Novice question about spurs

[UrbanEarth]

I am new to using spurs, and while practicing on a dead tree in my back yard, I got one spur stuck in the tree so hard, that I could not get it out (I didn't jam it in either). I wiggled it back and forth, forwards and backwards, basically any way that I could get it to move, but it would just not let go. Luckily I could reach the ground with my other foot, and unstrapped the spur and wiggled it out by hand. Anyone have any tips to avoid this situation, or if it happens again what to do?

Alan

 

[Toddppm]

You must have had them too loose, so there was too much slack when trying to pull it out. I wear mine pretty tight. If that wasn't it, you just need to gain some leg muscle mass

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Are they brand new? If they were charpened by another person, some like them so sharp the sink in under no pressure. I borrowed a feather wights spurs once and had the darndest time gettin up becuse the keped sticking in. He has them needle sharp.

In other words the angle of the grind can cause deep penetration, just as it can cause them to "shave out".

 

[Bradley]

Hey guys, new here and have a related question about spurs. I have a couple sets of non-replaceable gaff Buckinghams and I'm shortening the gaffs on one pair about 3/8 of an inch or so. Those gaffs are 3" long and have always felt kind of wobbly. The tip is so skinny that they sink in deep under 210 lbs and stick hard. My question is what kind of shape should I make them. What kind of angle should come from the tip back toward the shank. Thanks.

 

[sonny]

Dead trees ? were you using tree gaffs ? would be much easier w/ pole gaffs.

 

[jsirbasku]

Check with the maunfacturer's recommended gaff angle first.
Mis-shaping of gaff angles can be dangerous, most manufacturers have recommended angles and shaprening instructions as well. I tried to explain this one to my brother who at one time had made hypodermics out of his gaff tips, and then proceeded to gaff himself in the opposite foot right behind the ball of the ankle about a week later. That one put him out for two months.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

There are guages on the market for getting the right angle on a gaff.

 

[UrbanEarth]

I bought them used, but they had just been sharpened. This combined with my weight (240# + gear!) might be the problem. Should I just keep using them as is, and let them dull at their own pace, or should I take a bit of the edge off?
When I start off I have the straps as tight as I can get them, but they do loosen off as I work.
Damn, I think this is another reason to lose some weight! Leg muscle mass is OK, just too much other mass around!

Alan

 

[sonny]

always sharpen the gaffs on the inside. never on the out side.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Get some gauges and chech the angle. I'm in your weight calss and dont have a problem with mine.

 

[Timothy Kasulin]

i am 270 and mine go in and pull out just fine ( they do need to be sharpened though)

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Got me by 'bout 20#.

 

[Rob Murphy]

Becareful with Spikes!!! I have a neat little(nearly disappeared)'L'shaped scar on my left calf muscle. It was in and out again in amatter of secs and hardly hurt at first.I am sure I am not the only one with such reminders and I always show it to anyone who's learning.
I wondered where the Arbornuts were...
Everyone have a great Christmass and a refeshing New year!!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Hows the sun tan comming along Rob?

 

[Rob Murphy]

Man it's 'cooking' here at the moment the sun has a fair bite in it today but it is Tassie and the saying is" if you don't like the weather come back in half an hour".
Hows it their any snow????

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Rain, rain, and more of it. Been the warmest fall/winter so far.

Suposed to get down to 15F next week. Maybe even a dusting for a White Cristmas.

Jeweler near here is offering forgivness of all debts if there is 3in on Christmas eve.