Timberwolf190

They could have made a better safety catch that slots in the mount lock. But it doesn't bother me that much. Still doesn't mean I won't consider modifying it though.! ;-)

Yup 🤐

They also have new design Distel Spurs due out soon. :-)

Looking forward to dropping some lumps into this tomorrow.... Had some curious looks and an explosives swab test at Munich Airport security cos I was only travelling with hand luggage. But despite my beard and disheveled look I made it to England without having to squat and cough.!

Anodising assembly parts and testing still. Finished product in a month or more apparently. .... but there's still a queue of investors to get theirs first.

Interesting meeting with Uli Distel and his son on Friday in Germany. They have become aware of some imitation Distel Spurs being sold. They bought some (on eBay) and have tested them with their stress cycle equipment. (Repetitive loading test) The sub-standard fakes bent on the gaff (see pic) and the main shaft, demonstrating weak inferior metal and manufacturing. Also the buckle straps are very plastic looking, the pads are a poor quality, the Velcro is not as good and the moulded leg mounts are low quality with a dull shine on them. Also you can see marks on the underside of the foot plate, probably made during a crude bending process. They are great guys and have a fantastic product, having imitations of their spurs, that they have put so much time and pride into, was clearly upsetting for them. If you want a decent product, ensure you purchase from a reputable supplier and check the photos here to look for the signs of being copies.!!

Reecoil is stout enough not to be blown around in the same way other lanyards are. Maybe a video is in order... Blower test.!!

Just some thoughts.... Because it's a heavy object that could potentially fall and hit someone, the lanyard is a backup. But also that you won't let go of it if suddenly you need to grab on to your system or the tree to secure yourself unexpectedly. It's rare that I would face any problems from a saw lanyard and have never thought it would be easier without one. Just because a particular thing has never happened, doesn't mean it won't... so be prepared for it and have a backup plan. :-) Saws should be attached to a system that is separate from life support webbing etc on the harness and be weak enough to fail given extreme loads.

There is another eye in the reecoil nearer the saw attachment point and one side of the webbing is thicker/stiffer than the other, which helps get it off the saw. (But a small loop of throwline also helps to pull the larks head loose on any saw lanyard if you like)

The reecoil isn't really for hanging your saw on its full length. You can do obviously, but it's a long way away.! The coil isn't so much a bungie, more of a shaped coil, there is some spring in it though. (I'm probably making no sense.!!) Essentially though you are hanging your saw on a harness tool carry and the lanyard wont impede you through lack of length or being too dangly and getting in the way.

Cut it off an old lanyard with a very narrow angle grinder, then once fitted filled the cut with steel reinforced epoxy putty. I got plenty left if you are keen. Rings of various sizes are available on Amazon if you haven't got one spare.

Stein ...Lol Reecoil

The flick to release is helped by a little extra weight (DMM a bit over 14oz (xsre still on in pic)) The weight of rope climber side of the branch can add up on a long secondary anchor... For both it's mostly about sending a wave of rope back to the branch for hook to drop below, then a little extra weight from the DMM gives it a little extra fight against the rope weight pull. There's just lots of little details about the DMM hook that make it a lot slicker and nicer to use than the other options in my humble opinion.

Me, playing around with the Dmm hook :-)

I wasn't that keen on the Epple... particularly whilst holding the DMM one in my other hand. The Epple is lighter than the DMM but Epple seems fairly crude at the attachment end, not very textile friendly and the cylinder you clip into with your crab can scratch and hold the crab out of orientation. Easily flicked out maybe, but still not a patch on the Dmm shackle it has there, that you can tie directly into. And talking of crude... then there's the Züfle.!