Climbers/Spurs/Spikes/Pointythingys

[Leroy]

Distels w/ pole gaffa for me. Love em

 

[monkeylove]

I just put pole gaffs on with my ascender, I will keep an eye on the abuse. Do you have a spur preference for poplars, last weekends chop & drop turned into rigging & felling but I know I got some spur work over there next time I head over.

 

[JeffGu]

...spur preference for poplars...

Haven't been in a poplar since I switched to the Climb Rights... around here, those things vary a lot on bark thickness, but I'm guessing shorties.

Also, here's a pic of the ORIGINAL tree spurs that came with Climb Right climbers (at least the ones sold by WesSpur) and the replacement ones sold by TreeStuff, and the pole spurs.
The newer design of the replacement spurs is much better... the old design was murder to stick into anything except your own foot. Just too much metal on the backside. Steel is too hard to reshape them by hand with a file in a normal human lifespan.

I think this redesigned tree spur might make it less necessary for me to switch to the pole spurs so much. Still, I'll get another set of the climbers so I can just swap climbers instead of changing the spurs out all the time.



New design tree spurs, old design tree spurs, pole spurs.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Whatever you are going to buy look for a way to use same brand and model ahead of time. Our bodies are all different.

Having both tree and pole spikes available is key for comfort and workability for me ( Pole spike closer to thin bark trees and getting spike and at least one boot contact point if not two. [More points of contact equals steadier, easier balancing.] Penetration on thick bark trees and spongy dead trees with tree gaffs.) So - also look for a brand where you can do quick changes of the spikes. You can always have two sets of climbers in the future.

Bashlin aluminums make an interesting jog that just misses my ankle bone. When I first started with a cheap pair of steel irons they rubbed right on that bone.

Also the Bashlin web sight has an informative section on sharpening your gaffs. On pole gaffs they have a standard for how far you should be able to slide your foot down a hardened power pole before your gaff catches again. To that end they also happen to sell "polished" pole gaffs, something we could also do to any gaff ourselves.

I happen to enjoy the Bashlin aluminum climbers with the aluminum Alcoa 'Caddy' pads. Spent 8 hours in them on Sat on the side of a Euc tree and didn't think about it till this writing.

 

[Climber429]

I'm definitely gonna do just that, hopefully find the perfect combo of everything that will fit like a glove & hopefully be able to continue using the same model.

I did account for my ankle bone, i've rolled it & broken it a couple times in my life and although i don't have any pins or anything in there, my right ankle bone sticks out a bit farther than left. I need a bit of clearance in that area. When i get off medical and back to work, is when i plan on getting a pair of climbers and if i like 'em, i'll get 2 pair (tree & pole gaffs).

I have noticed & seen gaffs gaurds during my search that i assume tie into the lower straps by the gaffs to protect new users from stabbing themselves in the boots or worse, has anyone ever used them? Should i?

I'll try to find the link cause they arent the gaurds used over the gaffs themselves for storage if that makes sense..

Climber Shields:

https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=72&item=1514

 

[jeffswede]

So far I have had the carbon fiber kiwi klimbers in use for the better part of 2 years. I have nothing negative to say about them. They are awesome and have stood up to my use. You can hardly tell they are on your feet. I'd say carbon fiber all the way.

There is a weight problem at his weight.

 

[Climber429]

Yeah, i've had 2 companies recommend not using CF, probably go with Titanium when the time comes. With gear i'm probably pushing 270 maaaybe 280 depending on what i'm hauling. I like to drag a second climbline behind me attached to my gear bags in case i forget something or want to place another line. All adds up

 

[jeffswede]

No problem, still good to know. I was actually checking out a pair of titanium Buckinghams with the Caddilac pads & replaceable gaffs.

Can i ask what gaffs you like to use? Tree/pole?

pole

 

[Huskyman]

There's a third option if you're going for Distel Geckos: European spikes. Something in between pole and tree spikes. I use those on my Carbon Geckos. Really sweet.

 

[Treezybreez]

I started out with regular Buckingham steel spurs with the leather Tpads. It was great for begging, because my legs hurt so bad that I didn't think too much about the height. Swapped the T-pads for the Opsal/Caddy pads and have been very happy. I have tried the Geckos but they did not feel as good on me.

 

[Magnum783]

Is there other gaffs other than the gekos that european gaffs are available in? I really like the in-between sizing that your picture depicts.

 

[Stihlmadd]

euros no good IMO on Eucs , I am on american pole gaffs with my buckingham titaniums with the jumbo super wrap velcro pads
not a weight issue in my case as am only 143 pounds without gear on.