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Buckingham "Friction Saver" 

cambium_rope_protection/buckingham_friction_saver.jpg
Image courtesy SherrillTree
cambium_rope_protection/buckingham_friction_saver.jpg

User reviews

Average user rating from: 2 user(s)

Overall rating (weighted)
4.1
Type of Use
3.0
Frequency of Use
3.5
Durability
4.5
Technical Skill Required
3.5
Ease of Use
4.0
Portability
4.5
 

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Miko Del Giudice
Buckingham Falsie - 48" - Aluminum Rings, Thursday, 06 December 2007

Written by Miko Del Giudice   -  View all my reviews  - Top 10 Reviewer

Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Type of Use
5.0
Frequency of Use
4.0
Durability
4.0
Technical Skill Required
3.0
Ease of Use
3.0
Portability
5.0
This is a very handy piece of gear. Color coding allows easy ID of wide/narrow side for removal.

The rings are very fat and provide a perfect friction-reduced glide for any climbing line. I do not worry about them coming into contact with the tree and torquing and possibly fracturing, like I do with carabiners in a web sling false setup. You would have to be abusing this thing with destructive intent to compromise the rings.

After reading the Sherrill 2007 Master Catalog (only about 200 times) I learned a new application for this false crotch - using it with a Prusik that allows length adjustment. I have not yet, but intend to try it, in a "wire-core lanyard" scenario. My current flipine is homemade from Yale XTC Fire, and while it works well for most situations, during a take-down it's a little tricky to maneuver. I am hoping this 48" Buck falsie (or a longer one) would serve better because of its semi-rigid nature.


The aluminum rings are very light - so much so that for the first year or so I thought (like an idiot) they were made of some tough polymer. Then after talking with the people at American Arborist they set me straight.

I only give it a 4 for durability, because it is NOT idiot proof. I would NOT let it fall to the ground onto a hard surface like asphalt or concrete. Rings are aluminum and I wouldn't chance it. Mine is still in great shape after years of use, usually left up in trees for extended periods. The colors are a little sun-bleached but still very identifiable.

I gave it 3's for Skill and Ease of Use because I personally have never tried to set it like the instructions describe. (Instructions are very good, by the way.) Usually I just get up there, tie on with my flip line, then re-crotch with this. But certainly, setting it from the ground is not as easy as the leather sleeve cambium saver, which is a no-brainer.

5 for Portability. It's easy to carry on your saddle, clipped and hanging at the ready. Just make sure you have an oversize pear if you expect to get both rings clipped into the same 'biner. Also stuffs easily into a carry-all.

And you can shorten it by changing the way you hang it around the crotch. If the limb is narrow and I don't want the rings to be too far away from the tie in point, sometimes I wrap it around away from me, bringing both ends back around and crossed over on the far side of the limb like an X.

I would defintely describe a cambium saver as a "must have" for any tree climber. I don't know if I would necessarily say this particular one is a mandatory piece of gear, but I would not do without it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Melvin Hughes
Practice reveals major benefits and quality, Saturday, 10 November 2007

Written by Melvin Hughes   -  View all my reviews  - Top 50 Reviewer

Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Type of Use
1.0
Frequency of Use
3.0
Durability
5.0
Technical Skill Required
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0
Portability
4.0
Based on this novice climber's low time opinion (5 climbs in first month), Buckingham's "Friction Saver" is fantastic, for the first pitch, because it: Adjusts anchor around the tree, as asserted in "The Tree Climber's Companion"; prevents all DdRT-specific friction from reaching the limb; and significantly reduces overall friction in DdRT system, though I understand it moves the burden to the friction hitch. I'm also comforted by it's mega-stitched, multi-layered construction, which is super-hefty, but to my mind, not too heavy, for first pitch. Install documentation was sufficient to allow me to position the anchor correctly on the first try. Highly visible for the "BACK" check inspection. I bought mine with the new larger steel rings, that are said to reduce rope stress. Steel ring version is also said to stand up well to heavy professional usage. Still, I've said, "good for first pitch" because of the moderate weight. I carry a smaller Weaver double-stitched (runner) false crotch, built up with two stainless screw links from New Tribe (small oval and large pear) and a pulley, for upper pitches. I'm considering buying a longer Buckingham, with the new, thick aluminum rings to reduce my upper pitch gear complexity. I like the concept and the product. I'd like to hear a review about the aluminum version.


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