In my opinion, there are two types of hand-holding.

1) Leading her. This is done when you're in a large group of people (festival, concert, etc). You simply take her hand and guide her through the crowd. This can be done early in a relationship, even the first date. It shows her that you're confident. Not much kino needed.

2) Romantic. This is a status indicator. It depends on your relationship and how you want the world to perceive it. It shows that this girl is yours, and you're proud to be with her. This is good for when you're walking into public places together (restaurants, parks, etc.) You should reserve this until you're deeper into a relationship (FWB or LTR), definitely after you've had sex with her.

Don't hold her hand unless you've fucked already or if she holds yours

I've blown so many interested girls holding the hand before I realized it's not reasonable escalation, it's perceived relationship intent.

You might think it's a step below other kino but it's not. It instantly conveys over-investment to them

Remove hand holding from your arsenal until you've railed the shit out of her.

If she holds yours, let it be but let go at some point

I feel like this comes down to you. Are you okay with holding hands? I feel like not holding hands because of external perception is approval seeking. "uh oh, people are going to get the wrong idea!"

But if it's something you like doing, then why not?

Me personally I'd grab a girls hand if I feel the knot (connection) has been tight enough (which is built by sex and alpha/beta trait application)

But, I usually don't. Can't lie I fight with my desires so I can get the alpha respect.

In that case, what I do. I simply walk. Dont touch her but stand by her side and lead. If she doesn't go for my hand, we're not holding hands. When she goes for it and I reciprocate I consider it reward for her good behavior (giving me affection/attention) and reinforces it.

Holding her close in other ways seems far more beta to me. It just looks needy and clingy. Realized this the other day when I saw a dude clinging to his GF, who was dressed like a whore.

Tbh, holding hands looks the least beta on the outside looking-in.

At some point, you decide to hold their hand while walking places.

urgh no...... wrap your arm around her arm or waist. grab her, don't hold onto her

How often after meeting them do you hold their hand? (e.g. immediately after approach, on first date, etc)

They always initiate handholding.

Do you have threshold for kino progression before you reach this point?

Kissing at least. Handholding without kissing is fucking mental.

Once you start and holding hands becomes the norm to go from point A to point B, do you ever stop? Or do you just never go back?

Stop / go back, tease her, deny her hand holding, make it hard for her, etc. You're not sold on her, remember?

Two possible forms: crossing fingers or "handshake" style. Which do you prefer?

crossing fingers ..... or...... HOLD HER WRIST.

Hand holding is beta/comfort. She has to earn that. If you two haven't fucked yet, then she hasn't earned it.

Engaging in beta/comfort behaviors can keep a woman around, but again, only after she has earned them. Doing that shit too soon is over-investing, and will actually repulse most women.