New to the forum.
I am a serious competitor in the speed climbing events at lumberjack sports competitions. For years our standard gear has been bashlin aluminum or buckingham titanium spurs. For traditional events we use them stock. For the open events we modifiy them by connecting the base of the shaft to an athletic shoe right behind the toes via two 3/8" stainless steel carriage bolts. We remove screws from the upper allowing it to "telescope" up and down the upper shaft. This allows us a more longer and more natural range of movement, and we are also able to utilize our calf muscles and more of the hamstring. Times can be a second faster in a 60 foot climb and well over two seconds in a 90 foot climb due to less fatigue.
I see that there are carbon fiber spurs by a company called Gecko on the market now. Here are few questions about them I hope someone can answer.
1) How will they fare compared to bashlin aluminum and buckingham titanium spurs in the impact resitance department. If you see the way we come down, you'll know what I'm talking about. I've only ever slightly bent the upper shaft on the bashlins. Other guys have broken them. I'm hoping that the carbon fiber is flexible in the sense and will provide a bit of shock resistance without any permanent contortion or breaking???
2) How would the base shaft hold up to having two 3/8" holes drilled in them? Is there a special type of drill bit that would be ideal for this.
3) Is there an option for the upper to telescope on the shaft like most metal or alloy spurs. This would be a necessity in using them for the open events?
4) Can spurs be switched out? We normally use strait pole gaffs, but will got to longer or bent gaffs in certain types of trees or if they are really chewed up.
5) What are the Gecko factory uppers like? Are they carbon fiber as well?
6) Also, I've seen some chatter about European vs. American style gaffs. What is the difference?
Thanks a bunch!
I am a serious competitor in the speed climbing events at lumberjack sports competitions. For years our standard gear has been bashlin aluminum or buckingham titanium spurs. For traditional events we use them stock. For the open events we modifiy them by connecting the base of the shaft to an athletic shoe right behind the toes via two 3/8" stainless steel carriage bolts. We remove screws from the upper allowing it to "telescope" up and down the upper shaft. This allows us a more longer and more natural range of movement, and we are also able to utilize our calf muscles and more of the hamstring. Times can be a second faster in a 60 foot climb and well over two seconds in a 90 foot climb due to less fatigue.
I see that there are carbon fiber spurs by a company called Gecko on the market now. Here are few questions about them I hope someone can answer.
1) How will they fare compared to bashlin aluminum and buckingham titanium spurs in the impact resitance department. If you see the way we come down, you'll know what I'm talking about. I've only ever slightly bent the upper shaft on the bashlins. Other guys have broken them. I'm hoping that the carbon fiber is flexible in the sense and will provide a bit of shock resistance without any permanent contortion or breaking???
2) How would the base shaft hold up to having two 3/8" holes drilled in them? Is there a special type of drill bit that would be ideal for this.
3) Is there an option for the upper to telescope on the shaft like most metal or alloy spurs. This would be a necessity in using them for the open events?
4) Can spurs be switched out? We normally use strait pole gaffs, but will got to longer or bent gaffs in certain types of trees or if they are really chewed up.
5) What are the Gecko factory uppers like? Are they carbon fiber as well?
6) Also, I've seen some chatter about European vs. American style gaffs. What is the difference?
Thanks a bunch!
