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KNaider/SWaider with climbing sticks

John Arthur Sims said:
I’m new to all this so please pardon my ignorance but what is that thing on your leg An boot? An where can I get those aiders to use for steps? Thank you


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Check out the 2 knaider threads in this section of the forum. You’ll find everything there.
 
Well, I hate to admit defeat but I’m ditching the knaider approach for my WEstepps and going with an attached loop as well. Pete makes it look easy but I just couldn’t get comfortable with the Knaider. The hook keeps hanging up on the rungs while I’m climbing up and I have a hard time finding it on the way down. I think I’m just too old and too out of shape.
The Swaider works great and I’m using it with a loop of tubular webbing with a 6” piece of rope to form the bottom. Tried one yesterday and works like a charm. 54” of webbing gives me a 20” loop with the 6” bottom and 3” of seam on each end.
Buying that new sewing machine for Mrs. Rickster is paying off big time!
 
Rickster said:
Well, I hate to admit defeat but I’m ditching the knaider approach for my WEstepps and going with an attached loop as well. Pete makes it look easy but I just couldn’t get comfortable with the Knaider. The hook keeps hanging up on the rungs while I’m climbing up and I have a hard time finding it on the way down. I think I’m just too old and too out of shape.
The Swaider works great and I’m using it with a loop of tubular webbing with a 6” piece of rope to form the bottom. Tried one yesterday and works like a charm. 54” of webbing gives me a 20” loop with the 6” bottom and 3” of seam on each end.
Buying that new sewing machine for Mrs. Rickster is paying off big time!
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You could do two loops and make two swaiders (ditch the knaider) one swaider for the first longer 1st step, the second for the 2nd shorter step.
 
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Dave is right. You don't have to attach anything to your knee. You could do the same thing with 1 long swaider and 1 short swaider.
DaveT1963 said:
You could do two loops and make two swaiders (ditch the knaider) one swaider for the first longer 1st step, the second for the 2nd shorter step.
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But if it were me I would NOT attach them to lower steps. I would attach them to top steps so that when you step up on stick they are easy to remove.... just me
 
I agree. Attaching to the top is best. That's how I would do it if I could reach the top lol. Attaching to bottom is pretty easy too, so it's definitely a workable solution.

Another possibility is to make longer Amsteel loops that attach at the top, but hang down around the middle of the stick. That way I could still reach it. Good idea.
DaveT1963 said:
But if it were me I would NOT attach them to lower steps. I would attach them to top steps so that when you step up on stick they are easy to remove.... just me
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Two loops is also a good option. I have to say though that on the test run the swaider with the carabiner worked pretty well. I’m also a little iffy on trying to step into the second loop in the dark. The thing I really liked about the one loop is the way it hangs under my WEstepp all I have to do is reach my toe under the step I’m standing on and turn it away from the tree just a bit and my foot caught the loop every time. That was something I struggled with using two loops on my sticks.
 
For the guys using the knaider/swaider, I'm assuming you put them on at the base of the tree and take them off once you step onto the platform?

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bowhunter15 said:
For the guys using the knaider/swaider, I'm assuming you put them on at the base of the tree and take them off once you step onto the platform?

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I have both of them hooked on to my rock harness when hiking in. The swaider is actually all set up and all I have to do is loop it around my foot. The knaider gets completely unclipped from my harness and fastened to my leg when I am ready to climb. I am on the fence about taking them off once I am set up. On my test runs they have not been in the way. I may just take them off my feet and clip the foot loops to my harness, just so I am not wearing the bottoms of my foot loops when on the ring of steps. Pete
 
Rickster said:
Two loops is also a good option. I have to say though that on the test run the swaider with the carabiner worked pretty well. I’m also a little iffy on trying to step into the second loop in the dark. The thing I really liked about the one loop is the way it hangs under my WEstepp all I have to do is reach my toe under the step I’m standing on and turn it away from the tree just a bit and my foot caught the loop every time. That was something I struggled with using two loops on my sticks.
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The Swaider should be attached around your foot. Either girth hitches or use a castration band to snug up the loop around your foot. It stays on your foot as you climb and attach the top of the swaider from stick to stick as you climb. Your foot never comes out of the loop until you are on your platform. No mess with trying to fish your foot in a loop.
 
