EDELRID Talon Manual Del Usuario página 22

8. GEOMETRY CHECK - LEG IRON STIRRUP WIDTH
Try to fit any point of the leg iron stirrup in the STIRRUP
WIDTH notch. If it fits into the smaller lower notch marked
as "NOT OK", guess what... the climber is to worn and has
to be replaced. See fig 15 (leg iron width check)
Gaff sharpening instruction
1. Never grind the gaffs with machine as the heat produced by
such process could alter the temper of the gaff and make it
dangerous to use. Only manually sharpen gaff with a file.
2. File the gaff always toward the point direction. Place the
climber in as smooth­jaw vise as shown in fig 16.
Make sure to remove only enough material to make the
sharpening good again.
Never cross file, as it could result in weakening of the point.
Use light strokes from heel to tip being careful not to scar the
leg iron at the heel junction. Keep file flat on the gaff and
clean file frequently.
Gauge your progress frequently being careful not to remove
too much metal.
3. Never file gaff to a needle point: always file the lateral side
of the gaff slope, as shown in pic 17 (slope side).
4. The top ridge of the gaff must be always straight, from the tip
for 27 mm for the short gaff, and for 50 m for the long gaff.
5. The underside of the gaff has to be flat and straight within 25 mm
from the top in the short gaff, and 40 mm for the long gaff.
ATTENTION Improperly shaped gaff can lead to cut-out, a fall,
and serious injury or death.
EDELRID recommends completing the plane and pole cut out
test defined by ASTM F887 standard when climbers are first re-
ceived, after every sharpening and at minimum monthly to
ensure proper gaff performance.
Plane test according to ASTM F887
Place the climber on a flat, soft pine or cedar board. Holding it
upright with the shank parallel to the board surface, but with no
pressure on the stirrup, push the climber forward along the
board as shown in Fig. 18a (plane test ok) If the gaff is properly
shaped and sharpened and if the gaff angle with the wood is
sufficient, the gaff point will dig into the wood and begin to hold
within a distance of approximately 2,5 cm (1 in). If the climber
gaff slides along the wood without digging in, or merely leaves
a mark or groove in the wood as shown in Fig. 18b (plane test
fail) the gaff is either not properly sharpened and shaped or the
gaff angle is too small.
Pole cut out test according to ASTM F887:
This test shall be performed on a section of a treated (that is,
creosote, penta, etc.) pole in an area that is free from knots and
checks. Place the climber on your leg holding the sleeve with
your hand. With your leg at an approximate 30° angle to the
pole and your foot about 30,5 cm (12 in) off the ground. Lightly
jab the gaff into the pole to a depth of approximately 6,4 mm
(1⁄4 in). Keep enough pressure on the stirrup to keep the gaff
in the pole but not so much as to cause the gaff to penetrate
any deeper. See Fig. 19a (pole test 1). Push the climber and
your hand closer to the pole by moving your knee until the strap
loop of the climber sleeve is against the pole. Make certain the
strap loop is held against the pole with pressure from your leg.
Gradually exert full pressure of your foot straight down on the
stirrup without raising your other foot off the floor or ground, so
as to maintain balance if the gaff does not hold. See Fig. 19b
(pole test 2). The tip of the gaff shall cut into the wood and hold
(dig itself in) in a distance of not more than 5,1 cm (2 in), mea-
sured from the point of gaff entry into the pole to the bottom of
the cut on the pole surface.