Pro Stringer introduces a new tool to their kit to meet the needs for all levels of stringers.  We served as prototype testers and benchmarked it against some professional preferred starting clamps with a stellar reputation for quality.  The final version is competitive with the most favored starting clamps of professional stringers, some of which are no longer being produced.  

This particular starting clamp makes use of 3 tension springs and has the very dapper Pro Stringer logo laser engraved on the outside of each blade.  The clamping tension is strong enough to hold tightly in all normal use situations.  It is not so tight that it will damage the string.  This is a difficult balance to achieve.  The clamp performs at the most optimal level when clamping the string deep into the jaws. 

Like all starting clamps, if you use it to tighten knots, you must be careful not to apply pressure to the handles or it will slip.  We do not advocate this as a primary use, but this clamp can bail you out when your pliers are not in reach, just avoid putting pressure on handles, hold at throat in these cases.  The clamp also features the loop holes to to serve as a jumper when you run short on string and need an extension to reach the tensioning mechanism.  Not an issue with Pro Stringer machines, but can come up with machines who have a distance between the racquet head and tensioner...which is every other stringing machine on the planet.  

Starting clamps are not necessary when using the flying clamps or claws, but they are a versatile tool with multiple uses that makes them very handy to have as part of any stringing kit.