ARB

CLIMBER
www.arbclimber.com

Aerial Arboriculture, PPE, Climbing and Cutting Equipment

8
ISSUE
 8
PAGE TITLE
ARB
CLIMBER
www.arbclimber.com
EDITOR: www.arbclimber.com
Ade Scott ade@trmedialtd.com

CONTENTS
Snr. Researcher:
Adam Jones
Researcher:
James Hutchen
PHOTOGRAPHER:

issue
James Fairfield
UK Consultant Editor:
QuickSTEP Rich Hackwell
N.American Contributing Editor:
and you’re ready to go! Thomas Amorim
Technical Diagrams:
Steve Monks

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE:

Steve Gumm
James Fairfield
Adam Jones
2 ON THE COVER
PICTURES THIS ISSUE:
Steve Gumm, Adam Jones
4 PRODUCT INFO Ade Scott, Gere Scott

Chainsaw, PPE and rope stuff Dak Wiles

ADVERTISING:
12 GEAR REVIEW Rock Exotica Omni-Blocks Kelly Matthews - arbclimber@aol.com

Design & Repro by:

18 GEAR The Gear to Have in 2016 Ian Downes
Jo Evernden

24 CHAINSAW MAINTENANCE ACm WEBSITE:

Broken Clutch Plate www.arbclimber.com
by Steve Gumm
Reviews and articles not shown as
authored are by Ade Scott, Adam
28 GALLERY Let the Crane take the strain Jones and/or Rich Hackwell
by James Fairfield
FRONT COVER:
30 BACKtoBACK Multitools Top 5 What's so interesting through the
leaves? Washington Crossing in
Pennsylvania where soon-to-be
40 SPOTLIGHT Actsafe Powered Ascender President Washington crossed the
Delaware to case the joint during
46 MARKET GUIDE the war of Independence.
PATENT PENDING
The only boots on the market
Chainsaw Protective Boots pt 1 A-J Photo by James Fairfield.

with integrated connection for THIS PAGE:

foot ascenders
68 GEAR REVIEW CMI RopeJack Climbing tall trees is a lot easier
with one of these! Checkout our
instructional Spotlight on p42
72 GEAR REVIEW SIP Climber Trousers Photo by David 'Dak' Wiles
www.arbpro.it
Important notice: Clip’in and Quickstep attachment point are NOT a Personal Protective Equipment
B and in no circumstances it can be used for life support!
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
ON THE COVER www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com

T
he cover and
this photo taken
by ArbClimber's
James Fairfield
are of Jack Morvin in
Historical Washington
Crossing, Pennsylvania.
It is a large white oak
that is growing in the
area where President
Washington crossed the
river and the image of
Washington crossing is a
US national symbol.

On the cover he is
climbing on an ISC Rope
Runner using brightly
coloured Yale XTC Imori Fluid mechanics.
which is far more vividly
coloured than the
cover lets on. The two
colour options currently,
are green and black
or orange and black.
The cover photo was
shot before and during
sunrise with a heavy
fog bank rolling through
and for those interested
ZIGZAG
in photography it was
taken with a Nikon Mechanical Prusik
D5100, no flash, 1/320 With ZIGZAG, all your movements in the tree become fluid. The device
Photo © www.kalice.fr

second exposure with uses the same technique as a classic Prusik, making it intuitive to
ISO640 F-stop F4 with a use and quick to adopt. A spring-loaded release lever offers precise
16mm focal length. control for accurate movement. The integrated pulley and swivel make
taking in rope smooth and efficient.

For North American Sales contact info@petzl.com

For UK Sales contact info@lyon.co.uk
2 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
PRODUCTS www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com Complete Tree Climbing Kits
NEW ARB SOFTWARE
COURANT 4SRT is a range of 'software' from the UK

KIT & ROPE that will no doubt expand but currently

includes:

BAGS
• a chest harness called the 'Chester',
• Rope Wrench tethers
• foot loops or 'Floops' for those
too short of breath to be able
to get the full two words
out, for retro-attaching
ascending systems to your
boots
• a split tail
tether for your
ED: we like
Hitch Climber Your source for tree gear!
our rope bags and
system and Rope Wrench
organiser packs and we
(below & right)
www.WesSpur.com
reviewed the Courant (800) 268-2141
• What we used to call
Cross Pro organiser
floating and 3-stage ascending
packs in a previous ARBCLIMBER Readers go to
rigs – basically one of the smart
issue. These have since
new chest ascenders like CAMP's WesSpur.com/arbclimber.html
been updated and seem
turbo-Chest with a load of correctly
to have addressed the few
configured bungie cord in a neat for a limited-time coupon on your next order.
niggles we had and since Limited time offer! Order today at WesSpur.com.
Silver Bull pouch.
we liked the originals these
• Neck loop (!) a progress-capture
should now be very good indeed.
option for your ascending rig which is
Available in 3 colours (yellow, blue
a rope covered bungie that works by
and red) these are 56L or if that 2014ad1.indd 1 5/29/2014 10:10:39 AM
dragging up the Hitchclimber pulley
taxes your brain, about the size of
(and system) as you climb hand-over-
your kid's golf club bag. Features
hand.
now include 6 mesh pockets and 20
carabiner slots on the inside and a pocket accessible from
inside or outside. The shoulder straps have become more
I'm
ergonomic and there are now 6 external carabiner clipping
definitely
points, a fastening kit for the helmet and uprated handles all
getting old, in my day, rule number 1 after
over the place – there are two front carry handles rated to
not dropping bits of wood on the client was never put
200kg, two side handles also rated to 200kg and a winch or
anything around your neck that could be a hanging risk in the
heli-strap on the top rated to 300kg – that means you could
event of a fall and snag?
climb in yourself and get hoisted. Cost
The Rope Wrench
is around £100. exc VAT
tethers are stiffened
There's a great, part-mesh 36L rope
and available in two
bag called the HOST able to carry
lengths 25 & 30cm
45m of 12mm rope
costing around £39
so it's almost half
for the larger size
the size of the
while the split tail
Cross Pro. There
tether is around £42.
are 4 gear clips
There's a pricing
and reinforced
theme here because
areas that holds
the new Chester
the bag's shape
harness is also around
when empty.
the £40/$40 mark
Weight: 910g
and offers variable
cost around £35.
attachment points
for customising
www.mycourant.com
your ascending rig
plus simple waist www.4srt.co.uk
adjustment.

4 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 5

 E X P E R T U S E O N L Y
E X P E R T U S E O N L Y
PRODUCTS www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com

NEW
BOOTSCENDER
TOP-HANDLE ED: Having mentioned an adjunct option for
a boot-ascending rig on the previous page

CHAINSAW
here is the logical evolution of ArbPro
Italy's revolutionary integrated climbing
boot system, the Quick Step. This is a

AZTEK
boot, both protective or non-cut

AZTEK
protective, with a built-in
plate for mounting a foot SYSTEM
SYSTEM
ascender directly to the
boot. Or indeed to your • Switches from 4:1 to 5:1 with a change of direction.
• Switches from 4:1 to 5:1 with a change of direction.
spikes if you use the universal silver
adapter shown below. It doesn't get • Color-coded prusiks are rope friendly and can be
• Color-coded prusiks
released under are rope friendly and can be
light tension.
any easier than that does it – literally released under light tension.
handed to you on a plate. If you're like
• Use AZTEK for pick off, load release hitch,
me you'll sometimes skip things that • Use AZTEK for pick
high-directional off, load
guyline, litter release hitch,
attendant tether, litter
are too fiddly especially for short high-directional guyline,
scoop, edge restraint and litter
much attendant
more. tether, litter
jobs....at least you scoop, edge restraint and much more. AZTEK Kit includes:
thought • AZTEK System length ranges from just 9” to over 13’. AZTEK Kit includes:
AZTEK PULLEYS
it was • AZTEK System length ranges from just 9” to over 13’. 6mm PRUSIKS
AZTEK (2)
PULLEYS
50’ 8mm
6mm STATIC
PRUSIKS (2)CORD
going to be • Features high-efficiency ball bearings and machined 44” 8mm
50’ 6mm STATIC
PURCELL PRUSIK CORD
CORD
• Features
aluminumhigh-efficiency
parts. ball bearings and machined PRO6mm
44” OR PURCELL
STANDARD BAG CORD
PRUSIK
a short job until
aluminum parts. PRO OR STANDARD BAG
it turned into a mission and you hadn't
bothered to get
properly
The CS- kitted. COLOR EDGE LOW
2511TES CODED
COLOR RESTRAINT
EDGE TENSION
LOW
Having the CODED RESTRAINT RELEASE
TENSION
top handle RELEASE
ascender mount directly to the boot


chainsaw is


ECHO's light- means there's no webbing to get snagged
est and most or walked on and it's a much firmer fit that doesn't
compact saw rely on you to take in all the slack during tightening.
to date. Weighing Nevertheless, there is this strap-on option if you're
just 2.3kg/5lb (dry weight too 'strapped' to pay the £200 or so for a new pair 50’ CORD SWIVEL
LENGTH
50’ CORD CONNECTION
SWIVEL
w/o 20, 25 or 30cm/12" bar of boots. LENGTH CONNECTION
and chain) and with an ergonomic The ArbPro system uses a left and/or right handed Climbing
compact design, the saw is both Technology ascender mounted on a plate-equipped boot or
highly manoeuvrable and can be used for long periods with onto the spike adapter shown on the right. The boots also
little fatigue. At the same time, the premium grade engine
have the sewn-in loop for attaching your knee
produces 1.10kW giving the CS-2511TES a superior power-to-
weight ratio. The CS-2511TES features a swing-out lanyard ring or floating ascender, like the Haas system. The yellow boots
allowing for easier and safer climbing. The starter toggle can above are the QuickStep with no chainsaw protection,
also be used to open oil/fuel caps, even when wearing gloves. the grey and red boots are class 4:1 5:1 12:1
3 protective (details in our Boots 4:1 5:1 12:1
l25.0cm3 professional-grade, l Round shaped side handle for
2-stroke engine provides impres- increased ease of use. Guide in this issue). The website is
sive cutting performance. l Starter grip can be used to shown below
l Ultra-light weight reduces open the caps manually. but there didn't
operator fatigue. l Swing-out lanyard ring to en- seem to be any
l Compact design enables opera- hance balance and easy climbing.
tors to maneuver in tight spaces. l Wide tank openings for easy
info as we went to
l ES-start for easier starting. oil/fuel refilling. press so it might be
l G-Force Engine Air Pre-Cleaner l Meshed louvers to prevent better to look
reduces engine exposure to dirt pine needle penetration. at the key EDGE
and debris for less maintenance The AZTEK kit can be configured as a 4:1, 5:1 or 12:1 EDGE
arb supply The RESTRAINT
and longer life.
l Flat bottom for comfortable with AZTEK
the use kit
of can be configured
an additional as a 4:1, 5:1 or 12:1
pulley. RESTRAINT
l Oiler adjustment on top ena- operation. companies on with the use of an additional pulley.
bles operator to control oil flow l Debris shield as an option our retailer list.
for optimum operation. prevents debris penetration.
www.arbpro.it MAX LENGTH
l Ergonomic top handle comfort- www.echotools.com MIN LENGTH < WIDE RANGE OF OPERATION >
ably fits the operator’s hand. 9”
MIN(22.8cm)
LENGTH < WIDE RANGE OF OPERATION > 13’
MAX (4m)
LENGTH
9” (22.8cm) 13’ (4m)
6 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
PRODUCTS PPE www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com

NEW CLOTHING that may not be sufficiently lit.

Individual features vary

from HUSQVARNA
depending on the class of
clothing but the Technical
Extreme range has: 2 padded
chest pockets,
HUsqvarna Updates Full Range of Personal
Protective Clothing; New Innovative Knee
1 sleeve pocket and 1 first
aid pocket. Cost is £270 for
FOCUS ON
Solution for Technical Extreme range.

CLIMBING HARNESS KOALA

the Jacket and £310 for the
trousers including VAT
TECHNICAL EXTREME RANGE (pics right)
Husqvarna Technical Extreme gets a great new Technical range
feature in this update: Tech-Knee. Technical The Husqvarna Technical
Extreme is Husqvarna’s ultimate range of protective range is built for forestry
clothing, made specially for professionals who professionals who
work in the toughest environments on a daily basis. work long hours and need great
With Tech-Knee technology, Technical Extreme now performance every day. Designed
grants professionals enhanced saw protection, thanks with light stretch fabrics and reinforced light and many
to additional fibre layers. This improves the user’s safety,
especially in situations where the trousers fit tight to the
panels, as well as pre-bent knees and elbows; confortable equipement loops
the Technical range is both comfortable and
knee. The complete knee area on the PPE and the saw durable. Made with a tight fit, the Technical
protection fabric has been pre-bent to ensure a perfect fit in range is meant to be worn close to the
all working positions, letting users move naturally in their body, ensuring that the work is not limited
working environment. This means users get exceptional by the clothing. An open yoke, ventilation
openings and zippers also means
the Technical range keeps users cool Many
throughout their work day. adjustments
Cost is £204 for the Jacket and £200 for
the trousers including VAT

protection without hindering freedom of movement or
comfort. Tech-Knee also lets professionals work comfortably
in wet conditions, keeping knees dryer for a longer time,
even if users have to kneel on wet ground. This is made
possible because of a water-resistant inner lining and an
outer layer made of water-repellent fabric. This prevents
water and moisture from penetrating the saw protection
layers. Perfect for use all year round, in all conditions.
Ventilation openings and zippers keep users cool and promotes
regulation of body temperature, especially in hot and humid
environments. With ankle straps included on the trousers,
users don’t have to worry about snow or insects.
Reflectivity is built into both the Technical Extreme jacket and
trousers in the form of reflective fabrics and tapes to enhance
the user’s visibility to others, an especially useful feature when
users work in dense forests or along roadside areas, or in areas
Functional range
The Husqvarna Functional range Elastic
includes clothes you can trust when
adjutable
there’s work to be done in the
forest. The jacket has reinforcements webbing
around the wrists and Cordura®
reinforcements on the sleeves. On the
trousers, the Functional range features
Cordura® reinforcements on the knees
and ankles, as well as a completely
covered and reinforced chainsaw
protection pad, making it harder for saw
dust to penetrate the material, as well
as limiting overall wear and tear. Cost is
£118.75 for the Jacket and £163.50 for
the trousers including VAT
Classic range
The Husqvarna Classic range is well suited to users who need
PPE that is comfortable and convenient for occasional outdoor
work. Features like ventilation openings and an open yoke on
the jacket, as well as zippers on the back of the trouser leg
keeps users cool while they work. Several pockets have been Elastic
included on the Classic jacket, giving users convenient access to adjutable webbing
accessories or tools they might need for their task at hand. Cost
is £69 for the Jacket and £97.50 for the trousers inc VAT.
www.husqvarna.com

8 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 mycourant.com

PRODUCTS www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com
NFPA CERTIFIED - MADE IN USA

New
PULLEYS - CARABINERS - RIGGING PLATES - EDGE PROTECTION

New Petzl
DESCENDERS - RAPPEL RACKS - RESCUE STAYK

Rollclip Z STERLING
Pulley carabiner From WORK PRO
Rescue
New for 2017 is the ROLLCLIP Z is a pulley-carabiner with a
gate opening on the non-pulley side to facilitate installation
Purpose-built for efficient, secure SRT/SRS climbing
Sterling Rope's newest and most advanced climbing line
on anchors and devices. It is available in two locking
is the direct result of a rigorous in-use testing and close
systems: automatic TRIACT-
LOCK system or manual to collaboration with working arborists, competitive climbers
and instructors. The final design of the WorkPro incorporates

ArbWork...
SCREW-LOCK system.
Specifications
Major axis: 20kN [ED: something reassuringly familiar about this new AFB. It
Minor axis: 8kN looks similar to a Rescue Belay device we first used in the early
Gate Open: 7kN part of this century-makes it sound old doesn't it! However,
that pedigree does mean it was designed to take high impact
loads and be easily controlled by the operator so it should
work well for arborists]
The AFB TS-1 allows a worker to control appropriate loads
without an additional friction brake by simply holding the
rope, whether on the ground or in the canopy.*Loads were
measured with a static pull, NOT a drop test. Because force is
increased by a fall, the manageable load does not necessarily
reflect appropriate load weights.
The ROLLCLIP Z pulley may Two wraps are recommended for best use. A wrap is defined
be used as a directional as crossing the top of the device. Larger loads (up to 1,000
point on the upper attach- lbs) can be rigged with three wraps. With three wraps on the
ment point of the ASCEN- device it will be harder to pull rope back while unloaded, and
their desire for maximum climbing efficiency and the
absolute need for reliability in all conditions.
We have extensive experience building nylon/polyester
mixed material ropes, but to meet the requirements of
the WorkPro we developed an entirely new approach to
construction – one that balances elongation in the core
and sheath so they share the load evenly. This makes
the WorkPro stronger than other 11 mm ropes of similar
construction while retaining a small but important amount
of elongation
PERFORMANCE BENEFITS
STRONG: An MBS rating of over 8,000 lb exceeds most other
climbing lines in the 11 mm range.
BALANCED: The perfect amount of elongation means the
WorkPro is static enough to be a highly-efficient line for fast
climbing, but still has enough give in shock load situations.
COMPATIBLE: Integrates readily with ascenders, friction
hitch cords and other gear. Sewn terminations are available
from the factory.
KEY DESIGN FEATURES
Kernmantle low-stretch construction with a polyester sheath Photo by: Don Enos - SMC

SION handled rope clamp, this is recommended only for the occasional large loads or for and nylon core: 32-carrier Polyester Sheath: Naturally
controlling a rigging line placed at the butt of the load. resistant to water absorption and abrasion. The 32-strand NFPA RAPPEL RACKS - SPIDER - RESCUE FIGURE 8’s
for short rope ascents.
Gate opening on the construction is easy to handle and helps share loads with the
non-pulley side facilitates The Aerial Friction Brake is based on a rope and rescue tool core. Nylon Core: A new design uses heat-treated fibers that
installation on the ASCEN- created by Carroll C. Bassett called the BMS Belay Spool. are stronger and work together to evenly share loads,
SION. The benefits of this improved, arborist-specific design include: for a stronger rope with more consistent performance.
•Canopy controllable friction
The ROLLCLIP Z pulley •Snatch function allows easy attachment to the anchor SPECIFICATIONS:
can be used for tree care sling and the ability to attach a rigging rope mid-line Diameter: 11mm 7 / 16" PRUSSIK MINDING PULLEYS - PROGRESS CAPTURE PULLEYS
to attach the ZIGZAG de- •Extra wide side plates to prevent pinching of the Weight: 5.6 lbs /100'
scender to the attachment running rope MBS 36kN / 8,092 lbs
Sewn Eye MBS: 30.6 kN / 6,878 lbs
bridge on the SEQUOIA •Square bollard decreases surface contact of unloaded rope,
Elongation: 2.8%@50-150kg / 3% @300lbs
harness, for improved decreasing friction and allowing the unloaded rope to be Sheath Slippage: 0.9%
lateral mobility. pulled back (more difficult with three wraps) Impact Force: 5.8kN
Number of Falls: >5
Weight: 3.35 lbs Standards: NFPA1983:Technical EN 1891: Type A ANSI Z133
Also new from Petzl for 2017 look out for a new rescue *SWL: 1,000 lbs Colours:
harness, headlamps and a range of low stretch ropes in Recommended Rope Size: 9/16" Distributed by
10.5, 11 and 12mm diameters and available in 6 different Maximum Rope Size: 3/4"
colours: white, yellow, blue, black, red and orange. Cost: $199.95
www.petzl.com www.treestuff.com www.sterlingrope.com

10
SEATTLE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
360-366-5534 | INFO@SMCGEAR.NET | WWW.SMCGEAR.NET
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER
GEAR REVIEW
Rock Exotica
OMNI-BLOCK
I
t always seems like the Omni-Block is something
new but the basic concept has actually been
around for almost a decade in some form
or other because I think we were looking at
the Aztec omni (pic right) back in 2008.
The Omni-Block that we're considering here,
has the same full-size swivel but differs from
the diminutive Aztec in that it has a swivelling
front plate and of course, considerably more
bulk. There are now no less than fifteen
12
www.arbclimber.com
by Ade Scott & Adam Jones
swivel pulleys
1
5 3
4 the Omni is.....
2 to be loaded/unloaded while the pulley is still connected.
models ranging from 1.1" to 2.6"
sheaves with a smattering of stainless
steel, black colouring and a shackle
thrown in to shake up the otherwise
all-alloy, all-swivel range. There's even
a red version of the P55, the 'Rigging
Block' for NFPA aficionados giving spec in
imperial lbf instead of metric kNs and two
military 6mm versions we haven't mentioned
or we'll have to kill you and eat you.
There are a two or three things that set the Omni-Blocks apart
from other pulleys but one in particular that will soon be emulated
by a whole host of Chinese manufactured 'rivals' if it's not already:
1) A full-size swivel attachment with an eye large enough to
take at least two carabiners. The swivel has a nylon bushing but
the pulleys are all steel bearings.
2) Prusik-minding 'wings' making this a great progress capture
pulley in any MA system.
3) Immense strength and ability to withstand abuse which, in
common with much that Rock does, comes from being hewn
out of a solid block of aluminium (except the stainless version
of course).
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
www.arbclimber.com
4) High grip section to aid in swinging the front plate during
loading/unloading of rope, but the really brilliant thing about
5) the double-action, push button plate release allowing rope
Press once to free the plate and twice to swivel it clear. No
risk of dropping it.
So to recap, the Omni-Block range are pulleys with a built-
in swivel. They can used be as a high-strength redirect
and deviation, a carriage on a high line/zipline or part of a
mechanical advantage set up. The biggest model, the 2.6 is
not meant to be a snatch-block (negative rigging) but will
inevitably be used as such. It's a tough hombre and if you're
good with mathematics or have that other nifty piece of Rock
Exotica kit the EnForcer Load Cell, you should be able to keep
things within the stated load limits remembering (at the risk
of teaching you to suck eggs) that dynamic loads you subject
the Omni-block to in negative rigging, are not simply the
weight being dropped on it.
The entire range is CE certified ensuring compliance in
certain parts of the world, and they are also available in
black, although this is unlikely to be an appealing attribute
for the arb market who like to be able to see their kit when
packing up in low light at the end of the day unless you
market your company as Ninja Arborists?
The self orientating swivel eye needs little explanation, other Gustharts, Milkhope Centre, Blagdon
than to say that its existence makes rigging set up much easier
as it will orientate the pulley where ever the load dictates, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 6DA
01670 789701
ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 13
GEAR REVIEW www.arbclimber.com USES:
www.arbclimber.com GEAR REVIEW
• Redirect
MODEL P54 P51 P51 SS P51SH P51 D P53 P53 D P55/ which has been • Deviation
(Shackle) MHP55 precision milled • Zipline 'Trolley'
Sheave single single single single double single double single to incorporate • Component in a compound pulley system
1.1"/28mm 1.5"/38mm 1.5"/38mm 1.5"/38mm 1.5"/38mm 2.0"/51mm 2.0"/51mm 2.6"/66mm
a becket (in the • Snatch Block (under weight limit provisos)
Becket Eye No No No No Yes No Yes No case of double FEATURES:
Sheave Stainless sheave models), • Integral, multi-carabiner swivel
aluminium aluminium aluminium aluminium aluminium aluminium aluminium
material Steel head and axle. • Can be placed on rope while still attached to anchor
Colours Orange/Grey, Orange/Grey, Orange/Grey, Orange/Grey, Orange/Grey, Orange/Grey, Orange/Grey, Orange/Grey, The release button • two stage front plate release for extra safety
Black Black Black Black Black Black Black Black,Red/Blue accommodation • Prusik-minding
Height 4.2" 5.3" 5.3" 5.3" 5.3" 5.9" 5.9" 7.6" has been integrated • High strength to size ratio
(add 28mm/1.1" for becket) 107mm 135mm 135mm 135mm 135mm 150mm 150mm 191mm into this part. The • CE certified and NFPA compliant
Widths 0.87"/2" 1"/2.5" 1"/2.5" 1"/2.5" 1.8"/2.5" 1"/3" 2"/3" 1.5"/3.6" sheaves, side plates
(Exc bolt dome) 22/51mm 25/64mm 25/64mm 25/64mm 46/64mm 25/76mm 51/76mm 38/93mm and swivel are
Weight 5.1 oz 9.2 oz 10.7oz 10.7oz 14.5oz 12.3oz 19.4oz 1.9 lbs
without knowing the higher
then fitted to this
(non-becket) 145g 260g 303g 303g 411g 1248g 548g 850g spec of the Omni you know
with a swivel eye
MBS 23kN 36kN 36kN 36kN 36kN 36kN 40kN 80kN/na you're in the presence of
giving 1.2"/30mm
5069 lbf 7934 lbf 7934 lbf 7934 lbf 7934 lbf 7934 lbf 8816 lbf 17632 lbf/na greatness. It's like a pocket
clearance for
WLL 5kN 8kN 8kN 8kN 8kN 8kN 8kN 20kN battleship, there isn't the
1102 lbf 1763 lbf 1763 lbf 1763 lbf 1763 lbf 1763 lbf 1763 lbf 4500 lbf carabiners (bit less A 3-D exploded view of
rattle you get with most the double becket, double
on the smallest
Max Rope 1/2" 1/2" 1/2" 1/2" 1/2" 1/2" 1/2" 1/2" cheaper, plate pulleys. But sheave model with plate
13mm 13mm 13mm 13mm 13mm 13mm 13mm 13mm P54 model).
for almost twice the cost release on each side
The practical
Standards CE CE/UIAA CE/UIAA - CE/UIAA CE/UIAA - CE/ASMEB30 you want to know that
advantages of a At the top end of the range is the 2.6” single pulley, this is larger
you're not being fleeced for
Cost $76.50 $82.00 $89.00 $126.00 $109.00 $165.00 machined rather in every way, including the price and the eye of the swivel on
something you don't really need so now is the time to consider
£69.55 £81.95 £81.95 £107.75 £179.52 than 'stamped' top. This increased opening allows for the acceptance of up to
that swivel, how it allows you to orientate in any direction and
thus reducing twisting, wear on rigging lines more importantly not apply unwanted lateral torque to your four carabiners which allows for more complex rigging systems
and the potential for torsional loading of carabiner. Now is also the time to consider how useful it is to if you're into that sort of thing or for rescuers the use of those
carabiners. It's a nylon bushing rather than be able to safely engage or disengage the Omni from your rope 50kN leviathan fire service carabiners. Much more useful for
a bearing because it's only really subjected without taking it off the anchor carabiner and risking dropping arborists is that, in addition to accepting multiple carabiners,
to partial turns to orientate the pulley in it. The compact nature of an integral rather than retro-applied the opening can easily accommodate large diameter textiles
the direction of the rope, it's not a windmill swivel (or even better the integral shackle) has the benefit of such as whoopie slings. Combined with the 20kn/4500lbf WLL
that needs to rotate all day long. If you opt less of a gap between the rope and the anchor. Not necessarily this opens the door for its use in negative rigging, at least
for the shackle version of the Omni shown something we worry about much in arboriculture but it can be at the lighter end of the spectrum. We don't see the term
here, you even get the option of connecting vital in rescue and especially confined space access. 'snatch block' or 'negative rigging' included in any Rock Exotica
it direct to a bar or eye without the need for literature but this is where the P55 will end up. Throughout the
an additional carabiner – this saves money, The smallest member of the range is the 1.1” single, with a entire range the maximum diameter rope approved for use is
weight and reduces the length of the system. working load limit (WLL) of 5kn or 500kg or 1100lb the scope 13mm or 1/2”. Compare this to the 16mm/5/8" of that Kong
for use would be more limited and confined to light rigging, Pulley we mentioned earlier. This will be a governing factor
The side plates have a prusik-minding feature (that little pointy mechanical advantage systems or as a redirect for work limiting the scale of those negative rigging operations – this
bit on the corners) and the double pulleys have a centred positioning. However, the whole issue of what constitutes a can be a good thing because if you're using it as a snatch block
becket/attachment point for the fixed static leg of a compound As the Scouts say, 'Be-prepared' and 'Safe Working Load' when dealing with non-live loads is worth you won't be able to drop extortionate loads with a 16 or
nothing says 'prepared' like a brace of 24mm rope on an unsuspecting Omni – it's like a self-protection
system. discussion. In rescue we wouldn't dream of applying less than
Omni-Blocks hanging off your bandoleer
10:1 sometimes even 15:1 but for arboriculture we already mechanism.
The innovative ‘ push button’ side plate mechanism allows for see some applying 7:1 and we wouldn't be averse to joining
the insertion or removal of ropes ‘ mid-line’ which allows for the argument for 5:1 if we could be sure you were looking As we've already mentioned, the improved design and
more versatility during rigging set up and operations. It also metal pulley are size, robustness and operational efficiency. We engineering comes at a cost and this can have a massive
after your gear. If not, stick to 15:1 so that your hydraulic fluid
means that the pulley can remain safely anchored at all times, appreciate that these factors are important for all equipment influence on the end user’s decision making. With these
contaminated rope and rusted carabiner stand more a chance
reducing the chances of it being dropped. The side plate button but sometimes you feel that a certain item deserves a little pulleys ranging from £70/$76 to £120/$155 or more they are
of surviving the day. Moving up the range to the next level, the
mechanism is two stage, requiring the operator to depress more appreciation. Aesthetically, the Omni just oozes class.... not the cheapest on the market but they are entirely distinct
1.5” and 2.0”diameter are rated to 8kn/800kg/1760lb with an
the button twice in order to open the side plate fully, another if you compare the P51 for instance with a more traditional and without doubt the most robust, versatile and capable.
actual load limit of 3800kg/8350 lb. These are the ‘ general
small but well considered safety feature. Despite this, the one design like Kong's Extra Roll pulley the Kong has an MBS of Looked after correctly their working lifespan is longer than
purpose’ pulleys, suited to a variety of applications with an
handed operation of the side plates and subsequent ease of 30kN to Omni's 36kN it weighs 260g exactly matching the yours. Maintenance is basic, just take a look at these exploded
increased radius and load bearing capabilities, their use will
loading and usage is not compromised in any way. Omni, it's a little shorter at 110mm to Omni's 135mm and costs graphics – simple. There will always be something new, bigger
expand to all medium rigging, light snatch block work (negative
just over half of what the Omni will set you back. So the Kong and shinier over the horizon but we would suggest that the
rigging) and pretty much any deviation load you can subject it
Constructed from a machined block of aluminium, the range is cheaper, a bit squatter but with a lower breaking load, about Omni Block pulleys will be a timeless staple that will go on
to. Rock Exotica have included that shackle version only for the
of pulleys have good strength to size and weight ratios. If 20% lower in fact. Nothing against the Kong Extra Roll, it's a working long after the jet pack that purportedly replaced them
1.5" size.
you take a look at this 3-D exploded view opposite you can perfectly functional pulley very similar to most others but pick has disintegrated in a puff of smoke.
see that the core item (in blue) is a single block of aluminium it up in one hand with the Omni in the other hand and even

14 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 15

 two words guide
everything we do —
a philosophy that
shapes our people,
processes and
products.

Learn more at sterlingsolid.com

The Scion™ is a fully-certified climbing

line with the ability to absorb dynamic
forces, which makes it an ideal choice
for DdRT and SRS climbing techniques.
Like all Sterling arbor ropes, the Scion
was developed in conjunction with
working arborists and climbing instructors,
extensively tested in the lab and on the job
site, and braided with pride in the USA.
Patryce Bąk

© 2016 Sterling Rope Company, Inc.

 GEAR www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com GEAR

A MODERN CLIMBER'S 1) Stihl MS200T 8) Petzl Zillon Lanyard adjuster:

GEAR to HAVE
Top Handle Chainsaw:
Look away now if you’re a Husqvarna-user but the original MS200T
(or maybe the new MS201T) is our choice. On the other hand, check
out 37) for the other must-have saw for 2016/2017,  Husqvarna’s pro
battery saw.
Don’t tell Petzl but we replaced their
overly large and stiff rope that comes
with the Zillon with some Teufelberger
Tachyon – still fit for purpose in our risk
assessment but much nicer to work with. The
Zillon is the cut-down ZigZag for lanyard adjustment and it is
smooooooth. If you already use the ZigZag it’s second nature, if

A
fter a fairly frantic scramble in the
past decade to integrate specialist
rope equipment into an arborist’s
arsenal that traditionally only required
a rope, prusic cord, bosun’s chair style
harness and a building site helmet with wire
screen and ear defenders, you should now
have quite a collection of paraphernalia. In
an effort to sort the wheat from the chaff,
here’s a guide to the equipment that we
would choose if money wasn’t the obstacle
it so often is. Some of this equipment is
brand new, some has been around for
years, even decades and is still the kit to be
seen with. Obviously this is very subjective
and there are 10 times as many items we
could have listed in each category but these
are our favourites and in some cases would
be our favourites
if we could 27
afford them.
The most iconic
gear is highlighted
in black.
1 by many when it arrived as being far too ‘fussy’
21
24 22
15
20
25
26
6
2) Pfanner Protos Helmet with visor & ear defenders:
The Mercedes or perhaps even Maybach
2
of helmets with a click-on/off action
to the ear defenders so smooth you’ll
wonder why everyone is mouthing
words at you instead of talking
normally. Nowhere near as bulky
during wear as its appearance
implies, this is the one to have.
‘This is my helmet, there are many
5 like it but this is mine’. Great colour
options, fantastic quality of construction
and amazingly comfortable for such a substantial helmet. This moves
firmly away from the old site helmets and rock climbing derivatives
28 3
and into the kind of design and quality previously reserved for
firefighting and the military. That said, the quality end of lightweight
12
30 helmets like the Petzl will always have the edge on cost.
3)&6) Teufelberger TACHYON & Yale IMORI Climbing Ropes:
(6. Lanyard rope in orange). Having been very pleased with our
Marlow Aeris it had to be rapidly replaced following an altercation
with a chainsaw and the 24-strand Tachyon became a firm favourite.
7 Great handling and works well in all mechanical devices we have tried.
Sometimes you need to be won-over by a rope through extended use
but the Tachyon and Imori just feel like quality ropes from the outset.
See also 8). Yale Imori pictured left, is part of their extensive XTC range
and should have made it into the title picture had we remembered
to bring it. Great rope, great colours.
4 13
4) Teufelberger TreeMotion harness: It’s
stood the test of time having been dismissed
with it’s myriad of attachment points
14
19 and multiple layouts. Perhaps it is
a little fussy but it’s hard-wearing, infinitely
versatile and still the one to beat.
23 8 PortaWrap (see 38) or one of the capstan-style devices
5) Sterling Atlas Rigging Rope:
29
Actually, this isn’t Atlas it’s the Sterling HTP 1/2” in yellow,
10
18 as robust as they come but Atlas in blue or white is the obvious
replacement for arborists, it’s purpose-made for rigging, still tough but
16 flexible enough for excellent handling. Sterling has a pedigree we can
17
vouch for after using it for over 20 years.
7) Petzl ZigZag climbing device:
9
After a false start this is the device to own. It’s a robust
and compact mechanical prusik, just as prone to misuse
as a rope prusik but we have to accept that arborists
are expendable otherwise why would this be the
only rope discipline allowed to operate with no
rope redundancy. Use two or, simpler still, use
the Zillon as your second adjustable working
line and you’ll have efficiency and familiarity of
function. This is going to be a love-it or hate-it
11 31 thing with a Stihl-Husqvarna-like polarisation within
the climbing community but we’re firmly pro Zig-Zag. We waited
for decades for someone to invent this and then three come along
at once (see 20).
you don’t, try it anyway.
9) Abortec Breatheflex Type C  chainsaw trousers:
So effective and comfortable we bought another pair so that we
bought another pair and when you’re as frugal as us that’s some
compliment. Not much to choose between top-end brands like
Arbortec, Pfanner and SiPS etc. but we certainly have got on well
with Breatheflex.
10) SILKY pruning saw: eagle eyed readers will spot that we
forgot the Silky Sugoi for this photo shoot as we had been
reviewing the Felco F12 which is shown. The Felco has a great
pedigree but the Silky is the true modern icon for this genre
of tools and if you’re not ‘wearing’ one, you’re just not likely
to be asked to join in any post-treework bitching conversations.
11) Arbortec ScafeLl Chainsaw Boots:
The trend towards alpine style boots
is epitomised by the Scafell range,
inappropriately named after England’s
highest peak which ranks as a giant molehill
in comparison to true peaks such as Denali
or the Matterhorn but those boot names are
already taken. These are great for spike work
because of the high degree of sole-support
and for cold weather but mostly you’ll want
to own them, clean them, be seen in them and
then switch to your old boots when the work needs doing.
Have it as one of your three pairs: flexible climbing boots like the
ArbPro, old leather stalwarts like the Haix Protector Pro (see 37)and
these alpine style boots to show off in.
12) CMC MPD Heavy Duty Lowering Device:
A bit left-field for the vast majority who swear by a
but this incredibly well engineered handful of anti-
matter has withstood everything we’ve tried to drop
on it. Even control complexities we thought might baffle
the ground crew have been quickly come to terms with
providing a degree of safety we just don’t get with the good
old PortaWrap. It’s far more compact than capstans, simple
to install and tough as old boots, tougher in fact. You might
need to sell the car to buy one though!
13) DMM ULTRA O oval twistlock carabiner:
Not a true oval of course, a slight asymmetry gives us
2500kg of strength instead of 2200kg in a neat oval-
ish package. Autolocking because we always forget to
tighten gates but we only want a simple quarter turn
‘twistlock’ not those triple locking, impossible-to-use-
one-handed autolocks that should only ever be used
for BDSM (Google it), rigging and connecting immovable
objects.

