In the current a300 pruning standards it states that climbing spurs shall not be used for climbing trees. Except in situations where other means are impractical:
•Remote/rural utility rights-of-way
•Branches are further than a throwline distance apart, and there are not other means of climbing...
All I know is that it is weird. I know Evan and Charles to be straight shooters as well. Currently there is an open letter from many of the past PNW ISA presidents in support of calling a special meeting of the membership, if you guys any any issues with how it was handled and are current...
I actually really like my Chook, very simple to use. Splice or tie a longish loop, and feed it through the closed eye at the bottom then around the load, and slip the loop over the two hooks.
We do a lot of ornamental pruning and fruit tree pruning, so they paid for themselves fairly quickly. Rather than having to switch between my hand pruners and handsaw for 80% of my cuts i can just zip them off with the felcotronics.
Next time you are in Portland, look me up, i'd be happy to let...
These are the ones I use: https://felco.com/en_us/produits/powertools/felco-822
They are the best investment we have ever made. Really speeds up ornamental pruning, you can make up to 1.5" diameter cuts with them no problem. It is insane to me that more people aren't using them. I have 5 sets...
Inspect your zig zag, it could be a part of the recent recall. This recall does specifically address zags that are slipping.
https://www.petzl.com/INT/en/Professional/recalls/2013-4-25/Product-Recall--ZIGZAG-Petzl-mechanical-Prusik-for-arborists-(Sku--D22)
Petzl does not post splicing instructions for their splice.
Their splice is very weird, and does not follow the usual patterns for double braid splices. As such, they de-rate their splice down to 15kN because they remove the core from the eye section of the splice. The logic behind the splice...
The logic behind the splice is that is the strength reduction of a well tied knot. Also, in most double rope scenarios the splice is taking only a half load. Many of our prusiks are not rated to that 23kN standard in a straight pull, the manufacturer relies on us using them in a basket...