As a green rookie, 8 was eagerly awaiting these climbers. I did as much research and wanted to find the middle ground between heavy, bulky, steel gaffs, and expensive, titanium/carbon gaffs. I landed on these. While they seem very well built and thought it, I will remind everyone that there really is a great responsibility to the buyer to do their diligence when installing them and putting them on. I was 20 feet in a pine when my left foot began to come out of the gaff. Fortunately I realized it and was able to compensate. The gaff was still sticky/sharp enough for me to get down even given the awkwardness of the descent. I'll put my eagerness aside from here on out and be sure I put on the equipment as tight as I can get it. Hope this helps.
