r/handpoke
The oldest form of tattooing, Handpoke or "stick and poke" tattoos are poked by hand.
How to think about r/handpoke
This community is dedicated to the art of handpoke tattooing, also known as stick and poke. Members share their experiences, techniques, and artwork related to this traditional form of tattooing, which is characterized by its manual application method. The community stands out for its focus on DIY culture and personal expression, often featuring unique designs and personal stories behind the tattoos.
Confidence 4/5
Audience
Participants in this community are typically tattoo enthusiasts, artists, and individuals interested in alternative body art. The demographic is diverse, often skewing younger, with a strong interest in DIY culture and self-expression. Members value authenticity and creativity, fostering a supportive and open vibe where sharing personal tattoo journeys is encouraged.
Posting culture
Content that thrives includes personal tattoo stories, tutorials, and images of handpoke tattoos. Members appreciate authenticity and creativity, while overly promotional or commercial posts tend to receive downvotes. The community encourages regular engagement, with members often sharing their work and experiences, leading to a vibrant exchange of ideas and techniques.
Brand engagement notes
Brands should approach this community with caution, as members are generally resistant to overt promotion. Authentic engagement is key; brands can participate by sharing relevant content, such as tutorials or artist spotlights, that aligns with the community's values. Collaborations with artists or sponsoring community events can be effective, but any promotional content must be subtle and genuinely contribute to the community's discussions.
Top keywords
What r/handpoke talks about
Weighted by how often each term appears in posts and comments, relative to baseline frequency. The largest words are the strongest signals of community focus.
External signals
Where the community looks
Top external domains linked from posts and comments — a quick read on the sources of truth this audience trusts.
Top contributors
Who shapes the conversation
The most active and most-upvoted posters and commenters in this community. Useful when planning outreach or studying a community's tastemakers.
Top posters
By post count
- u/Rsloth
- u/WoptoberMane
- u/cxurtneyhxxd
- u/tintachino
- u/Nagga_Smoku
- u/SnooChipmunks3067
- u/Using12Many
- u/imsovulgar
- u/lostlatebloomers
- u/gabriehella
- u/[deleted]
- u/Hungry_Perception_43
- u/nameauser123
- u/Mynameismoune
- u/Ok-Selection-1108
- u/Bobanley
- u/klaris_ink
- u/lekkermooi_
- u/Lisiado
- u/ambercorrosive
- u/Lady-Artblock
- u/plantsntats
- u/uwuleilauwu
- u/masalladelsol
- u/skullgunk
- u/acidoacida
- u/sullist
- u/BeeKind420
- u/Longjumping-Gap-7146
- u/Willow_Weak
- u/ottermelon13
- u/cestcindyy
- u/mestamp
- u/AlienSubstance
- u/MARTATONKI2005
- u/DifficultWealth762
- u/swirlypokes
- u/pokedbypeachs
- u/RollllTide
- u/sensibios
- u/zippitrilla
- u/straksskratti
- u/psiphoe
- u/rabindrenath
- u/peachyprincessi
- u/lunadeprx
- u/clowncheng
- u/andrewmc147
- u/megsartwork
- u/hppygrizzly
- u/erinbowie
- u/M0therm0th
- u/deadsharonna
- u/cowpoke_ink
- u/fallablesnail
- u/Desperate-Solution-2
- u/TypicShads
- u/yunelija
- u/CC200000
- u/carolllwebb
- u/unholy_moonlight
- u/WestAd8375
- u/seluj1234
- u/RipEnvironmental9312
- u/Massive_Role6317
- u/PauloBanani
- u/ElRingoPitorico
- u/Wild_Cook_9456
- u/nickandpoke
- u/Previous-Ad-4157
- u/scott3845
- u/BigJeth
- u/calaveravo
- u/Diligent_Outcome_842
- u/dettolpunk
- u/AlienAlicia
- u/nonstoppoking
- u/Impossible_Evening69
- u/razzledazzlerose_
- u/petrykoria
- u/Nobunnyashh
- u/nimtembo
- u/kelda_bee
- u/Sager246
- u/marahiya
- u/Lille_Ink
- u/celfmorgan92
- u/AidanMcMorrow
- u/chungusman8
- u/Eye_The_Fly
- u/Responsible_Gas7711
- u/Cosmikali
- u/criticalork2020
- u/TimelyHousing3970
- u/poppypottery
- u/AcanthocephalaReal68
- u/114r
- u/ccinturin
- u/moththoughts
- u/tsumtsumlover1
By votes
- u/Rsloth
- u/WoptoberMane
- u/imsovulgar
- u/tintachino
- u/gabriehella
- u/cxurtneyhxxd
- u/Mynameismoune
- u/Ok-Selection-1108
- u/lostlatebloomers
- u/Hungry_Perception_43
- u/Nagga_Smoku
- u/Lisiado
- u/klaris_ink
- u/lekkermooi_
- u/Bobanley
- u/plantsntats
- u/Using12Many
- u/ottermelon13
- u/Lady-Artblock
- u/[deleted]
- u/ambercorrosive
- u/cestcindyy
- u/mestamp
- u/skullgunk
- u/nameauser123
- u/AlienSubstance
- u/MARTATONKI2005
- u/masalladelsol
- u/SnooChipmunks3067
- u/DifficultWealth762
- u/pokedbypeachs
- u/swirlypokes
- u/RollllTide
- u/uwuleilauwu
- u/sensibios
- u/zippitrilla
- u/straksskratti
- u/psiphoe
- u/rabindrenath
- u/peachyprincessi
- u/lunadeprx
- u/clowncheng
- u/andrewmc147
- u/megsartwork
- u/hppygrizzly
- u/erinbowie
- u/M0therm0th
- u/deadsharonna
- u/cowpoke_ink
- u/acidoacida
- u/fallablesnail
- u/Desperate-Solution-2
- u/TypicShads
- u/yunelija
- u/CC200000
- u/unholy_moonlight
- u/sullist
- u/carolllwebb
- u/WestAd8375
- u/seluj1234
- u/RipEnvironmental9312
- u/Massive_Role6317
- u/PauloBanani
- u/ElRingoPitorico
- u/nickandpoke
- u/Wild_Cook_9456
- u/scott3845
- u/BigJeth
- u/calaveravo
- u/Diligent_Outcome_842
- u/Previous-Ad-4157
- u/dettolpunk
- u/AlienAlicia
- u/nonstoppoking
- u/Impossible_Evening69
- u/petrykoria
- u/Nobunnyashh
- u/nimtembo
- u/razzledazzlerose_
- u/BeeKind420
- u/kelda_bee
- u/Sager246
- u/marahiya
- u/Lille_Ink
- u/celfmorgan92
- u/AidanMcMorrow
- u/chungusman8
- u/Longjumping-Gap-7146
- u/AcanthocephalaReal68
- u/Eye_The_Fly
- u/Responsible_Gas7711
- u/Cosmikali
- u/criticalork2020
- u/Willow_Weak
- u/TimelyHousing3970
- u/114r
- u/poppypottery
- u/ccinturin
- u/ghoulish0verkill
- u/moththoughts
Top commenters
By comment count
- u/[deleted]
- u/RueBea7
- u/butdidyoudie1134
- u/Ghosteex_x
- u/DecentPhilosophy999
- u/bigDemonenergy37666
- u/criticalork2020
- u/Pigglyandwiggly
- u/cuchullain47474
- u/WoptoberMane
- u/ZippyS1234564
- u/Rsloth
- u/NurplePainDgd
- u/cxurtneyhxxd
- u/funghifrau97
- u/tlanchana
- u/pattyhard
- u/Ardoge
- u/Ebvardh-Boss
- u/petit_lu-cyinthesky
- u/klaris_ink
- u/Michelcymes
- u/Weirdwife22
- u/izzipokes
- u/itoayito
- u/dizyalice
- u/Electrical_Basis_318
- u/Extension_Orange_293
- u/gabriehella
- u/seanfucksdogs
- u/hdhdnejfjchdh
- u/RideMobile9499
- u/Formal-Anybody-8478
- u/shmoobel
- u/AnalystFuzzy731
