User:Salt/Draft:2H

2 Hands is the technique of using both hands when spinning. The addition of another hand adds an entire level of complexity not possible with simply relying on 1 hand.

The category is often abbreviated as 2H, 2H1P, 1P2H.

Disclaimer: As 2H as a whole is a largely unmapped territory in Pen Spinning, this page should only be seen as a very rough framework that is always subject to change as the hobby develops. The categorisation of concepts, theories and tricks proposed should only be regarded as one interpretation of viewing 2H and should be always met with scepticism.

History

The concept of two-handed (2H) pen spinning emerged naturally in the early 2000s, as the idea of using one’s non-dominant hand is an intuitive progression. Initially, most 2H techniques were limited to using tricks to transfer the pen to the other hand before spinning, or using the non-dominant hand to catch or reposition the pen mid-combo. It is important to distinguish that 2H also includes 2H2P, where each hand spins a separate pen simultaneously. Early 2H2P linkages were synchronized, with each hand performing identical tricks. In 2008, S777 introduced desynchronization, demonstrating the potential for executing two distinct trick sequences at once.

One of the earliest 2H specific tricks is the Twirl, which consists of a movement where the pen goes around one finger of each hand in a continuous way. Despite it being discovered early on, it still remains as one of the foundational tricks in 2H as a whole, being used in a majority of combos. The simple nature of the Twirl trick opens up a ton of variations and linkage possibilities, acting as the two handed equivalent to a Pass.

Outside of simple transfers and grabs, spinners also began exploring 2H equivalent of normal tricks. Freeman showcased a 2H Charge, Shadow and Indexaround in his Trick Concept Compilation and 2H Triangle Pass and Thumbindexspin in his 1p2H trick spin direction. Other spinners such as Key3 discovered 2H wipers (named Helix) early on but the date of discovery is unknown since he deleted all of his videos. Other 2H concepts were also explored around this era. Freeman showcased the clasped hands concepts in a concept video before integrating them into a combo for the Andromeda Project collaboration video. This concept showed another way to perform twirls. Another concept was Simultaneous Tricks where Freeman showed how 2 tricks can be done together in a single motion.

Other than that, one of the earliest instances of Fingerstuck was by Spinforlife’s combo for UPSB 4th, which highlighted how the hands can be linked together. Other spinners also started wrapping fingers of both hands together to link their fingers such as the previously mentioned Freeman’s Clasped Hand Concept in 2010.

At some point, tournaments started facilitating the exploration of 2H which prompted spinners to adopt such style within their combos from time to time. WC10 was the first tournament that introduced themes in competitive spinning, including two handed spinning in the Artistic category. However, the category was removed for being too niche. This didn’t stop spinners from using 2H as a way to gain competitive advantage within Pen Spinning World Tournaments.

The next leap of development can be seen in 2011-2013 where Baimai expanded upon the fingerstuck concept in his WT11 where he properly integrated them into combos. In WT13, Snow showcased the full potential of utilizing camera angles and secondary hand as a way to produce elegant visual effects, pioneering new 1P2H and 2P2H styles. Furthermore, TMRW also integrated 2H wipers in a very effective way never seen before. Ozone compiled different ways tricks can be used as transfers between hands. Kipple also integrated 2P2H as well, using the second pen as a link between the two hands.

People also began adopting the Clasped Hand concept where Fel2Fram used a Interlaced Twirl Fall in his FPSBT12 R2. Other spinners also integrated some version of the trick into their combos with increasingly better execution.

From 2017 onward, the style entered a phase of modern expansion as seen today. During WPSAL2017, OhYeaH! expanded upon the category even more by creating a lot of tricks and linkages that uses both hands simultaneously reminiscent of Baimai. He showed the potential of using linked fingers to create cohesive 2H combos with distinct impression. As such, this has paved the way for more spinners to create entire combos where both hands work together throughout instead of treating both hands as separate.

In WT17, Sirapob also added more onto the Fingerstuck concept, creating an FC variant where he sticks his fingers into the FC position of the other hand. While such a concept was revolutionary, no spinners followed up on it for years.

As more and more spinners have gotten better in the category, 2H was formally introduced back in the competitive scene during PSO18, WC20, PSO20, PSO22, and WC22.

In WT21, Saltient pushed the boundaries of the possibilities of linked 2H, using O-crosses to link both hands together as well adding Threads to create very unusual positions. He is also one of the first spinners who introduced the idea of integrating ideas of another manipulation artform in an indirect way, showing a new way of considering 2H combos. However, such way of thinking hasn’t gained traction after his run.

