Chopstick Use And Faq

[MechAnt]

So I made an instructional video on how to use chopsticks. It's pretty simple but it's very useful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvKkahIA07Q

The video is for general use not just for hookah, I'll make one for that some other time. I know this doesn't DIRECTLY relate to hookah so mods can move as needed.

FAQ
Q. What are the benefits of using chopsticks over tongs?
A. Chopsticks are an extremely versatile tool. They can pick up small little pieces without crushing them, they can pick up small piles of ash, extremely flexible in any position they are in, and much more. You'll discover them on your own if you so choose.

Q. What are the disadvantages to chopsticks over tongs?
A. Learning and getting good.

Q. Don't the chopsticks get hotter quicker than tongs?
A. From my personal experience, no way. If anything, they stay cooler longer. "Metal chopsticks do transfer heat faster but they're also longer and thinner. Most of the heat is already dispersed into the air before it reaches you because of the huge surface area to volume ratio. Just like how the thin metal pokers u use for roasting marshmellows don't get uncomfortably hot at the other end." (Credit to Anathema)

Q. I'm no good at chopsticks. Should I still use them?
A. With food and other harmless things, by all means. With coals, NO WAY. It is extremely unsafe and just plain stupid to use chopsticks as a novice with coals. Practice and become really good before anything else.

Q. Where can I purchase a pair?
A. Any Asian market of any sort. Most non-Asian stores now carry some sort of chopsticks. They range from simple, disposable ones to ornate, laquered ones. A metal pair will be extremely easy to find for a very, very low price.


I'll definately add more as questions come along. I encourage anyone that is willing to learn. Chopsticks are truly an extremely versatile tool and can serve you in many ways from eating to hookah.

EDIT: I forgot to add, if you're still a little shakey in your chopstick skills, take some sandpaper and rub it on the chopstick from the tip to about an inch up from the tip. It'll give some more friction and help you with your gripping. Edited June 30, 2007 by MechAnt

[unleashtheclown]

sorry for saying this, but using chop sticks to pick up coals just seems really dumb and a sure way to add many lovely burn holes in Your carpet. I'm actually not bad with chop sticks, but still would never try it. Damn I want some sushi now lol Edited June 30, 2007 by unleashtheclown

[MechAnt]

When you're proficient, its the best thing you can do. I've lost my tongs for over a week and half now and have yet to drop a coal. With the tongs, I've added many holes to my carpet. This is mostly because as I was gripping a coal with tongs it broke and pretty much shattered everywhere and rain down embers upon my poor carpeting. Give me a pair of chopsticks over a fork anyday, anytime. This FAQ is not exclusively for hookah, just the general practice of chopsticks and the eventual segue into hookah coals. Edited June 30, 2007 by MechAnt

[Big Boss]

Using chopsticks sounds very practical. When I was 15 or so I learned how to use chopsticks so well that I could pick up and eat jelly beans. Wouldn't be too hard to pick 'em up again and relearn everything. Really wouldn't have to worry about crushing any coals or anything to that matter.

[SafeSearchOff]

mechant: i've never seen chopsticks operated like you do in the video, it seems to me your middle finger would geti n the way, no? if i can get my sd card back from my brother ill post some pictures of me doing it. it doesn't look like you can get much leverage with the technique you use, but hell i've never tries so i wouldnt know.

[Sonthert]

No, even though I'm white as bread smothered in mayonnaise, I am quite proficient with chopsticks...I can definitely see them being used by people proficient with them very effectively. I can pick up a grain of rice with chopsticks, I think they'd work for charcoal...less splintering, better control. Use the stainless steel ones.

A Chinese (from China) girl gave me my pair of stainless steel ones...apparently, their quite popular in China.

I eat Vietnamese food a lot...and Cantonese noodles.

[SafeSearchOff]

eric, while picking up A grain of rice sounds impressive, and it is i mean isolating one of those buggers is difficult... its about picking up batches >.< no one eats rice 1 by one

though im sure thats what you meant, jsut busting your balss

[MechAnt]

My technique is the "traditional" way. I'll post another video demonstrating what my mom calls "ghetto style". She calls it such cause it's not normal.

All three fingers (thumb, index, middle) are used to move the upper chopstick. This allows for more gripping strength and control.

Eric: I love picking up individual grains of rice, it's fun to just fool around with it.

[Mahir]

Single Grain...Thats sweet. I cant even hold them guys...I stink

But....I do like the comment from SafeSearchOff.......Seems like when picking up single grains of anything would be mentally intensive

Maybe a form of meditation?

-M

[MechAnt]

Here's the "ghetto style" as I know it. Is this what you do SafeSearchOff? This is normally what children do when they don't know the proper technique. Tonight I will be posting a video of myself in action with chopsticks. With coals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5nl2rGcKSM

I just realized, so far my entire youtube account is dedicated to only chopsticks. Wow Edited July 2, 2007 by MechAnt

[Sonthert]

I can even chopstick from the top of the sticks...or the bottoms.

OW! Who keeps busting my balls?

[downwardzspiral]

I deffinitly got to say it sounds a lot better then it probobly actually is. Being japanese I've used the things my whole life. The plastic ones are crap, and the metal ones things can slip out way too easy (which can be seen in that first video with picking up the lighter at the first attempt, especially with wide smoot objects), there's just not enough friction to hold everything in them. The best are the old school bamboo ones but the problem there is that wood burns. And by the way, your talking about picking up a single grain of rice, rice tends to stick to the chopsticks, so its not necessarily getting a hold of a single grain, but rather getting the rice to stick. Thats why if you have ever actually seen an asian person eating rice, they usually eat it out of a bowl that they will bring right up to their mouths and basically shovel it right in. Definitely a creative idea though.

[MechAnt]

With those chopsticks, I just grabbed them out of my drawer. I have a pair that i lightly sandpapered the tips so i can get some more grip. I have a few pics of myself in action but this session i forgot to bring my camera so i had to use my phone. They aren't much but further help with proving that chopsticks rock. It looks like im just carrying the coals but I'm acutally gripping them on the sides.

[attachment=415:coal1.jpg]
[attachment=416:coal2.jpg]
[attachment=417:coal3.jpg]

As for the single grain, its not really single grain if you're using sticky rice. i can do it with long grain Edited July 3, 2007 by MechAnt

[SafeSearchOff]

mech, nah i dont use your ghetto way either, that just looks retarded.



i hold em like that... didnt have any chop sticks near me so i used pencils. the top one is moved by thumb and forfinger, the bottom is supported by the middle finger applying pressure Edited July 3, 2007 by SafeSearchOff

[MechAnt]

That is a bit different. I tried it just now and it feels a lot different. I suppose we're all entitled to our own specific styles

[Sonthert]

Vietnamese broken rice? Fried rice? Single grains there...I don't care for steamed rice, the smell bothers me.