sharpening distel gecko spikes

[Hats]

i brought some dispel gecko aluminium spikes and from new I've never felt they stick in the wood as they should. do they come blunt? how do people sharpen them, do they have a sharpening kit you can buy from distel? or can i use the bashlin sharpening kit? i see some people say use a diamond hone? which one are people using?

[Alinicoll]

All I've ever done is take the spikes off and sharpen them with a chainsaw flat file.

 

I can't say it's something that happens very often unless they hit something hard like rock, they don't need to be super sharp just not blunt.

[castanea]

Never had a problem with them digging in, even when blunt. If I was to sharpen I figure a flat file followed by diamond stone should see you good.

[Ferguson system]

I use a flat file and a belt grinder to sharpen mine.

[Mick Dempsey]

The issue of sharpening spikes comes up from time to time.

 

The very lightest of touches is needed, if you get too heavy handed and alter the length or angle of attack they're all but unusable.

[Darrin Turnbull]

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/pole-tree-climbers/gaff-sharpening-kit-pole-and-tree-climbers

 

 

I would sharpen them only when you really need to.

[Starscream]

I was taught just a flat file on the underside only, and as Mick said just the lightest of touches. Think I've had mine about 18months and done it once. Not a major fan of spikes though, I'm not very good in them!!!

[john p]

I was taught just a flat file on the underside only, and as Mick said just the lightest of touches. Think I've had mine about 18months and done it once. Not a major fan of spikes though, I'm not very good in them!!!

 

 

I love my spikes, first year of climbing I was unsure, now I'd wear em on a TPO 10% beech thin if I could get away with it

[Starscream]

I love my spikes, first year of climbing I was unsure, now I'd wear em on a TPO 10% beech thin if I could get away with it

 

Haha you joker!! I like them for positioning and that extra stability they lend, just not good on a pole with them.

[skyhuck]

I've had my Gecko's for 8 or 9 years (I think), up until recently I've only ever sharpened them with a small flat flat file, manly taking off from the bottom of the inner side, you must keep the point on the very outer point off the tip.

 

Recently I took some meat off the the whole gaff with an angle grinder, they are working really, really well now:thumbup1: