Bashlin climbers

[Mark Currie]

Is there any way to figure out when mine were made? I've got a pair of BD14's, that I'm trying to figure out how old they are. They sat in my parents basement for as long as I can remember and my father can't remember where they came from. The leather straps are in really good condition, not stretched much. They've seen very little use over the years. I read somewhere that the adjustable top slide is steel now? The ones on mine are aluminum. The gaffs are still sharp and show no signs of ever being sharpened before. The shanks are in really good shape with no gouges.

Anyway, I just got them from home yesterday and tried them out, up an old utility pole for about 10 or 15 feet or so. I'm trying them on a tree tomorrow.

Just curious if anyone knew a way to age them. Thanks.

 

[Canyonbc]

http://www.abbeypro.co.uk/climbing-hardware/climbing-spikes/showitem-BI-BD14-2.aspx

Sounds like they still make them...hopefully something from this...can help you.

Good luck..enjoy.

 

[Dadatwins]

Bashlin has been around for a long time. The aluminum is probably sound, I would strongley recomend replacing the straps as you do not know the history of them. Leather can look fine but the last thing in the world you need is a broken strap from a dry-rotted buckle while in a tree. The newer straps sold today are more nylon than leather and are much more durable.

 

[Mark Currie]

Thanks for the response. I see the new boot straps come with a split ring. I'm guessing I just cut off the old (solid) ring that's on there now? I'll be ordering a new set of straps soon I guess.

Thanks again.

 

[reachtreeservi]

Thanks for the response. I see the new boot straps come with a split ring. I'm guessing I just cut off the old (solid) ring that's on there now? I'll be ordering a new set of straps soon I guess.

Thanks again.

Don't cut off the solid ring that's on them, you can get special straps to fit them. The split ring may not fit thru the hole and then you'd have to enlarge it with a drill, not good. Check out this URL from sherrill tree:
http://gear.sherrilltree.com/iwwida.pvx?;search_submit?comp=SHE&cat=WORK
Well... It looks like URL isn't working when I paste it, so Go to the link for sherrill tree on this web site and put the item code 15102 in th search box on their site. It should pull up what you need. I just ordered the same set . It was $29.00 and free shipping if you choose the basic. The picture on the web site and in the 07 catalog isn't correct. It shows a set with the split ring, It's just a typo. I called the company and asked. If you don't Have one yet, order a free catalog from sherrill tree, it has a lot of tips and products that aren't listed on the website. I had someone give me an old set of bashlins and I put new top and bottom straps, new pad , and new gaffs on them , I had $112.00 in the set that goes new for $315.00 , not bad.

 

[Mark Currie]

Well, finished the pine tree (eastern white) this afternoon. The spikes worked great. Nasty seam about 15 feet from the top though, made me a little wary about blowing the top out, so we roped it below the seam and brought it down in one piece. Cottage on the back side, wide open beach on the other, so there was plenty of room. It was the slight lean towards the cottage that I was worried about. I notched it and started my back cut. I bored into the side of it and noticed that there was nothing holding the saw back, after about 5 inches. The entire centre was rotted out and full of ants. The cottage owner was more relieved that we cut it down, after he saw that. Anyway, another job done.

Yeah, the picture was kind of confusing when I looked at it the other day. So does the strap double around the existing ring and snap back together? I'll order a pair soon. Thanks for the info.

 

[reachtreeservi]

Yes, Each of the two parts of each strap have 2 screws that hold it together. You will probably have to ruin the screws to get them out of the old set , but no worries , you get a new pair with the straps.

 

[Mark Currie]

Hmm.. I think mine are riveted together. Like I said, they're old. And, I think we finally figured out where they came from. They must be 20 years old or so (barely used by the looks of them). My brother found them at the base of a telephone pole near our house. There was a crew working there earlier in the day and left them there. I know, not really the best way to get them.. but he would have been 15 or so at the time. So yeah, new straps it is.

 

[Canyonbc]

Was a long time ago...

good luck with new straps..and climbing

 

[Mitchell]

solid ring split

I use those same bashlins as my regular climbers. Bought them on ebay. They have been very good. My only complaint has been they were very tuff to find solid upper caps for. I finally modified some newer baslin steel and leather uppers.
Also for my 2 cents. I have cut a solid steel ring on some steel bashlins to replace the straps. I then welded the ring back together.

 

[juststumps]

Hmm.. I think mine are riveted together. Like I said, they're old. And, I think we finally figured out where they came from. They must be 20 years old or so (barely used by the looks of them). My brother found them at the base of a telephone pole near our house. There was a crew working there earlier in the day and left them there. I know, not really the best way to get them.. but he would have been 15 or so at the time. So yeah, new straps it is.

sounds like pole gaffs,,,might want to watch using them on trees with thick bark,,,,spurs are shorter,,,, might take a ride if your not careful,,,that would hurt..... ps.. even if you close your eyes,, it still hurts !!!!

 

[Canyonbc]

how much a differnce..is there..

length, i think is the biggest difference..right?

 

[Mark Currie]

Yeah, they're pole gaffs on them right now (looking at tree gaffs at the moment as well). I made extra sure I was into the tree before I took a step up. The only thing with thicker bark I'll come across here is eastern hemlock (tsuga canadensis). We've got a couple more EWP removals coming up in the next few weeks. I'm just happy to have saved myself a few hundred bucks by remembering that I had a set of spike lying around. Free gear is always good. So far we've got a versatile saddle, 272xp, bashlin climbers, 200' true blue, petzl vertex vent and a few other things.. haven't paid a cent out yet. I shouldn't brag though.

 

[CrispyCritter]

Is there any way to figure out when mine were made?

Mark,

Take off the adjustable top slide and stamped into the top of the shank should be a date. I believe the date is the date of manufacture.

You could also call Bashlin 724-458-8342 and ask them how to date them.

Chris

 

[Mark Currie]

I will take a look when I get home after work. Thanks. I'm more interested in figuring out how old my brother was when he brought them than anything.

Mark