The lineGrip-15

It all started with this model!

In May 2010 slackPro! introduced the worlds first lineGrip.

Granted, a steel “monster” with almost 1.2 kg, but this device revolutionized the slackline world and changed the way slacklines are tensioned forever.

These Generation-2 units, the lineGrip-15 and lineGrip-22, were the very first units produced in (small) series and released to the public.
At the time, without replaceable rubber plates (the rubber was directly bonded to the clamping plates), but that would change very soon.
Generation-1 was never released to the public and was reserved for prototyping, testing and development.

Only half a year after introduction of the G2 lineGrip series, we transitioned to the G3 era.
These Generation-3 units were redesigned from bottom up, with weight optimzed parts, and most important of all, with a brand new clamping plate design, which featured the well known replaceable rubber plates.
The G3 series was also the first to include a lineGrip made from aluminum – high strength aviation aluminum AW7075-T651.

In 2011 we introduced optomized levers to increase the clamping force.
At first the AL levers were longer than the VA levers, which was soon reduced, after the VA had well proven its functionality. From here on the clamping force ratio is 1 : 1.3, which means that 10 kN (1 ton) pulling force translates to 1.3 tons of pressure between the plates.

In 2012 the lineGrip G3-AL was upgraded with reinforced levers, to increase durability and safety.
Additionally, both the AL and G3 were upgraded with a steel tether-cord to solve the breaking chains issue.

In 2013 we introduced the new “Safety-Cap” assembly, a special heavy duty clip-on cap which replaced the screws. These safety-caps had the advantage of not coming loose by vibration, and they made facilitated assembly.

The first ever lineGrip with plate retainer – the “retainer-pin” – was introduced in early 2014, called the highlineGrip G1.
With 390 g it was also considerably lighter than all other lineGrips available at the time – a real revolution, and great excitement for highliners. Now they had a super light lineGrip, that couldn’t fall off the higline anymore.
In addition to the retainer-pin, we also introduced a brand new ultra durable, literally unbreakable tether-cord made of dyneema.

In 2015 we introduced the oval load eye to offer better flexibility for connection gear, and hollow clamping plates to reduce weight!
This major upgrade called for new model designations: lineGrip G4 & highlineGrip G2.
These MK1-models were equipped with the well known “retainer-pin“, which was first introduced in early 2014 with the highlineGrip-G1. The retainer-pin was an optional upgrade to the G4, which was then called a G4-R.

 lineGrip MK1 series

In 2016 we introduced the eagerly awaited and long requested first 2″ lineGrip – the tricklineGrip G1, as well as the MK2-series G4 and HLG, which featured upgraded tether-cord and retainer-pin.
The tether-cord was now made of stiff dyneema cord, to keep it from getting caught between the plates. The  retainer-pin had a steel cable to make it auto avoiding, which means, it flips out of the way automatically, when it’s unclipped.
The tricklineGrip G1 was the exception to the rule, for it was never equipped with a retainer mechanism.
On a side note: 2016 is also the year LineGrip Corp took over business from slackPro! and the all new lineGrip-Logo was introduced.

lineGrip MK2 series

In August 2017 we introduced the game changing SBR technology, also know as “spring-ball-retainer“.
This revolutionary point in time for lineGrip technology marked a new era of auto locking and auto releasing plate retainers, which finally put an end to the need for manually inserting the fumbly retainer-pin to secure the loose plate. From here on lineGrips are automatically secured against inadvertent unclipping, as soon as they are attached to the line… yayyyy 🙂

lineGrip-SBR series 2017

Our lineGrip lineup for 2018

It consists of the brand new G5, that was introduced in Dec. 2017, and the new tricklineGrip G2 with the same sculpted levers and load plate as the G5.
Since Aug. 2017 all new aluminum lineGrips are equipped with the ”

spring-ball-retainer “, therefore the suffix “SBR” is now obsolete.