Rating Of Mm1 To Mm4?

[reubi]

Hi all,

I looked at the "gripper ranking" list in the FAQ and calculated the following rating:

COC#3 : 3.00

BB Elite : 3.28

MM1 : 3.37

MM2 : 3.48

MM3 : 3.59

MM4 = BB Super Elite : 3.70

How accurate is this rating? Is the jump from the COC#3 (MM0) to the MM1 really that big?

Greetings,

Gerrit

[Bearcat 74]

The M1 is equal to a hardish #3. The M2 probably a slight step below a real BBE. The M3 is probably rated about right and the M4 is weaker than any Super Elite I have ever touched.

[showlarson]

The M1 is equal to a hardish #3.  The M2 probably a slight step below a real BBE.  The M3 is probably rated about right and the M4 is weaker than any Super Elite I have ever touched.

←

I concur(I always wanted to say that!) so far the jumps have been perfect IMO.

[Clay Edgin]

Heath's assessment sounds about right.

[reubi]

Thanks for your answers.

Are these ratings reasonable?

#3 3.00

MM1 3.10

MM2 3.25

BBE 3.30

MM3 3.40

MM4 3.55

BBSE 3.60

[bencrush]

Thanks for your answers.

Are these ratings reasonable?

#3 3.00

MM1 3.10

MM2 3.25

BBE 3.30

MM3 3.40

MM4 3.55

BBSE 3.60

Those are probably quite reasonable Reubi. Are you compiling a list?

I think that Mikael Siversson, who I would consider as much an expert as anybody on rating grippers, has said that the MM1 is probably about 3.25 and the MM2 is about 3.38 or somewhere along those lines.

Remember though, the MM1-MM6 are not variable. That is, they should be the same as their close counterparts. I don't know how many MM1s there are, but technically they have been manufactured to feel as close to the same as humanly possible.

However, the Elites and Super Elites are wildly variable! I have 2 different Elites right now. They are not even close in terms of difficulty. One of the Elites I have MMS closed and repped for 4 reps (all parallel) and the other I just recently closed for a single. Doesn't make much sense, does it?

The Super Elites I have are a bit closer, but they are still different enough that it is more than a little bit noticeable.

The other guys who answered are the strongest of the strong. Whatever they say I would take as the gripper gospel.

[Mikael Siversson]

Thanks for your answers.

Are these ratings reasonable?

#3 3.00

MM1 3.10

MM2 3.25

BBE 3.30

MM3 3.40

MM4 3.55

BBSE 3.60

←

The numbers are largely meaningless unless you specify calibration method and designate a specific gripper upon which your calibration is ultimately based.

This standard gripper would then have to be given an arbitrary number.

[reubi]

The numbers are largely meaningless unless you specify calibration method and designate a specific gripper upon which your calibration is ultimately based.

This standard gripper would then have to be given an arbitrary number.

←

Hi Michael,

obviously, I am not planning to calibrate these grippers, because I don't own them. I just wanted the confirmation that these numbers are not totally off.

However, you are right, I should have made it clear that with "coc#3" I meant an average #3, same for the BBE and BBSE.

I am interested in these numbers to be able to set a personal goal for 2006, which should be hard, but possible to achieve.

Greetings,

Gerrit

[jimwylie1]

It's still a useful exercise to carry outGerrit. Getting confirmation from the people that have actually closed the grippers gives you a good indication of what to shoot for. The grippers that you have listed provide a good range of strengths with few gaps. Good luck with the mashing.

[Chuckie B.]

Bearcat74,

Just need to know, what is your assessment in strength from the BBSE-3.60 to a normal #4 and just beyond.

Thanks,

Chuckie B.

[jad]

Thanks for your answers.

Are these ratings reasonable?

#3 3.00

MM1 3.10

MM2 3.25

BBE 3.30

MM3 3.40

MM4 3.55

BBSE 3.60

Those are probably quite reasonable Reubi. Are you compiling a list?

I think that Mikael Siversson, who I would consider as much an expert as anybody on rating grippers, has said that the MM1 is probably about 3.25 and the MM2 is about 3.38 or somewhere along those lines.

