Tapering helps, but I found the bigger fix is changing how you hold them. I keep my grip loose and let the reins pivot in my hand instead of clamping down hard all day. That old stiffness might be from fighting your own tools. Try relaxing your fingers between heats, even for a few seconds. It made a bigger difference for me than reshaping the handles.

Ugh, that's the worst. @paul_sanchez knows the pain.

Wait, it needs to acclimate like a houseplant?

Yeah, it's funny how the best solutions are often the simplest ones. I see it all the time with people using old coolers as planters or a brick in a toilet tank to save water. We overcomplicate stuff when the cheap fix is right there.

Yeah, @allen.reese might be right about it just being luck.