You may recall I posted some info a while back about taking care of the mitts.  Anyone familiar with kettlebell sport knows that daily practice can be hard on the hands.  In particular things like double cleans, snatches, and long cycle are the most punishing.  The drier air that is commonplace in winter months makes it even worse.  The answer of course is to moithturize.  Note, I find that when ordering skincare products, speaking with a lisp gets me better service.  Not sure why. 

Anyway you may recall I was pretty happy with a product called Jack Black Hand Healer.  It is decent stuff with a pleasant scent.  It isn't super greasy, especially if you compare it to something like Bag Balm.  The latter is practical to use only at night and after you put it on you had better sleep with gloves on.  It is like putting bacon grease on your hands.  (I have never done that but I suspect it might be similar).  Also once applied the bag balm will nail the coffin shut on any amorous prospects for the evening (unless you are into something very odd).

Long story short I found something better.  I made the mistake of letting things get a bit out of hand (ha ha).  I had some callouses that built up a bit and they got dry and I developed a deep crack in one of them.  This made training painful.  Not good.  It wasn't going to disappear overnight either.  I even tried to go nuclear with the bag balm, it did nothing.  Jack Black wasn't helping either.  Out of desperation I started looking around the internets.  I found something that actually works:



After a few days of this and scraping away the callouses with a scalpel blade my hands are primo and my hand modeling hotline is ringing off the hook again.  There are a few nice things about this stuff:  First it is cheaper than the Jack Black.  6.99 a jar vs 15.00.  It is easily available over the internet and also some hardware stores sell it (none around me).  The Jack Black can also be  found on the net (just like anything else) or you can buy it in high end stores where guys who wear eyeliner shop. 
The second thing I like is that once you put it on, your hands will not feel slippery at all.  It is absorbed quickly so you can get on with your life without getting everything greasy or dropping things.  It kind of tingles when you put it on.  Also it has no scent so it won't compete with your Hai Karate cologne. 

This stuff is made to help repair cracked hands so it is ideal both for guys who work hard with their hands in cold dry climates or gireviks.  Here is a link to their homepage:  http://www.okeeffescompany.com/store/item/20hi8/Working_Hands_Grip_Pak/OKeeffes_Working_Hands_Creme_Grip_Pak_3_4_oz.html

The usual RFP disclaimer applies.  I have no commercial connection to this product.  I just use it an I think it is better than anything else I have tried up to this point.

Another item I find much safer than a scalpel blade is a ped egg.  It is, as the name implies, designed for feet but it will work on the hands and leaves no mess.  It will run you $10 and you can find one at any drug store or department store like Wal Mart.