small hands can do...



Index finger cut.

And I can do the Sybil cut thingies too. My hand size? Well, I don't wear gloves and stuff, so I resort to the old fashioned way of saying hand size

Length from tip of my middle finger (longest) to wrist- 15.1cm
Width from tip of thumb to other side of hand (palm up, when going laterally)- 12.5cm

And all these measurements, with my fingers stretched out.

Small hand? No. A problem of Small confidence.

Every time anyone has said small handed people might have difficulty doing something flourish or sleight related, I have made it my business to do it.

Also, I can classic palm the cards as well (with a lot of help from here, of course )

It's your determination and will. I am sure that you are that determined too, judging from the fact that you have learnt the cuts you said. Great job! Just remember...there will never be a sleight or flourish one cannot do because of hand size. Have a big heart and guts and destroy it man!

PS:- Please do not criticise the quality of my cards...I am too lazy to get my better cards out (have I used this excuse before? Dunno...).

 

[VasilisD]

You know my 'Lord' there are two strong reasons why I got into the art of Cardistry, its magical visual aesthetics and its wonderful online community! (not to mention stress releasing...)
Thanx man, you have a strong point!
I am 48, I have a picture link of my hand in my previous message. My measurements:
wrist to tip of middle finger 17,5
length of middle finger 7,8
length of index 6,8
length of ring finger 7,2
width of palm (base of index to base of pinky) 8

Your pics and advice will be my reference from now on.
Thanx again.
Vasilis

 

[Mr_ARPY]

I play the Harmonium (yay for India ) but actually, a piano is better for getting the finger dexterity going. Because both your hands' fingers work simultaneously. What's your age and what size are your hands? Like, round about?

And here are a few pics for you

View attachment 3570

That's the Charlier.

View attachment 3571

That's the Rev cut.

View attachment 3572
Scissor Cut right there...

View attachment 3573

That's the Judo Flip...which even the most encouraging people I know say they don't think people with small hands can do...

View attachment 3574

Index finger cut.

And I can do the Sybil cut thingies too. My hand size? Well, I don't wear gloves and stuff, so I resort to the old fashioned way of saying hand size

Length from tip of my middle finger (longest) to wrist- 15.1cm
Width from tip of thumb to other side of hand (palm up, when going laterally)- 12.5cm

And all these measurements, with my fingers stretched out.

Small hand? No. A problem of Small confidence.

Every time anyone has said small handed people might have difficulty doing something flourish or sleight related, I have made it my business to do it.

Also, I can classic palm the cards as well (with a lot of help from here, of course )

It's your determination and will. I am sure that you are that determined too, judging from the fact that you have learnt the cuts you said. Great job! Just remember...there will never be a sleight or flourish one cannot do because of hand size. Have a big heart and guts and destroy it man!

PS:- Please do not criticise the quality of my cards...I am too lazy to get my better cards out (have I used this excuse before? Dunno...).

What you said would be encouraging, but honestly, the main thing about judo flip is that the official tutorial is rather incomplete. I love fontaine cards and their creators but even though judo flip has become popular, it is their weakest production.
It is the trial and error to find out you should use the pinky to pull tge bottom packet down and the ring to put the top packet back on top. It took me a few days to find these and because they are not mentioned in the video, it makes it all the more difficult to learn, not that it is difficult because of hand size.

 

[Lord Magic]

What you said would be encouraging, but honestly, the main thing about judo flip is that the official tutorial is rather incomplete. I love fontaine cards and their creators but even though judo flip has become popular, it is their weakest production.
It is the trial and error to find out you should use the pinky to pull tge bottom packet down and the ring to put the top packet back on top. It took me a few days to find these and because they are not mentioned in the video, it makes it all the more difficult to learn, not that it is difficult because of hand size.

There's a magical comment in the comment section for it which works like a charm.
It says that once you separate the packets, and are ready to do the index finger action, instead of focussing on pulling down with index finger, pull down the bigger packet by applying downwards pressure with ring and pinky fingers.
Unfortunately I had already got down the motion by the time I read this but still...it works like a charm.
Just saying. Not that you asked.

 

[Lord Magic]

You know my 'Lord' there are two strong reasons why I got into the art of Cardistry, its magical visual aesthetics and its wonderful online community! (not to mention stress releasing...)
Thanx man, you have a strong point!
I am 48, I have a picture link of my hand in my previous message. My measurements:
wrist to tip of middle finger 17,5
length of middle finger 7,8
length of index 6,8
length of ring finger 7,2
width of palm (base of index to base of pinky) 8

Your pics and advice will be my reference from now on.
Thanx again.
Vasilis

Sure. I always hope for the well-being of my subjects. May you prosper and keep cutting and throwing cards!

 

[Mr_ARPY]

There's a magical comment in the comment section for it which works like a charm.
It says that once you separate the packets, and are ready to do the index finger action, instead of focussing on pulling down with index finger, pull down the bigger packet by applying downwards pressure with ring and pinky fingers.
Unfortunately I had already got down the motion by the time I read this but still...it works like a charm.
Just saying. Not that you asked.

Thanks. I will have to check that out.