10 Generally recognized tool couplings:

1. Digit touch
2. Palm to touch
3. Finger palmar grip (hook grip)
4. Thumb-fingertip grip (tip pinch)
5. Thumb-finger palmar grip
6. Thumb-forefinger side grip (lateral grip or side pinch)
7. Thumb-two-finger grip (writing grip)
8. Thumb-fingering enclosure (disc grip)
9. Finger-palm enclosure (collet enclosure)
10. Power grasp

A few examples of manually driven tools and tasks are described in the following:
 Percussive: swing or hold handle
 Scraping: push, pull, or hold handle
 Rotation or boring: push, pull, turn, or hold handle.
 Squeezing: press and hold handle
 Cutting: pull or push while holding handle

The following rules should be applied when designing or working with hand tools:
 Push or pull in the direction of the forearm, with the handle directly in front of it.
 Keep the wrist straight.
 Provide good coupling between hand and handle, by shape and friction.
 Avoid pressure spots and pinch points.
 Avoid tools that transmit vibrations to the hand.
 Do not operate tools frequently and forcefully by hand; automated interaction is
preferable.