Filing Calluses

[jschmitz54]

Started playing and taking lessons in June 2018. I’ve played most days since starting and have developed nice thick calluses that allow me to play for hours with no real pain. Sometimes they get ragged to the point that my fingers will get snagged or caught on the strings a little which of course makes my playing sound worse, messes with tempo and that is irritating to me. I got an Emory board and started filing my calluses so they were smoother and this seems to work very well, my fingers glide over the strings with no snags. My question is does anyone else do this or something else. Just curious.

[M Hayden]

If it works for you, that’s great. Some people form heavy calluses without much effort, and some don’t. Since you have it to spare, keeping it neat is probably fine.

[ManyMartinMan]

No. My fingers don't develop large calluses. But thanks for the reminder. I need to file my taxes.

[Steadfastly]

Some do and some don't. I did in the beginning and then they just disappeared. I didn't file them though as that took away time from playing my guitar.

[Ed66]

I file my fingertips as I tell my wife. Living in a house with 3 women there are no shortage of emery files/boards around - even the dog apparently likes them. My index and middle fingers get creases in the calluses so I just smooth them out every few weeks.

[raysachs]

I just keep a sheet of fine sandpaper in my guitar room - I think it’s 800 or 1000 or something. When they get too rough or the divots get too deep, I just rub my fingertips back and forth on that for a few seconds. Seems to even and smooth them out pretty well.

[Condition1]

Nice thread, thanks for the tips.

[rokdog49]

I have a product called "the hand stuff" I use in the winter especially.
It keeps the skin from flaking and peeling on my callouses.
I use it every once in a while. My callouses are built up pretty good so it doesn't effect the hardened skin underneath much at all.

Here's a link: www.thehandstuff.com

One little can will last you like forever.

[KalamazooGuy]

Yes this can be an issue. Good reason to avoid doing the dishes!

[menhir]

Yup. My wife has donated some of her emery files to the cause.

I don't need to file as much as I used to since I started to use Duluth Trading No-Crack hand cream regularly (lemon scent if you please), just dipping my fingertips in it from time to time.

It works for me.

[jaymarsch]

I use Guitar Hands in the winter and that takes care of my calluses.

Best,
Jayne

[Rev Roy]

Yep...I occasionally smooth out my calluses with the same glass file I use to keep my fingernails trimmed.

[guitararmy]

This time of year I'm busy smoothing down the super glue that I've used to seal cracks on my fingers...

[Riverwolf]

Originally Posted by raysachs

I just keep a sheet of fine sandpaper in my guitar room - I think it’s 800 or 1000 or something.

Originally Posted by KalamazooGuy

Good reason to avoid doing the dishes!

After six years mine have mostly disappeared into semi-hard skin?
Prolonged water exposure and then drying out seems to bring them back.
100 grit sandpaper, 10 secs and brand new again.

[steve223]

Yep I use Emory birds on mine when they get like that.. Mostly in the winter when it's really dry.