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Old version by Gripperpedia Admin on 2026-09-19 15:29:03 compared to new version by GripperBot on 2026-09-19 15:34:43

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1Fat Bastard Barbell Company, commonly abbreviated FBBC, produced a highly configurable line of torsion-spring grippers. Unlike fixed retail ranges, FBBC offered choices of handle material, diameter, finish, geometry, and length.[^1] 1Fat Bastard Barbell Company, commonly abbreviated FBBC, produced a highly configurable line of torsion-spring grippers. Unlike fixed retail ranges, FBBC offered choices of handle material, diameter, finish, geometry, and length.[^1]
2 2
3![FBBC 4x with smooth steel handles](https://www.grippervault.com/uploads/users/2/grippers/67ec38ad39187.jpg) 3![FBBC 4 with smooth steel handles](https://www.grippervault.com/uploads/users/2/grippers/67ec38ad39187.jpg)
4 4
5*FBBC 4x with smooth steel handles and dumbbell logo. Photo courtesy of Clint Ziegler (liftyzig), via [GripperVault](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/798).* 5*FBBC 4 with smooth steel handles and dumbbell logo. Photo courtesy of Clint Ziegler (liftyzig), via [GripperVault](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/798).*
6 6
7## Documented history 7## Documented history
8 8
9John Beatty announced that FBBC was taking orders for the new grippers on **May 19, 2009**. His announcement reproduced the catalog specifications, including the standard-spread X through 5X models and the Parallel P1 and P2 models.[^6] 9John Beatty announced that FBBC was taking orders for the new grippers on **May 19, 2009**. His announcement reproduced the catalog specifications, including the standard-spread X through 5X models and the Parallel P1 and P2 models.[^6]
10 10
11An archived FBBC home page describes the grippers as a new addition and links to both the FBBC line and special-edition Robert Baraban grippers. That page was captured in April 2010 and displays a last-updated date of May 19, 2009.[^2] 11An archived FBBC home page describes the grippers as a new addition and links to both the FBBC line and special-edition Robert Baraban grippers. That page was captured in April 2010 and displays a last-updated date of May 19, 2009.[^2]
12 12
13A July 2009 GripBoard review documents a customer purchasing six of the new FBBC grippers in different materials and configurations. The timing and listed models provide independent evidence that the line was shipping by mid-2009.[^3] 13A July 2009 GripBoard review documents a customer purchasing six of the new FBBC grippers in different materials and configurations. The timing and listed models provide independent evidence that the line was shipping by mid-2009.[^3]
14 14
15The surviving FBBC gripper page later reported that only a small number of springs remained from the original batch and that the original spring supplier was no longer in business.[^4] 15The surviving FBBC gripper page later reported that only a small number of springs remained from the original batch and that the original spring supplier was no longer in business.[^4]
16 16
17## Handle options 17## Handle options
18 18
19The archived catalog offered round handles in aluminum, steel, or brass. Buyers could choose smooth or knurled finishes and diameters of 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, or 1 inch. Brass was offered in the same three diameters, with a higher listed price for the 1-inch version.[^1] 19The archived catalog offered round handles in aluminum, steel, or brass. Buyers could choose smooth or knurled finishes and diameters of 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, or 1 inch. Brass was offered in the same three diameters, with a higher listed price for the 1-inch version.[^1]
20 20
21FBBC also advertised non-knurled 3/4-inch hex handles in aluminum, steel, or brass. Custom work was explicitly offered, including one or two extended handles, handle lengths from 6 inches up to 12 inches, and combinations such as one smooth handle with one knurled handle.[^1] 21FBBC also advertised non-knurled 3/4-inch hex handles in aluminum, steel, or brass. Custom work was explicitly offered, including one or two extended handles, handle lengths from 6 inches up to 12 inches, and combinations such as one smooth handle with one knurled handle.[^1]
22 22
23## Documented spring levels 23## Documented spring levels
24 24
25The following spring-wire diameters appear in the archived catalog and in Beatty's May 19, 2009 announcement. He explicitly clarified that the figures were wire sizes, not poundage estimates or RGC ratings.[^1][^6] 25The following spring-wire diameters appear in the archived catalog and in Beatty's May 19, 2009 announcement. He explicitly clarified that the figures were wire sizes, not poundage estimates or RGC ratings.[^1][^6]
26 26
27| Configuration | Model | Listed wire size | 27| Configuration | Model | Listed wire size |
28| --- | --- | --- | 28| --- | --- | --- |
29| Standard spread | X | .243 inch | 29| Standard spread | X | .243 inch |
30| Standard spread | 2X | .250 inch | 30| Standard spread | 2X | .250 inch |
31| Standard spread | 3X | .272 inch | 31| Standard spread | 3X | .272 inch |
32| Standard spread | 4X | .283 inch | 32| Standard spread | 4X | .283 inch |
33| Standard spread | 5X | .306 inch | 33| Standard spread | 5X | .306 inch |
34| Parallel handles | P1 | .343 inch | 34| Parallel handles | P1 | .343 inch |
35| Parallel handles | P2 | .375 inch | 35| Parallel handles | P2 | .375 inch |
36 36
37The same basic model could therefore appear with very different handles. Material, diameter, knurling, spread, logo, and custom handle length are all useful identification details. 37The same basic model could therefore appear with very different handles. Material, diameter, knurling, spread, logo, and custom handle length are all useful identification details.
