Ah, okay! When I shake a hand, I usually go in on the firm side and adjust accordingly. I’ve had big bears of men death grip me, and I reciprocate, while I’ve had men with no confidence just offer a spaghetti noodle of a handshake.
Then there’s the overly-assertive businesswoman who slams her hand into yours and awkwardly overshakes with some sort of feigned enthusiasm.
That’s an interesting historical tidbit on the weapons. I’d never considered the historical side of the handshake. Off to Lexis Nexis to research it!
Yep, that's the answer to a firm handshake. If you meet his/her hand all the way to where the the thumb and forefinger stops it you will never be crushed because you are gripping the knuckles and beyond. Most women just give you the end of the four fingers handshake and end up getting the fingers crushed.