This was interesting to hear @
Brett Jones but that seems to be how my calluses started in the first place. Perhaps different hand structures can use that technique?
For a few weeks I've been trying out different clean techniques and came upon the following.
The finger hook grip is for me. For a deep grip, I agree with this:
Grip Fatigue and Blisters
For cleaning my lighter press weight, having a longer sock sleeve is so slippery from the rack to the drop that safe and productive training is automatic. I work to use the hook grip with this and cleaning feels perfect. Even without the sleeve the thinner handles of the press weight feel great and the sleeves are not necessary any more.
To practice cleaning with my thick-handled 32k, even with a sock sleeve, skin pinching can be there to a lesser degree depending on how well I do the following technique. Is it enough to form a callus? I'm not sure. My best technique from the rack is drop from the shoulder and almost throw the handle to the index finger, then the rest of the fingers fall in line with the hook grip on the rest of the drop. When I get it right I don't even need the sock sleeve. The larger the handle, the less certain my hook grip is on the catch. To avoid dropping the bell I might subconsciously want to catch it earlier, getting it closer to the palm. I'm not sure. I seem to be getting better at it with practice and I haven't experienced a "pinch" this week.
I never read about this technique anywhere. Does it sound right? Or will people adapt jokes from Pavel's books? "His clean drop technique is superior because it is always overcoming problems not present when other people drop their ketlebells from the rack." Is there something different to practice, or does my technique sound right?