Do you sharpen your climbers tree grabbers?

I was wondering if anyone here sharpens their climbers tree grabbers (teeth) to get a better grip. The area I plan on going this year has a lot of oaks with a really smooth hard bark, and my climber has problems gripping oaks.

 

Short answer - no. What kind of climber do you have?

 

big game cobalt

 

I've never seen a need with my Summit and it has rounded teeth. Contrary to popular belief, the teeth aren't exactly where your grip comes from. It's the leverage you get from your cables, chain, or whatever. You just need the teeth to bite some, they don't need to be razor sharp at all. The sharper they get, the harder it's going to be on you when climbing the tree because they will really sink into the tree. I've had EXTREMELY good luck out of my Summit climbers and I probably sit in a climber 30+ sits a year, probably more.

Also, what kind of Oaks do you have that have smooth bark?? There's not any Oaks down here with smooth bark....

 

I meant beech not oak my bad.

 

I meant beech not oak my bad. Younger reds and pins do have a smooth bark though.

 

I kind of had a feeling you meant beech! Oaks are good climbing trees. I usually climb bigger trees than most people.

 

I use a Summit Viper... and NO, I don't sharpen the teeth.
BTW... I don't climb beech trees.

 

I highly advise you to not climb beech trees especially if the tree is wet, from personal experience


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Have a Lone Wolf climber and don't think I would attempt to sharpen, haven't needed to in the past and won't in the future.

 

I'm a lighter guy but when I got my Summit Viper like 6-7 years ago I probably weighted 140 pounds. I only weigh 150-155 now so not much difference. When I got it Mine would occasionally slip or not really dig in the way it would with a guy weighing like 175 or more. I ended up filing mine on each side to give it more of a sharper edge instead of the square teeth. I noticed a difference with mine. To this day, if I pick a good tree that as some decent bark such as the oaks I never have any issues.

 

I did that on both of my LW stands. Yes, leverage is the main support, but sharpening those "grabbers" does offer a better grip, especially on smooth barked, wet, or snow covered trees. I also take the time (lots) to friction tape the platform section, which gives better traction when it's wet, and makes it quieter.