Euro vs. tree vs. pole Gaffs.....

Why yes, I am saying that to be a pro climber you need more than one rope, saddle, gaffs etc.

How could anyone get to you at 80 feet in a tree if you bumped your head and required aerial rescue?

This thread is a real eye opener!

Bring it on guys, tell me more about your "professional" advice to newbies.

jomoco
 
Wow!! Didn't mean to stir the pot. Maybe I phrased my question wrong. Why is using gaffs that are longer than needed a problem? Is it a balance issue? A safety issue? Just a personal preference? What??????

- BarnHouse
 
Barnhouse, the main problems with tree gaffs that people have are that they put your feet too far out from the spar so you feel like you are off balance on an unstable point, and that they can get stuck in the spar sometimes and be difficult to pull out, particularly after standing in the same spot for a length of time. That being said, I use tree gaffs exclusively and I have absolutely no problem with them. I prefer them to pole gaffs because sometimes you have to work on a tree with thick bark and you want to make sure that the gaff is getting right into the wood, not just the bark.

It's just a matter of personal preference. Like I say, I have seen great climbers on either type of gaff, overall one is not better than the other. Try them both before purchasing a set of your own.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Wow!! Didn't mean to stir the pot. Maybe I phrased my question wrong. Why is using gaffs that are longer than needed a problem? Is it a balance issue? A safety issue? Just a personal preference? What??????

- BarnHouse

[/ QUOTE ]

I wear pole gaffs in hardwood trees and most varieties of eucs with a few exceptions.

I find that wearing tree gaffs is harder on my feet than pole gaffs, and since I specialize in removals almost exclusively now, comfort is a very high priority for me.

I'd love to have a set of gaffs that would allow me to spin the gaff 180 degrees and then lock into place securely, pole gaffs on one end, tree gaffs on the other. This is because the bark at the base of some species can be 4 times as thick as the bark is up top, iron bark eucs are a good example.

Spending 6-8 hours in a tree on tree gaffs is hard on my feet, even in custom wesco highliner boots made for that purpose.

jomoco
 
For the record, all I have ever climbed on is tree gaffs. I am no expert in using them either. One observation I have made though is of utility linemen. Here our power guys end up as supervisors near the end of their career, and ALL have started out as linemen. Pretty well all of them suffer from bad knees and/or hips. Every one of them said it was realted to using spurs!

When I was first learning how to use gaffs, I made a rookie mistake. I went out to a power pole (no wire to, or on it) I took a big step and buried the gaff into the pole. It was high enough that I couldn't step up, and I couldn't pull it out either. (OK you can all quit laughing at me now) It didn't take long to figure out tree gaffs are for trees and pole gaffs have their place too! There are a few tricks to learn about standing in one place and working, the gaff does seat (gets stuck) into the xylem of the tree. I found out that it is a lot easier on my joints to twist my ankle back and forth to losen the gaff.

I was once told that there are NO comfortable gaffs, the manufacturers have come a long way since that time. The new pads make them more bearable. Please don't forget that gaffs are an un-natural extension of your foot/ankle. And we came into this world with only one set of joints.
 
i too have only ever used tree gaffs, on buck titanium climbers w the big pads. if i need to work a thin barked hard or dead stick i make sure my gaffs are SHARP. the only time Ive ever wanted shorter gaffs is on bean poles 5 inches diameter or less, but with practice and care i have no problems. just my two cents.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Wow!! Didn't mean to stir the pot

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't worry you didn't!!!!

Always like the super stars. He's so famous he doesn't even put his name or state. Guess he doesn't want them autograph hounds looking him up.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wow!! Didn't mean to stir the pot

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't worry you didn't!!!!

Always like the super stars. He's so famous he doesn't even put his name or state. Guess he doesn't want them autograph hounds looking him up.

