Short or Long Spikes?

Jamin_Mayer · Mar 22, 2006

I have a pair of T2's and I have replaceable gaffs. I have always been using longer gaffs, but a friend of mind switched to the short gaffs. He said I shoud switch over.

What do you guys think?

STLTreeclmbr · Mar 22, 2006

I started off useing pole gafs and switched to long gafs (For Cottonwoods) and it took some getting used too it seems the long gafs are harder on the arch of ur foot so now I have two pair....One for big bark trees and one for little trees

Colin · Mar 22, 2006

If you only have one pair?

Long shanks, baby! ;^)

Colin · Mar 22, 2006

But you gotta get your mind right!

Colin · Mar 22, 2006

Some say they're "wobbly"

I say "Pshaw!"

STLTreeclmbr · Mar 22, 2006

I'd say the longer ones are woblier...if thats a word!? IF YOUGET USED TOO THEM THE POLES ARE GREVVVVVVVVVY!

Jamin_Mayer · Mar 22, 2006

Yeah, my buddy is saying that the "shorties" are not as "wobbly." I can see how the shorter gaffs would allow the side of your foot to aid with stability. Therefore, less wobbly. However, I do get into big cottonwoods with big bark...

STLTreeclmbr · Mar 22, 2006

IN cOLORAO?

Colin · Mar 22, 2006

I have a set of each and foot pedals for palms, coz for those babies ya gotta have the pedal to the metal!

And like MB said, if you only have 1 set they better be longs!

Graeme_McMahon · Mar 22, 2006

If you have a rescue kit as part of your "sop", you might need the gaffs to be long ones. May as well get used to them I suppose.
I only have long gaffs and it feels realy odd if I use someone elses gearwith short gaffs.
If you have both types, when do you change between? When you loose traction, or do you make a perfect decision every time before you leave the ground?

Colin · Mar 22, 2006

[ QUOTE ]
If you have both types, when do you change between? When you loose traction, or do you make a perfect decision every time before you leave the ground?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Graeme

Depends on the tree, if it's thin barked like Chinese Elm, Leopard trees etc I take the shorts, if it's like Pine or Ironbark etc I take the longs ... if in doubt take the longs.

Sometimes with species that have a sock like Blackbutt or Flooded gum you need the longs to get past the sock but shorts will do the trick once you are in the canopy .... so instances like this I assess whether or not I have to block down the sock ... if so, take the longs, if not and the barrel can be felled then I take the shorts ... of course a high lines in to get past the sock.

I wonder why they don't make a medium? I have Bashlin climbers and the difference between the short and long gaff is huge ... the only place a completely bury a long gaff on those Bashlins is in the crown of a palm.

Anyway, a few fans have been asking if you sell your DVD's yet? Last I saw your vids was GreenX Sydney 2003, have you any new material?

stevebullman · Mar 22, 2006

i have short gecko gaffs....because of the different angle i dont feel the need to long gaffs, they penetrate thick bark plenty well enough.
my old bucks had real short gaffs.....old and worn and only just over an inch long. they were great on sycamnore and other thin barked trees.

BigJon · Mar 22, 2006

I'd have to say long as well. Like today was taking down a little 90 foot oak that was dead. At 40 feet up blowing the top out it was still punky. My long gaffs werent long enough to really get into any real solid wood. That's all I ever used the bashlin straight gaffs like Butches there. I could see how the shortys would be more comfortable but so practical when you really need them.

Mangoes · Mar 23, 2006

[ QUOTE ]
i have short gecko gaffs....

[/ QUOTE ]

Geckos have different gaff lengths, I thought there was just one size for them?

ChuckR · Mar 23, 2006

I have T2's with both. I'm likin the shorts.

Jamin_Mayer · Mar 23, 2006

[ QUOTE ]
IN cOLORAO?

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you asking about Cottonwoods in Colorado?

Heck yeah! We have like, a gazillion out here. Monsters too! But when we cut in to Cottonwoods out here they smell like roses inside.------Not! They still smell like a septic tank on a hot day. /forum/images/graemlins/puke.gif

Jamin_Mayer · Mar 23, 2006

So, the information I get basically conferms my initial thoughts. Confermation is good. Thanks.

So, how do you feel about just exchanging the "shorties" out when it is job specific? Do you think the frequent exchange might jeopordize the integrity of the gaffs?

Some one told me it could be potentially dangerous to exchange them out often. I don't know what to think about this one. /forum/images/graemlins/thk.gif

stevebullman · Mar 23, 2006

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i have short gecko gaffs....

[/ QUOTE ]

Geckos have different gaff lengths, I thought there was just one size for them?

[/ QUOTE ]

nope im pretty certain there are a longer gaff

Colin · Mar 23, 2006

[ QUOTE ]
Do you think the frequent exchange might jeopordize the integrity of the gaffs?

Some one told me it could be potentially dangerous to exchange them out often. I don't know what to think about this one. /forum/images/graemlins/thk.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I have 2 sets of climbers too, so no changing anything ... just which ones you wear, go and lash out on another set ... and then be set for anything... also, they're cheap over there.

First of all we dont even get "caddies"

a set of Bashlin alloys is $640

then pads anywhere between $285 to $100

think I'm telling lies, look here

http://www.newagearbor.com.au/shop/category12_1.htm#9
http://www.newagearbor.com.au/shop/category13_1.htm#14

Friggin rip ooooooooooofffffffffffffff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BigJon · Mar 23, 2006

Well maybe if you had a friend in pennsylvania (joke) you could send him money and he could ship you the things you need. How is it to import things into your country?