Hook or Grab

[Death-Skull]

It is a age old debate that has been around since herpers started keeping hots. So I am gonna reopen this debate,

What in your opinion is better and why------Hookstick or Grabstick

I personally think that both have their place in a handlers or keepers collection.

[Copperbob]

I personally find a hook stick better but for mambas I would use a grab stick. I feel I have more control with a hook stick and a novice or inexperienced person using a grab stick is more then likely going to hurt the snake.

[Bushviper]

Using a grab stick on Puff adders or Gaboons is just being silly. I used grabsticks for many years and was so used to the pull of my sets that I could scoop and tail puffies without them getting stressed or injured. In the beginning I am sure I must have injured quite a few though.

When I work with Mambas I think a grabstick is essential. The ones that are bought from the States need to be modified to work better on local fast moving elapids.

Teaching someone how to catch a snake it is safer for all involved to use a hook. I have seen snakes that are stressed wrap their tails around the grabstick and start coming for the handle. The grab stick should not be used to restrain the snake but serve as a glorified V-stick once you have the snake off the ground.

The other day I had to clean out my boot to take the car for a service and pulled out 7 tools for catching snakes that I did not even realise I had stored there over time. Each capture situation requires a specialised tool.

[WW]

Agree with BV - asking "which is better" is like asking whether a spoon or a fork is better - depends on what you want to eat...

BV, what modifications did you make to the US grabsticks (and what kind were they?)?

Personally, I ALWAYS superglue a thick layer of rubber foam each jaw of a grabber, irrespective of make or design (including Gentle Giants). it has the combined benefit of reducing the chance of discomfort or injury to the snakes AND increasing grip on strong muscular snakes like some cobras, mambas and boomslangs. To my mind, that modification should be mandatory for any grabber, for the safety of both snake and operator.

[Bushviper]

WW the part of the grabstick that moves down usually has an "overbite" which I just dont like. I usually make another "arm" and then ensure it closes flush with the bottom part. I then grind away a groove in the front of the bottom part and make a gap so that any small debris does not cause the jaws to lock.

Putting the high density foam on the jaws is a good idea but often this degrades after a few days in the bush, so spare foam and glue is a must. I tried silicon rubber but this is useless when it gets wet. On large snakes I felt the gentle giant did not give me the confidence I had with the "Pillstrom" type grabsticks. I am sure if you only use one set of tongs (a lot) you will become more confident.

Some day the guys who actually use these instruments the most will design the "Ultimate Grabstick" and then it will be too expensive in any case. There is always a trade off between weight, field maintenance, function, durability and cost.

I feel the field grab stick should be like a Zippo Lighter, AK47 or a Landrover. Rough, durable, field stripable and simple in design. You should be able to fix it with a Leatherman or even just a rock and a piece of wire. It should do the job and bring a smile to your face when you know you are in a sticky situation and need help.

However there is nothing wrong with the modern sport car version either. This one is far more comfortable and has many hidden features. It is light and goes fast but cannot tow a caravan. This would be a grabstick made of a type of plastic which has ratchets and a hydraulic pressure trigger in it. The jaws would be able to be adjusted depending on the size snake involved and could even be interchangable depending on scalation and bulk of specimen. The handle would be like Pachmyar grips of a target pistol and shaped for different hand sizes.

One day when I am big and have nothing to do I might design a few and see how they work.

[Death-Skull]

Totally agree with that BV just not the land rover part!!!

[boing]

I vote grab stick every time - but only when it comes to offering food to the big or venomous species. Very occasionally we will use them to restrain an animal, but the vast majority of the time we handle the animals with a hook stick (or two) and use tubes when needed for treatment.

[WW]

Putting the high density foam on the jaws is a good idea but often this degrades after a few days in the bush, so spare foam and glue is a must. I tried silicon rubber but this is useless when it gets wet.

What we have started doing (and is works very well) is to use Heat Shrink tubing to keep the rubber foam in place - lasts longer than glue, even after a rough day in the field, and is very easy to renew if necessary.

Cheers,

WW

[Bushviper]

Now that makes sense. Thanks WW.

[eyelash viper]

black mamba grab stick . green mamba normal cobra hook all the rest verious hooks regards eyelash viper