How to Sharpen spikes w saw file (Video of course)

[DanielSon]

Hey yall, I came up with a really easy way to sharpen spikes with a saw file and I thought I would share it with you..

I used to let my spikes get dull and I would always forget to sharpen them when I got home.

Sharpening them with a round file was always a pain because it would put groves in the spike and was real hard to hold still.

I invented this new way of holding the file and it works really well.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6rBB0zqaNc

 

[Maui Palm & Tree Care]

thanks man. that was cool! i thought though you cant sharpen the sides of spikes?

 

[southsoundtree]

You can, but I don't think you're supposed to.

I got a hone stone from an old lineman that was always dealing with hard poles. He told me a few strokes on occasion is all you need, only on the underside.

I've touched up my spikes a few times a year over three years. Don't seem to get too dull. Tree spikes might get dulled faster from walking on the ground as they protrude more. I almost invariably wear my pole spikes.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Maui Palm & Tree Care]

my old pair of tree gaffs got reshaped into pole spikes and i use them more then i used my tree gaffs. seems like gaffs are only appropriate for thicker bark tree's like oaks and redwoods or pines but for most smooth barks pole gaffs do the trick with ease.

 

[TC]

Danielson,

personally, would never sharpen spikes on the outside faces, would also never use a round file, but if you've found something that works for you thats great and I wish you all the success with your technique



.

 

[DanielSon]

Hey Grover,

thanks for the insight.


I am curious as to why not? If I have ever read about "spike saftey rules, I have forgot them.

Is this wrong to sharpen spikes this way?

I guess sharpening the corners may be a bad idea, but why not run the file down the outside face if it sharpens the point.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Norm_Hall]

This is what Buckingham Manufacturing says on sharpening their gaffs.
http://buckinghammfg.com/instructionsandwarnings/6303Series_042009.pdf

I personally don't ever sharpen (with a file) the outside either. After I'm done with the underside, I'll take a honing stone to get rid of the burs on the outside.
I use pole gaffs 98% of the time. They're much more comfortable and 'safer' in my opinion.

 

[The_Archdruid]

[ QUOTE ]
I got a hone stone from an old lineman that was always dealing with hard poles. He told me a few strokes on occasion is all you need, only on the underside.

[/ QUOTE ]
Damned old lineman!