Remember though, the MM1-MM6 are not variable. That is, they should be the same as their close counterparts. I don't know how many MM1s there are, but technically they have been manufactured to feel as close to the same as humanly possible.

However, the Elites and Super Elites are wildly variable! I have 2 different Elites right now. They are not even close in terms of difficulty. One of the Elites I have MMS closed and repped for 4 reps (all parallel) and the other I just recently closed for a single. Doesn't make much sense, does it?

The Super Elites I have are a bit closer, but they are still different enough that it is more than a little bit noticeable.

The other guys who answered are the strongest of the strong. Whatever they say I would take as the gripper gospel.

←

Mikael/Ben

Are the numbers (MM2=3.38, etc..) based on the Euro scale, where I thought I read an average #4 would rate much higher than 4.0, or should they be taken at face value? Thanks

Josh

[Bearcat 74]

I have only tried 3 BBSE's, 1 .when they were a .312 spring and 2 .306's. The .312 was insane. The .306's are on the top end of a less than average #4, to me. If you ask someone else I'm sure they will give you another answer. There is no comparison between my hardest BBE, which on the bottom is close to my m3 replica and my BBSE. #3's vary, but nothing like #4's. When you hit the bigger springs unless they have been messed with you have spring bind and all sorts of variables that come into play.

What is a normal #4? I have them ranging from right at my BBSE .306 to right below my WC. One of the weaker ones I own is 3" wide and has 1/4" mounting, the hardest one I have is 3 1/8" or so wide and has 1/4" mounting.

Right now I'm not in any danger of closing any of them, but I have messed with them enough when I was decently strong to know where they fall. If I could close my BBSE I could close 1 of the 4's I have right now, the one that I would consider average give or take it would put me between 1/4-3/8" I would guess. But, again when you jump the spring size the sweep is increased, close may be equal, but the sweep will kill ya............................

[jad]

Great post Heath. I think binding is one of the most overlooked factors. I have an HG300 that is well under 2.5" now, but it is just nasty, for what it is and especially for how narrow it is, at the close. I'm sure binding is the issue.

I especially like your comment about the sweep. That was the main difference I noticed between my MM3dud and the one at the competition that Dave M said was identical to the real one.

[Chuckie B.]

Bearcat74,

Thanks for the reply.

[Mikael Siversson]

Mikael/Ben

Are the numbers (MM2=3.38, etc..) based on the Euro scale, where I thought I read an average #4 would rate much higher than 4.0, or should they be taken at face value?  Thanks

Josh

←

4.0 on the Euro scale would probably be the equivalent of a MMG5 or MMG6 replica. The number is not directly linked to the #4 stamped on the handles of a #4 gripper. An average #4 would certainly be rated above 4.0 on the Euro scale.

[steelbiceps]

Why not just measure them? I read somewhere on Ironmind's site some good ways. You could crush them in a weight stack on a machine, for instance. As for the sweep differences, I bet the main two ways a larger sweep makes it harder are (1) just getting your hand around it and (2) that you have to distort the spring further to make it close. As for (2), the weight stack crush would take that into account. As for (1), it's a person-to-person thing, anyway.

Come to think of it, I'll measure my COC grippers next time I'm at the gym. If I get results, I'll post 'em.

[bencrush]

Why not just measure them? I read somewhere on Ironmind's site some good ways. You could crush them in a weight stack on a machine, for instance. As for the sweep differences, I bet the main two ways a larger sweep makes it harder are (1) just getting your hand around it and (2) that you have to distort the spring further to make it close. As for (2), the weight stack crush would take that into account. As for (1), it's a person-to-person thing, anyway.

Come to think of it, I'll measure my COC grippers next time I'm at the gym. If I get results, I'll post 'em.

That seems to be a logical idea...but it's been done before and doesn't always reflect the reality of what gripper is harder to close. There are a few here that have measured every gripper that they were able to close on a scale. I don't put a lot of stock into closing grippers on scales.

It is a bunch of trial and error really. Chest crushing and deep setting them is a good way of testing grippers side by side.

And the ratings don't really help when taking into consideration different set depths.

For instance, a #2 with a closing pressure of 150 pounds on a scale will be harder to TNS close if the spread is 3.5" compared to a #2 that measured at 160 pounds on a scale if you're MMS closing it.