First time on spurs ever

And don't make the mistake of wearing your left spike on your right foot and vice versa:(
I didn't realize at first they were R & L. For awhile I thought spiking was the worst thing in the world. I found myself looking for ways out of it. Once i realized it i was fine.

Love my Geckos! Most comfortable I've worn.
 
for anyone considering new spurs, i got those Climb Right aluminum ones with the Ultra light pad set up, spike is 2 5/8" like in between pole and tree climbers. was using hand me down leather t pads and wanting an upgrade for short $. dont think you could do better than the climb right set.
 
Had some geckos with poles did not like the offset on the skinny stuff, always had to check placement...my buck Ti's with poles are great...just my .02.............
 
John_KAYS said:
Wait did you replace the foam... or the aluminum pads for leather? 'Cause the foam is replaceable.
http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=70&item=1582

I ordered the replacements and wasn't sure how they were meant to be attached (As they have no adhesive or nothin'), so I just used some epoxy that was lying around and that did the trick.
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They belonged to the company. When I moved down here, I bought a pair of Kleins on ebay that came with the leather.
 
Gotcha, It sounded like you were saying you replaced the foam, but I wasn't quite sure when you threw in the bit about the leather ones. It's all clear now.

Yeah the leather just doesn't work for me, it's not even a matter of what is superior...the leather ones just cripple me. I haven't tried the super wrap pads or the geckos. They sound good.
 
I have pole gaffs and tree gaffs. I can never get the gaffs stuck in enough on these eastern hardwood trees as much as I'd like. Probably easier for larger people.
Another important thing is to strap them on as tightly as you can.
I'm not in favour of wrapping the foot strap around the shank like some people do. It limits your movement too much in your foot.
 
The really ironic part is...4 of my uncles were all Bell Tel lineman for 30+ years. Do you think I might have asked them to teach me when they were still spry, lol. Now at age 50 I am learning to spike because they are old farts, lol. They all have 20+ years on me and love me like a son so I guess I owe them something, ha ha.

Frank
 
When ascending, dig the spike at a 45 degree angle and avoid "slapping" against the tree. "Slapping" is a bad habit that increases kick out. Descending... Lock your knee, find your target and drop into it. When pulling your gaff out, instead of yanking your foot out, roll your knee away from the tree. This info comes straight out of a pole climbing class, but can be applied on a spar.
 
Heard a story about a guy once, who put on spikes for the first time, backwards...with the spikes on the outside edge of the feet. He then walked up to the tree to lanyard in, and realized something was wrong. So what did he do? Walked to the other side of the tree to try his luck there. Needless to say, that didn't solve the problem.
 
Back when i started on spikes...i was about 12...tree spikes only around here at that time...ouch and balance sucked royale...pole gaffs and some better upper pads = floating! Thick barked trees can be very rough with pole gaffs. That being said...why do manufactures not make a "medium" set of tree gaffs? Nobody likes wearing 3.5" meat hooks anyway...get with the times i say...but there is a time and place...but only on the damn trunk.
 
TreeLogic said:
Heard a story about a guy once, who put on spikes for the first time, backwards...with the spikes on the outside edge of the feet. He then walked up to the tree to lanyard in, and realized something was wrong. So what did he do? Walked to the other side of the tree to try his luck there. Needless to say, that didn't solve the problem.
Click to expand...
Jeee...i've never seen that happen...numerouse times. What about the newbie that sticks the opposite foot into his inside ankle trying to go up a tree?! New boots anyone?
 
i put some foam padding between my leg and the super pads .... cadillac cushions i call 'em ... they make spur climbing cool and comfy all day. NO wear on leg
 
Haven't seen Jomoco in a long time on the buzz hope he is in good heath... I've heard of some manufactures making a "short" tree gaff, sort of a inbetweenie
 
You guys on gaffs with rigging plates on your saddles I got a question. Do you always clip into the side rings or do you also use the rigging plates sometimes. Today I was toying around and noticed that if I clipped into my plates (Onyx) it would take some of the pressure off my lower back by putting some load on my leg straps. Is this a bad idea for safety reasons or is it okay to use them? Thanks, I am still learning to use these medieval torture devices.
 
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