18 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 19

GEAR
14) DMM Genesis Micro Swivel:
We only get to use it occasionally because
the ZigZag is pre-swivelled but who cares
– it’s so small and unobtrusive there’s no
reason not to carry it. And if you don’t
use the ZigZag one of these diminutive
swivels is the way to connect any
components you don’t want to torque
when loaded and trying to twist.
15) Rock Exotica Omni Pulleys:
the RollsRoyce of pulleys or whatever the US equivalent
of a Rolls is, with machined sheaves and wheels and
the immensely useful ability to load or unload rope
while still connected in complete safety. Tougher,
cheaper and more useful than a Rolls Royce.
16) Climbing Technology QuickArbor Ascenders:
We’re not saying this exact model is the best but it’s pretty good. It’s
more the principle of having an efficient double-handled ascender for
those long pre-work climbs. There are others made by Petzl, Kong,
CMI etc. which may be equally good but Climbing Technology do have
a great range and we got on well with this one.
17) Rock Exotica Bolt Rigging plate:
A large plate with the option of direct-mounting your devices to save
carabiners and for better orientation. There are many but the Bolt
gives that little extra versatility of you want to make use of it.
18) DMM Hub Rigging Plate:
The smaller of these robust, three-dimensional rigging aids
is best. Not sure you’ll actually use it much or understand
its potential uses but anyone looking at your kit won’t
know that.
19) Petzl GriGri descender/belay device:
One of a handful of true icons of the rope-world
in this list. Everyone should have a GriGri, it
will descend, belay/lower, shorten lanyards
and be a second ascender. Much stronger
than its rating implies and very kind to rope.
In fact, if we were allowed only one rope,
one carabiner and one piece of hardware,
this would be that one piece of hardware.
20) Rock Exotica Unicender Climbing Device:
For those that can’t get on with the ZigZag, you’ll either have
this or the Singing Tree Rope Runner, maybe both if you’re
a collector. Both are in-line mechanical prusiks
capable of ascending and descending using similar
bike chain-style mechanisms for altering friction on
the rope.
21) Rock Exotica Aztec Mini Haul System:
Not to be confused with full-size tree-pulling
‘fiddle-block’ sets but these mini systems pioneered
in rescue have a multitude of uses. This one is a legendary
system developed by our sister-magazine’s Rope Guru Reed
Thorne and metal-meisters Rock Exotica. There are one or
two rivals about to appear including one from ISC based on
their new Haulerbiner but If you don’t yet have a mini-pulley
system for all kinds of hauling, redirection and tensioning,
this is currently the one to have.
20
www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com
22) TreeStuff HyDRA pulley:
(also SherrillTree Rook but it’s actually our old mates DISTRIBUTED BY
Rock Exotica again). A combination mini-pulley/
rigging plate you can run on your bridge giving you
3 swivelling connection options, use as an adjustable
lanyard if you add a prusik or anywhere else you want
versatility and economy of scale. HIGH PERFORMANCE ROPE HANDLING HARDWARE
FOR MODERN SRT CLIMBERS INCLUDING:
23) Singing Rock Small Rigging Plate:
We probably should have chosen the Petzl HERBOL CAMBIUM SAVER
Paw as the icon and could just as easily The Herbol Cambium Saver has different colour rings
have chosen the ISC or the Climbing for easy identification, easily installed and retrieved
from the ground and comes complete with retriever.
Technology small plate or the DMM
bat plate (which you can see in blue
lurking beneath the purple Hub), but we TURBO CHEST ASCENDER
like the latest Singing Rock model because
it has nicely extended and rounded edges This compact and lightweight ascender has
TREE CLIMBING HARNESS been developed with rollers for lower friction giving
which is much better for your carabiners. Choose any model to tidy up improved climbing efficiency with no wear and tear
your harness main hard-point when it starts getting cluttered and for The robust structure, thick padding, on the rope.
light rigging jobs or zip-line pulley organising. and optimally spaced front connection
straps between the waist belt and leg TURBO FOOT ASCENDER
loops provide exceptional comfort
24) DMM Hitch Climber Pulley. while working. The innovative mobile Just hook this mini ascender to your foot and climb
If we’re talking about icons then the Hitch Climber bridge system allows the user to lines with greater ease. Smooth action rollers give
fine-tune the position of the bridge in longer product life for both the ascender and the
has to be in here because it was one of the first
order to optimize the position while rope.
pieces of custom-designed hardware in the working.
modern era. It now lacks the swivel versatility
of 22) above – the Hydra/Rook but costs 25% TO FIND YOUR LOCAL STOCKIST CONTACT:
less as a result. UK SALES@MARLOWROPES.COM | TEL: +44 (0)1323 444 444 USA SALESUSA@MARLOWROPES.COM | TEL: +1 508 830 0444
25) Petzl Voltige Chest Harness:
in the absence of a full body harness
which is still rare in arborism, you
could have pretty much any chest
© The Seekers Of
harness. We’ve always had the Petzl
to hand, originally the simple non-
adjustable version which they no
longer make but the key is to have
one of these or simply an 8
foot circular sling to hand for
prolonged inversion work
or keeping a casualty upright
during a rescue.
26) Courant Cross Pro Equipment BackPack:
The gear organiser is something we’ve seen a lot in
rescue but has been slow to cross the divide into arb
work. There are many rope bags with pockets such as
the Rope Boss in 31) but the true organiser allows
you to open out and see everything at a glance.
The Courant Cross Pro packs even have custom
labels for you to place next to relevant pockets in
case it’s not immediately clear what lurks within.
Rucksack straps useful for carrying your burgeoning
amount of hardware. tREX rigging rope
27) Cheap-Ass flexible handled Bucket: New generation of rigging rope with highest
Great for clean deployment of rope and cheap and easy storage as visibility. No loss of color in use due to solution
long as you’re not hiking any great distance to the job. You could HI VIS / ABRAISION RESISTANT dyed Hi-Vis strands.
even colour-coordinate for climbing and rigging rope? LONG LASTING / EASY HANDLING
28) Motorola Waterproof Radio System: www.teufelberger.com
We’re cheap or we would have the ear-defender mounted comms with
boom-mike or throat mike (see 38) but as a minimum this keeps you in
touch with your ground crew. It’s small, robust and efficient.
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 21
 GEAR www.arbclimber.com
29) Teufelberger
CE Lanyard:
 The Zillon has become our
favourite adjustable lanyard but the CE
is a lightweight, simple system using the
Teufelberger Ocean rope that offers more
versatility as a climbing system and as an
adjustable lanyard. It too is something of a
modern icon proving that simple is often the best.
30) Arbortec XT Chainsaw Gloves and Xpert Socks:
this might seem like an Arbortec conspiracy since we
also have them listed in boots and trousers but they
have become a favourite brand because it’s all been
such good quality. OK, for the boots it was more about
the trend towards high quality, alpine style that we were
highlighting but for gloves and socks the choice is more limited.
Many will dispense with gloves but you can't do without socks
and the Arbortec socks have been outstanding, and we should
know because we've been constantly testing socks from
all the main trekking manufacturers and high street
stores for over 30 years. Most fail, while the Arbortec
Xpert range have soldiered on brilliantly, quite an amazing difference
in performance and quality in fact. We have got more to test but
currently, if you want socks, get these.
31) SherrillTree Boss rope/kitBag: this is again not so much a case
of the Boss being the best as being representative of a whole genre
of bags. The Boss is ruggedly made and this variant has lots of useful
pockets, attachment points and a rope feed in the lid (not being used
here). However, we have gone back more towards simple rope bags
like the Silver Bull, Courant or ArbPro bags without all the kit pockets
and masses of attachment points and instead used bags with an
The Professionals Choice For ‘organiser’ pack like the Courant Cross in 21) which allows you to see
Emergency Care Products everything you need, laid out neatly rather than rummaging around in
pockets trying to remember where you left that weeny micro-swivel.
If you want an even cheaper rope container consider our favourite
DS Medical cheap-ass flexible plastic buckets mentioned in 27)
for all your emergency
medical needs
ESSENTIALS NOT SHOWN or NOT VISIBLE
We continue to offer the 32) Ortlieb Small First Aid Kit: We can’t say that this is
best product at the most the best because harness first aid kits are generally so small that
competitive prices in the
there’s not a lot to choose between them. This one is completely
UK today.
waterproof with good attachment options. The first thing we do
UK Distributor for:
with most kits is get rid of half the contents and this one’s no different
– it comes with waterproof instructions, a roll of 3M tape, plasters,
Pacific Safety small/medium bandages and surgical gloves. Load of nonsense, keep
Products the plasters and tape in case you need to patch a cut up the tree but
American Diagnostic
otherwise replace all contents with one combat trauma dressing.
Corporation That’s it, anything else you need will be in a team kit like the excellent
ArbAid kit or is for an injury so minor you can just take
Stat Packs the pain and deal with it on the ground. Make sure
you can open your kit easily with one hand.
Waismed
33) PORTAWRAP lowering device:
Thomas EMS
 In its current form this is laid claim to by US
arborists Scott Prophet and Norm Hall but metal
tube-style heavy lowering devices were in use in
WWW.999SUPPLIER.COM
various guises well before the 90’s. Either way, this
was on the cover of issue 7 and is a must-have item
Tel: 0845 2307630
for all arborists even if you’re using or trying out
Fax: 01329 829276
newer alternatives like the MPD or more complex
capstan style devices but this remains the classic.
22 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
www.arbclimber.com GEAR
34) Husqvarna
T536LiXP Battery Powered Chainsaw:
Another love ‘em or hate ‘em item but we’re firmly
in the former category. As long as you’ve got your trusty petrol/gas
tree saw just in case, the battery option is great for ‘surgical’ tasks
and allows earlier work starts or later finishes. You can also feel good
about the environment. Of this new breed, we felt the Husky battery
saw just pipped its Stihl rival but there’s not much in it and brand
loyalty will persevere so either brand will serve you well once you get
on board with the whole battery concept.
35) Petzl PANTIN  foot ascenders:
We still use the Petzl Pantin which is great but you
can’t ignore the new generation of more technical
foot ascenders from ArbPro/Climbing Technology,
Camp and now ISC so this good ol’ boy’s days might
be numbered. It will always work as well as it ever has, it will just
be those boy-racers whizzing past you with their new-fangled foot
ascenders. Talking of which..........
36) Haas mk2 Ascent System:
not so much a replacement for the Pantin
as an enhancement. Mike Frankhausen’s
insanely simple but oh-so efficient ascending
rig gives you a semi-rigid, elasticated link to a ‘floating’ knee
ascender which captures the progress you make with your foot
ascender making for faster, more efficient ascending.
37) Haix  PROTECTOR PRO chainsaw boots:
We may have led with the more fashionable modern
trend towards alpine style boots but the Protector Pro is as
close to a market leader as there was for years and years.
It has evolved of course but is still a flagship of the Haix
range and Haix as a manufacturer, are always
evolving their boots; their Forest/Prime could
well become the future Alpine-style icons.
38) PETZL helmet & SENA Comms Headset:
Two for one here. Any model of Petzl helmet is
as 'Iconic' as helmets get with a track record
in safety and design innovation second to
none. It's combined here with a comms
system which isn't yet an icon. We can’t say that
the SENA system is the best but it’s hands-free and
bluetooth and our mates at TreeStuff rate it so that’s good enough
for us. Systems we’ve used ourselves have always been far too
expensive to justify the cost for arborists but this set is around
$200 which is wholly reasonable for the safety and working efficiency
that it engenders. Those Petzl helmets tho' are always going to be
some of the best lightweight helmets money can buy.
39) Singing Tree/ISC Rope Wrench climbing aid:
This doesn’t actually feature within our own rope-climbing system
but, like the Hitch Climber pulley, the Wrench has become a modern
icon in arborist hardware. It’s the hardware equivalent of a
‘facilitator’ enabling safer use of a friction hitch for climbing,
ascending and fiddly manoeuvring around the canopy.
The package has evolved from this basic unit to
include a rigid connector and a pulley.
UK & Ireland Distributor for Pfanner and Protos
That’s our own list for the start of 2017 but this
is now such a fast-developing industry and we have so many new items
under review that we’ll probably need to revisit ‘Gear to Have’ later
next year with a whole load of new 'icons'.
ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 23
CHAINSAWS www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com

MAINTENANCE
Broken by Steve Gumm

Clutch Spring
THE PROBLEM
Most of you will have
experienced a chainsaw
spinning the chain on idle
and the engine stalling if
the chain brake is applied.
If this has happened
suddenly and isn’t down
to poor maintenance or
an overly fast idle, it is
probably a broken clutch
spring causing the issue.
These can be changed in
the field relatively simply
if they are the three coil
extending spring type.
Other types of spring are
more difficult and require
a bench vice. Typical saws that use the three spring clutch are
the Stihl MS201, MS200, MS260, MS210,MS250, MS660 etc.
To remove the clutch,
the crankshaft needs to
be locked in place with a
piston stop. Do not use
the metal screw in ones
as they can fracture the
crown of the piston, the
Stihl plastic double ended
one is very good as is using
a length of recoil starter
cord but if this method is
used, make sure the piston
is above the exhaust port
by turning the engine
over slowly in its normal
direction before inserting
Stihl MS200 Clutch Removal. it in to the plug hole as it
Note Stihl piston lock and clutch spins off clockwise to remove
can get sheared and end
up down the side of the piston causing issues.

THE REMEDY WARNING

To see if a clutch spring has broken is a relatively simple task,
just remove the clutch cover, If it is an outward facing clutch....
NEVER remove the muffler and put anything solid
in to the exhaust port to lock the piston, it can
Up for the challenge
look at the clutch and inspect each spring to make sure it is bruise the metal on the piston and port edges Tree work demands the best of me. From the smallest karabiner
present and has two hooked ends each end correctly located causing engine damage. to the right saw, everything goes towards getting the job done
on the clutch shoes. If a spring is missing or is only connected properly and safely. I need equipment that’s tough, safe,
at one end with the other end missing, new clutch springs starts on first pull and keeps going through the day, every day.
Once the piston is locked, the clutch can be removed by
need to be fitted. That’s why I choose STIHL.
using a socket and bar wrench on the clutch and by turning
If the saw has an “onboard” clutch hidden by the clutch drum
it CLOCKWISE as it has a left hand thread – this is to ensure it
MS660, MS260 etc, remove the clutch drum by putting a
always tightens when the saw is used! If it is tight, placing the MS 201 TC-M
suitable flat head screw driver behind the E clip and popping Chris Pratt STIHL’s most powerful
saw on the ground, putting your foot through the rear handle,
it off. This can be difficult as it sits in a washer with a recess Arborist since 1995 top handled chainsaw with M-Tronic
holding the top handle firmly and then using the wrench can
but sliding a thin knife under it whilst removing it can assist
assist in getting a solid purchase on the saw.
in it overcoming the recess. Once off, make sure the E clip,
washer, rim drive (if fitted), sprocket and needle bearing are
Husqvarnas can have indentations on the clutch shoes that an
stored safely.
old flat headed screwdriver can be inserted in to and tapped
with a mallet to release the clutch. These can be more difficult
To change a spring, the clutch has to be removed; this can Find out more at your local
to get off than the Stihl type as the method doesn’t exert as
be anything from near impossible to relatively easy. Most STIHL Approved Dealer or visit
much energy in to the clutch as using a wrench. Tools/sockets
saws have a hexagonal nut in the centre of the clutch making
removal a lot easier.
can be purchased to make the job easier. www.stihl.co.uk/pro
24 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
 W W W. D M MWALE S .CO M

CHAINSAWS www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com

Removing the clutch springs is a case of getting a small

electricians screw driver under one of the springs hooks and
levering it off one end and then pulling it off with pliers from TORSION MANAGEMENT
the other.

Once all three have been removed, a new spring can be pushed
on with long nose pliers and then a length of string put round
IN MINIATURE
the other hook and the spring extended to fit the hook on
the shoe at the other end. The string allows the spring to be
extended so the hook can align with its mounting hole.
Once all three springs have been replaced, tap them lightly
to ensure they are fully on and then replace the clutch and
drive sprocket components. When the sprocket goes back on,
you will notice that either the sprocket geared end meshes
with the oiler worm gear or that there is a small cut out in the Stihl MS200 Clutch Removal.
outer edge of the drum. You will need to ensure the sprocket Levering off the spring with a small screwdriver
is meshed correctly with either the worm drive oiler pinion or
the small metal arm that comes of the oiler pinion depending
on the model of saw. It is a good idea to lubricate the needle
bearing with high temperature grease when replacing and to
also tighten the clutch on to the crankshaft. Never tighten the
clutch against the ratchet in the recoil starter, it will damage the
Pawls and pulley, always use a piston stop or rope to do this job.
As you are doing up the clutch, make sure the sprocket spins
freely and if it doesn’t, check the mesh between the oiler worm
drive and the clutch drum.

Never start the saw without a bar and chain on the machine Mini-Swivel

Stihl MS200 Clutch Removal.

Putting on the first part of the spring

ARBORTECH Focus
SUPPLY
is your home for
arborist supplies
and equipment

You'll find everything you need to climb, rig,

cut, fell, mow, trim and tidy up together with
the PPE and clothing to do it safely. Since Nexus
2008 we've been supplying an enormous
selection of arborist equipment to the

Compact Swivel
Virginia area and you can order from our
extensive inventory from anywhere in the US

www.arbortechsupply.com Our Compact Swivel range delivers compact and

versatile solutions to torsion management scenarios.
Stihl MS200 Clutch Removal. Putting on the second spring
hook. Note the string used to extend the spring
> All Units – WLL – 3kN
as it is very possible for the clutch to come loose and in some MBS – 26kN

cases fly off with speed followed by the sprocket and in the
field, would cost around £60 for replacement if they are lost.
Replace the bar and chain, tension the chain and when the saw
is ready, start the machine, rev it and slam the chain brake on
2-3 times to ensure the clutch is fully tightened.
Make sure the chain isn’t spinning at idle and the job's a
good'un!
> Focus and Nexus feature removable Shackles for quick and easy
installation anywhere in a rigging system, including solid eye anchors
> Two stage cross axle design gives Shackles extra security
> High quality roller thrust bearings for increased efficiency
> User maintainable greaseport for easy cleaning and longevity of device
> Can be fitted with DMM Configuration Aids to ensure optimum loading
orientations

26 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
GALLERY www.arbclimber.com
www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com
www.arbclimber.com GALLERY

ABOVE: Sometime's it's nice just to sit back

and watch.

This issue's GALLERY show's a section of red oak

rigged and cut by Doug Muth in Pennsylvania in
preparation for a 7000lb lift by a 30 ton Crane.

Until a week before print the image opposite

was the front cover of issue 8 – just shows you
should never count your chickens.... James' fault
for coming up with an even better shot for this
issue's cover.

by

James Fairfield
Fairfield Photography BC
www.Fairfieldphotobc.com

28 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 29

BacktoBack FINAL www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com PAGE TITLE

MULTI-TOOLS
World's 5 Best

tool
e

ve
Surg

Leatherman Supertool 300

wiss
n Wa
6
man

t S6

ox S
erma
Assis
her

orin
Leath
Leat

Vict
er
Pow
SOG
A GERBER
nd the winner is......................
this handy, pocket -sized Ardent Gerber-users will be up in arms that there is no Gerber
Swiss Army knife. It multitool in the top five or indeed in our top ten. This
won primarily because it was as much a disappointment to us as it might be to you
has 730 blades and because we wanted to see a good spread of companies and
tools and gets a at least one of our team thought the sun shone out of Gerber’s
point for each so it escape chute. Having already trashed a Gerber Suspension
easily beat our next all too easily and not entered it in these tests we were hoping
best which only gained that the Legend would be up there. But it proved to be off
83 points. But there is more the pace with no outstanding features for so large a tool and
to a really good multitool than some we were none too pleased about – see issue 4 for the full
the sheer number of tools so to review. The Grappler was the best of the Gerbers as far as our
preclude leviathans like this beauty we tests were concerned – it’s a mole-grip type plier which can be
immensely useful and the Gerber was a few points better than
added an extra rule – you have to actually be
its Leatherman equivalent the Crunch. However this was still only
able to get it into a normal sized pocket. So near and yet so far.
good enough to put it just outside of the top ten. The Bear Grylls
Survival by Gerber was frankly awful from a professional point of
One of the five multitools shown at the top was the actual winner view – best avoided- while the diminutive Crucial turned out to
and it was a bit of a surprise. But before we get down to the be our favourite. The nature of these tests precludes most of the
nitty-gritty of testing our five finalists it’s important smaller, less tooled-up multi-tools from winning but that aside,
to qualify our definition of ‘Best Multitool in the we liked the Crucial. Overall though, Gerber need to sharpen up
World’ because different users have different their act so to speak if they are to remain the key competitor to
criterion by which to judge what is actually Leatherman because currently SOG would seem to be the key
the best. We have viewed this from a general ‘other’ brand. If they made more tools, so would Victorinox and
rescuer and tradesman perspective with a even Kershaw if and when they reintroduce the A100, because
leaning towards USAR and rope activities. both of these companies are capable of innovating and creating
This would bring in rope access workers and
arborists but also tactical personnel.
However, in the case of the latter,
quality multitools.

whether military or law enforcement,
if using firearms there is one multi-tool
that would win hands down and that is
the Leatherman MUT. It could just as
easily have been a finalist here and
won the overall title were it not
quite so pricey, bulky and with
tools so specific to firearms use.
SOG
e+LITE ®
With no less than nine multitools plus variants in their range Always coiled up inside your pack,
it’s no wonder we feel SOG to be the most worthy competition
for Leatherman at the moment rather than the more usually ready to strike in any emergency.
associated Gerber. Any one of their tools could make our top 30.
The Paratool in all its guises is as much a multitool icon as the
SPECIAL MERIT Wave and SOG didn’t even submit it. This was because the three
Leatherman MUT ‘Power’ versions of SOGs we did include are all considered by
SOG to be higher up in their range than the Paratools which we
would expect to come in either side of 10th place. Still a great
Photo © www.kalice.fr

We used the thing all the time and found uses for those specialist
tools that were never envisaged. So, hats off to Leatherman for
producing the MUT which stands out amongst all multitools as
something a little different in as robust and suitably ‘warrior-like’
a package as you’ll see anywhere.
tool though. The newer SwitchPlier and Powerplay were not
received in time but they are again quirky, well appointed and we
know they will be well made so we can make an educated guess
that the SwitchPlier would come it at around 12th or 13th in our
table and probably much higher for the Powerplay.
Ultra-compact emergency headlamp
Weighing in at just 26 grams, carry the e+LITE with you on every adventure.
Always ready to use, this headlamp with battery can be stored in its case
for 10 years. The elastic headband’s integrated safety whistle allows you to
signal an emergency. Continuous or strobe, white or red lighting. 50 lumens.
10-year guarantee. www.petzl.com

