Lockjack...how popular are they?

Anonymity

Anonymity

Participating member
Location
Ontario, Canada
Hi there,

Just wondering how popular these lockjacks are before I go and spend all that money? Do most climbers just use rope friction hitches?

Thanks,
Ken
 
Not sure I'd trust any other arborist web forum....it is just not the Buzz!
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Everyone is different so thier equipment choices are just as individual.

I know I liked my LJ so much that I owned several spares and encouraged my people to use it. It was my primary climbing system from 2006 until this spring.

This spring I switched over to a lot more SRT and the unicender/RopeWrench combo works like a charm for that.

Consequently my LJ has fallen back into my bag. I'm not quite ready to send it away into the museum, yet. I did sell off one spare and keep looking at my last couple of LJs wondering if I should sell them too.

As for getting one yourself you can probably find a used one reasonably priced on the treebay thread or one of the other boards' tagsale forums. You also can find them on eBay every once in a while. the one I sold went for about $150 on eBay.
 
Spiderjack 2.1 for me,it makes climbing easier for me alot easier.Trust me I got one of everything and for me its the best tool ive used for most climbs.
 
I have both the Lockjack and the Spiderjack. For most climbs my prefered device by a long shot is the Spiderjack but the Lockjack has its place. I like it better when I have to climb on two ropes or when I will be switching between ropes. Also if I'm going up SRT and then working on the same rope the Lockjack is often easier to make the transition with.
 
What is footlocking like with the spiderjack or lockjack? Would the footlocking not pull the rope into a straight path causing some slippage? (if you understand what I mean?). I'd be using double rope technique.

Thanks,
Ken
 
Ken, I use a pantin when I'm using the sj. I actually push my foot forward at the end of the stroke to have the sj bite a bit faster. I woudn't say it's necessary though.

Once you learn to trust it the quicker you dump your full weight on it the harder it bites. The first time I used it (low and slow) I was trying to ease onto it and it seemed like it was slipping a bit before biting. No problem now.

There's a learning curve but it's a quick one. I'd say most people who use it love it after a few climbs.

Where are you located? There might be a local buzzer who has one you can give a run. If you happen to be in my area you're welcome to try mine.
 
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