38 38
39## P1 and P2: the Parallel series 39## P1 and P2: the Parallel series
40 40
41![FBBC P1 Parallel-series gripper from liftyzig’s collection](https://www.grippervault.com/uploads/users/2/grippers/67ec38e327da3.jpg)
42
43*FBBC P1 with dumbbell logo. Photo: Clint Ziegler (liftyzig), via [GripperVault](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/799).[^8]*
44
41The **P** designation identifies the **Parallel** series. Beatty listed P1 and P2 under that heading, separately from the standard-spread models. Despite the name, the production specification placed the handles **five degrees wider than parallel** to accommodate initial spring seasoning.[^6] 45The **P** designation identifies the **Parallel** series. Beatty listed P1 and P2 under that heading, separately from the standard-spread models. Despite the name, the production specification placed the handles **five degrees wider than parallel** to accommodate initial spring seasoning.[^6]
42 46
43His development posts explain two related design choices. On May 13, 2009, Beatty reported that a near-No. 3 spring configured at parallel was easy enough for a two-finger close, prompting the use of much thicker wire. On May 14, he explained that widening the handles by five degrees would also provide more closing travel, because true parallel left too little range of motion.[^7] 47His development posts explain two related design choices. On May 13, 2009, Beatty reported that a near-No. 3 spring configured at parallel was easy enough for a two-finger close, prompting the use of much thicker wire. On May 14, he explained that widening the handles by five degrees would also provide more closing travel, because true parallel left too little range of motion.[^7]
44 48
45The large .343-inch and .375-inch springs therefore served a deliberately narrow-starting configuration. Their wire sizes alone should not be used to equate the P models with conventional full-spread grippers.[^6][^7] 49The large .343-inch and .375-inch springs therefore served a deliberately narrow-starting configuration. Their wire sizes alone should not be used to equate the P models with conventional full-spread grippers.[^6][^7]
46 50
51### Early Gripmas connection
52
53In the development thread on May 14, 2009, Chris Rice (climber511) asked how many Parallel sizes were planned and suggested a full set for Gripmas. Beatty replied the following day that two sizes were planned. This establishes contemporary interest in using the series at Gripmas, but does not by itself document a giveaway or identify a particular event-issued specimen.[^7]
54
47## Identification 55## Identification
48 56
49Known examples include aluminum, brass, and steel handles, both smooth and knurled. Some later-recorded specimens carry an FBBC dumbbell logo. Because FBBC encouraged custom orders, two grippers with the same spring designation may not have the same handle configuration. 57Known examples include aluminum, brass, and steel handles, both smooth and knurled. Some later-recorded specimens carry an FBBC dumbbell logo. Because FBBC encouraged custom orders, two grippers with the same spring designation may not have the same handle configuration.