30 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 31

BacktoBack FINAL
MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES
The Leatherman Wingman/Sidekick became our favourite small
multitool – neat and ergonomic with such a crisp action to all
closures it’s become almost as much of an annoying catatonic
habit as the opening and closing of my Kershaw Blur used to
be. The prize for quirky but functional (if you discount the MUT)
definitely went to old hands BUCK with their 730 X-Tract. This
has great slide-out pliers albeit quite small and screwdrivers that
we’ve not seen on any other tool plus an impressive swing-out
knife blade. All its tools can be accessed with one-hand and I’m
pretty sure that makes it unique in the world of pro-multitools.
There’s a version with an LED light which makes it even better –
we often wonder why more quality multitools don’t incorporate
an LED? Battery changing, water ingress and diminished
robustness I guess. Finally, The Leatherman OHT because it has
diagrams showing where the various tools are – all multitools
should have this – none of our finalists do.
COURT-MARTIALLED
•Gerber’s Bear Grylls Survival – unlike Bear Grylls, not much of a
survivalist at all.
•The Wenger Mike Horn for that ridiculously cumbersome side-
mounted screwdriver attachment and high price tag
• the Leatherman Crunch for the most annoying head assembly
on Earth.
Special thanks to the Gerber Legend and Bear Grylls scissors for
drawing blood and to the Crunch, Grappler and Kershaw A100
for repeatedly causing pinch blood-blisters.
TESTING
So that leaves our five finalists, all are marvellous tools, any one
of which you would be pleased to own and yet all are surprisingly
quite old. And by old I mean ‘well-aged’ and standing the test of
time. There are now half a dozen new models from Leatherman
and SOG in particular and a couple of these could also make the
top five but they wouldn’t have stood the test of time yet that
these five tools have. The Wave has been around for well over
a decade and you’ll often see it lauded as the best multitool
available for the money. Leatherman say that it remains their
best selling item and you don’t get that kind of support without
good reason.....although....shell suits were well supported by
consumers back in the eighties and they didn’t have much merit
did they. It’s no surprise that the better endowed tools have
made the final and that’s the way it should be since the very term
‘multi-tool’ describes something that’s going to have a multitude
of applications and you can’t really say that of a knife with just a
few extra tools regardless of how neat and teeny-tiny it is.
Our final tests were augmented with features and tests that we
didn’t previously have but we found to be important during the
course of this series of tests. Some marking has altered slightly
from the original sets of three tests. This is because subjective
analysis of, for instance ‘comfort’, changes when you’re
comparing with top-end tools rather with than a more basic tool.
A sprung plier-handle allowing easy one-handed use is a great
feature that we saw on a number of smaller tools and the full size
Gerber Legend. We’ve mentioned it here so that we can compare
later models but this category is not shown in the table because
none of our five top models here have this feature so score zilch
for that....bummer.
1) BLADES ACCESSIBLE WHEN TOOL CLOSED: the ability to
access blades while the tool is closed was first made obvious by
the Wave although the SwissTool may have pre-dated it in a less
obvious way because all its blades and tools can be accessed
when the pliers are closed. There had previously been one or
32
www.arbclimber.com
two ground-breaking tools like the Kershaw A100 providing at
least one external blade but the Wave was the first to put all key
blades on the outside. Seems obvious now. The Wave and the
Surge remain highly competent in terms of blade access with the
three main cutting blades plus a file for the Wave and scissors for
the Surge. The S66 has both knife blades available while the poor
old Supertool remains firmly stuck in the nineties with no blade
access at all. That leaves the winner for this category the Swiss
Tool providing access to all of its blades and tools while closed.
2) PLIER HEAD JAWS: The jammed carabiner gate test that we
have used previously was no kind of test for these larger models
and has been replaced with a quite telling and more useful
jaw-opening width comparison. This is taken at the tips but
your usable gap obviously diminishes from this measurement.
SOG provides the biggest ‘yaw’ closely followed by the smallest
multitool here, the Wave which is around 10mm/almost half an
inch wider than its big brother the Surge. In the picture on the
right you can see the difference between the SOG and the Swiss
The beauty of
Tool at maximum opening.
3) REPLACEABLE MAIN BLADES: Useful for obvious reasons but
only really useful if changing over is straightforward. If it’s too
our new rope
much of a pain-in-the-ass it’s not so useful. The Supertool and
Swisstool don’t have this feature and
the Wave, even though it should
be the same as the Surge had star
may only be
recesses that were far less distinct
than the Surge and lost it a point
because of the ease with which your
star-bit could lose its purchase and
burr the bolt head. Two points means
skin deep,
it has replaceable blades and they’re
easy to get out with the appropriate
driver bit.
but its strength
4) REPLACEABLE WIRE CUTTER
HEAD: Again, the Gerber Legend has
this so having derided it earlier it
already gets two extra points for this and the sprung handle in
goes to the core
these additional tests! Still not enough to get it anywhere near
these finals so don’t get too excited.
Of the five models in this final, the
Supertool and the latest version
of the Surge have replaceable
wire cutters which is ironic for the
Supertool as it was one of the two
that doesn’t have replaceable main
blades. They get two points each
because the blades are relatively w
easy to replace.
If you’re looking for brawn and beauty in one rope, grab onto PMI’s new Extreme Pro.™ Its Unicore® technology bonds the sheath and core together
5) SPECIAL FEATURES: These often merited an extra point and resulting in nearly zero slippage between them, even if the sheath is damaged. It’s a rope unlike any other—tough as nails with striking good looks.
in the previous tests we included them as an extra point in the
‘tool’ section. This final would have enabled us to differentiate KEY FEATURES:
Unicore® technology, 100% Polyester sheath, 100% nylon 6,6 core, certified to NFPA 1983, ANSI Z359, and CI 1801, MBS: 37.6 kN (8452 lbf), Sheath Slippage: <0.1%
features worthy of more mention but in the event there was only
the SOG’s compound/mechanical advantage handles and spring
assisted opening so we’ve kept these as extra points in tools
because they all helped gain points in safety and ease of opening
so it evened out. The compound leverage helped immensely
VISIT PMIROPE.COM/EXTREME-PRO TO VIEW THIS ROPE
in wire cutting tests and with reeeeaaally smooth opening and AND OTHER EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR VERTICAL WORLD
closing while the spring-assisted blade opening helps one-
handed opening. In contrast, the Supertool and in fact both
other Leatherman (but not the Victorinox) are positively stiff and
gnarly.
PMIROPE.COM ^ 1-800-282-ROPE FACEBOOK.COM/PIGEONMOUNTAIN @PIGEONMOUNTAIN
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8

BacktoBack FINAL
6) HARD-WIRE CUTTING: As a precursor to the prison escape test
we’re testing the tools’ ability to cut through a 2mm hard wire
round nail (timber nail)which is thicker and tougher than a wire
fence but it’s only one cut so comfort may not be so much of an
issue. Or is it? They all coped OK with the cut whether in the hard
wire recess or the main part of the cutting edge further forward
on the blade. The S66 was definitely the easiest with an efficient
cutting edge and compound leverage to make the squeeze easier.
Next was the Surge, these are both large tools so you get better
leverage. Next was the Supertool but the cut was not as smooth
as the Surge and S66 – they seem to squeeze through the metal
while the Supertool seems to end up snapping it off with more
‘ejection’ force. We were also glad it was only the two cuts
because you definitely notice the thin edges of the Supertool’s
casing biting in and the next test, requiring a more sustained set
of squeezes should be interesting. The Wave was not as easy
as the Surge, probably because it’s a shorter handle with less
leverage and the Swiss Tool seemed to be the hardest to use,
not by very much at all but enough to know that it was closer
to the Wave than the S66. Incidentally, the Swiss Tool doesn’t
really have a straight cutting section, it has two recesses with
the forward recess able to handle this 2mm nail as a maximum.
We’ve already awarded the Supertool an extra point for having
an easily replaceable wire cutting blades so no need to duplicate
that here although it is a key consideration if you were cutting
through nails or wire fences for a living.
7) CUTTING A WIRE FENCE (PRISON ESCAPE): It’s all very well
being able to cut a flimsy electrical cable or a single wood nail but
how about cutting a man-sized hole in a standard galvanised wire
fence. The wire is not too difficult but it’s just under 2mm thick
so after the first dozen cuts, handle comfort or discomfort really
starts to tell. This is where the extra comfort afforded by those
rolled edges on the Leatherman comes into its own – any task
using the pliers in fact. Of course, for a prison break, comfort of
the handle is beside the point if the cutting head is not up to the
task. In many ways, this test, together with cutting and whittling
and unscrewing a stubborn screw are the primary tests for a
true multi-tool. Everything we said about the tools in the nail-
cutting test stands here with some extra provisos..... The SOG’s
compound leverage made it by far the easiest but its comfort
levels weren’t quite up to the Surge and Wave. It could make the
cuts with one hand as could the Surge which was the next best
and more comfortable. The Wave lacked the leverage of its larger
brother and needed two hands after a few cuts but comfort and
cutting ability
on the slightly
thinner fence
wire still out-
performed the
square edged
Supertool and
more refined but
SOG’s compound nevertheless also
leverage provides more square-edged
mechanical advantage dur-
ing wire cuts and SwissTool which
when grasping objects both required
two hands after
the first few cuts.
8) HAMMER:... and talking of nails, the MUT made us realise that
there is sometimes a need to use your multitool as a hammer –
something the MUT can handle because hammering requires a
sturdy and weighty body. It would be good to see some of the
multi tools embracing this a bit better and perhaps include a
small hardened, flat plate on the outer end of one handle. We
34
www.arbclimber.com
Comparative side-on
views showing the
hammering areas we
used
wanted our multitools to cope with driving in a 3 inch, round
wire nail into wood without damaging any vital component
and rendering part of the tool useless. One tool stood out –
the Supertool. It has a wide flat surface and plenty of mass.
The deceptively heavy Swiss Tool has such flush tool-locking
plates that we easily drove in a nail and even had the option of
extending one handle so that we had a full length hammer. Hot
on its tail was the S66 which also had such a well engineered,
flush arrangement for its blade release locks that this could be
used as a hammer surface. The Surge and Wave have a more
intricate design which doesn’t provide much in the way of a
flat surface. The Surge could hammer the nail in if we used well
aimed shots hitting at the top of the channel on the opposite
end to the blade release buttons. The Wave too could just about
manage this but its channel was even narrower and it lacks the
mass of the other tools in this selection.
9) SAWING 4”X2” TIMBER: We’ve expanded on a couple of tests
that we’ve used all along – firstly the cutting and whittling of a
stake – it might be a tent peg, a vampire killing stake or a territory
defending punji stick. Either way it required a simple 1”to 2” cut
followed by the creation of a pointed end. This time we want
those ‘wood saws’ to cut a sizeable piece of standard timber –
4”x2” kiln dried – not as tough as equivalent sized green-wood
but a fair test of both cutting power and handle comfort and
handle safety since there’s a lot of forward force that could push
your sweaty hand onto the blade. A standard carpentry wood
saw took about 30 seconds to cut through our 4x2” length of
timber. We used the same piece for each test because different
wood will have different dryness and density and will take
different times to cut. This way the times can be gauged relative
to each providing you rest between each manic cut otherwise the
last tool will take a helluva lot longer than the first. The two best
cuts and therefore the easiest were the Supertool and the Swiss
Tool which each have a saw blade of 75 mm/3” and 70mm/2.75”
respectively. The shortest blade is the Surge but its jigsaw blade
has quite deep and efficient teeth, more efficient at 65mm/2.5”
than the slightly longer Wave blade (70mm/2.75”) which suffered
from being quite uncomfortable because of the two protruding
knife blades. In contrast, all of the others allowed cutting and
whittling with a flat surface digging into your palm rather than
two narrow lumps. It’s a little odd that the Swiss Tool cut so much
better than the Wave which has the same length saw. The handle
on the Swiss Tool is longer and more comfortable and the blade
very slightly thinner and this obviously has a bearing on efficiency
of cut but it’s not as robust as the Wave and of course you can’t
replace the SwissTool’s saw. The SOG S66 gets a point because
it didn’t totally fail this test despite having no discernible wood
saw. But while you can get away with using the serrated knife
blade to beaver-cut a 1”/25mm branch it takes over 6 minutes
to use the same ‘beaver’ technique to cross cut your way through
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
C
A BacktoBack FINAL
a thick piece of lumber. Working DIMENSIONS: We don’t award points for being smaller or longer
on the assumption that a true because there are advantages and disadvantages to both and it
pocket multitool is unlikely to really depends on your personal requirements. For the record,
B D ever have a longer saw blade than the S66 is the longest, the Wave is the shortest and the Supertool
about 4” we marked the best and Surge are the fattest.
times at 4 and the others relative
to the two best times from POUCHES: The question of cases or pouches has become fairly
SwissTool and the Supertool. moot with these five because none have anything particularly
dazzling or inventive so it’s really only the fact that they’ve got
Above: The two designs of can- 10) BOTTLE and CAN OPENING: one although SOG’s did have a useful belt clip rather than the
opener, a long cutting edge on
the Leatherman (A) and a shorter We’ve given a more precise point usual feed-through loop. Adam Savage of Mythbusters fame
quadrant blade on the SOG and allocation for opening a tin and made the very good point that an open belt carrier that gripped
SwissTool (B) but the shallower hook opening a bottle – a vital the tool firmly while allowing a simply slide out would be better
of the Swisstool's bottle opener (C)
works better than the combo can/ function for any multitool. The than a pouch. He made one in alloy with an open channel at the
bottle opener on the Leatherman two more refined Leatherman front allowing you to push the tool up with one finger or thumb.
tools. On the Supertool you can see
have a can-opener which doubles Smart – get on it manufacturers (if you haven’t already).
our (possibly) make-shift bottle opener
as a bottle opener because of the
on the driver (D) together with some
all too common tarnishing that you lower hook. This
won't see on the Swisstool. works on most
bottles but is
unquestionably less effective than dedicated
bottle openers. The Supertool, SOG and
Victorinox on the other hand have far superior
openers for cans and bottles because they are
dedicated bottle and can-openers rather than
sharp-nosed combination bottle/can openers.
This feature gains an extra point. Swisstool and
Supertool openers sit neatly on their outer
faces and can open bottles while in the more
compact pliers-closed mode no matter how
steep the angle of the neck of the bottle. The
other three have mounted their tin and bottle
openers facing the centre of the handles so
they always needed to be opened in plier-use
mode to get the best purchase. The Supertool
bottle opener could actually be a fluke because
it is the nail-puller to retrieve the philips
screwdriver but it’s so big we’re using it and
calling it a dedicated bottle opener!
11) RETRIEVING TOOLS: Opening the various
tools as distinct from the main blades can be a
fiddly process. These often
require a hard finger nail rather than one
softened by cold and wet and if there is any
stiffness in manufacture as there is with the
Supertool in particular this task gets harder.
Not all of the Supertool tools are hard to get
out but rather than give separate points for
every single tool we’ve been a little more
generic which doesn’t favour the precise
engineering of the Swiss Tool and the SOG as
much as they deserve.
12) WEIGHT:....has also been more intimately
looked at. We originally broke it down into
quite large divisions so that all of these tools
gained the same points but with the Wave
in particular being significantly lighter and
smaller than the other three it merits
extra points for being compact and lighter.
Figures quoted are those provided by the
manufacturers but our SOG S66 for instance
was 7g lighter than it should be and others
had a few grams difference.
ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 35
BacktoBack
Back FINAL
toBack FINAL www.trescue.com
www.arbclimber.com www.trescue.com
www.arbclimber.com BacktoBack
BacktoBackFINAL
FINAL
pouch & multitool Images not to Scale

Pouch Options

All Marks out of 5 except SOG LEATHERMAN VICTORINOX LEATHERMAN LEATHERMAN

‘Tools’ which is 1 per 3 tools
Category Winners POWER ASSIST S66 SURGE SWISSTOOL X WAVE SUPERTOOL 300
COMPANY ORIGIN USA USA SWITZERLAND USA USA
COST rated on dollar price $119.25•• $99.85••• $112.00/£114.95•• $90.85/£99.99••• $80.85/£89.95••••
WEIGHT/BULK 272g/9.6oz •• 355g/12.5 oz • 290g/10.25oz •• 241g/8.5oz ••• 272g/9.6oz ••
max LENGTH CLOSED & OPEN 11.7 to 17.8cm (4.6”to 7”) 11.4 to 20cm (4.5 to 7.75”) 11.4 to 19cm (4.5”to 7.25”) 10 to 17.5cm (4”to 6 7/8”) 11.4 to 20cm (4.5”to 7.75”)

22 •••••••(7) 20 •••••• (6) 21 •••••••(7) 18 ••••••(6) 18 ••••••(6)

TOOLS
(1 star for every 3 tools)
pliers are listed as 1 tool not 2
•••Spring assisted blade opening,&Compound
leverage,••7.6cm/3”drop point & serrated
blades, •Pliers, ••wire & hard wire cutters,• V-
blade, ••fine & coarse file, ••••Phillips & sm,m,
•woodsaw, ••bottle/can opener, •9"/ 22cm
lg flat drivers, ••bottle opener* •can opener,
••2x crimpers, •ruler, •pry bar
••3” plain & serrated blades, •5/16" flat
Screwdriver, •• double-ended driverbit,
••flat & crosshead glasses driver bit,•pliers,
••wire & hard wire cutters, •wire stripper,
•crimper, •scissors, ••coarse & fine files,
ruler, •awl with thread loop
•70mm plain blade, •pliers, ••phillips 1&2,
••••flat screwdrivers 2,3,5 & 7.5 mm, •9”/
23cm ruler, •hard wire cutters,
•scissors, ••bottle opener* •can opener,,
•metal file, ••metal & wood saw,
•reamer/punch, •chisel/scraper, ••2x wire
strippers,
••7.37cm/2.9” straight & serrated blades, ••3” plain & serrated blades,
••wire & hard wire cutters,•wire strippers, •saw, ••••5/16”7/32” & 1/8” flat & phillips
•scissors, ••fine & coarse files, •• double-ended Screwdrivers, •pliers, •••wire/hard wire &
stranded wire cutters, •wire stripper,
driverbit, ••flat & crosshead glasses driver bit, •crimper, •fine file, •woodsaw, ••bottle/can
•med driver, •ruler 8“/19cm, ••bottle/tin opener, •9"/ 22cm ruler, •awl with thread
loop
opener, •lanyard eye

BLADE LOCK YES – All ••••• YES – All ••••• YES – All ••••• YES – All ••••• YES – All •••••
EXTERNAL TOOL ACCESS 2x Blades •• 2x Blades +Saw & Scissors •••• ALL ••••• 2x Blades+ File & Scissors •••• NO
REPLACEABLE BLADES/WIRE CUTTER YES ••/ NO YES ••/ YES•• NO/ NO YES •/ NO NO/ YES ••
HARD WIRE (2mm wood nail) ••••• •••• •• •• •••
PRISON ESCAPE (wire) ••••• •••• •• ••• ••
HAMMERING (3” nail) ••• •• ••• • ••••
BUILD QUALITY/MATERIALS •••••/•••• ••••/•••• •••••/•••• ••••/•••• •••/••••
SHEATH /BELT CLIP sheath & belt clip + eye ••• sheath + push-out eye •• sheath & ‘Lanyard eye’•• sheath + lanyard eye •• sheath + push-out eye ••
EASE OF MAIN BLADES RELEASE ••••• •••• ••• •••• •••
EASE OF TOOL RELEASE •••• ••• •••• ••• ••
SAFETY IN USE/STOWING •••• ••• ••• ••• •••
COMFORT ••• •••• ••• ••• ••
CHANGE AN ELECTRIC PLUG ••• •••• ••• •••• ••••
PLIER JAW WIDTH •••••55mm/2.2” •••40mm/1.6” ••30mm/1.2” ••••50mm/1.96” •••40mm/1.6”
CUT & WHITTLE a WOODEN STAKE ••• •••• •••• •••• ••••
CUT 4x2” TIMBER • 6m+ •••2m24s ••••1m48s •••2m35s ••••1m50s
OPEN a TIN ••• ••• •• (•outer facing) ••• ••• (•outer facing)
OPEN a BOTTLE ••• •• ••••(•outer facing) •• ••• (•outer facing)
VALUE FOR MONEY •••• ••••• •••• •••• ••••
OVERALL 83 81 77 75 74
36
50 68 TECHNICALRESCUE
ISSUEARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE
ISSUE 68 TECHNICALRESCUE
8 ARBCLIMBER 37 51
 World’s best Multitools CANADA’S LEADING
BacktoBack FINAL www.arbclimber.com
SOG
SAFETY & RESCUE SPECIALISTS
51 (83)
5 Leatherman Supertool 300: this is the most
th would gauge the hardness before ruining the main cutter is debatable. POWER ASSIST S66
robust and workmanlike of all the multitools with an excellent tool The tools can be hard to remove because they have individual springs
– hence the reassuring click. The tool release is much fiddlier than the
LEATHERMAN
array – 18 rather than their quoted 19 because pliers is one tool for 51 (81)
other two brands but to counteract that there is a two-stage blade return Surge
us. No compromise on blade length or strength but it remains a rather
‘clunky’ tool. This element of craftsmanship seems to crop up more with with a ‘click-stop’ position after release which is excellent. This style of VICTORINOX
Leatherman than the SOG and Victorinox and is why it loses points for can-opener is quite common but on the Swisstool didn't work as well as 50 (77)
Swisstool X
build-quality relative to these other multitools. The pliers head has a the Leatherman. The pliers head is solid but just a bit short and narrow
for such a large tool with the smallest opening here which probably lost
SAFETY & RESCUE
replaceable wire cutter which is also one of the longest available and LEATHERMAN
it joint second place. The lanyard eye is also slightly optimistic as it is the 50 (75)
www.honeybros.com
therefore cuts 3-core wire in one go rather than the double hit that most Wave
require. It also grasps a carabiner screwgate with narrower handles so is opening formed by the corkscrew slot (an optional tool) part way down
a much easier one-handed task. The Supertool 300 has made one change the body and not easy to apply a lanyard to at all. But, at least it has LEATHERMAN
something to do the job.
51 (74)
for the sake of over-moisturised hands by rounding off the edges to make Supertool 300

and Tree Climbing Gear Specialists.

