The Crown Grip

Project Overview

✂️ Crown Grip is an assistive device designed for barbers and stylists facing mobility limitations in the wrist, shoulders, or grip strength. Traditional shears often require high shoulder elevation and tight wrist angles. These movements can become strenuous or even painful over time.

Instead of requiring stylists to buy expensive specialized shears, I developed an aftermarket ergonomic system. The goal was to preserve the tools stylists already love while transforming the way they interact with them.

Design Focus

This project moved beyond a single object into a three-part mechanical assembly:

• 🔄 360° Rotation: Allowing the thumb to rotate freely enables natural cutting angles. This drastically reduces the need to bend the wrist or raise the shoulder.

• 🛡️ Universal Compression: Designing a "one-size-fits-most" interface for various shear brands.

• ⚙️ Scalable Tension: Balancing the force required to close the shears by increasing the finger-hole spacing.

The Assembly System

To achieve both flexibility and control, I developed three specialized components:

1. The Crown (TPU 95A): Features flexible spikes that compress into any standard metal finger hole for a secure, universal fit.

2. The Sceptre (TPU 95A): A customizable finger-hole extension that balances soft comfort with the stiffness needed for precision control.

3. The Throne (PETG): A rigid optional support that limits over-rotation for users who apply more force during cuts.

Functional Breakthrough

✨ The TPU Spike Interface was the turning point for this design. By using the geometry of the spikes rather than a solid block, the Crown can conform to various oval and circular shear holes while maintaining a high-friction grip. This turned a complex sizing problem into a simple and flexible solution.

Reflection & Tools

🔍 Key Lesson: Professional tools require a higher level of feedback. Moving from a single-material print to a multi-material assembly allowed me to control exactly where the device flexes and where it stays rigid.

• 📐 CAD: Plasticity | 🖨️ 3D Printing: Prusa Core One | ✂️ Slicing: PrusaSlicer

Disclaimer & Safety

Crown Grip is an experimental, non-medical assistive device shared for personal use. It has not been certified by any regulatory body. I am not a medical professional or engineer. I am a designer passionate about helping people continue their craft. Please consult a healthcare professional to determine if this device is appropriate for your needs. Use at your own risk.

Evolution of the Design 👇