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Climbing Spike Recommendations

woodsdog2

woodsdog2

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2019
Messages
8,110
I may have the opportunity to utilize climbing spikes in some hunting spots this coming season. What recommendations do you have based on your own personal experience(s)?
 
I’ve used climb rights and Klein’s and far prefer the Klein’s! Also preferred poke gaffs over the tree gaffs....just felt more control and confidence with them. Regarding weight, I don’t believe it was much between the climb right aluminum’s and the Klein steel. Hope this helps


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I use Climb Right Aluminum Spurs with Climb Right Aluminum Ultra Light pads (Came with loud velcro strap, cutoff threw out). Tree gaffs, not pole gaffs. DIY straps 1" poly webbing on the bottom with 1" plastic quick release buckle. Top 2" poly webbing with 2" quick release plastic buckle. The pair is <5#. They are great, I have been climbing with spurs to hunt for 35+yrs. Much better than my old steel Buckinghams, better in comfort, weight and performance. Sewing done with Speedy Stitcher. All brands of spurs have a junk gaff cover. Get some hose, garden or fuel, cut 1/2" long after pressing on very hard. Put an epoxy plug in the end to keep dirt out. put one hole in the top of the hose, put black elastic from fabric store, tie in hole. Stretch a bit, put other end under lower pad fastener. When climbing, store hose at outside portion of top pad under strap. I remove them at height after hanging my predator p and climbing onto it. I hang them on my DIY sys hauler by a carabiner until it's decent time.
 
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GetHomeSafe said:
I use Climb Right Aluminum Spurs with Climb Right Aluminum Ultra Light pads (Came with loud velcro strap, cutoff threw out). Tree gaffs, not pole gaffs. DIY straps 1" poly webbing on the bottom with 1" plastic quick release buckle. Top 2" poly webbing with 2" quick release plastic buckle. The pair is <5#. They are great, I have been climbing with spurs to hunt for 35+yrs. Much better than my old steel Buckinghams, better in comfort, weight and performance. Sewing done with Speedy Stitcher. All brands of spurs have a junk gaff cover. Get some hose, garden or fuel, cut 1/2" long after pressing on very hard. Put an epoxy plug in the end to keep dirt out. put one hole in the top of the hose, put black elastic from fabric store, tie in hole. Stretch a bit, put other end under lower pad fastener. When climbing, store hose at outside portion of top pad under strap. I remove them at height after hanging my predator p and climbing onto it. I hang them on my DIY sys hauler by a carabiner until it's decent time.
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Can you post a few pics of you spurs? I'm looking on westspur right now I like that they are USA Made too. None of the tree gaffs models are in stock right now though. Thanks for your information!!
 
woodsdog2 said:
Can you post a few pics of you spurs? I'm looking on westspur right now I like that they are USA Made too. None of the tree gaffs models are in stock right now though. Thanks for your information!!
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Hunt on arborist supply. You will get many hits. Most of those will sell Climb Right. I will attach pics...my internet is not the greatest...I live in the woods.
 

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woodsdog2 said:
Can you post a few pics of you spurs? I'm looking on westspur right now I like that they are USA Made too. None of the tree gaffs models are in stock right now though. Thanks for your information!!
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When you get them and assemble, the highest part of the top pad should be a inch or two below the bottom of your knee joint. You will know if it is too high, it won't be comfortable. They are adjustable by the two fasteners on the spur. I found my top strap spun when trying to tighten. I made an easy fix I went back thru the slot in front of the pad (see pic), folded it back on itself and sewed it to itself with a few stitches. That anchored the female buckle. Now I pull on the end of the male buckle tag end and it tightens right up. I am super happy with how they turned out. I have a lot of climbs on them. I am totally pleased with there performance and ease of on / off. Very comfortable. Let me know if I can help in some way I would be happy to. Their are many pads, be sure and get the climb right ultra light. Lightest and very comfortable. God Bless
 
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I'm also learning that unless you're really going to be climbing super thick barked trees like shagbark hickories and redwoods out west, to use pole gaffs instead of tree gaffs for comfort.
 
