Found out the hard way not to go cheap

[seth30]

I have been taking down trees in a clear cut for the past month, and left the hardest for last.  I coudn't find a rental place to save my life that would rent me tree spikes, and I didn't feel like buying the really expensive lumber jack brands that cost hundreds of dollars.  I ended up findin this brand called sport climbers that cost me around 75 bucks.  Well yesterday was the big day, and I made it a whopping 60 feet in the tree before chaos happend The left spike compellty slid off my boot, and I was left with a spike to climb back down. The straps that come with it have no teeth to bite into it, and I'm suprised this item even can be sold   I ended up hyper extending my elbow, and now archery season is in jeopardy not sure how many of you have the sport climbers tree climbing spikes but I dont recommend them at all. 

[sebek556]

good to know,and sorry to hear about the elbow. it did turn out better than it could have though but since you have them could you change out the straps for different one and salvage your 75? my friend has a old set that he got and he put on some small ratchet straps that he sowed on in place of the straps and it works well for him.

[ribka]

I learned over 30 years ago not to skimp when tree stand hunting and buying safety gear in general. I used to use clothes line to tie myself in the tree and not use a belt/harness when climbing trees. I fell a few times and was lucky not to be severely injured.  No more.

I buy the best climbing gear and tree harnesses now. Not worth safety. Too many are killed or paralyzed falling out or climbing up/down from tree stands. 

[h20hunter]

You are a braver man than I. Those look a little flimsy. Came across a guy that was clinbing to take bird pics (??) and the ones on his shins/feet looked like freak'n moon boots with swords coming out of them.

[seth30]

My motorcyle ratchet straps would work perfect   Yes I could have plumted the 60 feet , luckily all I delt with was a ruined shirt, some skin loss and a elbow that feels like a truck ran over it. The doc gave me 15 days of light limited duty with a follow up. 

[seth30]

You are a braver man than I. Those look a little flimsy. Came across a guy that was climbing to take bird pics (??) and the ones on his shins/feet looked like freak'n moon boots with swords coming out of them.

sometimes I'm a little too stubborn The spikes were aluminum, and looking back I should have gone with steel.

[seth30]

I learned over 30 years ago not to skimp when tree stand hunting and buying safety gear in general. I used to use clothes line to tie myself in the tree and not use a belt/harness when climbing trees. I fell a few times and was lucky not to be severely injured.  No more.

I buy the best climbing gear and tree harnesses now. Not worth safety. Too many are killed or paralyzed falling out or climbing up/down from tree stands.

I have first hand knowledge of that now

[sebek556]

also from just looking at your pic i would put a edge on those things as well, kinda look old school millitary tent pegs, also might drill a hole through them into the metal that goes under your boot and put a bolt or two just in case..

[ribka]

I learned over 30 years ago not to skimp when tree stand hunting and buying safety gear in general. I used to use clothes line to tie myself in the tree and not use a belt/harness when climbing trees. I fell a few times and was lucky not to be severely injured.  No more.

I buy the best climbing gear and tree harnesses now. Not worth safety. Too many are killed or paralyzed falling out or climbing up/down from tree stands.

I have first hand knowledge of that now

60ft up ??
You're a lucky guy I would go buy a lottery ticket

[seth30]

do you mean another platform on them?  I wish they rode a little higher as well, way to much movment around the ankles as I went up.

[seth30]

I learned over 30 years ago not to skimp when tree stand hunting and buying safety gear in general. I used to use clothes line to tie myself in the tree and not use a belt/harness when climbing trees. I fell a few times and was lucky not to be severely injured.  No more.

I buy the best climbing gear and tree harnesses now. Not worth safety. Too many are killed or paralyzed falling out or climbing up/down from tree stands.

I have first hand knowledge of that now

60ft up ??
You're a lucky guy I would go buy a lottery ticket

i'm lucky I run 9 miles a week or I wouldnt have had the leg strength to do that crawl down the tree. The whole thing still twigs me out, and I dont know if Im going to attempt it again after my arm heals.

[sebek556]

testing is key, your not to far from lewis, their might be a few sow shops in your area being military. Around lewis there is a shop called tactical tailor and they do some great work from metal to anything. Prices were not bad when i was there 4 years ago.

[seth30]

Almost a 3 hour drive from the island, but next time I go visit family down in renton and Kent I will check it out.

[h2ofowlr]

You could have also looked on e-bay.  They usually have plenty of the Klein and Buckingham tree climbing spikes.  Next time you can also buy some ninja hand spikes as an extra back up.  They always work in the movies.   

Get the arm back in shape.  Only a few weeks left.  Best of luck.

[TheHunt]

I have a linemen pair that I got from my father in law.  They are the ticket for climbing.  The ones that you showed in your post looked like something I would not have used to climb 60 feet.  You have way more guts then I...