Who Climbs on the geckos, and which version of gaff do you use? I use the "traditional euro" gaff that sherrill offers, but does anyone climb on the newer gecko gaff that sherrill offers, how does it compare?
Gecko's
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Timberhauler
Addicted to ArboristSite
I use the same gaffs as you do,but I love my gecko's
I've got a pair with the same style gaff as you got, I like them for most trees, but they don't have quite the penetration for some of the thicker barked stuff IMO, They are light and comfy though. I use buckingham t2's at work with caddi pads and I'm perfectly happy with those as well, I think they are a little more durable for daily use, which is fine because my geckos really only get weekend use. I haven't used the newer version either, but Ive seen them and they just seem to be straightforward tree gaffs, which would be cool if they were interchangeable.
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Jim1NZ
ArboristSite Guru
Yea i climb on them. Like the comfort and light weight. What are the differences between the new and old designs exactly? Picture?
JTinaTree
ArboristSite Operative
New style gaff
This is the newer style gaff for tree work. Acorrding to Sherrills this is what they sent mounted up on mine. Looks kinda like the bashlin style to me. Can't compare mine to the old gekko gaffs never used those before.
This is the newer style gaff for tree work. Acorrding to Sherrills this is what they sent mounted up on mine. Looks kinda like the bashlin style to me. Can't compare mine to the old gekko gaffs never used those before.
Davey Dog
ArboristSite Operative
How do those Geckos hold on hard stuff like Walnut and Eucs?? From that pic, it looks like a lot of angle on the gaff....??
elmnut
ArboristSite Operative
I want to buy a pair of these as a thank you for one of my top climber-mentor-allaround good guy climbers as a bonus, good-idea, or knot?
Highclimber OR
ArboristSite Operative
I've used them quite a few times
an associate of mine who also owns a tree business has these hooks with the newer gaffs that you are asking about. The main difference that I noticed when i used them was that they were longer and not quite as offset as the originals. Those are are poll gaffs that come with them and if you have tried to climb a mature doug-fir or another thick barked variety with those you probably know what I'm talkin about. The originals are better for trees with a thinner bark. The longer gaffs are more for the thicker barked trees. Thay had to produce them for the tree industry. I will say that those pads are quite comfortable, but I just can't get used to the feel of them. They just feel strange. The longer gaffs were much better in my opinion and would better suit my needs. For now I will stick with my Bashlin 2 3/4" straight gaff.
an associate of mine who also owns a tree business has these hooks with the newer gaffs that you are asking about. The main difference that I noticed when i used them was that they were longer and not quite as offset as the originals. Those are are poll gaffs that come with them and if you have tried to climb a mature doug-fir or another thick barked variety with those you probably know what I'm talkin about. The originals are better for trees with a thinner bark. The longer gaffs are more for the thicker barked trees. Thay had to produce them for the tree industry. I will say that those pads are quite comfortable, but I just can't get used to the feel of them. They just feel strange. The longer gaffs were much better in my opinion and would better suit my needs. For now I will stick with my Bashlin 2 3/4" straight gaff.
Jim1NZ
ArboristSite Guru
How often is he in spikes?
I would have thought a real nice flash piece of climbing kit would be better, like a rope guide or something?
Climb020
ArboristSite Operative
I have had my pair now for 2 years and I love them. I have nevver used anything else so I can not really compare against anything else. I have the older gaff and they seem to meet the needs that I have.
I have only had one time that I couldn't get a good grip and that was on a stone dead hickory. I maybe got a 1/4 inch but I don't think it would matter what spike I had on cause that is some serious hard wood.
I have only had one time that I couldn't get a good grip and that was on a stone dead hickory. I maybe got a 1/4 inch but I don't think it would matter what spike I had on cause that is some serious hard wood.
JTinaTree
ArboristSite Operative
I climbed one walnut had to stick them pretty hard to get them to bite. I have not climbed a ecalyptus yet so I don't know. I climbed a white oak and they did fine also.
elmnut
ArboristSite Operative
He spends most of his time doing removals, probably 3.5-4 days a week.
tophopper
ArboristSite Guru
Ive tried many different gaffs and always go back to my Kleins.
Im not sold on the geckos.
Im not sold on the geckos.
John Paul Sanborn
Above average climber
FWIW, I've been using American Rigging Al gaffs with short tree spikes for several years. They work well, but the screws come loose faster then an AMF Harley.
SteveBullman
User Formerly known as stephenbullman
elmnut....i think they'd make a great thankyou present. if you really want to put a smile on his face buy the carbon version!
thats what i have and they never fail to draw an admiring glance from other climbers
i have the original gaff on mine but ive just ordered the new ones. i like the original ones, they stick in well and are comfy to work in for prolonged periods, the only thing ive found is i have to watch my placement more and have lost some of the fluidity i used to have with my kleins. i originally put this down to muscle memory and i think i was right to a point....i dunno...theres just something not quite right.
i talked to someone about having some custom gaffs made, i think the angle on the original is ok but maybe a very slight twist in the design to make the gaff point forward a touch might make all the difference, but possible put more stress on the knees.
thats what i have and they never fail to draw an admiring glance from other climbers
i have the original gaff on mine but ive just ordered the new ones. i like the original ones, they stick in well and are comfy to work in for prolonged periods, the only thing ive found is i have to watch my placement more and have lost some of the fluidity i used to have with my kleins. i originally put this down to muscle memory and i think i was right to a point....i dunno...theres just something not quite right.
i talked to someone about having some custom gaffs made, i think the angle on the original is ok but maybe a very slight twist in the design to make the gaff point forward a touch might make all the difference, but possible put more stress on the knees.
polingspig
Certified Arborist
Those carbon fiber geckos just look bleepin' awsome!!!!!!
Davey Dog
ArboristSite Operative
Laughing my A$$ off.. My Bashlins used to do that also.. I dabbed a little bit of blue lock-tite on the threads... they dont come loose anymore and I can still remove them with little effort..
Tim Krause
ArboristSite Member
geckos-ok
just bought a pair with the traditional gaff at the tci expo in november. big improvment from my kliens with the triple thick t pads. the eyelet where the bottom strap-ring attatches is not right. it tightens down 90 degrees from where it's supposed to be. so i have to keep it loose when i climb AND check it each time i put it on. don't really want to put a washer on them fancy spikes!
just bought a pair with the traditional gaff at the tci expo in november. big improvment from my kliens with the triple thick t pads. the eyelet where the bottom strap-ring attatches is not right. it tightens down 90 degrees from where it's supposed to be. so i have to keep it loose when i climb AND check it each time i put it on. don't really want to put a washer on them fancy spikes!
911crash
ArboristSite Member
hey where did you get the carbon fiber pair?
