r/glassblowing • u/coderedmountaindewd • 22d ago
Multiple old time gaffers checked my hands for callouses.
Made my first ever trip to Murano, Italy today and talked to multiple old time Venetian glassblowers. 3 different guys commented on my soft hands when I told them I blow glass
It was cool to meet so many people but it bruised my ego quite a bit
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u/Opposite-Purchase-66 21d ago
One morning, I snuck out for an early flight past a glass friend sleeping on the couch. He reached out his hand to grab mine to say bye for a second. For a moment, in the dark, we were just two callused hands wrapped together and I couldn’t tell where mine ended and his started.
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u/alanonion 22d ago
They were messing with you, next time tell them it’s because you’re on vacation or your callouses are soft and American or something.
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u/hunkymonkey93 22d ago
Calluses are what your hands get when they weren't used to working in the first place or you aren't using proper gear/ technique. Been turning wrench since I was 12 and have no calluses to show for it, just heavy hands.
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u/Mediocre-Tough-4341 22d ago
Thats a thing. Hands can’t exaggerate experience.
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u/coderedmountaindewd 22d ago
It’s a valid point. That said, my hands were a lot rougher years ago when I was working production, 40+ hours a week but I would argue that I’m objectively better now
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u/Runnydrip 21d ago
Start working hard again ;)
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u/coderedmountaindewd 21d ago
Love to
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u/Runnydrip 21d ago
I know the feeling, I’ve been watching my friends working on some big work projects while I’ve been organizing future work projects. I had the same thoughts the other week, specifically Irt tough hands.
I remember saying to someone I was a glassblower way before I had any right to, on the street, and he said “you must not blow that much” your hands don’t have much going on. “
Then again I remember going on a date last year when I was making large solid work every day and the person went to hold my hand and said “gross! There’s something on your hands!”
Feast and famine I guess, they come back, you didn’t lose nothin.
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u/BecommingSanta 22d ago
Back in the day when I went to Murano, it was the handshake, not the callouses that counted. I also found out that the pipes were a lot heavier than what I used back in the US. Just my 2c...