Griffins and beaks for tattoos
We've put together everything you need to know about griffins and beaks in one place. What are their types, sizes and how to adapt the needles to them. We invite you to read!
The title of this text may suggest that it will be about fantastic creatures and, possibly, birds, which is far from the truth;) The name griffin comes from English capture, this is not a translation of course, but an association. The griffin is the part of the machine that the tattoo artist holds. The beak is placed in a bar and is used to hold the needle in a stable position. So, if anyone was expecting a text about winged creatures, unfortunately I have to disappoint him, the text will be about an important part of the tattoo machine. About the part that we hold on to and that determines the comfort, stability and confidence of movement.
Types of griffins
The main separation of the rods depends on the type of needle used. So there are strips for classic needles and strips for cartridges. Let's start with the classic ...
Classic barbells consist of a handle, that is, a barbell, which can be made of rubber, metal or foam, and a pipe with a plastic or steel spout. The material used depends on whether they are disposable or reusable. If you choose disposable rods, the handle will be rubber or foam, and the beak and tube will be plastic. In the case of a reusable version, these will be metal elements. The most important difference between the disposable and reusable options is that the disposable rod is a single piece, manufactured at the factory, and the reusable rod can be freely configured. In practice, this means that the entire disposable shaft must be matched to a needle that matches the shape and size of the beak. In the reusable version, we will separately select the grip (wide, narrow, heavy, smooth, red ...) and separately the beak (long, short, plastic, transparent or not, round, flat ...).
How to choose the right gauge and needles? There are three types of beak - R (round), F (flat) and D (diamond-shaped). The R and D types are round needles and the F types are for flat needles. You can read more about this marking in the text about needles. Flat needle points can be open (OF) or closed (CF). One edge is missing at the open edge, the needles are visible at the top. The bars and beaks are the same size as the needles, so it's a simple matter. When using a 7F needle, you will also choose a neck with this mark, and for a 3RL needle, you will use a 3R or 3D neck.
Reusable griffin bows come in two flavors:
- a long tube that runs through the entire handle and also serves as a point for the needle and tube attached to the machine,
- a short beak mounted on only one side of the handle (in this case, the tube used to attach the bar to the shaver is a separate piece mounted on the other side of the handle, or an integral part of the handle).
Also pay attention to the so-called griffins. twist lock. Instead of a screw that holds the beak in the handle, they have a twisted clamping end. This is a convenient and quick solution, because you do not need a separate wrench to unscrew and tighten the screws.
Among the classic strips, the magnum bows should also be highlighted, i.e. those used for the exceptionally large needles of the same name. The tip of a needle, size 19 or greater, is so wide that it cannot pass through the tube, so a slot is required to insert the needle into the beak. They are available in multiple or single use options.
The second group consists of cartridge rods, i.e. for modular needles. At the same time, the strips are universal; there is no need to adjust them to the size and type of the needle. Like rods for classic needles, they can be reusable or disposable, they are distinguished by the material from which they are made (rubber and plastic for disposable needles and metal for reusable use).
When using cartridges, you have to choose between two types of mounts, which should be compatible with your shaver. The first nozzle, as in classic parallel bars, is a tube. Machines with such a fastening are universal and can be used with both classic, long needles and chucks. Also the machine has rods with a nut screwed onto the thread (we will not use this type of machine for classic needles / rods). This solution is most often used with reusable rods, but there are also disposable ones. Classic mount rods are usually supplied with a push rod, in which case the push rod is usually part of the machine.
In the case of cartridge rods, you can also purchase an adjustable neck. This solution makes it possible to quickly adjust the protrusion of the needle from the beak. When applying a tattoo, the needle can be completely hidden in the beak or always stick out of it. The needle travel (the difference between the extended position of the needle and the maximum retracted position) always remains unchanged and depends on the setting of the machine, its position in the beak is adjustable. Which option you choose depends entirely on your preference.
Shank shape and diameter
In stores, you will find terms such as profiled, non-profiled, grooved, etc. This difference indicates the shape of the handle and has nothing to do with the type and size - the choice in this case will depend on what is more convenient. in your hand. The grip can be smooth, have fancy ridges, or have a texture that is simply meant to be easier to grip.
You will also come across millimeter definitions for the diameter of the handles, usually in the 15-40mm range. People with small hands usually prefer a smaller diameter and vice versa, although this is not the rule. In practice, when the handle has a larger diameter, the hand will fatigue less during prolonged use with a heavy razor. Generally speaking, “standard” is the approximate center of the range, that is, 25 mm.
To make the grip even more secure, you can adjust the bar to your hand using special bandages. They are designed to prevent the hand from slipping (especially when we secure the grip with protective film), but you can also use them to increase the diameter of the bar by wrapping several layers.
Cleaners are an indispensable aid when using reusable beaks. Special brushes come in a variety of sizes to suit different types of attachments.
Hopefully the above text will help you when shopping for bows and griffins. If you have any questions, write in the comments, we will answer;)
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