[/ QUOTE ]

My name is Jon Mooring, San Diego, CA

jomoco
 
[quote
The pole gaffs get the most use for me here in socal.
jomoco

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here. I have a set of offset pole gaffs I use 98% of the time. I've worked in CT, NY, VA, MD, WS, IL, IA, MO, TX, CA.

Tree gaffs are a must for the thicker barked trees.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[quote
The pole gaffs get the most use for me here in socal.
jomoco

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here. I have a set of offset pole gaffs I use 98% of the time. I've worked in CT, NY, VA, MD, WS, IL, IA, MO, TX, CA.

Tree gaffs are a must for the thicker barked trees.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that a tulip tree you're working in your avatar Norm?

jomoco
 
[ QUOTE ]
Why is using gaffs that are longer than needed a problem? Is it a balance issue? A safety issue? Just a personal preference? What??????

- BarnHouse

[/ QUOTE ]

For me:

Pole gaffs are much easier on the lower legs.

On hard, or thin bark trees, the foot is really far away from the tree when using tree gaffs and it feels like my shins are bowed by the time I'm done an all day job.

I do keep a set of pole gaff ones and tree gaff ones.

Big deal, they don't cost much. Well, not for something that's really not ever going to wear out.

Yes you can change out the spikes, but I'd rather not spend that little bit of time.

I put the tree gaffs on when it's a really thick bark tree, but again, when I'm at the top, I wish I had the pole gaffs on.

Ivy trees also, are a must for the tree gaffs. Also really rotten trees where the last 2 inches of sap wood is extremely soft.

For the trees around here, on removals, I use the pole gaffs probably 95% of the time, tree gaffs the 5%.

I'm glad when I have the tree gaffs for those 5% that really need them.

I especially don't like the tree gaffs on a tight bark tree and I'm climbing on a 4 inch diameter bean-pole top.

Because I almost always have the pole gaffs on, that when i do wear the tree gaffs, I have to be concious that I don't put one through the other foot when walking on the ground and that I don't dull them on rocky ground.
 
I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments and suggestions... I believe I am going to go with either the Kleins or the buckingham T2 because they both have offset spurs.. I wear a european style Chainsaw/climbing boot ( Meindl Airstreams) so the offset allows for me to be able to ealk around a little easier... Also from your suggestions I am going to buy one set of trees gaffs and maybe an extra set of pole spurs to keep in my bag and just change the spurs out when I can to see what fits me best.. it can't hurt to have an extra set that I can just change out if needed.... thanks again everyone!!
 
Yeah, it puts more pressure on your knees. Trust me I climbed with tree gaffs for ten years and stared using pole gaffs helped.

If I am climbing some thing that I'm concerned about gaffing out on I just stay tied in above.
 
my father in law gave me mine. don't know the brand and i have used them from Kauai hawaii, boulder CO, to Pawling, NY. Take downs only! Don't Spike the living.
 
Interesting to see a lot of guys vouch for pole gaffs. Makes me think I might try a pair if they were ever given to me for free.

Tree gaffs are longer for more reasons than thick bark. Poles have predictable taper, trees have swellings here and there and especially when working back down, the longer gaff gives you more options for placement. Also, when shifting around the spar's circumference, long gaffs give you more leverage for every degree of hip rotation. The same leverage some people find tiring, (one supposes) I find to be an advantage.

To each their own.

Northwind
 
hahah you lads r too much my opinion is if your workin with trees use tree graffs thats what they are designed and meant for. i understand pole gaffs are more comfortable to some people but the fact of the matter is they are not designed too climb trees with bark and eventually you will hurt yourself cheers!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
hahah you lads r too much my opinion is if your workin with trees use tree graffs thats what they are designed and meant for. i understand pole gaffs are more comfortable to some people but the fact of the matter is they are not designed too climb trees with bark and eventually you will hurt yourself cheers!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd rather have an inch and seven eigths deep hole in my foot than a three inch deep hole mate!

Please watch your step!

jomoco
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom