tags:
Grip Equipment
Gear Review
Buying gifts for film grips is tricky. We’re hard to shop for, picky about our tools, and already carrying way too much stuff… but when something actually earns a spot on the cart or in a pouch, it becomes sacred. This list isn’t about novelty junk or “film-themed” desk toys. These are real, field-tested items that grips actually use, talk about, borrow, steal, and immediately ask, “Where’d you get that?”
From small organizers and single-purpose tools to custom leather and splurge-worthy upgrades, these are gifts that won’t end up forgotten at the bottom of a workbox.
Viewtainer Split Top Starter Set - $28.49
Hold your paper clips, cotter pins, zip ties, push pins, S-hooks, grub nuts, and all the tiny stuff that otherwise lives loose in a drawer. Viewtainers are one of those unglamorous but essential storage solutions that quietly make life easier on set.
They come in different sizes and colors, which means you can color-code and organize to your heart’s content. If the grip you’re buying for likes a clean cart or a dialed kit, this is a no-brainer.
Holstery TapeMaster - $19.99
I’ve tried leather pouches, random clips, and just hanging a tape straight off my belt. Once I tried the Holstery TapeMaster, I never went back.
It clips onto your belt without needing to take the belt off, holds your tape securely, and doesn’t flop around when you move. It’s made in the USA from high-strength thermoplastic and fits belts up to 1.75 inches.
This is the original. If you see others that look similar, they’re knockoffs.
Blue Dream Leather Craft Pouch - $TBD
Rarely will you find two grips carrying the exact same tools. A custom leather pouch gives you a chance to build something that actually fits your workflow.
Blue Dream Leather Craft, owned by Local 80 grip Blake Danchik, handmakes custom pouches in a wide range of sizes and styles. Custom lettering, branding, colored stitching, dyed leathers. The world is your oyster, and your tools deserve a better home.
Message them directly on Instagram for custom orders.
AppleTart - Mini Apples Boxes - $55
Mini apple boxes. Three-to-one scale. Handmade. And actually well built.
These aren’t like the small Filmtools versions. They’re solid, thoughtfully made, and weirdly useful. They live somewhere between practical tool and perfect novelty gift. Desk prop, paperweight, camera-dept bribe. You already know.
Message the AppleTart Box Instagram page to order.
Spring Tool for Removing Door Hinge Pins - $18.45
I bet most grips remove door hinge pins with a screwdriver. I did too. Turns out there’s a better way.
This spring-loaded tool doesn’t require a hammer. Pull one end back, let it go, and you get roughly 3,500 pounds of impact force. It’s small enough to live in a tool pouch and fast enough to justify carrying.
Single-purpose tools are where it’s at.
The Foam Box - $75
At first glance, this feels like it takes up unnecessary space on the grip truck. I thought the same thing.
Then you sit on it once.
Camera operators love these. They’re great for camera positions, lightweight, and actually designed to be sat on. If you can spare a little space, carrying one or two is a surprisingly clutch upgrade. Bonus points for the built-in handle.
No, you don’t actually have to throw your princess pads away. But you might want to.
Seat Belt Strap Adaptor - $14.95
When I first saw this, I genuinely thought it was genius.
As grips, we’re always looking for smart ways to strap down cameras, monitors, and interior car rigs. This adapter clicks directly into an existing vehicle seat belt, giving you a fast, reliable anchor point for straps.
Just make sure you don’t hit the red release button.
Bonus car-rigging trick. Jam Straps pair nicely with this.
Dolly Ratchet Wrench - $150
Want to impress a dolly grip and really splurge? This is the move.
Made by AG Design & Fab out of Texas, this custom dolly ratchet wrench checks three important boxes.
It’s built to last
It solves a real on-set pain point
Not everyone has one
Use Chapman accessories with the 1-inch bolt, adjust steering alignment via the slot, and tighten or loosen the Peewee neck with the 5/16-inch locating pin. Thoughtful tools like this don’t come from nowhere. They come from working professionals.
Durham Compartment Insert - $11.59
This one feels like getting socks or underwear for Christmas and being genuinely happy about it.
These compartment inserts fit perfectly into set cart drawers. They’re the exact right size for 7-crate and rigging cart drawers, especially Set Carts. Clean, simple organization that actually sticks.
They come in multiple configurations. Get all three for around $30 and call it a win.
Emergency 10mm Socket - $15.17
The infamous 10mm.
It’s not in the socket set.
It’s not in the 7-crate drawer.
It’s not on the floor of the truck.
And it’s definitely not in your pocket.
Keep this one on top of the workbox. Just in case.
by:
Legacy Grip