applying plier pressure more comfortable. Tools are only accessible when
2ND Leatherman SURGE: As much as we try not to start testing LEATHERMAN
the pliers are open but to offset this the two main blades have a deep 49

UK’s Leading Arborist Equipment

rebate to make pulling them out much easier, especially with gloves
on. None of the tools here struggled with changing an electric plug or
whittling a stake and the Supertool achieved the 4x2” cutting task with
ease. Amazingly the Swisstool is slightly heavier than the Supertool which
has a huge blade release button and is therefore one of the easiest to
use. Mind you, the S66 isn’t far behind. The Victorinox release on the
other hand is quite small and fiddly when your hands are cold and wet.
Supertool has a proper lanyard eye that doesn’t deserve to be rated
the same as Victorinox’s afterthought but that’s one of the vagaries of
awarding points/stars per feature. Following SOG’s lead the Supertool is
also available in black and as an EOD version.
4th Leatherman WAVE: The iconic Wave has undergone a
couple of facelifts since our original beast wowed the multitool world.
Even though it is the smallest of the 5 tools it now has longer, stronger
blades and a stronger plier head (as does the Surge and Supertool).
Actually it’s not so iconic these days since many of Leatherman’s range
now resemble the Wave, some virtually indistinguishable in appearance
and/or tool range. The Charge for instance has almost exactly the same
tools. The Surge has the same looks but is not only larger than the Wave,
it’s very close to the Supertool in size. The curved handle edges make
the Wave and the Surge stand out from the other three. But while this
improves comfort on the wire cutting it doesn’t help when using the
with any preconceived ideas we thought that the Surge was likely to be MUT
the ultimate winner. And it is very close, almost too close to call given the
LEATHERMAN
subjectivity of some tests. Leatherman produce outstanding performers
48
time after time and at a price that seems wholly reasonable for what OHT
you get. The Surge provides an extensive array of tools in a well priced
SOG
package. The pliers are as good as a dedicated tradesman tool with high 48
Powerlock 62N
quality knives, saw blade and scissors that can be released while the tool
is still folded. The saw is Leatherman’s replaceable system and the wood
cutting results were not bad but surprisingly not as good as they were
LEATHERMAN
48
for the old-style Supertool or the Victorinox. All blades lock firmly and Wingman
release with either locking liner or quite large push buttons at the base SOG
47
of each handle. The jaws now have the same replaceable wire cutter
PowerDuo
blade as the Supertool. The bit driver uses Leatherman’s own ‘demi’ bits
and we’ve already discussed our disquiet at this design. There are two LEATHERMAN Ronin is a team of highly-trained technical rescue
on-board bits because it is double-ended and if you’ve stumped up for 46
Charge ALX specialists. We complete high-risk tasks that
that optional extra you’ll also get a little plastic pouch full of bits. With all
this metal-work the Surge is a heavy tool and in some respects, as with all LEATHERMAN may be prohibitive for others to perform, such
these larger multitools can sometimes prompt you to reach for one of the
46
Skeletool
smaller tools like the excellent Leatherman Wingman or Skeletool. as: arctic search and rescue, long high lines
GERBER to inspect infrastructure, SAR & USAR training
44
1ST SOG POWER ASSIST S66: One of the best equipped Grappler
multitools around, the S66 is SOG’s top-of-the-range with both compound & rescue operations. Our training and rescue
GERBER
leverage which earns an extra point and tools that are interchangeable 43
expertise is built on our experience of projects
by unscrewing the little hex bolts. So the S66 has unexpectedly but Legend

R
saw and knife blade in prolonged cutting- something not reflected in the deservedly just pipped the Surge and Swiss Tool as the best of the best. completed in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the
original tests and marks. The Wave’s combination bottle/can-opener You can really feel and see what you’re getting for your money. Only the BUCK 730 X
lets it down a bit, as do the ‘demi’ driver bits mentioned below, combi- 42 Arctic and all over North America.
two 3” knife blades open with the tool closed but this still earned it an Tract
tools are never as good as a dedicated tool. Wave has a good sized and extra point. They are also spring-assisted,hence the name. Main blades
efficient saw and knife blades but remains less comfortable than it should are unlocked using sprung slide buttons downwards but even these LEATHERMAN Professional, safe solutions to real world problems.
E 42
because the nose of the two larger blades protrude from the housing and buttons can be locked so that blades can’t be released accidentally. The Crunch
you feel them after a fairly short spell of sawing. We much prefer freely other tools are released by pressing down on one of six robust sprung
tines. In practice you just press all/any rather than trying to pick out one KERSHAW SERVICES:
available full size hex bits to Leatherman’s half-profile bits, the phillips/PZ 41
version of which can be prone to slipping under pressure. The Wave is an specific tine but it makes this one of the easiest tool/blade releases of any A100 * Rescue: Rope, Confined Space, Trench,
N
multitool and easy with gloved hands. We’ve listed a pry bar because the
outstanding multitool, easily one of the best available but it has lost some
end of the file has a chisled, bevelled edge which works equally well as SCHRADE
points since the first tests because comfort and efficiency during sustained a large screwdriver. We like the V-cutter which is a double-bladed safety 40 Mountain, Mine
cutting has been found out relative to the other four finalists. Tough
cutter for cord and webbing but does a good job of wire-stripping if you’re
careful. Build quality is excellent and bear in mind that these tools are put * Rope Access
3rd Victorinox SWISS TOOL: is a gem of a multitool despite GERBER
40
IN

together in the US but made in China so that’s one in the eye for anti-sino
its age. This all stainless, superbly engineered tool has a reassuring locating Bear Survival * Terrestrial SAR
constructionists. The pliers have the largest opening but close so precisely
click to each tool (which can be accessed when the pliers are closed) and that you can pluck hairs. Working on an electrical plug can be quite GERBER * Medium/Heavy USAR
a polish you could see your face in. Consequently it doesn’t tarnish easily. fiddly but it achieved all tasks OK and would have fared much better 39
What was called the RS is probably more suited to rescuers/first aiders if a bit driver was swapped in for the Phillips. The tin opener is not as
Crucial
* ERT Services
with a curved web cutting blade in place of scissors or you could have sharp as it could be but a few strokes of a sharpener work wonders. CRKT
the PLUS version with a whole arsenal of bits and a right-angled ratchet/ Without the saw option the stake has to be ‘hewn’ in a beaver-like 38 * Difficult Access Solutions
Zilla
W

bit extension bar. We’ve allowed the wire bender in their 22 tools total process described in TRm issue 66 but with decent sized serrated
blade this is quite easy. The same can’t be said of sawing a block of
even though the specifics of usage on that escape us at the moment but VICTORINOX
we’ve not given them the ‘strong crate opener’ as an addition to the 7mm
four by two and it lost valuable points here. If it had a saw blade and
bit driver likes its new stablemate the Powerplay the S66 could have Work Champ
34 T +1.604.636.3640 | TF 1 . 8 0 0 . 5 9 4 . 1 3 5 5
flat screwdriver – but it does do both jobs well. The larger wire cutter

01483 561362
gained an even greater lead. An excellent tool but as we said in the info@roninrescue.com www.RoninRescue.com
section of the pliers cuts up to HRc 40, anything more and you should use intro, any of these 5 multitools will serve you well.
WENGER
31
the hard wire cutter in the deepest recesses of the jaw though how you Mike Horn

38 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE TECHNICALRESCUE

ISSUE688 ARBCLIMBER 39 53
SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT

POWERED
www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com

LEFT: The new Actsafe ACX powered ascender. Battery

powered ascending/descending has become affordable.

ASCENDERS
This article concentrates on the Actsafe models because,
although there are other brands, Actsafe's pedigree and
interest in the arborist market inspires complete confidence
making it much easier to recommend their use.

TITLE PIC: Jack (eateverything) Keyzo of Explore Trees

mapping the tallest planted tree in the world in an
engineered grove of eucalyptus introduced into Limpopo,
north-eastern South Africa. photo by David 'Dak' Wiles

Your next 'must-have' asset? by Ade Scott

Y
ou've probably seen the petrol Before we look at exactly how these devices
ascender in this title shot advertised in are used and how they can help in tree work
ArbClimber but never really considered consider these pros and cons for the battery
how applicable it could be to your work? This versions like the new lighter weight ACX
particular model has been around for years and shown above which has a total weight of
is a rugged and trustworthy ascender – being 13kg. It can carry loads of up to 200kg, it will
a petrol engine it even has that all-important descend safely even when the battery expires
degree of familiarity for chainsaw users and charges in only 80 minutes. Perhaps
(and motorcyclists) but it's really the battery the key feature for arborists is the remote
powered models I want to focus on here. I control option which has a 150m/300ft line
was involved in the original development of of sight range. This means you can send up
powered ascenders for the military so I have (or down) any equipment, change of saw or
a great interest and respect for the way that supplies including the equivalent of an entire
Actsafe have taken the concept and developed bodyweight quickly and safely – maybe your
it into products that are now superior to the climber has passed out or the customer wants
devices we were using albeit that ours required a closer look at your work?
a bullet-proof case, underwater capability and
operated on 6mm cord! Operating on standard As a portable Powered winch this becomes so
sized ropes is much more useful and battery much more versatile than that enormous great
power means that they are light, quiet and lump on the front of your truck – it may not be
much smaller than the petrol ascenders. This able to pull down 'General Sherman' but it can
puts them well into the domain of arborists get into many more places than your truck will
operating in confined canopies or requiring allow. And of course, it's the versatility of being
a portable electric winch. These are capital able to climb with it or use it a remote operated
purchases just like any other winch or chipper 'lift' that will make you consider parting with
but will not entirely replace any of your current over €10,000 (including a spare battery) or
climbing equipment. What they will do is speed perhaps even purchasing the optional hard-
up considerably some of the operations you wire power converter unit for those occasions
undertake on your larger jobs. Once your tree when you can use your ACX or ACC II as a winch
is rigged you can get up and down the tree near a power supply.
several times faster than normal rope climbing
using hand and/or chest ascenders and expend When you first look at the photos of a powered
virtually no energy. If you're long in the tooth ascender it may seem pretty obvious how it
and usually dismiss any new developments works or it may seem technologically baffling.
as 'new fangled nonsense that I ain't never So the next pages will give you basics on how
these things work and see if that inspires you to
needed before', you might want to climb back
try one out.
up that 150ft Cedar of Lebanon and think again.

40 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 41

SPOTLIGHT www.arbclimber.com
HOW TO USE AN ACTSAFE POWER ASCENDER
GETTING STARTED
This photo sequence uses the
original ACC ascender so there
will be slight differences between
this and the new ACX shown on
the title page but the principles
are the same.
The rope is loaded with the
safety red button (10) pushed
in to isolate the power so that
you can't accidentally touch the
throttle handle and trap your
fingers. There is an enclosure
around the capstan that is
released by pulling back on the
black handle (2). Make sure there
are no bits of twig, dirt or other
debris around the capstan before
you install the rope.
A bight of rope is then pushed
through the metal eye and passed
around the capstan with the trail/
tail rope towards the throttle and
control panel.
Close the capstan cover.
Test that the rope is correctly
loaded by releasing the red safety
button (10), pressing the POWER
button (5),on the control panel
and then pressing the UP button
(6). Gently rotate the grey handle/
throttle (1) and the capstan will
pull through some rope, tighten
to the anchor and begin to raise
itself up. If the rope is upside
down the device will not lift off
the ground.
Your harness is connected to
the device via the carabiner and
(replaceable) sling connection
(11)
For simple movement from point
A to point B such as might occur
in tree inspections and
recreational tree climbing, the
ascender is best located in the
classic position shown here with
the device in front of your face.
Standard rope access and rescue
protocols require that a second,
safety rope be used with a
running fall-safety device like
the Petzl ASAP shown here or a
42 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
www.arbclimber.com SPOTLIGHT
1) Speed control handle- 'throttle'
2) Release handle for capstan safety frame
3) Rope capstan
4)Battery Charge Status LEDs
5)On-Off Power button
6) Drive direction UP
7) Drive Direction DOWN
8) Emergency descent button port
9) Battery housing and stowed
Emergency descent plug-in button
10) Safety Stop Button (push to stop,
rotate to release)
11)Harness connection point
Rocker style device. In the event of your battery
running out there is an emergency descent
option which allows you to return to ground
at a controlled rate. To initiate this you need a
button/pin which you will find in a little pouch
above that red tab on the battery compartment
(9). The button-topped pin is attached to a
lanyard so you can't drop it. Insert this into the
port (8) and push it sideways (away from your
face) to descend. Be warned though, this IS NOT
intended to be a standard method of descent
after exhausting your battery for the 100th time.
Learn to pace your activities to your battery
consumption (and carry a spare battery!).
In the picture top right the climber is 'wearing'
ABOVE: The remote control his fall arrest device over his shoulder but as
allows half speed (1 red LED)
and full speed (2 red LEDs) rope workers amongst you will know, it spends
movement up or down. It most of its travel time well below the optimum
overides manual control but
disables itself after 10 seconds if high point for limiting shock in the event of a
no button is pressed.
fall. So the active tool working position might
appeal to you more. In this case the Power
Ascender is positioned above the workers head.
In this rig a short extension sling is connected to
a small rigging plate to give an optimum height
where you have plenty of clear space to use your
chainsaw but can still reach the throttle (or you
could use the remote if your arm's a bit tired).
And if you're using the autolocking belay it can
be attached to the rig plate so that it is at least
sat higher than the waist or in-lap position you're
always leaving it in instead of pushing it up to
where it's supposed to be.
OPERATING TECHNIQUES
As always when we're comparing standard rope
access/rescue requirements with tree work there
is a disparity between the requirements that
will meet a standard and how arborists operate.
The mandated second rope and need for a
'confirmed' 15kN minimum breaking strength
anchor don't really apply so you'll need to ensure
that your own protocols and standards are met
ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 43
SPOTLIGHT www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com

H awk &
arrier
Sit Harness
Specialist Access & Rescue
Products Ltd.

» Both are now rated to 150kg

» Available in a range of colours
» Hawk now complies to EN12277-C
» Available with quick clip buckles
by any system you implement using a powered ascender.
Of course a second rope is never a bad idea and if you're using
a chainsaw aloft it can easily be argued that it's even more of a
safety requirement than simply climbing. In the 'Personal Lift'
systems shown above the Basic setup is more likely to involve
the rope passing over a high branch/fork and back down to be
anchored at ground level. Then your choices are:
1) attach yourself to the Ascender and control your own
ascent/descent. If you incorporate a descender or lowering
device (locked) into the ground anchor your ground crew can
easily lower you should you run out of battery. That way you
won't need to resort to the emergency descent brake.
2)You can pretty much ignore the next option, the passive basic
setup, unless your ground crew happen to be up the tree with
you and instead skip straight to the deviated setup.
3) The Deviated basic set up puts the ascender on the ground
giving control of your ascent/descent directly to the ground
Upgraded RAD
crew and of course makes swapping batteries or even using
mains-power via the transformer an option.
4)The final option using an additional 2:1 pulley on your waist 3 in 1 Device:
will increase the drive time on the battery and decrease your
speed. Although this is listed as an 'expert' option it could be The winch operations have the same rigging options except
Descender, Belay Device
argued that the time-lag offered by the 2:1 makes control much
smoother as you don't get that start up 'grab' and the ground
there's a inanimate object on the end instead of you, some
might argue there's not a lot of difference? You don't have to
& Rope Adjustment Device
crew can't wing you up at too high a rate of knots. This needs a be quite so delicate on the controls with a deadweight but it's
lot more rope though. always good practice to assume that whatever you are lifting
has the ability to complain to management. Conforming to:
NB: don't forget, when controlling yourself and driving upwards
you do not want to overshoot and jam the terminal knot » EN358, EN15151 & EN12841-C
CONCLUSIONS
into the capstan (if the rope is anchored above you) or into a
This type of device is now far more than a passing fad. It has
branch/cambium-saver/carabiner over a fork. This is when it's
an extensive pedigree and is in use in some of the toughest
useful to have a descender between you and your anchor on
the ground. i.e. instead of attaching the rope directly to your
environments in the world, in fact, if you're a rich arborist
company you might want to consider the ruggedised and
Now Available
anchor put it through a descender and have the tail of rope
waterproof military versions! But whichever model you look at,
in a bag, preferably long enough to lower the climber all the
as long as you can afford it, we're pretty sure it's going to
way from top to bottom. Additionally, should you operate in
prove its worth for you.
the 'Active' user mode and become incapacitated you have
the considerably useful option of a REMOTE control that your
ground crew can use to bring you down. T: 0161 621 0309
E: sales@sar-products.com
W: www.sar-products.com
44 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
 CHAINSAW
www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com
MARKET GUIDE www.arbclimber.com
www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com
www.arbclimber.com

PROTECTIVE BOOTS
MAIN PHOTO: gone are the days of ‘any colour winters in terms of grip
you like as long as it’s brown’.  Modern Alpine and  cold protection.
style chainsaw boots are available in some They have a more
vibrant hues and having been pigeon-holed for rigid sole which was
decades as the workers in drab and orange traditionally used
the time has surely come to show that to provide  support
you’re in touch with your more arty and for front-pointing in
care-free side? This  particular style crampons but is now
of boot has crossed over into equally supportive
forestry from mountaineering of climbing
and the two pursuits can spikes. 
be equally demanding
in northern ABOVE:
hemisphere the more
traditional leather chainsaw boot 
can be lighter and more flexible not to mention
less expensive but no matter the cost, a chainsaw
protective boots should at least be  able to withstand
a glancing blow  from a moving chain and
preferably a little more than that. Some PROTECTOR® FOREST
of the class 1 boots with fabulously
The top model with extra grip and
soft leather that we tested in issue
class 2 protective cut-resistance
2 have since been discontinued
despite being new to the > Cut Protection Class 2
market at that time and there > Waterproof and breathable with
GORE-TEX® Laminat Technology
are now far more of these
> HAIX® Certified Orthopedic System
mountain-style, full-rand > HAIX® Climate System
boots to choose from. > HAIX® Absorption
The full rand being a
very effective buffer
between chain and
Quality shoes for fire-
leather and then kevlar fighters, rescue services,
cut-protection. police, forest, military,
hunting, workwear
ABOVE: Note the optional metal grip plate PIC LEFT: The Scafell Z3 and leisure time
/HAIXschuhe #HAIXhero /haixboots

or crampon nestled in front of the heel. offers perhaps the zaniest www.haix.com
chainsaw boot colour (to order).  

