Mark Bolam

The first one is dumping 50m of rope at the base of a 15’ tree makes you look like a 17 year old. I suppose an advantage of this would be you could spend an extra 5 minutes at the end of a climb telling your groundies how great you are while coiling your rope back up alpine stylee.

The Courant bags are very good. I was envious when Rich got his, instant accessibility and visibility for all your gear, including lid. I’ll get one when my black ex-army deployment bag (about £25) wears out, which will probably be never. In this, I have mountains of barely used shite, as well as my ‘grab bag’ of basic climbing kit, which is a cheapo DMM rucksack that Skyland sell. All the usual bar spikes in there. My ropes are always in separate rope bags. So many good reasons for that, if you don’t know them I can’t be bothered to explain.

Try before you buy Sam. It’s the only way. I know your location doesn’t help, but Treekit are in Christchurch, definitely worth popping over. Dan is spot on, the ‘best’ are the best for you. I love my Pfanners, but Dan is about 3 feet taller and 10 stone heavier than me. * * Weight difference possibly slightly exaggerated for effect.

In his grey YSL Y-fronts?

No vehicle will smell fresh after a days forestry. I actually prefer the smell of petrol to my own body.

Looks good. Must admit we use steel crab for nearly everything. This looks like it would work well untying wise for pulling applications when you have to crank the pressure up?

Lovely spot Mick.

Nice. Did you head straight from there to audition for the new ‘Zorro’ film?

Absolutely Hanz. When @Mick Dempsey teams it up with one of these beauties he’ll be on a real winner.

@Timberwolf Official? I had a similar problem with my new 160 which Greenplant sorted at first service. Pretty sure it was a connection issue rather than a faulty alternator.

Yeah Joe, you Joey.

I swapped mine out same as Joe. Go on Mick, treat yourself. It does improve your life.

Spin a coin mate, they are both excellent saws in my opinion. @MattyF may have used both recently, he’d be better put for an answer. Personal preference I think.

Airstreams are cold! Andrews are where it’s at.

CORRECTION! It’s the 57 drive link Stihl chains you need mate, with the 150 bar to go straight on without drilling, not the 56. I ordered a couple of each recently because my mate is still on a 150, and I got it arse about face on here. Thankfully got the right chains on the saws though. Skyland actually PM’d me to point out my error. You just don’t get service like that very often do you? Apologies Treerover, if you’ve already ordered 56 DL chains I’ll have them off you and swap for 57’s, and pay post.

Fits straight on with the Stihl 56 drive link chain, no drilling required. 0.43. Smoothest combo I’ve found as well, love it.

Same. Couldn’t work it out. Binned it and went over to the Stihl 150 bar with 56 DL chain. Sorted.

Can you not fell it and count the rings?

I’m not involved in tying high loads of big bales onto trailer beds etc. I normally just use standard straps to secure grinders etc. on the load bed, and occasionally throw a strap over the back of the Tranny when we’re brimmed to secure barrows, ton bags etc. The main rule is that when you’ve pulled the strap tight and given it a couple of cranks, you MUST then flick the strap and say ‘That is going NOWHERE’. It’s a legal requirement.

Forgot about the Swazi Rich. Von has one now as well and really rates it. The Kiwis know about rain!

Always worth discussing mate, because new stuff does come along. Some standard answers as well. ’Ex-army goretex is great’. In my opinion it’s not. ’Skin is waterproof, I just wear a t-shirt’ Always first in the truck when it starts sleeting. I think we have established by now that nothing is truly waterproof and breathable. Vapour from sweat can’t get out from the inside if water is bouncing off the outside. Simple physics. You can’t help sweating if you’re climbing. I prefer warm wet from sweat than cold rain, like. My Paramo is excellent, but I’m not ruining it on tree work! Goretex always seems to start well but I think tree work rubs the outer over time and it ends up leaking, no matter how much Nikwax you through at it. Cut & Climbs seem well thought of, but I don’t like the fact they haven’t got a hood. Basically what you’re after is the best compromise. Please nobody mention Arbotec, we’re not at college anymore.

Sad day when you learn nothing. I’ve been ratcheting the granny out of similar stuff for years!

At least mate.

The Edelrid looks good, but I thought it was a bit complicated for me, and I was put off by the crappy looking buckles (which killed my love affair with my Sequoia). More and more companies seem to be using them. I went for the Courant a couple of years ago and have no complaints. Great, simple metal buckles, very easy on and off. Good gear loop options, compact side D’s and pretty comfy. Always best to try before you buy if you can, obviously.

You can choke a line in softwoods easily enough if you’re handy with a throwline, you need to throw one side of the butt, send the line up, throw the other side, send the working end up and down again, then choke. Hope this makes sense? It’s a fanny-on though, and with some big hairy edgers it just wouldn’t work, same as spiking them with just a strop.