- u/7jade7jars7
- u/MorganRAd
- u/sadghostyghost
- u/boobonicplauge
- u/thiccgyalel
- u/Vegetable-Mode7698
- u/jrwhatever
- u/nancytwomills
- u/mayaswellpretend
- u/darkpinkfairy
- u/AverageD-Money
- u/SearchOdd3282
- u/flyingunicorncat
- u/gotdamnboottoobig
- u/skullgunk
- u/Catch22Kid
- u/antaego
- u/ur_granndma
- u/stardustclub
- u/LadyPoke
- u/coldestwinter-chill
- u/Many-Acadia1243
- u/DifficultWealth762
- u/imsovulgar
- u/Hungry_Perception_43
- u/crimsonbaby_
- u/alextverdyy
- u/Scrumpygoat
- u/burnin8t0r
- u/steelersteph
- u/nameauser123
- u/anorthograf0s
- u/FreyjaSama
- u/CelebrationOk700
- u/Trioptio
- u/lekkermooi_
- u/ajtreee
- u/stxdd
- u/Nobunnyashh
- u/Venenee
By votes
- u/[deleted]
- u/Ghosteex_x
- u/cuchullain47474
- u/ZippyS1234564
- u/DecentPhilosophy999
- u/butdidyoudie1134
- u/SearchOdd3282
- u/flyingunicorncat
- u/RueBea7
- u/gotdamnboottoobig
- u/bigDemonenergy37666
- u/Pigglyandwiggly
- u/nancytwomills
- u/WoptoberMane
- u/antaego
- u/ur_granndma
- u/Rsloth
- u/NurplePainDgd
- u/petit_lu-cyinthesky
- u/dizyalice
- u/boobonicplauge
- u/darkpinkfairy
- u/AverageD-Money
- u/skullgunk
- u/Catch22Kid
- u/ajtreee
- u/funghifrau97
- u/tlanchana
- u/pattyhard
- u/criticalork2020
- u/klaris_ink
- u/Michelcymes
- u/Weirdwife22
- u/izzipokes
- u/itoayito
- u/Electrical_Basis_318
- u/hdhdnejfjchdh
- u/Formal-Anybody-8478
- u/shmoobel
- u/thiccgyalel
- u/stardustclub
- u/Many-Acadia1243
- u/DifficultWealth762
- u/imsovulgar
- u/crimsonbaby_
- u/steelersteph
- u/cxurtneyhxxd
- u/Ardoge
- u/Ebvardh-Boss
- u/Extension_Orange_293
- u/gabriehella
- u/seanfucksdogs
- u/RideMobile9499
- u/AnalystFuzzy731
- u/7jade7jars7
- u/MorganRAd
- u/sadghostyghost
- u/Vegetable-Mode7698
- u/jrwhatever
- u/mayaswellpretend
- u/LadyPoke
- u/coldestwinter-chill
- u/Hungry_Perception_43
- u/alextverdyy
- u/Scrumpygoat
- u/burnin8t0r
- u/nameauser123
- u/anorthograf0s
- u/FreyjaSama
- u/CelebrationOk700
- u/Trioptio
- u/lekkermooi_
- u/stxdd
- u/Nobunnyashh
- u/Venenee
Similar communities
Where this audience also spends time
Topic-adjacent communities surfaced from Reddit's own related subreddit signal.
FAQ
r/handpoke — frequently asked questions
Quick facts about this subreddit's size, history, focus, and related communities.
How many subscribers does r/handpoke have?
r/handpoke has approximately 5,568 subscribers as of May 27, 2026.
When was r/handpoke created?
r/handpoke was created on April 5, 2020 (6 years ago).
What is r/handpoke about?
This community is dedicated to the art of handpoke tattooing, also known as stick and poke. Members share their experiences, techniques, and artwork related to this traditional form of tattooing, which is characterized by its manual application method. The community stands out for its focus on DIY culture and personal expression, often featuring unique designs and personal s…
What subreddits are similar to r/handpoke?
Communities similar to r/handpoke include r/selftatt, r/tattooscratchers, r/tattoobeginners.
Who are the most active posters on r/handpoke?
The most frequent posters on r/handpoke include u/Rsloth, u/WoptoberMane, u/cxurtneyhxxd.
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