46 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 47

MARKET GUIDE
Introduction
There are four distinct sectors using chainsaw boots:
• forestry workers – primarily ground workers
but may be in remote and environmentally
challenging conditions.
• ARborists which may be independent companies,
local authorities or parks services and this category
can be further sub-divided into 'climbers' and
'ground crew'
• UTility companies working mostly
from aerial platforms or 'cherry-
pickers' to clear power and/or telecom
lines
• Emergency services using chainsaws on the ground,
in aerial platforms and very occasionally climbing but
usually in response to a storm or environmental threat
and less frequently to an extrication impact or impale.
Whichever sector you’re in this is a market absolutely
dominated by Italian and German manufacturers. Oddly, there
are very few US models, in fact, the venerable Matterhorn
from military specialists Cove Shoe Company remains one of
the few US home grown boot along with Labonville’s leather
model and Carolina Shoe's Kevlar models intended more
for fire resistance than chainsaw protection and invariably
all based on a more traditional design. Canada seems to be
a little more active with several models by Viking Wear and
one by boot company Royer. The absence of major US brands
is evident from the stocks held by US key suppliers like Tree
Stuff, Wesspur and Sherrilltree who only have a handful of
boots between them and these are virtually all imported
from Europe. Even within Europe, what looks like a huge
range of companies making boots is actually just a handful of
specialist companies, some manufacturing for everyone else.
Nothing wrong with that. These companies have decades of
experience so if you’re looking to get into the boot selling
business who better to make your latest models and especially
where it concerns something as difficult to protect against as
a chainsaw? Stihl for instance use Steitz Secura and Arbortec,
one of the most prolific modern companies uses Elten in
Germany amongst others. These are all excellent boots and
the features on the Alpine style boots in particular (as per
the garish model on the title page) are a veritable index of
specialist features with multi-layered soles, multi-layered
protection, multi-layered insoles, multi-layered linings, in fact,
I don’t know why there isn’t a boot called the ‘Multi-layer’.
That vivid purple boot in the titles has ball-bearing rollers
on the lace up hardwear to make it easy to tighten, then it
has mini locking ‘cleats’ to keep the lace tight while you go
through that ‘rabbit goes round the tree and into the hole’
routine. There may also be eyes positioned to pull the heel
in firmly. Either way, we don't see many simple round eyes
any more. More on this later. Then there are the soles – if
they were good enough for mountaineers requiring grip and
durability, they’re sure as hell good enough for arborists and
48
www.arbclimber.com
foresters so there are many Vibram soles with self-
cleaning treads and even screw-in instep crampons
to give you extra grip in icy weather. These kinds of
features will be why you’re going to pay £200/$350
for a pair of boots and the kids are going to go
without the latest Play-station this year.
We’ve divided our arborist boots into 3 separate
guides starting with the greatest chainsaw protection
and ending with the increasingly popular climbing
boots with no active cut-protection at all. The
latter has seen a growing demand because it offers
comfort, support, flexibility and grip for climbing
but relatively few models to choose from at the
moment; you will have seen the ArbPro Clip'nStep on
the cover of issue 6 which was designed specifically
to work with a rope ascending system. This climbing-
integrated system has now evolved to include the
Cervino Wood Quick Step from ArbPro, available
as a climbing boot in Yellow or a class 3
protective boot in grey with mounting
brackets for a foot ascender as well as
a web loop on the laces for attaching an ascender rig. But
pure lightweight climbing boots will also continue to evolve.
Drayer’s Tango VI climbing boot amongst others, pre-dates
the Clip'nStep and by the time we get to publication date for
that particular guide we fully expect the available dedicated
arborist climbing boots to have increased. We say ‘dedicated’
because there are a huge number of primarily three-season
sport climbing boots that could be utilised for tree climbing
and indeed that is where many of these have originated.
No such problems with chainsaw protective boots – if it’s
intended to resist the attentions of a sharp chain, whether
intended for arborists, foresters or firefighters, it’s a boot we
have included:
• This issue: Chainsaw Protective Class 1,2 & 3 pt1
• Issue 9: Chainsaw Protective Class 1,2 &3 pt2
• Issue 10: Climbing (no chainsaw protection)
• Issue 11: Wellington Style chainsaw boots
Wellingtons often meet class 3 and have their own guide but
they are a ground boot rather than for climbing even though
there are some die-hards who swear by them. ‘Die-hard’
could be a most appropriate term for anyone climbing in
wellies? Wellies aren’t necessarily rubber. Firefighter wellies
like the Jolly Fire Profi Evo are full spec leather. This is also the
only style of boot where we’ve seen the unicorn of chainsaw
classes – the class 4 boot. We say unicorn, not because it’s
mythical (and pink) but because it was a short-lived part of
the cut-resistance classifications that now runs from 1 to 3.
Which is a shame because we remain frankly sceptical of the
true merits of selling chainsaw boots that only withstand a
glancing blow from a saw on run-out so the 34m/sec category
had some merit. We'll come onto that next but before we do,
a word on boot height. The higher the boot the greater the
protection, both in terms of chainsaw nicks and anatomical
support of the foot and lower leg. Although as far as chainsaw
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
www.arborwear.co.uk
www.arbclimber.com
protection goes, most active protection only covers the top and
front up to about 6-8 inches/200mm. Above that it's just the
leather and lining, tongue materials and lace hardware that
protect you. Active climbing boots tend to end just above the
ankle to allow more flex while firefighter boots are the tallest
ending mid calf. This is quite restrictive of active tree climbing
but fine for ground work or aerial platforms where they
invariably offer an enhanced degree of all-around protection
and support.
CUT RESISTANCE
We’ve primarily referenced and used the European standards
for cut resistance because in the USA, OSHA’s rather vague
statement reads:
“If the employee uses a chain saw, the footwear must be
constructed with cut-resistant material that will protect against
contact with a running chain saw”
it then references an ASTM test standard (F1818-13) which
costs you $44 dollars to find out exactly what it is you need
to comply with. I defy you to find it written anywhere exactly
what US boots can deal with in terms of cut-protection without
paying that $44. for a copy of the standard. It shouldn't be that
difficult. Consequently US companies tend to reference the CE
cut classes as well. Your business is your business.
How do your employees look and represent you is our
ALL chainsaw boots are general safety boots first so they all business! We can provide T-Shirts, Shirts,
meet CE 20345 for general safety boots and EN15090 in the Polo’s, Sweatshirts and Jackets etc to
case of a box in the 'Firefighting' column. It’s the specific arrive with your company’s branding.
application of chainsaw protective material that sets them To learn more about the benefits visit
apart and gives them CE ISO 17249 classification. This is further the dedicated page on our website at
divided into classes of cut resistance – the class ‘0’ you see www.arborwear.co.uk or
in catalogues really only applies to gloves and clothing. Since
Call Us on 01483 544907
we've given the numeric cut-class in the tables we don't have
to be quite so specific about the huge great EN codes and have
simply listed 'CE' and 'KWF' or the slightly higher 'KWF Pro'. This
latter is a forestry testing award by a German laboratory that
some companies opt to apply to their boots. Absence of this
therefore doesn't signify anything, but boots that have actually
been awarded the KWF stamp are clearly fit for purpose
according to a more rigorous and applicable standard than
simply being a safety boot or having some level of chainsaw
protection. We don't normally say this but given the dearth
of high-end chainsaw protective boots in the US we would
advise you looking at the European models, many of which of
imported by the key arb supply companies. Haix USA however
have their own models shipped over and these comply with the
US ASTM test and Canada's CSA.
Chainsaw boot protection is available in three
classes or levels (it was four for a while and still
is if you include class 0 for gloves etc. This is
virtually always printed or embossed on the side
of the boot: Class 1: 20m/sec
Class 2: 24m/sec
www.arborwear.co.uk
Class 3: 28m/sec or 63 mph
(Class 4: 34m/sec)
ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 49
MARKET GUIDE
Many arborists value comfort and flexibility over chainsaw pro-
tection which is why pure climbing boots with no protection
are gaining favour. However, many class 1 boots are light-
weight and flexible like the Stein Werewolf are far better suited
to modern climbing styles. Just don’t have expectations of
protection that are too high. None are intended to withstand
a full speed, high power, Texas Chainsaw Massacre style attack
with a chainsaw. Not even Class 3. But Class 1 will generally
only withstand a glancing chain on run-out. Indeed, as our
www.arbclimber.com
to be cherished much as they always were when introduced
into mountaineering in the 80s. There are a handful of boots
by Italian maestros Andrew Shoes that use a ballistic nylon
upper or 'polymer' as they prefer to call it. Theirs is branded as
'Super-Fabric' and features abrasion-resistant coated fibres in
a woven sheet that we also see in military footwear. Arbortec
has a fabric that is actually coated in ceramic particles. Not sure
if that resists a chainsaw any better than thick leather but it is
www.arbclimber.com
lighter and more breathable.
We've shown leather thickness’s for some models and these
will usually be the better quality leather. Some of those listed
simply as 'Leather' may also be high quality but could equally be
the cheaper 'printed' leathers – you'll know the difference from
the price of the boot. In terms of anatomical features, there
are a wealth of neat ideas and manufacturers will give scientific
sounding names and provide diagrams on their websites to
CHAINSAW BOOTS
these generally sacrifice the comfort and performance of
softer-faced fabrics. The waterproof, breathable membrane is
layered between the leather or outer fabric and the protective
facing fabric. Best known membranes are GoreTex and
Sympatex with various subtypes but there are many other
efficient membranes – there is almost certainly already one
called AquaTex but if not, can I patent the name? Outdry is
a more unusual 'membrane' because it is effectively a single

ANATOMY
explain why it is such sheet bonded to the entire inner surface of the boot stopping
Thanks to Haix and the
friends from Tree Stuff in Indiana rightly state in reference to Protector Forest for letting us an important feature. water penetration before it even reaches an internal sheet
certain class 1 technical boots like the Stein Werewolf: “under hijack their cutaway diagrams We'll leave you to membrane with seams.
the 'Recommendation for Use' document issued by the Vertical of a MODERN CHAINSAW BOOT peruse the intricacies Boots that are waterproof when new get a solid black box in
group number CNB/P/10.155a. They are to be used for Tree Many boots have an of construction. our ‘Waterproof’ column. If the boot is water ‘resistant’, it's
Label indicating level of cut-protection.
Climbing Operations and Restricted use by competent, trained This is often embossed into leather boots. 'air-pump' system However, one thing to usually because it is a simple, externally treated leather with no
operators who confine them to off-ground work in trees. They using foam and/or look out for is a low cut technical lining, this will have an outline box in the ‘waterproof’
layering down to the
are NOT FOR USE WITH HANDHELD CHAINSAWS ON THE 2-zone lacing allows independent adjustment of the sole and holes in the collar if you're going column indicating that it is water-resistant rather
GROUND. And before you reach for the chainmail socks it’s foot and lower leg. This boot also has a heel tension collar to allow moist to be driving in your than water proof but the true degree of water-
also been said by men in white coats that every extra pound of lace eye (in black). air to vent. This one boots and a flexible resistance or proofing will be determined by how
is the Haix Climate
weight in your boot is like carrying 6.4 lbs on your back such is Minimal Panels. Less stitching means less water ingress System. achilles if you suffer well you treat them.
the transference of stress. Not entirely sure about that but you points so the top boots tend to be made using a single Pull-on tab. Some boots in that area. These
get the point. Lightweight is the new black. piece of leather. It could be argued that multiple features may present
panels using kevlar stitching might afford greater cut
have a full finger loop FOOTBEDS/INSOLES
to help pull your boots as a cut-away of the
protection. on others a slim tab
Not included in our table because they are
The most efficient chainsaw protection are boots with ballistic actual leather and a invariably interchangeable but a vital element
nylon or Kevlar fibre bundles rather than lightweight kevlar Rubber toe bumper. a much deeper collar or
surprisingly effective anti-cut Breathable Suede
of any boot. The insole or footbed is that foot-
sheets but these are also the heaviest and are restricted to class measure as well as protecting leather in this boot
softer foam insert at shaped thing in the dark and smelly recesses that
2 and 3. As previously mentioned the only class 4 we could the foot from impact and Stable, non-slip sole
the achilles that can keeps riding up when you pull your sweaty foot
find were of the wellington style, ironically from a new Zealand providing thermal insulation. edge. Not entirely sure compress as your foot out and tends not to stay in place once it gets a bit
manufacturer but nowhere near Wellington. A quality sole unit like this
about this one – it's on bends.
worn. If it's a simple flat insert then it's old-school
Haix's diagram so we'll
Vibram provide traction, let them have it. Could and probably not doing very much for your foot.
BOOT FEATURES durability, mud-shedding and
resistance to oils and chemicals.
be improved adherence
to crampon or spike
INNER LININGS
The most basic leather
Much better are formed ‘Memory' foams and shock
absorbing materials like Sorbothane. These provide
plates.
boot and those seeking greater support by more closely imitating the shape
UPPER MATERIALS Shock absorbing to be 'lightweight' will of your foot unless you already have fallen arches
Leather and suede are the universal material APART from Cut protection may be bundles of nylon fibres but in alpine-style boots will
layer (orange), have no inner linings in which case you might as well stick with the cheap,
invariably be layers of Aramid. Here it is overlaying a foam layer which
some ballistic nylon materials and the 'rubber' of wellington insulates and provides comfort beneath tightened lace eyes.
normally an EVA
so the inner face will flat ones. Sorbothane and other shock absorbers have
style boots. Another thing that is rubber is a rand, that black foam or even a
propriety brand like be 'brushed' leather been around for decades and really are high performers.
strip you often see encircling the boot immediately above the Sorbothane. making it softer than Arborists don't tend to be stomping great distances on hard
sole. Our tests indicated that thick leather is a great first line of Waterproof and breathable inner membrane, in this case
GoreTex, sandwiched between the leather outer and an inner the outer leather. More surfaces which is when you would appreciate shock absorption
defence against chainsaw intrusion and therefore thickness of facing fabric (in this Haix boot it's Secura)
Facing fabric
technical boots have a more but if your boot already has this it's a bonus. If it doesn't
leather is very important but we also found that a rand was a should offer
durability and waterproof breathable you can easily buy technical insoles from outdoor shops and
useful additional level of protection as well as helping to keep Anatomically formed replaceable footbed or insole. This comfort. Haix layer together with a some arb suppliers and replace the rubbish your boot might
water out and protect the seams from wear. Usually, when it may transport moisture away from the foot and/or have Secura also offers sweat-wicking comfort have come with. Remember that sizing may be affected if
comes to any performance/professional boot we would say that enhanced shock absorption, deoderising and insulating anti-wrinkling or
layer like Andrew you replace a flat insole with a preformed or contoured one.
‘quality’ of leather is as important as its thickness but we’re not properties. Can be used to make finite size adjustments. anti-rucking.
Shoe's Wintherm and Indeed, if your boot is not quite the right size consider adapting
so sure about that in chainsaw boots. Good quality leather is Haix Secura (pic left) the insole accordingly. The better insoles also have options like
This Haix boot has a separate moisture
generally more supple, flexible and soft. Lovely to have next to wicking fleece insole called Texon Heel counter, in to insulate and/or cold insulation, moisture-wicking, antibacterial or deodorising
the skin but not so good at warding off a sharp chain. It’s ironic this case leather, keep moisture away properties but this latter feature will undoubtedly be
that a hard, rough, gnarly, poorly maintained leather may not creates a 'form'
from the foot – similar overwhelmed within minutes of coming into contact with your
Rubber shrouded steel toe
keep the rain out any more but it will probably slow up a cutting cap is the safest option.
which provides
to a nappy and feels particular feet. Some use fleece and are washable so a couple
chain more than a well oiled calf leather! It's also ironic that the support and
Composite and nylon toe good against the skin. of extra sets will keep you fresh.
protection.
higher quality boots will use a single piece of leather, cheaper caps offer lighter weight and
Cambrelle has long
some protection from impact Not present in this
boots generally have multiple panels using smaller sections of been the market leader
leather. However, these overlapping stitched panels will also but not chainsaw intrusion.
boot but some
alpine-style boots
MIDSOLE & INGRESS RESISITANCE
as a facing fabric for Sandwiched between the grippy outsole and the bacteria-
present slightly better chainsaw protection simply in terms of like the Z3 on the
Midsole is the boundary between title page, retain technical membranes infested insole/inner surface of the boot should be a steel,
the thickness of material that a chain has to penetrate before the comfort-inducing insole layers and the heel and but some have their
it hits the kevlar. Nevertheless, the newer generation of suede aluminium, Kevlar, composite or polypropylene/polyurethane
the rugged tread of the outsole. This may be toe lips that will own lining or harder-
and full grain leather boots are a thing of beauty and something take a semi-auto layer to resist puncture by nails or sharp objects and to provide
steel, plastic or composite and can provide stiffening wearing options but
of the boot as well as protection from being impaled by a nail or thorns crampon binding. extra rigidity. Steel is the toughest but makes the boot quite

50 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 51

 MARKET GUIDE
heavy so climbers have moved more towards aluminium
and Kevlar but Poly or nylon-related materials remain the
commonest midsole material – sometimes in addition to the
tougher materials but by itself is a more flexible and cheaper
option. We may see the tactical trend towards more expensive
but immensely light and tough carbon-fibre composites
creeping into chainsaw boots but they're not yet in much
evidence although the SIP Loggers have a Kevlar midsole so
expect to see more.
LACING EYES
Don't expect a modern chainsaw boot to have a simple hole
punched through the leather. It's much more likely to have mini
pieces of technical hardware that are in fact, rollers
or low profile hooks or are auto- locking cleats or all
three. Rollers make tightening the lace much easier,
hooks provide less resistance and direction, both of
which are less wearing to the lace and the locking
1 cleats or clasps provide intermediate tightening
otherwise, if your laces became untied, the whole
boot might flop off – not good if it falls on the
customers head or through their prize greenhouse.
Of course, old style punched eyes, might be more
2 tedious but the same thing that made you curse
them when trying to take your boot off in a hurry
also means they tend to stay firmly on your feet
even if the laces come untied.
1. Even simple eyes will mostly have a metal
rivet-style liner to save wear on both the leather
3
and your laces.
2. hooks are open, making loading of the lace
much easier but they can snag on branches and
bend or even snap off altogether. This example is
actually a little too closed to be a simple hook and is
4 probably more of a 'clasp' or locking hook.
3. Cleats/Clasps tend to be hooks that have
been squashed down so that they pinch the lace
when you load it in.
4. Eyelets can be a swivelling mini D-ring or a
fixed closed loop, in effect a hook that's bent all the
4 quality soles from Vibram which don't tick these boxes but may
way over to create an in-line eye. The lace needs
to be fed through and the entry or exit angle will
increase friction and may make tensioning more
difficult – you may have to tighten each horizontal
5 section of lacing all the way to the top of the boot.
5. Mini rollers alleviate this so you can tension
whole sections of boot simply by pulling at the top
where there will hopefully be a cleat to stop it all running
away from you the second you release tension.
SOLE GRIP and RIGIDITY
Climbers like flexible boots with tactile grip but may conversely
appreciate rigid soles when spiking. Some trial and error will
be needed to find a boot that really suits your climbing style.
Ground workers in cold climates increasingly use 3-season
hiking and alpine style boots for use in snow and ice and on
brush that tries to skewer you in retaliation for you torturing
it to death with your chainsaw. Rubber compounds provide
52
www.arbclimber.com
varying degrees of grip – the grippier the boot the faster it will
wear out but you can simply resole a good quality boot when
the time comes. Or, if your boot came with some rubbish, own
brand industrial sole that resists hydrochloric acid but couldn't
grip a tree frog's face, ask your local cobbler or whatever the
modern equivalent is if it can be replaced with a Vibram or
Skywalk sole.
There are some very good unknown sole brands so test it out
thoroughly before dismissing it.
INSULATING
this refers to the ability of the upper boot to keep your feet
warm rather than the ability of the sole not to crack which
is listed as 'Cold-Resist' under Sole features. The mountain
orientated boots have a head start in this regard since they are
designed for use in snow but others have layered foam and
lining materials to keep your feet toasty. Not a problem in New
Mexico and outback Australia where the simpler, lighter leather
or ballistic nylon boots with a sweat-wicking layer would be
preferable.
RUBBER TOE
Not necessarily part of the structure of the sole so it doesn't get
into the highlighted part of the tables. This refers to an outer
protective cap over the leather at the front of the boot that
helps to protect from wear and tear at the most abused part
of your boot. Some are a moulded extension of the sole while
some are an extension of the rubber rand that runs around the
entirety of the mountain-style boots in particular. One or two
like the firefighter boots have thickest protection which is an
armadillo style layering of the rubber.
PULL-ON AID
Nothing is likely to start the day with a grumble quite like
straining to pull your rain-stiffened boots on – especially with
your freshly moisturised hands slipping on the top collar. Enter
the pull-on aid – either a full finger loop which is the best option
or a simple flap on the back of the boot which you grip and pull.
FIREFIGHTING
Fire and chemical resistant footwear that meets firefighter
standards but also has chainsaw resistance unlike most
firefighter boots. Why wouldn't you? Well for one thing, they
tend to be much higher than regular chainsaw boots and this
isn't conducive to acrobatic climbing. Nevertheless, if you're
looking for something different or are a volunteer at the local
fire station you could kill two birds with one stone.
WATERPROOF
This relates to the whole boot and the uppers in particular as
we would hope that every sole would be watertight. The vast
majority of uppers are waterproof simply because leather is
waterproof but there are degrees of.... look for higher quality
leathers or specialist waterproof membranes like Sympatex and
GoreTex in addition to a water resistant outer. Also look for a
full wrap-around rubber rand – this not only provides excellent
extra protection it seals water ingress points because all the
waterproof leather in the world is no use if the seams leak.
Some leathers are treated with wax or oil to maintain water
resistance and this needs to be maintained to keep them in tip-
top condition. However, the softer the leather the easier it will
succumb to having big gouges carved out of it. A dilemma.
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
www.arbclimber.com CHAINSAW BOOTS
COLOURS chemicals and acids. It would be as well not to expose any of
As with all of our 'GUIDES' different colour options are your rope safety equipment to such contamination though!
separated by a comma. Where is more than one colour on a •CramponS – All boots can take some kind of strap-on
boot the primary colour is listed first with a capital letter with crampon but bear in mind that you will struggle to keep
secondary colours shown after a forward slash with all lower articulated crampons on a sole that is too flexible. More rigid
case lettering eg. Black/red. Some of our GUIDES show the soles can take 8/10 point crampons and alpine legends Stubai
primary colour in all upper case but when space is limited on actually have a model for chainsaw boots called the Forestry
these more complex guides we only have room for one capital! Crampon. Up from this are 10 or even 12-point (front-point)
In the case of leather boots the higher quality mountain boots auto or step-in crampons – similar to ski bindings – boots that
are invariably a coloured suede-like leather while black or can take these are obvious from the little ‘ledge’ that protrudes
brown boots may have a secondary colour that is only on the front and back. There aren’t yet any ski-binding style tree-
collar. climbing spikes/spurs so this feature is again for approach or
ground work on slippery terrain. In some cases the boot either
SIZING is, or can be supplied with
Almost as varied as every other conversion we need to make in a little screw-on
our Guides based on information supplied by manufacturers! instep crampon
There shouldn't really be any excuse for these differences to provide
because sizing is actually an exact science. But European sizing spikes for
is around three quarters that of a UK/US size so you'll see some extra grip
– you can
discrepancies. It's generally best to use the European sizes since
these are smaller increments and the vast majority of boots see
are made in mainland Europe. We've listed sizing as they are
quoted by manufacturers so don't blame us for some of them
being out by half a size.
SOLE FEATURES
•Steel Toe – Steel toe cap and by far the best protection
against chainsaw intrusion and heavy weights. It does however
add to weight and bulk of a boot.
•Comp Toe – Composite toe and is a plastic or rigid composite such an asset just protruding
out of the instep in our
material that provides slightly more protection than the leather
alone but virtually no protection against a cutting chain. It will title picture and in the Haix
Alpin sole above there is a
help to slow it up if it’s a glancing blow but anything more
direct than that and your toe(s) are toast. an oval of spikes. There are
some screw-in additions
•Anti-Shock – in terms of absorbing impact and protecting
your joints (rather than electricity which is actually covered by like the one shown on the
Pfanner Matterhorn sole
an ‘anti-static’ rating in some boots but not shown here.
above that sits on the outer
Next there are four features of the sole but there will be some
heel but can be swung
away into the instep when
actually still be superior.
less grip is required. In the
•HEAT-RESIST – It's not so much that you will be able to walk
case of Treeme they’ve
on hot embers and impress the customers it's that rubber-like
gone one step further (so to speak) and have an optional rear
materials tend to 'decompose' and wear out far easier in higher
temperatures. Heat-resistant soles are a more specialised, step-in crampon called the ‘Slide-Stop’ shown above which
harder compound but be careful that this doesn't also mean levers back from the heel instep and is a neat and very quick
that the sole is less tactile i.e. less grip. option for extra grip if your boot has a black box in this column.
•Cold-resist – if you're having to worry about the integrity Boots that can take a step-in crampon fitting are indicated by a
of your boots in extreme cold you probably shouldn't be using solid box n. Boots that have an integral grip-plate or the option
of a screw-in instep crampon have an outline box n in the case
a chainsaw aloft but maybe you're forced to leave them outside
of the house because of the smell and the night temperatures of some like the Arbortec Scafell boot shown in the titles – they
are way below zero. do both!
•OIL/CHEMICAL RESISTANT- We've tested these for decades
and can honestly say that we have never noticed any Part 2 of this Guide will be Chainsaw Boots Class1,2&3 from J to
improvement in traction when walking on an oil-covered Z including, Robusta, Stihl, Rockall, Prabos, Pfanner, Stein SIPS,
surface. What this feature really means is that your sole will be Lavoro, Steitz Secura,Meindl, NoRisk, Trueno, Royer, Viking and
less likely to decompose after walking through industrial fuels, Treeme.
ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 53
PRODUCTS www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com PRODUCTS

