"TUBALCAIN" PASS GRIP OF A MASTER MASON (HANDSHAKE)

 

The Mason places his thumb on the space between the second and third knuckles of the fellow Mason's right hand, while the fellow Mason moves his thumb to the corresponding space on the first Masons hand. The thumb is pressed hard between the second and third knuckles of the hands.

The name of this grip is "Tubalcain".  When a candidate is imparted with this grip and its usage it is done in this manner:

First, the Worshipful Master says to the candidate:
"I now present my right hand in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love, and will invest you with the pass-grip and pass-word of a Master Mason.  As you are uninstructed, he who has hitherto answered for you, will do so at this time.  Give me the real grip of a Fellow Craft."
(As explained from the preceding degrees, he then has this exchange with the Senior Deacon, who is standing next to the candidate, who is still kneeling at the altar, after having assume the obligation of this degree):
WM:  Brother Senior Deacon.
SD:    Worshipful Master.
WM: Will you be off or from?
SD:    From.
WM: From what and to what?
SD:    From the real grip of a Fellow Craft to the pass-grip of a Master Mason.
WM: Pass.  What is that?
SD: The pass-grip of a Master Mason.
WM: Has it a name?
SD: It has.
WM: Will you give it to me?
SD: I did not so receive it; neither will I so impart it.
WM: How will you dispose of it?
SD: Letter or syllable it.
WM: Syllable it and begin.
SD: You begin.
WM: Begin you.
SD: Tu
WM: bal
SD: cain
WM: Tubalcain, my Brother, is the name of this grip.