Tuning Fork Handles, the Long and Short of it

When tuning forks as tools for sound and vibration therapy started to become more accepted around 2005, the stem or handle of the tuning fork was 2" or about 5cm. A few years ago some manufacturers started offering 3" or 7.6cm handles. While this may seem like a great idea there are times when it is not such a good thing.

When would I want a longer handle on my tuning fork

Longer handles on weighted tuning forks are good for practitioners who use tuning forks in long sessions. Long handles are also helpful for those with smaller hands and for those with stiffness in the hands (arthritis etc.). The longer handle makes it easier to rest the stem of the tuning fork on your hand taking the pressure off your fingers to hold the tuning fork in place when putting them on the body.

If you are not a practitioner then the longer handle may not be necessary but as you will notice, most companies have switched to longer handle weighted tuning forks, particularly for the Om Tuning Fork and the Otto 128 Tuning Fork.

When would you not want a longer handle

Long handles on unweighted tuning forks are not very practical. The problem with long handles on unweighted tuning forks it is difficult to hold several tuning forks in your hand at one time to play music or work with harmonics. If you put 4 or 5 tuning forks in your hand, the stems meet at the palm of your hand and will usually touch each other. When you tap tuning forks where the stems touch you will get a metallic vibration in your hand. It is very noticeable and it can be difficult to position all the tuning forks so that the stems do not touch, especially if you have a small hand. This will not happen with 2" handles.

It is for this reason that Omnivos does not offer unweighted tuning forks with long handles. For weighted tuning forks there is a benefit. For unweighted tuning forks long handles will limit your options.