Tree Climbing Claws

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I had never heard of tree climbing spikes, that is until now.  An bit of survival gear, tree climbing claws could give you bear-like abilities to climb trees using your very own claws.

The Think Survival forums have a post about Ninja Hand Claws and Ninja Ashiko Foot Spikes for use in climbing trees. I had never heard of these tools, but it seems they were created hundreds of years ago using actual bear claws or the claws from tigers.

The Ninja hand claws are known as shuko and the Ninja foot spikes as ashiko.

In checking around the internet I have found that some people say the tree climbing claws and foot spikes are difficult to use. One problem is that the metal bands of the Ninja Hand Claws painfully push into your hand as you are using them. This can be gotten around somewhat by using thick gloves or padding. Also, even with these tree-climbing tools it takes alot of strength to climb vertically.

Still, the thought of Ninja tree climbing spikes has its appeal and the concept is good, though in practice hand held tree climbing claws and foot spikes may not really work as well as hoped.

Tree Climbing Claws
Tree Climbing Claws

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Bear
Columbia
The claws are too far down the hand. Real bear claws for climbing trees are situated at the end of the bears fingers, just like your claws.
Alex
Netherlands
I rather think that the ninja hand claws and footspikes were used for figthing ,rather than climbing. Just imagine what damage to anyone's body these claws could do.Ouch!
Kim
South Dakota
Tiger claws on your hands. Interesting.
ryan
Baltimore MD Hampden 604 west 34th st

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.

Elaine
Arizona

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

Ric
South Africa
Lumberjack style foot spikes are much better. These spikes strap to your boot and ankle or calf, with the spike on the inside of your ankle. You can also walk around on the ground with these unlike the ashiko.  For your hands, a J-shaped impliment is great (kinda like hooks for moving haybales) you grip the top of the J with the hook sticking out between your fingers
Steve
NC

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.

Reggie T
Michigan

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.

Michel
Qu?c, Canada

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.

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