Who we are
A "cat o' nine tails" is a whip consisting of nine knotted cords attached to a handle, historically used for flogging (whipping) offenders, particularly in the British Navy. The name is thought to allude to the scratches left by the whip, resembling those of a cat.
Letting the cat out of the bag. Not on our watch.
There is not enough room to swing a cat. Watch this.
Built for Abuse. Engineered for Accuracy.
At Cat O’Nine Tails, we design and manufacture high-precision Camera and Grip accessories for film and television production. Based in Manchester.
Our products are built by the people who use them — professionals who understand the pace, pressure, and precision of life on set. Every component we produce is engineered for accuracy, durability, and seamless integration into modern camera and grip workflows.
We’re technicians first. With more than forty years of combined experience across multiple departments in Film and TV, we’ve faced the same challenges that crews deal with every day. The frustrations, the improvisations, the “why doesn’t this exist yet?” moments.
Cat O’Nine was born out of the desire to fix those problems properly — with tools that last, work flawlessly, and feel like they’ve always belonged on set.
Our team bridges the gap between on-set experience and precision manufacturing. Working alongside experts in design, machining, and materials, we translate hands-on knowledge into practical solutions. Every radius, slot, and thread is intentional — designed for intuitive use, repeatable accuracy, and reliability under pressure.
But Cat O’Nine isn’t just about what we build — it’s about how we build it.
We collaborate directly with the people on the floor: Grips, Camera Operators, and Camera Assistants. Every new product starts as an idea in the field — a quick fix, a hand-drawn sketch, or a conversation between takes. From there, we develop, prototype, and refine until it’s ready to earn its place on set. Our CNC machines deliver unmatched reliability and precision, ensuring every component meets the highest standard of accuracy and finish.
Our goal is simple: to make the tools that make your job easier.
If you’ve got an idea, a problem that needs solving, or a design you’d like to see brought to life, we’d like to collaborate. Because the best ideas come from the floor — and the best tools are built by those who know how to use them. And most importantly, we believe that at its core, the film industry is — and always has been — a collaboration.
Cat O’ Nine is a filmmaker-technician led collaboration dedicated to designing and manufacturing high-performance Camera and Grip accessories.
Born on set and built in the shop, their gear is shaped by real-world experience and engineered with precision to meet the uncompromising demands of professional film and television production. - Stephan seagul (we think).
Contact us
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