Anthony - thanks for sharing that information. I think you've clearly defined the differences between iron palm and cosmos palm (by the way, I, too, highly suggest reading Sifu Wong Kiew Kit's books, if you have the opportunity).
Now, as far as external iron palm training is concerned, since it seems to have come up often in this thread..... (this is for all who care to answer).
1. Are you actively training in iron palm skills?
2. Did you begin iron palm training on your own accord, or did your teacher introduce the skill to you?
3. How much time do you devote to iron palm training (i.e., time per day, days per week, etc.).
4. How long have you been developing your iron palm?
5. Describe your current set up for training...
6. How long did you work each phase of training before progressing to the next level?
7. What measures do you take after each session to prevent injury?
8. What is your motivation for achieving iron palm?
I'm always curious to know stuff like this. Here are my own answers:
1. Yes, I'm actively training iron palm.
2. My teacher introduced the skill to me several years ago.
3. Usually 2-3 days per week, about two hours per session (depending on how many other students are training with me at the time).
4. At this rate, I've been training for approximately 1.5 years.
5. Since I'm a Hung Gar student, I use a Tiger Iron Palm table. I use three bags (both separately and simultaneously), two weighing 15 lbs. and one weighing 30 lbs., all filled with mung beans mounted on oak.
6. If one considers the "phases" to be the material that you're striking, then I'm still on the first phase.
7. I use dit da jow on my hands before and after training, and also do a series of finger manipulation exercises after each session.
8. My motivation for developing iron palm is to have more or less a "secret" weapon that I can pull out at any time.
Here's a picture...
http://www.dragonslist.com/gallery/s...iginal=1&c=501
Chris