woodsdog2 said:
Can you post a few pics of you spurs? I'm looking on westspur right now I like that they are USA Made too. None of the tree gaffs models are in stock right now though. Thanks for your information!!
Click to expand...
I found my top strap spun when trying to tighten. I made an easy fix I went back thru the slot in front of the pad (see pic), folded it back on itself and sewed it to itself with a few stitches. That anchored the female buckle. Now I pull on the end of the male buckle tag end and it tightens right up. I am super happy with how they turned out. I have a lot of climbs on them. I am totally pleased with there performance and ease of on / off. Very comfortable. Let me know if I can help in some way I would be happy to. Their are many pads, be sure and get the climb right ultra light. Lightest and very comfortable.
woodsdog2 said:
Can you post a few pics of you spurs? I'm looking on westspur right now I like that they are USA Made too. None of the tree gaffs models are in stock right now though. Thanks for your information!!
Click to expand...
See this link they are on sale $240.50 and they have tree gaffs and the correct pads and in stock. https://www.bartlettman.com/products/climb-right-tree-climber-set?_pos=2&_sid=a774e260c&_ss=r

I got my speedy stitcher on amazon. Learned how to use it on YouTubed (very easy). I got my webbing and buckles at strapworks.com. I bought a roll of 1" polypropylene webbing, it's handy for lots of DIY stuff...at least for me. If I recall I think I bought 6' of 2".
 
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GetHomeSafe said:
I found my top strap spun when trying to tighten. I made an easy fix I went back thru the slot in front of the pad (see pic), folded it back on itself and sewed it to itself with a few stitches. That anchored the female buckle. Now I pull on the end of the male buckle tag end and it tightens right up. I am super happy with how they turned out. I have a lot of climbs on them. I am totally pleased with there performance and ease of on / off. Very comfortable. Let me know if I can help in some way I would be happy to. Their are many pads, be sure and get the climb right ultra light. Lightest and very comfortable.

See this link they are on sale $240.50 and they have tree gaffs and the correct pads and in stock. https://www.bartlettman.com/products/climb-right-tree-climber-set?_pos=2&_sid=a774e260c&_ss=r

I got my speedy stitcher on amazon. Learned how to use it on YouTubed (very easy). I got my webbing and buckles at strapworks.com. I bought a roll of polypropylene webbing.
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Awesome brother! Just awesome!! Thanks!!
 
woodsdog2 said:
I'm also learning that unless you're really going to be climbing super thick barked trees like shagbark hickories and redwoods out west, to use pole gaffs instead of tree gaffs for comfort.
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You can, I don't find my tree gaffs the least bit uncomfortable. Climb Right gaffs go in with two fasteners, no roll pins like a lot of other brands. So you can swap them easily if need be. The thickest bark I have climbed is some redoaks and cottonwoods, too thick for a pole gaff. There are a lot of trees they will work on. But you kind of have to plan worst case, I think. If your only in bark and not wood...that's not good. For me after 35+ years on climbers. The comfort or lack thereof is in the climber not the gaff.
 
woodsdog2 said:
What is the opinion of these, which would be more in my budget range? https://sherrilltree.com/notch-gecko-steel-climbers/
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I have never climbed on these Geko's so I can't speak from any experience with them. They weigh one more pound than my Climb Rights. I bet if you create a post on here and on Saddle hunter nation on facebook you can find someone who has used them. They could speak to their experience.
 
woodsdog2 said:
What is the opinion of these, which would be more in my budget range? https://sherrilltree.com/notch-gecko-steel-climbers/
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I have a friend who found climb rights, same as mine, same pads, on Ebay for a great deal. So you could look there once a day or so and you may eventually find a bargain. Your at a great time of year to do it, time is on your side. They don't take long to learn, at least good ones don't.
 
Yeah I'm seriously looking at them. That deal you sent me from Baxter looked pretty good. I'll check ebay. I'm still trying to decide as I may want to do some limited tree work with them too but primarily for hunting.
 
woodsdog2 said:
Yeah I'm seriously looking at them. That deal you sent me from Baxter looked pretty good. I'll check ebay. I'm still trying to decide as I may want to do some limited tree work with them too but primarily for hunting.
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The one thing I can say is the climb rights, You will never wear them out if you use them until your 80. Your kids or grandkids will get them. And they still work great. Sharpen them - on the back only - once or twice a season. Only takes a few minutes with a file. The pads velcro onto the metal backing and are replaceable.
 
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