Tree Climbing Claws

These work really well as do the Ashiko spikes or foot spikes. I'm thinking about getting another pair to keep in my survival kit.

If I can use bear claws to climb a tree could a bear use its claws too?

You can actually climb trees with tree climbing claws. The hand claws need gloves under them so the metal doesn't dig into your skin or bones.

I just bought a pair of shukos last week and got them today. They're pretty sweet, and you right they do hurt the back of your hands but they are definitely worth having a pair. Its not to hard to climb up a tree you just have to have thick bark sticking from the tree to grasp ahold they dont dig into the tree like some may think.

Being a ninjutsu instructor myself, I can confirm that they have good uses for both climbing and fighting. One must however remember that these Shukos are modern versions. It is my understanding that the original versions had the claws at a gentler angle in the hand-band, thus preventing the bite you guys feel from the metal band.

I have had these claws for two moths and they are just GREAT!!!! They are good for climing rocks to but they do hurt if you dont wear some gloves. I have a 185 long horn cattle and they are good for unloading hay too.

owning them, I know they work, and yes they are also used for fighting, however as with all mass manufactered "martial arts gear" they are generally cheap crap usually sold more to martial art movie fans rather than actual martial artists. some good authentc stuff can be found, but it's rare and expensive.

It is important to note that the main purpose of these was not specifically to climb trees... they are weapons and for use inside old Japanese style wood beam construction or to assist climbing slippery rock walls used in castle defenses by digging the claws into the seams. Trees were just another application and obviously Japan has different trees than the rest of the world.

Shuko come from Togakure Ryu Ninpo Taijutsu, a school of Ninjutsu. These are also modern mass produced reproductions. I own a pair of the ones pictured and a pair of home made ones which relate more closely to historical construction. The problem with the modern ones you commonly find on the net (I actually bought mine in Japan for about $30) is that the claws are much too long, at an odd angle, and not sharp enough... this is what causes the band to crush the back of the hand when used for climbing. Proper claws should be around 3/4" to 1" long and have a natural talon-like shape. This allows you to dig into the surface and rip just like real claws. The modern reproduction claws don't dig into any surfaces so you have to be quite strong to use them realistically.

The Ashiko from this set are alright, they do work but are a little wide so they never fit properly on your foot for any real climbing. This pair of Shuko and the Ashiko are more of a novelty than an actual tool for climbing. However, Ashiko are also weapons and complement a certain kick within the taijutsu system. Alternatively they were also used to move over or fight on frozen or slippery surfaces. They are a little awkward to use while climbing and if that's what you want them for, then maybe look into those boot burr things that lumberjacks and power pole workers use.