Flag-poling: a way of life, or...?

[Keith Roberts]

Absolutely. Potter does this on his SAT III video. In Potter's tuning video
there are relatively few shots of hammer technique. George Defebaugh, Jim
Coleman Sr. and all the shots are focused on the hammer head. Uprights are
completely different than grands though most tuners extend their thumb down
the handle to counteract the head wanting to come off the pin sideways when
pulling a string sharp. (on what side of the ratchet head do you back up
with your other hand so you don't bust your knuckles?). This also relieves
some of the bend and stress on the pin making it want to turn instead of
bend. When lowering pitch on an upright the head wants to bend the pin left.
Randy recommends using a #3 tip medium length  and the 15 deg.  head which
allows for a settling motion that involves nothing much more than the weight
of the hammer handle itself. Pulling hard enough to crush wood is stupid.
Some upright tuners are so quick, the settling motion and removing the
hammer from the pin is now one motion  and you have to point it out to them.
They don't see it themselves. Uprights a lot of times have been treated to
beginners and age and disrespect and you have to find out where the pin is
going to settle because the hole it's in isn't round any more.
Wouldn't it be fish-poling on a grand?
Keith