swampsnyper said:
The Swaider should be attached around your foot. Either girth hitches or use a castration band to snug up the loop around your foot. It stays on your foot as you climb and attach the top of the swaider from stick to stick as you climb. Your foot never comes out of the loop until you are on your platform. No mess with trying to fish your foot in a loop.
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If your adventurist and like the concept of the swaider, you can always run a knaider double swaider and 7 - 7.5 foot step spacing. The second swaider can even be integrated into the knaider. Something I had been playing with to replace the multistep aider while increasing step spacing. Before you ask, no video. In fact, I haven't seen a climb able tree in over a week is this country.

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BassBoysLLP said:
If your adventurist and like the concept of the swaider, you can always run a knaider double swaider and 7 - 7.5 foot step spacing. The second swaider can even be integrated into the knaider. Something I had been playing with to replace the multistep aider while increasing step spacing. Before you ask, no video. In fact, I haven't seen a climb able tree in over a week is this country.

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My problem is as high as I can put the 1st stick, all I have room for is one aider step, unless I went to shorter sticks.
For the wild edge steps, I just use the Cain’s method with no aider needed.
 
swampsnyper said:
My problem is as high as I can put the 1st stick, all I have room for is one aider step, unless I went to shorter sticks.
For the wild edge steps, I just use the Cain’s method with no aider needed.
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x2.

great video Greg, as usual. I still just do not see the height gain that warrants this approach using sticks? With my short 23 inch stick and my single carry as you go aider I can get 6.5 foot to top of stick.... in the video it doesn't appear that you get much higher? for Jim steps this approach does make a lot of sense. for the record I have short legs and im only 5' 10
 
swampsnyper said:
My problem is as high as I can put the 1st stick, all I have room for is one aider step, unless I went to shorter sticks.
For the wild edge steps, I just use the Cain’s method with no aider needed.
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I was referring to using them with stepps. Sorry. Ive grown to hate sticks.

It really comes down to what you want out of the climbing method. Knaider and double swaider gets you to 30 feet with 4 stepps but you need a lineman’s belt. Cain method would take 8 stepps to 30 feet but no lineman’s belt and the spacing needs to be constant. Or mix and match both methods. The supporting systems have minimal bulk and weight at the end of the day.

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I still question how well folks will be able to use Jim Stepps way above their heads in the dark. I sure hope people are practicing before they head out so we don't read a lot of bad accident threads this Fall. it all looks good on computer screens, but when you get in non perfect trees, leaners, etc.... things can go south quickly. I have had jim stepps lose their bite and twist/kick out..... just be careful folks and PRACTICE before you get out in the woods - I assure you saving a few pounds is NOT going to make you feel any better if you are laid up in a hospital recovering from an accident.
 
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I think the question about tying above your head is legit. But I am finding that with the simplified method of tying it has become almost a non issue. It was almost a month since I tried tying a step. I went out the other day to play around again and with the simplified method it was super easy. It really is a game changer. My biggest issue when I initially tie it on is that it is too tight too cam over. I think that is the preferred way because any looseness in the rope (because it is not straight around the tree) or knot is guaranteed to be removed if you cannot cam it. Then just a tiny adjustment to loosen and you are good to go. I also pull down on the rope (both sides of the Step) to be sure it is cammed good.

With all of that said though, I am still on the fence about whether or not I want to be tying in the Step above chin height. Pete
 
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I think you are correct with keeping the height below eye level. Setting the first step while standing on the ground is easier then while attached to tree via lineman's belt and if there is any lean to the tree. personally, I think it makes way more sense to carry 1 additional stepp to make up for the distance lost by keeping them eye level or below - but that is just an old fat man
 
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