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Title: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 07:20:00 PM
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 :bash: 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 :dunno:  I ended up hyper extending my elbow, and now archery season is in jeopardy :bash: :bash: not sure how many of you have the sport climbers tree climbing spikes but I dont recommend them at all. 
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: sebek556 on August 15, 2011, 07:24:40 PM
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.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: ribka on August 15, 2011, 07:25:57 PM
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. 
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: h20hunter on August 15, 2011, 07:26:52 PM
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.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 07:27:28 PM
My motorcyle ratchet straps would work perfect :tup:  Yes I could have plumted the 60 feet :yike:, 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. 
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 07:29:51 PM
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 :twocents: The spikes were aluminum, and looking back I should have gone with steel.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 07:30:22 PM
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.
:yeah: I have first hand knowledge of that now :chuckle:
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: sebek556 on August 15, 2011, 07:31:10 PM
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..
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: ribka on August 15, 2011, 07:34:13 PM
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.
:yeah: I have first hand knowledge of that now :chuckle:

60ft up ?? :yike: :yike:
You're a lucky guy I would go buy a lottery ticket
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 07:34:36 PM
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.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 07:37:11 PM
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.
:yeah: I have first hand knowledge of that now :chuckle:

60ft up ?? :yike: :yike:
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.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: sebek556 on August 15, 2011, 07:42:21 PM
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.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 15, 2011, 07:45:23 PM
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.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: h2ofowlr on August 15, 2011, 07:54:16 PM
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.   :chuckle: :chuckle:

Get the arm back in shape.  Only a few weeks left.  Best of luck.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: TheHunt on August 15, 2011, 08:27:54 PM
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...
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 16, 2011, 11:13:40 AM
I think that Im going to just cut my losses and not tempt fate twice.  I told the landowners for the last two trees that have to be cut in sections, that I cant do it.  I can fell tress pretty easily, but never ones that tall, and no matter way they fall it will cause damage to the surronding homes, or powerlines.  I have a mutual agreement with the landowner where I get the wood, and I dont charge them for the service.  I am trying to get 3 years worth of wood, due to upcoming sea duty.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on August 16, 2011, 11:27:42 AM
There are 3 sets on Craig's right now. Thats were I got my Kliens...
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 16, 2011, 11:40:45 AM
There are 3 sets on Craig's right now. Thats were I got my Kliens...
under which city/area? 
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on August 16, 2011, 02:43:06 PM
Kent, Rochchester and Shelton.
Just search climbing spikes and most will pop up. Also search spurs, and Klein

http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=2&subAreaID=&query=climbing+spikes&catAbb=*censored* (http://seattle.craigslist.org/search/?areaID=2&subAreaID=&query=climbing+spikes&catAbb=*censored*)
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 16, 2011, 02:55:43 PM
Glad you did not get hurt.
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: GoldTip on August 16, 2011, 03:38:07 PM
Lucky you didn't get hurt, yeah, you never go heap climbing a tree.  Good thing that a lesson that only needs learning once!
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: seth30 on August 16, 2011, 07:36:56 PM
 :yeah: I dont think I will ever attempt it again with tree spikes :bash:
Title: Re: Found out the hard way not to go cheap
Post by: fillthefreezer on August 17, 2011, 10:36:35 AM
boots in the pictures should give it away, i think i would want to see them advertised with a guy wearing corkies or linesman boots at least...
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