Stroke profiles (available in 2.75mm and 4.2mm) dictate how hard or soft the needle strikes the skin as well as how rapidly it retracts into the tip of the cartridge. In general, the lower the percentage, the faster the hand movement can comfortably be. Higher percentages are better for slower hand movements.
20% is a great all-rounder, but is an outstanding liner. This was our original cam and what makes a lot of people fall in love with Neuma 4. This cam feels the most like a coil. Very snappy needle strike with rapid recoil.
28% is great for black and gray shading, particularly for soft, smooth shades and gradations. A softer needle strike with a rapid recoil.
The magic 33% has the slowest insertion speed which translates to the softest hit, with the same rapid recoil of the 20%. This cam is recommended for super soft gray shading and/or multi-pass color layering with greatly reduced risk of trauma to the skin tissue. This cam is not recommended for lining.
40% is great for slower hand movements and/or solid color packing and blending. Great for color realism. Softer needle strike with a slower recoil.
Carson Hill of Neuma Device has developed his fourth-generation tattoo machine, Neuma 4, after a few years of research with a particular interest in creating a ‘pen-style’ rotary tattoo machine that would place a strong emphasis on addressing the inherent limitations of traditional rotary mechanisms. The result is a multi-cam rotary mechanism that can line as quickly and effectively as a coil machine; plus shade, blend, and pack color efficiently, predictably, and reliably.
Artists’ first impressions are very positive, and feel they are outstanding liners as well as very efficient with all styles of tattooing. After a bit of experimentation with the various cams Neuma offers, artists quickly realize the high degree of utility the system offers and grow to love them even more for their versatility.
There are a number of Neuma 4 configurations that can appeal to artists of all types with all sorts of preferences. From grip size to weight, varying strike force and stroke length, there is certainly a configuration for anyone who uses Neuma 4 to suit any preference. Let your Neuma 4 conform to your personal preferences, rather than having to conform your tattooing style and approach to the performance of your machine.
Fireside series w/ Carson (six+ episodes of excellent information):
(Ty, Carson, and Jake):
https://youtu.be/Zkbtv1H4gQI
Series:
https://youtu.be/zeeZKSKXA3c or https://youtu.be/lvMqdgbeq5s
https://youtu.be/VBVG3FcESQs
https://youtu.be/B133jo2cQ2o
https://youtu.be/fTp88ZzJ4i8
https://youtu.be/likhVt5kyKA
https://youtu.be/l7kBVU-whro
Ty Pallotta review:
https://youtu.be/tSZK6jDinwQ
Nick Baxter interview:
https://youtu.be/esjVC8bxqcg
Neuma Wave Patterns:
https://youtube.com/shorts/m_dg47suNys
https://youtu.be/LL17rh0V2hU
Floaty Lady review of Brass Grip and Machine:
https://youtu.be/E8QQK38tt_M