50 58
51Individual examples can be studied through collection records such as the [FBBC 4x](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/798) and [FBBC P1](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/799) in liftyzig's GripperVault collection.[^5] 59Individual examples can be studied through collection records such as the [FBBC 4](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/798) and [FBBC P1](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/799) in liftyzig's GripperVault collection.[^5]
52 60
53## Preservation links 61## Preservation links
54 62
55- [FBBC home page, April 8, 2010](https://web.archive.org/web/20100408054850id_/http://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/) 63- [FBBC home page, April 8, 2010](https://web.archive.org/web/20100408054850id_/http://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/)
56- [FBBC gripper catalog, May 27, 2010](https://web.archive.org/web/20100527193727id_/http://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/fbbcgrippers.html) 64- [FBBC gripper catalog, May 27, 2010](https://web.archive.org/web/20100527193727id_/http://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/fbbcgrippers.html)
57- [Current surviving FBBC gripper page](https://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/fbbcgrippers.html) 65- [Current surviving FBBC gripper page](https://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/fbbcgrippers.html)
58- [2009 GripBoard review of the first FBBC grippers](https://www.gripboard.com/topic/32407-review-of-the-first-fbbc-grippers/) 66- [2009 GripBoard review of the first FBBC grippers](https://www.gripboard.com/topic/32407-review-of-the-first-fbbc-grippers/)
59 67
60[^1]: [Archived FBBC gripper catalog](https://web.archive.org/web/20100527193727id_/http://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/fbbcgrippers.html), May 27, 2010. 68[^1]: [Archived FBBC gripper catalog](https://web.archive.org/web/20100527193727id_/http://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/fbbcgrippers.html), May 27, 2010.
61[^2]: [Archived Fat Bastard Barbell Company home page](https://web.archive.org/web/20100408054850id_/http://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/), captured April 8, 2010. 69[^2]: [Archived Fat Bastard Barbell Company home page](https://web.archive.org/web/20100408054850id_/http://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/), captured April 8, 2010.
62[^3]: [Review of the First FBBC Grippers](https://www.gripboard.com/topic/32407-review-of-the-first-fbbc-grippers/), GripBoard, July 8, 2009. 70[^3]: [Review of the First FBBC Grippers](https://www.gripboard.com/topic/32407-review-of-the-first-fbbc-grippers/), GripBoard, July 8, 2009.
63[^4]: [FBBC grippers](https://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/fbbcgrippers.html), Fat Bastard Barbell Company, accessed September 16, 2026. 71[^4]: [FBBC grippers](https://www.fatbastardbarbellco.com/fbbcgrippers.html), Fat Bastard Barbell Company, accessed September 16, 2026.
64[^5]: [FBBC 4x](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/798), GripperVault. 72[^5]: [FBBC 4](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/798), GripperVault.
65 73
66 74
67[^6]: John Beatty, [FBBC Grippers - Taking Orders](https://www.gripboard.com/topic/31942-fbbc-grippers-taking-orders/#findComment-440596), GripBoard, May 19, 2009. Manufacturer announcement reproducing the spring-size table, Parallel designation and five-degree allowance for seasoning; subsequent reply clarifies that the numbers are wire sizes. 75[^6]: John Beatty, [FBBC Grippers - Taking Orders](https://www.gripboard.com/topic/31942-fbbc-grippers-taking-orders/#findComment-440596), GripBoard, May 19, 2009. Manufacturer announcement reproducing the spring-size table, Parallel designation and five-degree allowance for seasoning; subsequent reply clarifies that the numbers are wire sizes.
68[^7]: John Beatty and Chris Rice (climber511), [FBBC Grippers Tested Today! Need Feedback](https://www.gripboard.com/topic/31882-fbbc-grippers-tested-today-need-feedback/), GripBoard, May 13-15, 2009. Prototype testing, heavier Parallel springs, additional range of motion and discussion of Gripmas. 76[^7]: John Beatty and Chris Rice (climber511), [FBBC Grippers Tested Today! Need Feedback](https://www.gripboard.com/topic/31882-fbbc-grippers-tested-today-need-feedback/), GripBoard, May 13-15, 2009. Prototype testing, heavier Parallel springs, additional range of motion and discussion of Gripmas.
77
78[^8]: GripperVault, [FBBC P1](https://www.grippervault.com/grippers/799), liftyzig collection, specimen photograph.

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