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KNaider/SWaider with climbing sticks

Peterk1234 said:
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 completely agree. I thought I replied to this but I must have failed to hit send on the post. The extra swaider is simply a means of getting more out of 5-6 stepps. I regularly hunt hilly country and at times I find myself hunting over 35 feet off the ground to get above the deer. These trees are generally not too hard to climb. Maybe a 2-3 limbs. The extra swaider keeps my step count the same and I can reach up to 35-40 feet.

Most times I'm hunting conventional heights or even lower if I'm hunting in the marshes or goofy heavily limbed trees. I'll employ the knaider/swaider, just a knaider, or the cain method these other times or a combination of all them if the tree calls for it. Regardless, everything is easier below eye level. The second swaider is a simple value add to an already great climbing method where bolts and spur use is highly illegal.
 
My biggest problem with the wild edge Stepps is on soft trees. It’s hard to get the right tension. It’s tight on first cam over, but it sinks into the tree loosening up. Then you try to tighten the rope but can’t slide it up because you dug a hole / rut in the tree. Works great on a good hardwood.
 
swampsnyper said:
My biggest problem with the wild edge Stepps is on soft trees. It’s hard to get the right tension. It’s tight on first cam over, but it sinks into the tree loosening up. Then you try to tighten the rope but can’t slide it up because you dug a hole / rut in the tree. Works great on a good hardwood.
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I have the same issue. Loved them when I first used them. Trying muddy sticks this year.
 
tam9492 said:
Are you guys hunting down south? Lots of pine or cedar?
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I’m in Ohio. All the ash trees are dead now from the ash borers. Lots of walnuts and locusts. They have soft bark. Maples and some hardwoods are fine for wild edge Stepps.
 
The key is to attach the Stepp Ladder around your chin. For me that's right at 5'. For you taller guys, you'll get more height out of it. If you use the KN/SW with sticks, you want the Amsteel Continuous loops to be around the same height...neck/chin. That means if you're using LW sticks, the top of your stick will be around 7-8'. That's pretty significant. The top of my Muddy stick is at 7' when I do it.
 
They may dig in but they aren't going anywhere. It can take some time to get use to that feeling.

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BassBoysLLP said:
They may dig in but they aren't going anywhere. It can take some time to get use to that feeling.

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I agree they won’t fall off the tree or slip down but they do get loose enough they shift a lot and need re tied Annoying to tie each step twice but that’s just me
 
Adamcincy said:
I agree they won’t fall off the tree or slip down but they do get loose enough they shift a lot and need re tied Annoying to tie each step twice but that’s just me
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Yeah, I don't retie. I just live with it. I could see where they would be annoying for a platform in that regard but climbing I don't have any issues. If I use a step at platform height it's on the opposite side of a really big tree.

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BassBoysLLP said:
I don't know if this has been shared yet. My apologies for the duplicate if it has


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I know I sound like a broken record, but a 4 step web aider (in combination with my rock climbing harness) is by far the lightest, simplest climbing method I have found for public land hunting. No sticks, no steps
 
noxninja said:
I know I sound like a broken record, but a 4 step web aider (in combination with my rock climbing harness) is by far the lightest, simplest climbing method I have found for public land hunting. No sticks, no steps
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Agreed. That's my backup method for emergency decent.

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BassBoysLLP said:
They may dig in but they aren't going anywhere. It can take some time to get use to that feeling.

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Right. They would move but I had confidence they wasn’t going any where. My experience is just from pine trees in the back yard practicing and from my bear hunt in Canada on spruce and aspen trees. My hardwoods down here work great.
 
Looks like a pretty involved process. Throw in coming down in the dark after being up a tree all day. Practice practice practice.


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g2outdoors said:
It's pretty easy to hook into as is, but a tube might help a little as well. I still think I like the wild edge steps better for this method. But this is a good alternative for those that only have sticks.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
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I saw that you were using amsteel for the loops to hook into. Do you see any issues with using UHMWPE Braided Poly Cord? I found it cheaper on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/emma-kites-E...8150&sr=8-10&keywords=amsteel+rope&th=1&psc=1
 
noxninja said:
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I find this intriguing, but I can't, for the life of me, envision the transition as the aider is moved up the tree. Obviously, your body weight is supported by the tethered harness, but how do you position yourself to disengage the aider and then move it far enough above to be able to step again?
 
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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Hhmmm and if it was firstlite could be an issue I get ya


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I may give it a try. I’m happy with six stepps and a one step aider right now. I personally find a lot of comfort having the higher step to hold onto when using an aider. I have had my foot kick out with the aider and I don’t think on a bigger tree holding onto the tree is going to be any help at all.
Using this system it seems like you could use the step as a handhold up until the point that you hook the knaider in. Does it work like that.
I think the coolest part is after 26 years of the stepp being in production people are still finding ways to make it more user friendly.
 
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