Working on Spurs Compendium

[southsoundtree]

Pole spurs are under-rated.

 

[islandarb]

Pole spurs are under-rated.

All I use down here.... tree gaffs are like being in stilletos. Barely anything penetrates the thin bark here. Some are better than others. But too long a gaff causes some wobble and discomfort.

 

[Steve Connally]

I've never been so uncomfortable as being on tree gaffs on a telephone pole. It was bad.

 

[Vicente]

Have you guys tried using this style gaff? I'm curious about trying them to compliment my Bucklights for oaks and other thin barked trees here.

Distel Aluminum Climbers "Heidelberg" Gaff - Pair

The Distel Aluminum 3 comes with a hot forged newly designed shaft. which is 10 % lighter (50 grams) than the old version.They have a black annodized blasted surface, feature anti-slip ribs on the underside of the spur and 3 dimensional forging details.

arbsession.com

 

[Shadowscape]

Have you guys tried using this style gaff? I'm curious about trying them to compliment my Bucklights for oaks and other thin barked trees here.

Distel Aluminum Climbers "Heidelberg" Gaff - Pair

The Distel Aluminum 3 comes with a hot forged newly designed shaft. which is 10 % lighter (50 grams) than the old version.They have a black annodized blasted surface, feature anti-slip ribs on the underside of the spur and 3 dimensional forging details.

arbsession.com

I have tried them. I think if a person kept at it they would find they work well. Just guessing of course as I was only on them once and it was not a fun climb. Had to think about every step I took. But they are different than what I have a long experience using. My body doesn't think about how I step. With this type of spur I had to think about every damn step. Like I was saying, if one used them enough so it became a normal thing for you it would probably be fine. I'm just too old, and stubborn to try and learn how to spur up a tree with new gear.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

All I've ever used are tree gaffs. I took a contract once helping install telecom on poles and I didn't think it was too bad. I just leaned back more. Same with thin barked trees. It's all in the angle.

 

[Merle Nelson]

All I've ever used are tree gaffs. I took a contract once helping install telecom on poles and I didn't think it was too bad. I just leaned back more. Same with thin barked trees. It's all in the angle.

Harder on your knees. I don't like the added pressure for long duration take downs - especially with heavy gear/saws.

I hear people talk about challenges climbing with tree gaffs like rip outs, having to step them in hard, wobble from being out a little farther from boot contact with the tree. I would recommend to anyone, borrow and try a good set of pole gaffs. So much comfort just walking up the tree with little or no thought, etc. etc.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Harder on your knees. I don't like the added pressure for long duration take downs - especially with heavy gear/saws.

I hear people talk about challenges climbing with tree gaffs like rip outs, having to step them in hard, wobble from being out a little farther from boot contact with the tree. I would recommend to anyone, borrow and try a good set of pole gaffs. So much comfort just walking up the tree with little or no thought, etc. etc.

Now that I love where there's mostly hardwoods I'll probably take you up on that. Anything to give longevity to joints is a good bet.

 

[southsoundtree]

Give 'em a try.

 

[Friedrich]

speed is relative.

 

[DSMc]

Harder on your knees. I don't like the added pressure for long duration take downs - especially with heavy gear/saws...

I have not found that to be true. I use the DMM Distel climbers with the tree gaffes that came with them. The padding was not sufficient for long jobs so I added an additional 3/4" of wool felt. All day comfort now.
I tried the pole gaffes and they sucked big time for me for the same reasons @Shadowscape stated.

 

[rico]

Harder on your knees. I don't like the added pressure for long duration take downs - especially with heavy gear/saws.

I hear people talk about challenges climbing with tree gaffs like rip outs, having to step them in hard, wobble from being out a little farther from boot contact with the tree. I would recommend to anyone, borrow and try a good set of pole gaffs. So much comfort just walking up the tree with little or no thought, etc. etc.

Gaff selection is very dependent on one's work environment and the task at hand. Try running pole gaffs in my redwood/fir eco system and you will be going nowhere real fast. Try running long gaffs in a thin barked hardwood and you will be putting unnecessary wear and tear on yourself. I myself always carry both long and shorts in the truck so that I can pick to best tool for the job.

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Gaff selection is very dependent on one's work environment and the task at hand. Try running pole gaffs in my redwood/fir eco system and you will be going nowhere real fast. Try running long gaffs in a thin barked hardwood and you will be putting unnecessary wear and tear on yourself. I myself always carry both long and shorts in the truck so that I can pick to best tool for the job.

I'm with you there. When I was in the PNW long gaffs were a necessity. But that's what I'm used to now. Haha. I'll pick up a set to try here soon. I'm still rocking the OG Gecko aluminums, might be time for an upgrade

 

[Merle Nelson]

Yes on having both lengths available.

 

[Friedrich]

when „limb walking“ to set tip-ties the short spurs don‘t engage in wood. when working a bigger trunk you have to bend your knees outwards to be able to penetrate. with longer gaffs you can keep your knees/legs more straight, probably does‘nt hurt longevity.

i really like my bashlin tree spurs but for certain situations they are too short and will order the permanent buckingham 3 1/2“ spurs soon (dead poplar and very thick ivy)

 

[southsoundtree]

I've been climbing in pole spurs for 16-17 years. I've had tree spurs for 15-16 years; very nice tree spurs for the last 10. 95%+ of my spur climbing is with pole spurs. Dressed, without gear, I weigh about 200#

We have thin and thick-barked trees.



Lots of things vary species to species and climber to climber.

 

[islandarb]

Gaff selection is very dependent on one's work environment and the task at hand. Try running pole gaffs in my redwood/fir eco system and you will be going nowhere real fast. Try running long gaffs in a thin barked hardwood and you will be putting unnecessary wear and tear on yourself. I myself always carry both long and shorts in the truck so that I can pick to best tool for the job.

This right here. This is the biscuits and cheese.

 

[evo]

Yup I’m also with @rico on this one. But compared to what he does 1:50 + times I’m reaching for my tree gaffs. It’s VERY rare for me to wish I had the longer ones beyond 20’ or so. Granted I keep the good pads on the pair I use most frequently (pole set).

These trees are the ones where I almost always pre set a climbing line regardless. So slipping on thick bark isn’t too big of a deal, just a minor unexpected weight shift. Additionally on these trees where this is a issue there isn’t hardly anything to cut with a chainsaw.

Once in a blue moon do I find differently, but tree gaffs are hands down better when you need them. I find it’s easier to climb in pole spurs in thick bark, than it is to climb in tree spurs in thin bark.

 

[Mowerr]

If anybody here wants a set of brand new gecko pole gaffs pm me. I also got a set of used gecko tree gaffs . I'd sell them for cheap trade bc I dont use the geckos anymore bc they got burned and I like my buck steels more.

 

[islandarb]

If anybody here wants a set of brand new gecko pole gaffs pm me. I also got a set of used gecko tree gaffs . I'd sell them for cheap trade bc I dont use the geckos anymore bc they got burned and I like my buck steels more.

Got burned?