Furthermore, the Standup category was also introduced in PSO20 and continued in PSO22, emphasizing 2H and 1H spinning as a stage performance. Spinners like Ponkotu, Kay and Padrace are most notable in this aspect of spinning.

Throughout history, multiple pens was also used, which gave rise to XPXH. While the category was explored as early as 2012 by Kipple, it was not until early 2020 was the XPXH seriously explored. The main pioneers for this category include i.suk.

Tricks

Twirl

See also: Twirl

2H Wipers / Helix

A 2H trick where the mod is held between the tips of both index finger. There are two main variants depending on which side it is hold.

Grabbing the end of the pen is a variant invented by Freeman and is regarded as a 2H equivalent to a wiper where the motion is derived from hand or wrist movement.

Grabbing by the center is a variant invented by Freeman where he uses the fingers of the other hand to assist, causing the pen to spin.

Kaleidoscope

A Blaze Ring done with both hands, making an O shape both thumbs and index fingers. The name was coined by Menowa who did the trick in a video called “kaleidoscope”

Air Clap

In an air clap, the pen is held between the palms of both hands. With a wrist motion, it’s thrown into the air where it does 0.5 revolutions to then be caught again with both hands. It can be done continuously.

Kamehameha

A trick where it involves having the pen held in 13.2 in the dominant hand, with the non-dominant hand position next to it. The fingers of both hands are bent, then suddenly straightened, throwing the pen forward, after which it’s not caught.

It was done in 2005 by Kelvinchan, for the 7th battle “Aerial tricks”. Both the name and movement are inspired by the anime “Dragon Ball”. In the original combo, it was preceded by a double charge, which is how it’s shown in many tutorials.

Concepts

Transfers

Transfers involve a 1H trick or linkage where the motion is continued to the other hand, which effectively transfers the pen in a purposeful manner.

Fingercrossings

2H Fingercross involves overlapping fingers of both hands on top of each other. This is a very broad concept that covers every trick that involves interlacing the fingers.

Simultaneous Tricks

Simultaneous tricks involve performing 2 separate tricks within one single motion.

Fingerstuck / Linked 2H

Fingerstuck both hands to be linked by the fingers in some form. Essentially, this allows both hands to operate as one.

As more fingers are linked together, movement becomes more limited which adds another level of restriction to 2H. However, it also opens up more positions to be utilized and it is up to the spinner to navigate through those positions.

A further evolution of linked 2H is FC Fingerstuck where fingers of one hand is inserted in a X-cross of another hand. Fingers can also be linked using O-crosses, limiting even more movement.

Standup

Standup is a style that involves filming while standing, typically with at least the entire torso visible. There is an emphasis on engaging performance, use of space and larger motions.

Videos in this category can be as long as 45 seconds.

Notation

Most of the ideas presented were developed in the FPSB laboratoire in mid-2009 by Lindor, but some others are from RPD.

Fingerslots

Locators in the non-dominant hand are written with an apostrophe to their right. This was called handedness modifier and was developed in 2009 by the NC:

‘ = Non-dominant hand locator
Holding pen with both index fingers = 11’
TA in non-dominant hand = TA T’1’ -T’1’

The locator order is modified slightly, with non-dominant locators written after the dominant ones. Thus, 12, 1’2’, 1’2 and 12’ are all correct, but 2’2 is in the wrong order (it should be written as 22’). If we wanted to write a third hand, we could use two apostrophes: 1”2” and so on.

pass T1-1'2' > I'A 1'2'-1'2' > pass 1'2'-T"1" > T"A T"1"-1"2" 

Hand Orientation

When spinning with two hands, the usual hand positions are not sufficient. For that, Lindor proposed various symbols to be written between two of PD, PU, PS and BS, one for the left and another for the right hand:

|| = Parallel Hands pointing to the same direction
>< = Opposite Hands pointing in opposite directions
!  = Perpendicular Left hand perpendicular to right hand

Fingercrossings

Following the usual points of view of the hand to determine the writing order in fingercrossings, no new notation needs to be made. Specifying the relative hand position can be useful, but not necessary.

Resources/Tutorials

OzoneOhYeaH!Snow

Reference

Credit to RPD for the entire notation section and some of the tricks. Will properly rephrase soon