When designing grip tools, we wanted something that wouldn’t just look good but perform well over time. Whether in training, competition, or long-term use, we focused on four key areas while developing the perfect finish:
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Feel 🔥
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Seasoning 🎯
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Fairness ⚖️
- Aesthetics 🎨
These became the foundation of our signature textured coating.
Feel – The #1 Priority
Nothing is worse than getting a brand-new grip tool… and it just feels like crap.
We’re looking at you, slippery powder coats and glossy, skin-shredding finishes.
Your grip tools should work for you, not against you. You shouldn’t have to wonder:
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Is this going to slip? ❌
- Am I about to rip my hands open? ❌
Our textured finish provides instant feel right out of the bubble wrap. You don't need to spend 30 mins scrubbing chalk into it like your life depends on it.
But when paired with our finely powdered chalk, it becomes the ultimate combination, maximizing performance while still testing raw hand strength.
Seasoning – A Grip Tool Should Get Better With Age
One of the biggest decisions we faced was whether to paint our grip tools at all. We love the look of raw steel seasoning naturally over time, just like David Horne’s World of Grip tools.
This is where our secret formula comes in. It’s designed to provide a durable feel while slowly seasoning over time. The more you use it, the better it gets, creating the perfect mix of paint, rust, chalk, and sweat.
A lot of our customers are relatively new to grip training, so we get why they like a clean, freshly painted block. But trust us, over time, you’ll appreciate that worn-in, battle-tested look.
Fairness – To Paint Or Not To Paint
A few years ago, I would’ve ranked this section much higher. But now? I’ve realized fairness in grip lifting is more about:
- 🔹 Chalk Whispering (enjoy 7 mins of that here)
- 🔹 The Weather Conditions
- 🔹 How Seasoned Your Grip Tool Is
- 🔹 Technical Ability And Strength
Take our 60mm Pinch Block as an example. The one in our training shed has been used for hundreds of lifts and feels perfect for big numbers. Compare that to a brand-new one with zero chalk buildup, it just dosen't feel quite as grippy.
This example mostly applies to friction-based lifts rather than pure skill/technique-based lifts, which is why it’s been bumped down the list.
Bottom line? Use your grip tools. Get stronger. Use proper chalk. Don't be afraid of a bit of rust.
Aesthetics – It Just Get's Covered In Chalk Anyway
Let’s be honest, how exciting can a pinch block really look?
We’ve gone through phases of painting them in wild colors, but guess what? The more you actually use your grip tools, the more they all end up looking the same, covered in chalk, sweat and tears.
So, we kept it simple: classic black with a splash of yellow. It looks clean, wears well, and stands out just enough.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, function comes first. The feel, durability, and performance of our grip tools are what matter most. Whether you're lifting for fun, training for grip competitions, or just looking to test your limits, our top-secret textured finish is designed to deliver from day one to years down the line.
PS. No I won't tell you what it is. Often imitated, never duplicated.❤️
