Which gaff for Geckos?

[MattyF]

They are interchangeable I have some euro gaffs I keep just incase I get a big thuja or wellintonia , first time I tryed a pair of geckos they were on euro gaffs , I really liked them!!! But agree they are nightmare on willow so for that reason I switched back to the pole style gaffs.

[morten]

The gaffs can be really difficult to replace, since the torx (T40, I believe) screws are secured using Loctite, or similar compound.

One way to ease the process is to heat up the gaff/screw using a hot-air gun. Careful not to overheat, though.

That will soften the Loctite and make it easier to remove.

Re-apply Loctite compound when securing the new gaffs.

 

I have been using european style gaffs (like yours), and American style. I prefer the short American gaffs (also called "pole gaffs"), but on thick-barked pine trees, the long american style is required to reach the sapwood.

[Lancstree]

If its just a nightmare on willow I could nearly live with that however, American short gaffs seem to be the most popular so far and they are the ones I'm used to climbing on. Thanks for the tip on loctite Morten. If I manage to get a the gaffs changed I'll bear that in mind.

[Mesterh]

Can you take a pic of the bottom attachment?

 

Mine looks different to yours, it has a Velcro fastening which is garbage, your one looks better!

 

These spikes are gecko classics have velcro top strap and old style belt type ankle strap same as the ones I have. They were introduced as people did not like the velcro ankle strap.

 

Cheers for the info.

 

Think ill look into changing the bottom velcro to the leather style.

[testcricket01]

Cheers for the info.

 

Think ill look into changing the bottom velcro to the leather style.

 

 

id be interested to see how you get on with getting a conversion im sick of my velcro bottom straps keep falling down off my foot

[Neil Frost]

id be interested to see how you get on with getting a conversion im sick of my velcro bottom straps keep falling down off my foot

 

Ditto. Velcro at top is fine, but need buckles for the feet.

[Lancstree]

Just wondering do Gecko's come with euro gaffs unless others are requested? Do suppliers tend to ask what is the preferred gaff type when taking an order or not? I'm having a right old hard time getting used to the euros and the boss thinks I'm being awkward.

[Lorry thompson]

I would give jonsie a message mate he supplies them I got mine from him and they came with the short gaffs:)

[Ben Lad]

i loves the Distels, mine are the Euro gaffs... think they're also called kletersteiners or schnaegaelburgers or summit!!

 

the one complaint i have heard for (short) pole gaffs is when heading out on long branches if you haven't got a good angle to hold the spike under the branch it pops out easily...

 

not a problem I've struggled with with the Klettthinngimes (euro gaff) but though i'd throw in what a pal passed on...

 

Alu distels are super adjustable and for the weight and the wedge... I can't complain

i love them nearly as much as the BR600 blower!!!

[Lorry thompson]

Br600 MAGNUM mate! Haha