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Double Overhand Style
Watch the Video - Double Overhand Short Bending (WMV)
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Double overhand provides the most effective way to transfer force from the upper body through the hands into an unbraced bend, and results in destruction of the biggest steel. Because the maximal leverage is supported by reliance upon tough padding and pain tolerance, in addition to hand strength, some have dubbed this style of bending as “folding” the nail.
Maximize power during the kink by keeping the bar high under the chin.
Force from the chest and upper back is applied through the thumb pads to bend the nail, using the index fingers as a fulcrum. Done effectively, force will also be generated by the wrists, in the form of radial deviation. The double overhand bend can be broken down as follows:
Initial Kink – The bar is grasped with an overhand grip, held as high under the chin is possible. The ends of the wrapped bar are braced in the thumb pads, with the first 2-3 fingers of the hand wrapped around the bar. Apply force down and out through the end of the bar, towards a spot two feet in front of the stomach. The thumb pads will push directly into the ends of the nail, relying upon durable pads to prevent puncture injury.
At the same time, the index fingers must push the opposite direction into the underside of the nail, driven by force from the wrists. Once the bar bends to more than 45 degrees, it’s time to move on to the sweep. For longer nails, the kink will be the hardest part of the bend.
Sweep – Transitioning from the initial kink into the sweep using double overhand requires little modification in form. Continue applying pressure through the thumb pads into the end of the nail while pushing index fingers up with the wrists. It may be possible to complete the kink and sweep in a single motion. The distinction between the two phases of the bend is important because most other bending styles will transition to double overhand for the sweep and crush down.
If multiple attempts are needed during the sweep, focus on doing them in rapid succession, applying as much force into the bar as possible. Explode into the steel. Waiting between attempts on the bar will allow the stock to cool, making the bend harder. Once the fingers meet and the bar is under 90 degrees, it is time to move into the crush down.
Crush Down – The final phase of the bend, the crush down involves bending the bar from 90 degrees down until the ends of the bar are less than two inches apart. This will be accomplished by pressing the ends of the bar together until the fingers can interlock. Once the fingers can interlock, strength from the clasped hands will be used to assist the upper body in finishing the bend. Should the wraps interfere, it may be necessary to partially unwrap the nail in order to complete the bend.
As with the sweep, it is important to transition into the crush down as quickly as possible, preventing the nail from having time to cool and harden. Should a piece of steel prove especially difficult to finish off, try grasping it in the dominant hand like a gripper, clasping the opposite hand over it, and squeezing as hard as possible.
