Thoughts on Buckingham Buckalloy climber kit?

[rico]

I guess I’ll find out which type of upper strap they send?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the caddy/opsal's do not come with straps.

 

[rico]

I started with steel Bucks and permanent gaffs. My second set are Bashlins which I climbed in for years. Enjoyed climbing in them. Two years ago I got the Buc alloys and love them. They are the same as the Bashlins in performance and comfort. When I was sporting the Bashlins I used a padded leather T-pad and compared them weight wise to the Buc-titaniums that my partner wore. Surprisingly, the Bashlins won, (the titaniums were fitted with regular leather t-pads). My alloys are running the super wrap pads with the steel inserts. Way comfy, even if they are not cadillacs.

I ran my buddies BuckAlloys with the Super Wraps for a few weeks and they really are a killer set of spurs. Very much reminded me of my old Bashlins. My only issue with both the BuckAlloys and the Bashlins is the 2 5/8" gaff is just a little to short me.

 

[DSMc]

... The Gecko shin pads are also lacking in durability. I destroyed a pairi in a year, and replacements ain't cheap...

What an animal! How did you do that? After a year mine still look like new. Best spurs I've ever used.

 

[Stephen Moore]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but the caddy/opsal's do not come with straps.

I told him to include them. I have an upholsterer that lives across the street so he can make up some like yours if needed

 

[Stephen Moore]

What an animal! How did you do that? After a year mine still look like new. Best spurs I've ever used.

You do see that log he's standing next to right?

 

[jeff2423]

I ran my buddies BuckAlloys with the Super Wraps for a few weeks and they really are a killer set of spurs. Very much reminded me of my old Bashlins. My only issue with both the BuckAlloys and the Bashlins is the 2 5/8" gaff is just a little to short me.

Been a fan of buckingham gear for years and i am in the market for some new spikes and came across these on Buckinghams website. https://buckinghammfg.com/products/buckalloy-black-tree-climber-kit-a95k1v-bl/ . Has anyone used these? Im thinking about these, the Geckos or a pair of Stein X2's?

I run Buck Titaniums with Caddy/Opsal/Mallory Pads. Us old timers know the Caddy/Opsals as Mallory Pads. Been around forever, and I have been climbing in them for over 40 years.
I have used many spurs over the years, but always go back to the Buck/Caddy combo.

Of the 3 in question the Bashlins will works with the widest variety of pads, and are a proven world class spur that has been around for a very long time. Both the Buckalloy's and the Gecko's don't allow for much, if any choices in pads. The Gecko shin pads are also lacking in durability. I destroyed a pairi in a year, and replacements ain't cheap.

My advice would be to get some Buck Titaniums with either Caddy or Buck Super Wrap (with the inserts) pads. As good as it gets, and will serve you for a very long time! The Bashlins would get my second vote. Just a killer spur!

PS- Here are the upper straps I use with the Caddy pads. I have legs like chicken so you may need a different length. Combine these with the Velcro lowers and your set. Snug as a bug in a rug!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JJDQPUW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks Rico! I think i am going to give that BuckAlloy Black climber kit a go. Has any one had any experience with the "Grip" on buck climbers, my old steel spurs did not have this feature?

 

[rico]

Thanks Rico! I think i am going to give that BuckAlloy Black climber kit a go. Has any one had any experience with the "Grip" on buck climbers, my old steel spurs did not have this feature?

As I said I enjoyed my time with them, and Im sure you will love those BuckAlloys Black. As a bonus they look freakin awesome, which we all know is very, very important. Gotta look good for the ladies!
Let us know how they work out for you.

 

[Stephen Moore]

As I said I enjoyed my time with them, and Im sure you will love those BuckAlloys Black. As a bonus they look freakin awesome, which we all know is very, very important. Gotta look good for the ladies!
Let us know how they work out for you.

You poser!

 

[96coal449]

Thanks Rico! I think i am going to give that BuckAlloy Black climber kit a go. Has any one had any experience with the "Grip" on buck climbers, my old steel spurs did not have this feature?

Mine are polished. They have the "bling" factor. Kinda wish I had the tacticool black your after.

 

[96coal449]

I ran my buddies BuckAlloys with the Super Wraps for a few weeks and they really are a killer set of spurs. Very much reminded me of my old Bashlins. My only issue with both the BuckAlloys and the Bashlins is the 2 5/8" gaff is just a little to short me.

They're perfect length gaffs in the NE. The only troubles come with black locust. Dang thats some thick bark. Old growth especially. I have a set of steel Kliens just for them. If I know my day faces a bunch of black locust I bring them along.

 

[rico]

I run a custom pair of old Bucks with 4 1/2"gaffs for the old trees around here. Need every inch of it sometimes.

 

[96coal449]

I run a custom pair of old Bucks with 4 1/2"gaffs for the old trees around here. Need every inch of it sometimes.

Yow!!! Now those are gaffs! Spurring all day in them must really build up the calve muscles.

 

[Stephen Moore]

I run a custom pair of old Bucks with 4 1/2"gaffs for the old trees around here. Need every inch of it sometimes.

Rico do you keep them sharp? or blunt? I find the point angle really makes a difference on how much energy it takes to pull em back out. If I make em too pointy without the right curl they are way to sticky. And they don't set correctly! It really does make a difference! I like sharp but not too pointy if that makes sense? Your penetration needs are different than mine but the curl has a purpose. Ive seen guys sharpen the curl almost out and they wonder why the blow out and when they do get penetration you need a pry bar to get them out!

 

[Tony]

The Buckalloy are great. Been running mine for going on two years now. Superwrap pads on the top. Spend the extra get the velcro lowers. As comfortable as my gecos, but don’t gaff out as much due to the gaff angle.

Tony

 

[rico]

Rico do you keep them sharp? or blunt? I find the point angle really makes a difference on how much energy it takes to pull em back out. If I make em too pointy without the right curl they are way to sticky. And they don't set correctly! It really does make a difference! I like sharp but not too pointy if that makes sense? Your penetration needs are different than mine but the curl has a purpose. Ive seen guys sharpen the curl almost out and they wonder why the blow out and when they do get penetration you need a pry bar to get them out!

I keep them pretty sharp and keep the curl. I am pretty protective of my spurs, treat them very well, and never walk around in them. Saddles and saws come and go, but my spurs and my fliplines are my most personal pieces gear.

 

[Stephen Moore]

I keep them pretty sharp and keep the curl. I am pretty protective of my spurs, treat them very well, and never walk around in them. Saddles and saws come and go, but my spurs and my fliplines are my most personal pieces gear.

Yeah I have been using the same spurs for 12 years. Never walk on em! Sharpen them only when then need it and keep the original curl.

 

[Stephen Moore]

Rico, have you seen this knot before?

 

[Stephen Moore]

I need to pull it with my truck to see what will happen?

 

[rico]

?

 

[Stephen Moore]

?

The knot man... the knot. I want to se if it wil bind or invert. It looks like an easy to tie rope joiner. Same diameter ropes mate perfectly, super easy to tie.