54 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 55

MARKET GUIDE www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com CHAINSAW BOOTS
IMAGES NOT SOLE

STANDARD

WATER PROOF
FIREFIGHTING
PULL-ON AID
MEMBRANE

RUBBER TOE
INSULATING

SHOCK ABSORB
TO SCALE MMODEL COMPANY WT UPPERS MID SOLE &

CUT CLASS

COMP. TOE

CRAMPON

COLOUR OP-
STEEL TOE
ORIGIN

COLD RESIST
HEAT RESIST
SIZES NOTES WWW.

COST

OIL RESIST
& LINING

TIONS
1 boot RIGIDITY
sz 43
SOLE

Ballistic Sympatex Blue, Grey, US 4-15

AlpenWood ANDREW Srl 3 1180g Nylon CE n n n n n Burgundy EU 36-49
andrewshoes.com
Polymer WinTherm Vibram Teton UK 3.5-14
RIGID
Leather Sympatex Black/ylw, US 4-15
Antelao ANDREW Srl 3 1190g Perwanger Nylon CE n n n n Red/ylw, EU 36-49
andrewshoes.com
2.8/3mm WinTherm Vibram Teton
Wood MEDIUM Khaki/orng UK 3.5-14

Leather Sympatex Red, US 4-15

Bionica Wood ANDREW Srl €299 3 1290g Perwanger Nylon CE n n n n n n Black, EU 36-49 andrewshoes.com
2.8/3mm WinTherm Vibram Teton UK 3.5-14
MEDIUM Khaki

Leather Sympatex Brown/ US 4-15 Most robust boot

Bionica Wood ANDREW Srl 3 1390g
Vacchetta WinTherm Nylon CE n n n n n beige EU 36-49 in the range. Tra- andrewshoes.com
Welt Vibram Teton UK 3.5-14 ditional sewn sole
3/3.2mm MEDIUM
Grey, QuickStep version
Perwanger Sympatex (non-cut US 9-13 has integral plate
Cervino Wood ANDREW Srl £229 3 1150g Nylon CE n n n n n n n n protective EU 42-47 for foot ascender
andrewshoes.com
& Quick Step €300 Suede WinTherm Vibram Teton version= Ylw) See also ArbPro
MEDIUM UK 8-12

Sympatex Brown, US 4-15

Rozes Wood ANDREW Srl 3 1080g Ballistic Nylon CE EU 36-49 andrewshoes.com
WinTherm Vibram Teton n n n n n Grey,
Polymer Burgundy UK 3.5-14
MEDIUM
Leather Sympatex Red, US 4-15
Rozes ANDREW Srl 3 1090g Perwanger Nylon CE n n n n n Orange, EU 36-49 andrewshoes.com
Wood/P 2.8/3mm WinTherm Vibram Teton
Khaki UK 3.5-14
MEDIUM
Leather Sympatex US 4-15 Traditional sewn
Rozes Wood ANDREW Srl 3 1290g Pampas Oil WinTherm Nylon CE n n n n n Brown
EU 36-49 sole
andrewshoes.com
Welt 2.8/3mm Vibram Teton
MEDIUM UK 3.5-14

Aquafell ARBORTEC Leather BreatheDry US 7-14

£239 2 1350g Steel CE Black arbortec.com
PU/Rubber n n n n n n n /orange EU 39-48
Xpert FORESTWEAR UK 6-13
FLEXI

Fellhunter ARBORTEC Anfibio Outdry CE, US 4-14

£279 3 1285g Composite n n n n n n n n Brown EU 36-48 arbortec.com
Xpert FORESTWEAR Leather Vibram Vertige KWF UK 3-13
MEDIUM

Hydrofell ARBORTEC £189 2 1310g Leather BreatheDry Steel CE Black/lime US 7-13 also called 'Pro' by arbortec.com
PU n n n n n EU 39-47 some suppliers
FORESTWEAR UK 6-12
FLEXI
Leather- US 4-16 Entry level, robust
Lightning ARBORTEC £199 2 1185g Arbortex Nylon CE Black arbortec.com
3mm Rubber n n n n n n n EU 36-50 boot
FORESTWEAR UK 3-15
FLEXI
Enhanced arch
Profell Xpert ARBORTEC Anfibio Outdry CE, US 4-14
£269 3 1390g Composite Black support for spik- arbortec.com
Leather Vibram Vertige KWF n n n n n n n EU 36-48
FORESTWEAR UK 3-13 ing
MEDIUM

Scafell ARBORTEC Anfibio Outdry CE, n Brown, US 4-14

£299 2 1305g Nylon n n n n n n n n Black EU 36-48 arbortec.com
Leather FORESTWEAR Leather Synth Leather Vibram Vertige KWF n UK 3-13
RIGID
NOTES: ORIGIN: Company selling the product, not necessarily the country of manufacture – inset flag shown where possible COST: approx, excludes VAT/local Tax unless indicated by * which includes state tax. (no VAT for personal
use in UK). USES: Toe n = Alloy not steel – Shock-Absorb = shock absorbing sole insert, normally a layer and/or heel wedge Pull On Aids = A black box = finger loop, an outline box = a simple tab Crampon: n = integral grip plate

56 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 57

MARKET GUIDE www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com CHAINSAW BOOTS
IMAGES NOT SOLE

STANDARD

WATER PROOF
FIREFIGHTING
MEMBRANE

PULL-ON AID
RUBBER TOE
INSULATING
TO SCALE MMODEL COMPANY WT UPPERS MID SOLE &

SHOCK ABSORB
CUT CLASS

COMP. TOE

CRAMPON

COLOUR OP-
STEEL TOE
ORIGIN

COLD RESIST
SIZES NOTES WWW.

HEAT RESIST
COST
1 boot & LINING

OIL RESIST

TIONS
SOLE RIGIDITY
sz 43

BreatheDRY Lime, US 6-14 Lighter version of

Scafell Lite ARBORTEC £220 2 1245g Leather Composite CE, n n n Blue, EU 38-48 arbortec.com
BreatheDRY Vibram n n n n n the Scafells.
FORESTWEAR €260 KWF Black UK 5-13
MEDIUM
CE, US 4-14
Scafell ARBORTEC £285 2 1270g Leather Outdry Nylon n Lime Z3: to Order arbortec.com
Vibram Vertige KWF n n n n n n n n n (Magenta) EU 36-48
(Z3 & Trekker) FORESTWEAR Synth Leather n UK 3-13
RIGID
Scafell XER Leather & US 4-14 * Ceramic coated,
ARBORTEC Ceramic/ Outdry CE, n
(Ceramic ) £299 2 1250g Nylon Lime EU 36-48 abrasion resistant arbortec.com
Vibram Vertige KWF n n n n n n n n
n
FORESTWEAR Ballistic Synth Leather n UK 3-13 fabric
AT32000 Nylon* RIGID
Treehog US 7-13 ALSO new
Extreme ARBORTEC £79 2 912g Leather Leather Composite CE Black EU 39-47 Extreme Water- arbortec.com
Polyurethane n n n n n n
TH11 & TH12 FORESTWEAR UK 6-12 proof £95
FLEXI
US 7-17 size 13-16 = £170
Treehog ARBORTEC £150 2 1730g Leather Membrane Steel CE Black/ EU 39-51 Reflective panels arbortec.com
Rubber n n n n n
Snout FORESTWEAR Comfort blue UK 6-16
FLEXI
Treehog ARBORTEC Black/ US 7-14 Size 13 = £140
£120 2 1420g Leather Leather Steel CE n n n n n EU 39-48 arbortec.com
Tusk FORESTWEAR Rubber orange UK 6-13
FLEXI
Perwanger Sympatex Red/ US 9-13 Made for ArbPro
Cervino Wood ARB PRO Srl £240 3 1050g Nylon CE n n n n n n n n black EU 42-47
by Andrew Italy, arbpro.it
€239 Suede WinTherm Vibram Teton
MEDIUM UK 8-12

2.8mm Adapted for direct

US 6-14 attachment of
Quick Step ARB PRO Srl £229 3 1150g Perwanger Sympatex Nylon CE n n n n n n n n Grey EU 38-48 foot ascender.
arbpro.it
High2 Out Vibram Teton Cost excludes
Suede MEDIUM UK 5-13
plate or ascender
Non- US 6-14 deodorising insole
Energy COFRA £123 3 1224g Full Grain GoreTex metallic CE Black cofra.it
Nitrile Rubber n n n n n n n n EU 38-48
Leather APT UK 5-13
FLEXI
Breathable Non- Black/ US 6-14 deodorising insole
Force COFRA £70 1 1068g Leather Synthetic metallic Nitrile Rubber CE cofra.it
n n n n n n
red EU 38-48
Texelle APT UK 5-13
FLEXI
Full Grain- Cofra-Tex Non- Black/ US 6-14
No Flame COFRA £155 2 1272g Leather metallic CE Zip-up lacing. cofra.it
Waterpro- Nitrile Rubber n n n n n n n n n reflective EU 38-48 deodorising insole
2-2.2mm APT UK 5-13
Tech FLEXI
Non- Black/ US 6-14 deodorising insole
Power COFRA £86 2 1105g Leather Leather metallic CE cofra.it
Texelle Nitrile Rubber n n n n n n n
green EU 38-48
APT UK 5-13
FLEXI
Non- Black/ US 6-14 Leather lace guard
Strong COFRA £114 3 1164g Leather Leather metallic Nitrile Rubber CE cofra.it
Cambrelle n n n n n n n
orange EU 38-48 deodorising insole
APT FLEXI UK 5-13
1 Breathable Non-
COFRA Black/ US 6-14 deodorising insole
Woodsman £121 947g Leather Synthetic metallic Polyurethane CE n n n n n cofra.it
APT Yellow EU 38-48
Texelle FLEXI UK 5-13
NOTES: ORIGIN: Company selling the product, not necessarily the country of manufacture – inset flag shown where possible COST: approx, excludes VAT/local Tax unless indicated by * which includes state tax. (no VAT for personal
use in UK). USES: Toe n = Alloy not steel – Shock-Absorb = shock absorbing sole insert, normally a layer and/or heel wedge Pull On Aids = A black box = finger loop, an outline box = a simple tab Crampon: n = integral grip plate

58 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 59

MARKET GUIDE www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com CHAINSAW BOOTS
IMAGES NOT SOLE

STANDARD

WATER PROOF
FIREFIGHTING
MEMBRANE

PULL-ON AID
RUBBER TOE
INSULATING
TO SCALE MMODEL COMPANY WT UPPERS MID SOLE &

SHOCK ABSORB
CUT CLASS

COMP. TOE

CRAMPON

COLOUR OP-
STEEL TOE
ORIGIN

COLD RESIST
SIZES NOTES WWW.

HEAT RESIST
COST
1 boot & LINING

OIL RESIST

TIONS
SOLE RIGIDITY
sz 43

CRISPI Klett Nepal GoreTex US 7-14

Sorapis €288 3 1240g
Leather Nylon CE n n n n n n n n n Black/ EU 39-48
crispi.it
SPORT Vibram
MEDIUM red UK 6-13

US 6-14
Arborist Cowhide
GTX S3 ELTEN €180 2 1090g GoreTex Steel CE n n n n n n n n Black EU 38-48 Reflective piping elten.com
Leather PU Hercules UK 5-13
FLEXI
S2 Forestry Full grain CE US 7.5-14 Discontinued
ELTEN £110 1 1050g Leather Steel n n n n n n Black EU 40-48 available while
elten.com
(Alpin) (sz 42) Leather 6mm PUR KWF stocks last
FLEXI UK 6.5-13

Full grain US 7.5-14

Harz ENGELBERT £137 1 1060g Leather Sympatex Steel CE Black EU 40-48 engelbert-strauss.de
9mmPUR n n n n n n
STRAUSS €140 (sz 42) 2.5mm FLEXI KWF UK 6.5-13

ETHICAL Lorica Brown/ US 5.5-15

Vegan £130 2 1200g (non-leather) Aquastop Steel CE EU 37-49 ethicalwares.com
WARES Nitrile Rubber n n n n n n orange
MEDIUM UK 4.5-14

Printed CE Black/red, US 6-16 sizes 48,49 & 50=

Challenger EURO PM €125 1 1175g Leather Puratex Polyester KWF n n n n n n n n n Blck/blck, EU 38-50 extra cost,
euro-pm.com
111001/2/3 2mm Vibram
FLEXI Blck/ylw UK 5-15

Full grain CE
Excelsior EURO PM €189 2 - Puratex Polyester KWF- n n n Black/red, US 7-13 euro-pm.com
Leather n n n n n n n Red/black EU 39-47
111016 2.2-2.4mm Vibram pro
RIGID UK 6-12

Extreme Forest Full grain CE Black/ US 7-13

EURO PM €146 2 - Leather Puratex Polyester KWF n n n n n n n n n n orange EU 39-47
euro-pm.com
111009 Vibram
2.2-2.4mm MEDIUM UK 6-12
Full grain
Extreme One Leather CE US 6-16 sizes 48,49 & 50=
EURO PM €100 1 - Puratex Polyester KWF n n n n n n n n n Black/ EU 38-50 extra cost,
euro-pm.com
111005 2-2.2mm Vibram orange
FLEXI UK 5-15
Full grain (Extreme Three
Extreme Two 2 Leather CE US 7-13
EURO PM €200 1750g Puratex Polyester KWF n n n n n n n n n n Black/ EU 39-47 discontinued) euro-pm.com
111011 2-2.2mm Vibram orange
MEDIUM UK 6-12

Full grain Black/

Forest Ranger CE orange, US 6-16 sizes 48,49 & 50=
EURO PM €155 2 1175g Leather Puratex Polyester KWF n n n n n n n n n EU 38-50 extra cost,
euro-pm.com
111007 Vibram Brown/
2.2-2.4mm FLEXI black UK 5-15

Perwanger US 6-16
Woodmaster FITWELL €235 1 1170g eVent Nylon CE
Leather
Vibram Foura n n n n n n Grey/ EU 38-50
fitwellsrl.it
$425 (sz 42) 2.6mm black UK 5-15
FLEXI
Leather US8.5-12 Discontinued
Eigher FRANCITAL €133 1 980g 1.6-1.8mm Sympatex Steel CE n n n n n Brown/ EU 41-46 available while
francital.com
027 (sz 44) Tepor PU black
FLEXI 7.5-11UK stocks last
Discontinued
Coated US 7-13 available while
Elagage FRANCITAL €196 1 -
Leather Techno-Lite Composite CE n n n n n Brown/ EU 39-47 stocks last.
francital.com
003 PU black
FLEXI UK 6-12 Cimbing boot
NOTES: ORIGIN:ACompany
black boxselling
indicates
the product, not necessarily the country of manufacture – inset flag shown where possible COST: approx, excludes VAT/local Tax unless indicated by * which includes state tax. (no VAT for personal
use in UK). USES: Toe n = Alloy not steel – Shock-Absorb = shock absorbing sole insert, normally a layer and/or heel wedge Pull On Aids = A black box = finger loop, an outline box = a simple tab Crampon: n = integral grip plate

60 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 61

MARKET GUIDE www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com CHAINSAW BOOTS
IMAGES NOT SOLE

WATER PROOF
STANDARD

FIREFIGHTING
MEMBRANE

PULL-ON AID
RUBBER TOE
TO SCALE MMODEL COMPANY WT UPPERS MID SOLE &

SHOCK ABSORB
CUT CLASS

COMP. TOE
INSULATED

CRAMPON

COLOUR OP-
STEEL TOE
ORIGIN

COLD RESIST
SIZES NOTES WWW.

