DL's are not meant for everyone, including Romanian, Sumo, the one legged Bulgarian version or even the old style Jefferson lift. Of course using a trap bar (true Olympic style) would solve just about everything. Shin scraps and the knees getting in the way. Also offer a better, more natural hand position. All this is less strain on the back because you are not leaning too much forward trying to not hit the shins & knees. Sweats will not help that much. To the extreme, you could use shin guards.. Or maybe get a pair of those farmer walk devices and fine a way to add extra plates on them. Could probably make up a pair your self or have fab/weld shop do it for you.
Every PL'er I have seen, or known, will kiss those shins every once in a while with the bar. Even among the top class lifters. Usually when their tired at the end of a maxed out workout. Kind of like a badge of honor with a lot of lifters. A little blood, a little pain can be a little price paid for getting huge and strong. Guy's who handle heavier weight on a regular bases will get the occasional torn palm or maybe even finger tips. You will heal, these are only minor things. Got to look at the big picture, like being so large you have to walk through a normal sized door sideways.
If anyone wants to tap his full potential in lifting weight off the floor than try hip/back lifting. Will require a heavy duty hip belt. The weight you can build up to in that lift will make your present PB in the DL look like a warm-up weight. Try for higher reps of 12 to 20 and see what happens size and strength wise. Good Luck.
