Tree or Pole gaffs

PoolmanLL · Mar 1, 2013

I think there was already a post about this but i looked for it and couldnt find it. what do you all prefer for gaffs. Tree or Pole. i currently use a set of buckingham steel climbers with cadillac pads..... I know.... there heavy. i hate wearing them. and i dont like how long the spike is. lookin at these gecko pole gaffs??? what does everyone prefer.

Norm_Hall · Mar 2, 2013

I have both tree and pole spikes. I use the pole spikes 98% of the time.

cthompson22 · Mar 2, 2013

Pole gaffs for every thing except hemlocks and black locust for me.

bonner1040 · Mar 2, 2013

I have the Climb Right aluminum spurs with their rigid ultralight pads, $275 for everything. The rigid pads have an angled connection to the shank and are firmly attached, no rattle, those two things make a big difference.

https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=228&item=306

My full review is posted here:

http://masterblasterhome.com/showthread....ll=1#post505812

They are great though! Mine are tree gaffs, but I wish I had a set with pole gaffs too.

CLIMBERJunkieee · Mar 2, 2013

i just bought a pair of the climb right spur set with tree gaffs and love them. the angle they are on at the pad make it feel more secure to me; dont feel like its going to kick out so much. But i have also used pole gaffs before and to me, they kept kickin out under me. to me, i feel like its easier to keep that 45 degree angle in a purchase with tree gaffs. $0.02

FreedomTree · Mar 2, 2013

I have the ultra lights with the pole gaffs, and they work great for almost every job, when you get into really thick bark they are not as great, but thats not very often for me...

CLIMBERJunkieee · Mar 2, 2013

yeah i keep finding myself taking on cottonwoods and elms, so the tree gaffs are great. can you walk around in pole spikes and not make contact with the ground?

islandarb · Mar 2, 2013

Pole gaffs for me buck Ti's with super wrap pads ( steel insert )...trees here are hardwoods with thin bark mostly...so it all depends on the type of trees you mostly climb....looking at getting Geckos with pole gaffs this year...

ryansenechal · Mar 2, 2013

AHH pole gaffs drive me crazy!!

southsoundtree · Mar 2, 2013

AHH tree gaffs drive me crazy!! haha

Just had to wear tree gaffs two days ago. Horrible. Granted it was maple, so extra bad. My knees were sore from the torqueing due to the extended spur.

I rarely ever wear tree gaffs. Last time before this week was probably two years ago.

FreedomTree · Mar 2, 2013

yeah you can walk without the tip touching the ground

PoolmanLL · Mar 3, 2013

Nice. Thanks for all the input. yeah my tree gaffs you can't even walk on concrete or any other hard areas cause the spike is so long. looks like a set of the gecko pole ultra light's are gettin ordered then.

RopeShield · Mar 3, 2013

Two things I like about the tree gaff. stand up a bit taller in them for the cut and you can fit it into a crotch better because it can reach further in.
I was a pole gaff man for over ten years and made the switch. All is well.