HEAT RESIST
COST
1 boot & LINING

OIL RESIST

TIONS
SOLE RIGIDITY
sz 43

Leather US 4-16 Discontinued

Forestieres FRANCITAL €155 2 1000g Leather Rubber CE n n n n n Black EU 35-50 available while
francital.com
(sz 42) Techno-Lite PU
002 MEDIUM
UK 3-15 stocks last

US 7-13 Discontinued
Nando FRANCITAL €212 2 - Perwanger eVent Rubber CE n n n n n n Brown EU 39-47 available while
francital.com
013 Vibram UK 6-12
MEDIUM stocks last

Full grain Sympatex CE Brown/ US 7-13

Quercus FRANCITAL €165 2 1650g Leather Rubber EU 39-47 francital.com
KWF n n n n n n n n n
n red
032 (sz 42) 2.4mm Tepor Vibram UK 6-12
MEDIUM
Full grain Sympatex CE Brown/ US 4-14
Tilia FRANCITAL €150 2 1300g Rubber EU 36-48 francital.com
KWF n n n n n n n n
Leather n red
031 (sz 42) Tepor Vibram UK 3-13
2.4mm MEDIUM
GRAND Silicone
Swede Pro $260 - - treated Leather Steel ASTM n n n n n n Black US 6.5-13 grandforest.us
FOREST Leather Vibram
FLEXI
Airpower Oiled GoreTex US 4.5-14.5 US/Canada-Only.
HAIX USA $239 1 963g Steel ASTM n n n n n n n n Olive width Also woman's sizes haix.com
R200 Nubuck Cambrelle Rubber/PU CSA 4.5-14.5 Achilles flex panel
FLEXI
NOTES: ORIGIN: Company selling the product, not necessarily the country of manufacture – inset flag shown where possible COST: approx, excludes VAT/local Tax unless indicated by * which includes state tax. (no VAT for personal
use in UK). USES: Toe n = Alloy not steel – Shock-Absorb = shock absorbing sole insert, normally a layer and/or heel wedge Pull On Aids = A black box = finger loop, an outline box = a simple tab Crampon: n = integral grip plate

62 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 63

MARKET GUIDE www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com CHAINSAW BOOTS
IMAGES NOT SOLE

STANDARD

WATER PROOF
FIREFIGHTING
MEMBRANE

PULL-ON AID
RUBBER TOE
TO SCALE MMODEL COMPANY WT UPPERS MID SOLE &

SHOCK ABSORB
CUT CLASS

COMP. TOE
INSULATED

CRAMPON

COLOUR OP-
STEEL TOE
ORIGIN

COLD RESIST
SIZES NOTES WWW.

HEAT RESIST
COST
1 boot & LINING

OIL RESIST

TIONS
SOLE RIGIDITY
sz 43

$279 Oiled GoreTex US 6-13.5

Airpower HAIX USA 1 937g
Nubuck Non-me- ASTM n n n n n n n n Olive/ width
US/Canadian boot haix.com
€222 Climate Rubber/PU CSA orange Med/wide Achilles flex panel
XR200 2.5-2.7mm tallic FLEXI
Flash Pro/ £215 Integrated front
Leather GoreTex US 7-13
Black/ylw EU 39-47 zipper. Xtreme is
Fire Flash HAIX €270* 2 1450g Nylon CE n n n n n n n n n n haix.com
2.5-2.7mm Climate Rubber/PU the US model plus
Xtreme $479* FLEXI UK 6-12
woman's version.
Leather CrossTech 2-stage – rapid
Hero 2 HAIX €289* 2 1500g Nylon CE Black/ US 4-13 haix.com
2.5-2.7mm Climate Rubber/PU n n n n n n n n n n red/ylw EU 35-47 donning & rapid
UK 3-12 release lacing
FLEXI
CE Adjustable
£289* Suede GoreTex Black/ylw
US 6-15 tongue.
Protector HAIX 3 1292g Nylon KWF- n n n n n n n n n n EU 38-49 removable grip/
haix.com
€360* 2.8-3mm Climate Rubber/PU pro
Alpin RIGID UK 5-14 spikes
Protector £225* CE Black,
GoreTex KWF- US 6-14
Forest HAIX €270* 2 1165g Suede Nylon pro n n n n n n n n n Orange/ EU 38-48
haix.com
(Prime) Climate Vibram ASTM black
$319 2.8-3mm MEDIUM CSA UK 5-13

£155* Nubuck US 4.5-13.5

Protector HAIX 1 963g Leather Nylon CE n n n n n n n n Brown/ EU 36-48
Achilles flex panel haix.com
€195* 2.2-2.4mm Rubber/PU red
Light MEDIUM UK 3.5-12.5

Protector £195* Leather GoreTex US 4-15 Sun-Reflect uppers,

HAIX 1 1318g Nylon CE n n n n n n n n Black EU 36-49 Achilles flex panel haix.com
Pro €245* 2.5-2.7mm Climate Rubber/PU UK 3.5-13.5
FLEXI
Suede GoreTex CE Grn/blck US 6-14
Protector HAIX £210 2 - Nylon KWF n n n haix.com
2.8-3mm Climate Vibram n n n n n n Red/blck EU 38-48
Ultra €280* pending UK 5-13
MEDIUM
Nubuck CE
Trekker £180* GoreTex KWF- n n n
Brown/ US 4-15 Achilles flex panel
HAIX `1 1221g leather Nylon n n n n n n haix.com
Mountain €225* Climate Rubber/PU pro black EU 36-49
2.6-2.8mm UK 3.5-13.5
MEDIUM
CE US 7-13 Rollerball lacing.
Graft HARKIE £150 3 1230g Leather Sympatex Steel Black Harkie.co.uk
Rubber/PU SATRA n n n n n n EU 39-47 deep instep ideal
MEDIUM UK 6-12 for spikes
Generous sizing
SEK2550* 1100g Polyurethane Cambrelle US 7-13 use with multi-
L20 HUSQVARNA £167 1 Leather Steel CE n n n n n n n Black EU 39-47 layer socks. Sole husqvarna.com
(sz 42) PU moulded to
€255 MEDIUM UK 6-12 upper-no seams
may be confused
Leather US 7-14 with the above
Classic 20 HUSQVARNA £170 1 1000g Leather Steel CE Black/ by some suppli- husqvarna.com
(sz42) Cambrelle Rubber/PU n n n n n n n
orange EU 39-48 ers who swap the
KWF UK 6-13 words 'leather'
MEDIUM and '20'
Also available in
Technical 24 HUSQVARNA SEK3445* `2 1260g Split Leather Sympatex Steel CE
Grey/ US 4-14 Germany-only as husqvarna.com
(sz 420 2.4-2.6mm Cambrelle Rubber/PU n n n n n n n orange/ EU 36-48 KWF version with
£269 black UK 3.5-13
MEDIUM instep grip
Treated
Full grain GoreTex Composite Black/ US 7-15 Rapid-don zipper,
Challenger Evo JOLLY SCARPE €295 3 - CE n n n n n n n n n EU 39-49 Increased ankle
jollyscarpe.com
9065-GA Leather Cambrelle Nitrile Rubber red
2-2.2mm FLEXI UK 6-13.5 protection
NOTES: ORIGIN: Company selling the product, not necessarily the country of manufacture – inset flag shown where possible COST: approx, excludes VAT/local Tax unless indicated by * which includes state tax. (no VAT for personal
use in UK). USES: Toe n = Alloy not steel – Shock-Absorb = shock absorbing sole insert, normally a layer and/or heel wedge Pull On Aids = A black box = finger loop, an outline box = a simple tab Crampon: n = integral grip plate

64 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 65

PAGE TITLE www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com PAGE TITLE

Ideal for Rescue

and Arboricultural
applications

ActSafe Power Ascenders are an ingenious combination

of a high capacity rope winch in a compact, lightweight
and user-friendly design. It simply redefines the
possibilities for working in vertical work environments.

Get in touch with us today to find

your nearest ActSafe distributor
ActSafe Systems AB T: +46 31 65 56 60
Sagbäcksvägen 13 E: info@actsafe.se
SE-43731 Lindome, Sweden W: www.actsafe.se

66 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8 ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 67

GEAR REVIEW
CMI
RopeJack
rope tensioner
W
e've got a rope winch that we've used for about 18
years that is made by Tirfor, now Tractel and operated
with two climbing-style toothed cams running along a
metal frame. A large handle is pumped backwards and forwards
closing and then separating the two cams dragging rope through
as they do so. On the back of the frame is a huge cast metal
capstan that we wind
the rope around as it's
pulled through. This
in turn is attached to
an autolock descender
on a short rope and it's this rope we connect to our anchor
rather than connecting the Evak500 directly. This is so that we
can release/lower the winch if the rope is ever pulled in too
far and something jams. The handle is in two parts, hinged and
held together with a shear pin so that if we become overzealous
and apply too much tension (>40kg/88lbs of force) the shear
pin breaks and the handle 'breaks' or, more accurately, hinges,
as you see in this picture, and is rendered inoperable until you
replace the pin. Rope tensioning is fraught with danger so the
shear pin is a great idea when dealing with live-person loads. In
tree work you still don't ever want to overtension your rigging
but it's hopefully not a life-threatening issue even though it
might be an accident waiting to happen. The Evak 500 can cope
with half a metric tonne depending on the state of the rope but
the trouble is it seems to weigh about the same as a Hummer
or to be precise 6.35 kg/14lbs. The reason we're mentioning the
Evak500 in some detail is that the real subject of this Review, the
CMI RopeJack has taken this brilliant and oddly un-duplicated
concept and stripped it down to a device that does pretty much
the same job but at a fraction of the weight and the cost. It's
quite astonishing that this hasn't been done before. CMI are
another company from the rope-activity sector that will be
familiar to climbers and rescuers but not so much to arborists.....
yet. And they didn't so much come up with this idea as develop
68
www.arbclimber.com
by Ade Scott &
Adam Jones
it from an idea from JB Holdaway in Maryland.
Not a bad choice though, CMI Ultrascenders
were my preferred ascenders for well over
a decade before the SRTe large capacity
ascenders arrived. Even though I preferred
my Ultras I switched so that I had the option
of operating on much larger diameter ropes.
The RopeJack is based on similar Ultrascenders
but now with a slightly larger rope capacity
so I'm more confident than most that it will
stand up well to abuse. Like the Evak 500 the
RopeJack is simply pulling sections of rope
through the free-running cam of one ascender
with the closed cam of another. As you pull the
handle down or back towards your anchor the
RopeJack grabs a bight of about 8 or 9 inches
which you then pull on through the free-
running cam with a suitable descent/lowering
device acting as a progress-capture device.
Something like the Portwrap or the MPD as in
these pictures. You then pull the handle back
up which slides the top cam forward 8 or 9
inches while the rear cam holds the rope.
In the picture top right you can see that the
RopeJack is connected directly to the MPD
which is in turn connected to the brilliant Rock
Exotica Enforcer Load Cell and then to the
anchor. Not all lowering devices will give you
this forward connection option in which case
the RopeJack will need to be connected
separately to the anchor since it requires a
secure point to pull against. Remember that
input forces will be multiplied at the anchor
as you pull back on the handle so be sure that
ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
www.arbclimber.com GEAR REVIEW
your anchor is up to the task. Of course having the Load Cell will
tell you exactly what forces are involved and stand you in good
stead for estimating on those occasions you don't have a load
cell. Our pictures here show the RopeJack connected directly to
the lowering device but while this makes initial set-up simple
it does complicates removal of RopeJack. With the rope fully
tensioned you will have to 'tease' the cams backwards and
forwards in order to remove first one cam and then the other.
If you keep finding this a problem try attaching the RopeJack
to the carabiner via a short Mariner's hitch. This can simply
be unwound (carefully) to release the RopeJack while your
PortaWrap or whatever, holds the load.
MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE
The beauty of the RopeJack is that it can be added to and
removed from your system at any time and at any point (mid-
line) to give you the equivalent of an instant 5:1 mechanical
advantage. Now this ratio can be confusing, not least because
CMI's own website shows the RopeJack at 1:1 on a straight rope
pull before increasing mechanical advantage in the traditional
way with the addition of a pulley to create 2:1 and then two
pulleys to create either 3:1 or 4:1 depending on how you rig ABOVE: When handed to our ground crew, who had never seen it before and
had no intention of reading any instructions, it became obvious that there's
it. What those ratio's really mean is a compound addition to
not much you can do wrong with it. Instead of attaching to a separate anchor
whatever the RopeJack's own mechanical advantage already
they simplified things by clipping direct to the PortaWrap similar to the
is. Remember that leverage equals mechanical advantage MPD system above. Perhaps, if we were being picky, in this system utilising
just as much as moving pulleys and counting the number of a PortaWrap we would have got them to flip the carabiner so that the gate
ropes supporting the load. We used to say that the Evac500 wasn't next to moving rope but you can't get the staff can you?
mentioned in the opening paragraph was the equivalent of
5:1 so we don't see how the ropejack doesn't also start with undoubtedly quicker than a pulley system because there
something close to that rather than the 1:1 shown in their is no reset required, you simply open the cams, feed the rope
instructional video. This is important because if you compound into the opposing cam enclosures, engage the cams onto
a Ropejack to a 4:1 pulley system thinking that you're just the rope and start yanking – we know you won prizes for doing
imparting that 4:1 MA, you're going to be miles out. And at that in college.
what could actually be around 20:1 it's going to take you several
days to pull that leaner over pumping at half an inch per stroke! However, these are toothed cams multiplying the forces being
applied to a small area of soft rope so you need to be very
RopeJack is compact enough to be used by climbers in the careful not to over-tension. The cams are more likely to sever
canopy as well as by ground crew (see picture overleaf). But it is your sheath in any overload situation than to fail themselves
a slightly cumbersome shape with its large handle and if you've since these are cast cam enclosures so cannot bend and
become accustomed to carrying a mini-pulley system in a bag release the cam from the rope like plate-metal ascenders can in
on your harness this will require a change of thinking. It's exceptional circumstances. CMI quote 1500 lb as an input force
ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 69
PRODUCTS

Simplify
www.arbclimber.com

The MPD™
Makes Your
ROPE RESCUE Job Easier
CMC Rescue’s Multi-Purpose Device (MPD) quickly and easily
transitions from lowering to raising on main and belay systems.
• Replaces 8 Pieces of Equipment
It's a good idea to incorporate
a short releasable hitch like the
'mariners' between the Rope
• Streamlines Rigging & Training
Jack and whatever it is anchored
to. This will enable you to more • Unique Patented Design
easily disengage it from a loaded
system by taking in all slack on • Increases Safety
the lowering device and then
releasing the Ropejack gradually. • Saves Time

USES:
• Tensioning (but not over-tensioning) a zip line
• tensioning a directional restraint rope
• provide finite pulling power during a felling
• hauling equipment up to the climber (although it would
need to be heavy-ass equipment to require anything more
than hand-overhand pulling and a safety belay?)
• lift branches during cable support installation.

that might fail a half inch rope. Luckily you're only likely to input
around 500 lbs of input force on that handle with one hand
unless you do one of two stupid things:
1) pull on the handle with both hands and all your immense
body mass
2) Use a pipe or gaffer tape a branch to the handle to increase
the length of the handle and therefore the leverage.
– make sure that you know what you're doing with it and that
your particular rope works OK in it.
The Ropejack can operate on ropes from 9mm (3/8") to 16mm
(5/8") which covers most of your technical rigging options.
Once you get to ropes above 16mm or 5/8" you're talking less
about a technical rigging operation and more about towing a
supertanker.......eg. lots of grunt and very little finesse.

Remember also that different ropes have vastly different
resistance to toothed cam pressure – it's not the same as huge
loads absorbed across the wide radius of a rope and all its load-
bearing fibres – that fat rope you can tow your truck out of the
mud with easily and with no sign of damage might be pudgy
and soft enough to give up like a crying girl when it's surface
fibres are crushed by a toothed cam. Experimentation before
you start actual work with the RopeJack is the order of the day
RopeJack may be a new concept to you but it is actually
tried and tested. The cost is around $265. which is not bad
for something so quick and convenient and will save you the
struggle of watching your ground trying to construct a 5:1
system from one pulley, a length of chain and a washing line.
844-220-6502
'Proper tools for the job in hand' we always say and this is
definitley one of those tools you should have to-hand.
cmcrescue.com UL Classified
to NFPA 1983 –
www.cmi-gear.com
TESTED. PROVEN. TRUSTED. General Use

70 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
GEAR REVIEW www.arbclimber.com www.arbclimber.com PAGE TITLE

1SSVCLIMBER
SIP by Ade Scott & Adam Jones

F trousers
rom an arborist perspective we were a little dubious
about this product. No chainsaw protection? What's the
point? Well, turns out that the point is, they are extremely
comfortable, extremely robust, pretty light at a kilo a pair(2.2lbs)
and water resistant so if you're doing work that either
sip-protection.com

doesn't require your class A or class Cs like fruit tree pruning,

competitions, climbing for climbing's sake or inspections you're
gonna want to check these out.
They were a bit of a well-kept secret when we first got
them because we couldn't find anybody, even
the UK SIP rep who knew anything about them.
Luckily, it's taken us so long to get this review
in that they're now available from quite a few
outlets in either black and grey, olive green and
black or red. On reflection, seeing that they do
hi-vis red, we probably should have reviewed
these in our sister magazine Technical Rescue
as well because they are perfect for rope
rescuers and USAR operators and in black/
grey they're not bad for tactical operatives
either. Back in the tree world and the Teflon
coating which makes them water repellent
purportedly also makes them soil repellent! Pezatex, should be waterproof and resist staining, but after the
We wrapped up a darling 5 year old in a first week of intensive use this seemed to fade in efficacy, making
pair and sent her out into the garden for an the quick drying characteristic all the more important! Strength
hour after a downpour and you can strike is ensured with triple stitched seams around the butt and double
that off the list of attributes. I suppose the stitching elsewhere. The Pezatex is doubled over the knee and
only saving grace with the ball of mud that inside the ankle, obvious areas of higher wear-potential so a
came back in is that the trousers do wash well placed enhancement. At the ankles are Velcro tabs to allow
incredibly well – Teflon you see – space the partial closure of the leg openings, this can help prevent the
age stuff – if it's good enough for my frying hems from catching on projections during movement. The gaiter
pan... Mmmmmm bacon......it's good is a great asset, with the exposed rubberised closure gripping the
enough for my trousers. Often the contents of the former boot ankles incredibly well so preventing the legs from working
ends up on the latter anyway so we'll go with stain-resistant
rather than soil repellent.
up your shins. This is assisted by the lace hooks, located to the
inner front of the hem (see inset pic above).
SEQUOIA New version
For climbing you need stretch and you need wear resistance in The designed features are all good, with zippers on all pockets
all the right places. The fabrics used in these trousers are called to keep the dirt out. It’s good to have the inset pockets, as, When on the move, always travel first class.
Pezatec and Pezaflex which we've not come across before. Both unlike the trend for cargo style external pockets, they are less
use a Cordura base which we know is pretty hardwearing. The likely to snag, as well as presenting a smoother profile when
'Tec' is slightly lighter than the 'flex' at 155g per square metre stuffed with your mobile phone and hard earned cash. With
rather than 200g. This has Teflon 'Shield Pro' coating the fibres your trousers fully loaded it’s important to keep them up and
as far as we can tell rather than as a 'membrane'. That's going to to help in this endeavour the fly closure is completed with
improve water resistance and longevity of the water repellency. both a hook and eye and a press stud fixing. The waistband is
Which is just as well because with a specialist treatment like this elasticised and additionally complete with belt loops should
you're unlikely to simply be able to Nikwax it very effectively. you wish to use them.
 Robust and lightweight these are indeed a working climber's
IN ACTION
Photo © www.kalice.fr

trousers. The limiting factor in our industry is the lack of cut

The 1SSVs may not be an option for pro-users at the chainsaw
operating end of the spectrum but the design and construction
is, without doubt, first rate. Construction addresses the need for
flexibility, using that Pezaflex material (emphasis on the 'flex') to
ensure freedom of movement. The remainder of the material,
protection and the virtual guarantee that at some point you'll
be wearing these and not want to change back to your suit of
armour for chainsaw use when you really should. Don't forget
these cost around £110 ext VAT so if you don't care about your
legs at least change for the sake of your smart climbing trousers.
Seat harness for tree care
Ascending, moving through the tree, hanging, cutting: the SEQUOIA harness
provides maximum comfort thanks to an extra-wide, semi-rigid and padded
waistbelt, and large adjustable padded leg loops. The practical adjustments as
well as the ability to easily carry and organize tools on the waistbelt make this
harness an ergonomic masterpiece. Enhance with a wide range of accessories,

72 ARBCLIMBER ISSUE 8
including a seat harness and shoulder straps… www.petzl.com/SEQUOIA
ISSUE 8 ARBCLIMBER 73
 Rock solid comfort

VERTEX ® HI-VIZ
Comfortable, versatile helmet for work at height and rescue
VERTEX helmets offer unparalleled comfort, thanks to a 6-point
suspension system, and the CenterFit adjustment system provides
superior stability and positioning on the head. Designed with modularity
Photo © Kalice

in mind, VERTEX helmets can accommodate a headlamp, a VIZIR face

shield, and hearing protection.
For North American Sales contact info@petzl.com
For UK Sales contact info@lyon.co.uk