The first real cook I did on the LSG Vertical Offset, I had some splits in the oven warming up before use. I opened up the firebox below it, moved things around a bit, then went to open the oven to grab out a split. No gloves. That heat escaping from the firebox had turned that "cool touch" handle to pretty damn hot real quick. Three in the morning and I am trying not to wake the neighbors. Ended up with a line of blisters "coiled" across my palm. I did that once. I don't care how cool that handle is, even if I haven't lit her up yet, I put gloves on.
A friend said it's kinda a ritual. A little burned flesh or some blood to bond with it. I just know it hurt.