Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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oldforgecreations.co.uk/blog/mug-handles

Why some mug handles feel like they cut into your fingers - they actually do. A small handle on a big mug can apply several kilos of force into a small area of a single finger. That might be tolerable for a short while, but it's not a comfortable drinking experience!

This mug was empty, and with a narrow grip it still got close to 2kg of lateral pressure on my simulated Sharpie finger. The mug holds 550ml of liquid, so that force would be upwards of 4kg if it was full (even though the total mass of the mug and drink is less than a kilo).

You might not ever have stopped to think about it before, but I'm sure you'll have noticed the difference between appropriately sized handles and awkward tiny handles. Your drinking experience has been ruined with the power of leverage!

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