Question For The Hookers!!!

[Stumper]

I won't contest the "pilot error". I'm no gaff-climbing expert.

 

[treeman82]

Do you guys ever replace the gaffs? I know that they are replaceable, but I've never seen any that were worn out enough that they needed to be replaced.

 

[P_woozel]

The two different styles, as I learned them, are tree spikes, which have long gaffs about 3 or 4 inches, and pole spikes which have shorter gaffs, only about 2".
If you tried to climb the lower part of a Bur Oak with pole spikes, you'd have a lot of trouble because the gaff wouldn't hit the wood unless you spiked on the ridges of the bark, but if you tried to stand in pole spikes, you would find they are much more comfortalble and they are also easier to move around in.
Typical tree spikes have gaffs that are long enough that they hit the ground when you walk, at least the pair we have at the shop do.

Buckingham makes 3 styles of "points" tree gaffs, pole gaffs, and utility points. The utility points are quite pointed compared to the long/short points. The utility point is a nice touch on dead Madrone trees.

 

[Koa Man]

Do you guys ever replace the gaffs? I know that they are replaceable, but I've never seen any that were worn out enough that they needed to be replaced.

I have replaced the gaffs on my Kleins at least 6 times already, and I rarely even touch them up with a file. Believe it or not, the things get about 1/4 inch shorter just from being stuck constantly into coconut palms. We all use short pole spikes here, unless working on some thick barked eucs. All of the other trees are thin barked. I found the tree gaffs far too long and the inside of my boot was about 1 inch away from the tree, which did make it far less stable, harder to climb with and far more tiring. A set of new gaffs will last me about 2 years. I went from Kleins, to Stringer-Brooks (which I hated) to Bashlins to Buckinghams and back to Kleins. I really like how the Kleins stick in the old palm trunks that are rock hard.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Wow. :Eye:

 

[pbtree]

Looking at the things, there is also a difference in the angle of the gaff. Tree gaffs tend to be longer, but also have a bit more of an angle from the shaft...

Unless the bark is pretty thick, pole gaffs seem to work fine...

 

[a_lopa]

climbing on short spikes is just adding more danger,each to there own thoui

 

[Rob Murphy]

Ive Had "spikes " sent up to me heaps of times . In the tree I think "less is more" so if I can dis mantle without them i will. I prefer prunning so avoid using "GAFFS" as much as possible.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

A guy just does things the easisest way he can figure out.
Spikeless climbing tends to be with your hand(s) on the rope, as you acsend, where spiking tends to be with hands on the tree. If you are tied in above and need to acsend a ways, it's easier to climb like you would without spikes a lot of times, because your climbing rope will be in the way as you move up, and then you need to advance the hitch once you get there (or as you go).
The style you describe is the norm, I would guess, when moving up, down and around, short distances in a tree. For longer trips and work positioning, then the spikes get used more.
When I'm working a a tree with alot of long ups and downs, I'll get a groundy to pull the slack out of the climbing line, and then tear up the tree, fast, easy, and safe, as he pulls. That's always fun.
We talked about the difference between pole and tree spikes, and that'll determine wether you use your spike or a foot on the branch too, in different circumstances.

Real good post!!! Thanx, Mike.

 

[Burnham]

I'd advocate putting the spurs on at the base of the tree as the last thing you do before ascending, and taking them off as soon as you hit the ground. That way you won't damage the points or edges of the gaffs themselves by walking on rocks or the like, and you make it less likely that you'll damage your rope, lanyard, or yourself with a poorly placed step.

Since my spur climbing is pretty much always in conifers with thick, deeply furrowed bark, pole gaffs are less than useless to me...it's tree gaffs all the way. I really believe that if you are using these long gaffs, you should definately not be walking around on the ground in them...it is way too easy to put a sharp 3 1/2 in. gaff through the top of your foot or other gear.

How many of you routinely use gaff covers to protect both the climbers, yourself, and other gear when transporting/storing?

 

[Koa Man]

How many of you routinely use gaff covers to protect both the climbers, yourself, and other gear when transporting/storing?

I use a short piece of rubber tubing to slip over the gaffs. I got real lucky and saw someone selling Klein pole gaffs on a Dutch auction on Ebay. They had 12 sets for sale. I bought them all for $12.50 each, $5 shipping and no additional shipping charge if you bought more than one. I don't think the seller thought 1 person would buy them all. They are normally about $50 a set. I sold 5 of them for $25 a set, so now I have 7 sets which cost me $30.

 

[Burnham]

Here are a couple of pictures of the gaff covers I use...homemade, cheap, stout. All it takes is two 8 in. long pieces of heavy-duty garden hose and a sharp knife. They stay on pretty well all by themselves, as the upper part grips the shank, but a single wrap around them with the lower strap , buckled down, secures them completely.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Now THAT is a most excellent idea!!!

 

[Can-Do-It]

Oh Yes

Do you guys ever replace the gaffs? I know that they are replaceable, but I've never seen any that were worn out enough that they needed to be replaced.

I posted here some time back that I was having trouble with my gaffs pealing out. It had been getting worse lately or I was paying more attention to it.

Anyway, I called Sherrell and thanks to Johnny(climbers are about 25 yrs old), ordered another set.

The old gaffs were 3/4" shorter and not much of a point when compared to the new ones.

Yes .... you definitely need to replace gaffs from time to time. :angel:

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Nice idea for gaff covers, I use foam pipe insulation on mine.

 

[Ryan Willock]

I personally like my 3 1/2'' buckingham's. I topped and flopped a white oak two weeks ago that was hard as a rock. I run into that quite often so I like'um sharp!

 

[Local # 17 T.T.]

Nice idea for gaff covers, I use foam pipe insulation on mine.

a couple pieces of old garden hose works well too.

Mike

 

[Tree Machine]

Retired tubing from a Bigshot.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Retired tubing from a Bigshot.

Show a pic... :Eye:

 

[rahtreelimbs]

A hunk of auto fuel line is what I use!!!