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metal buckles on kestrel

MBH

MBH

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2018
Messages
98
I really like the saddle but are those metal buckles really necessary ? can you change them to a lighter buckle are maybe plastic?
 
You're not going to find "load rated"plastic buckles. That being said, I replaced the waist buckle with a 2" plastic buckle and never looked back. It is also easy to "hardwire" the leg loops by cutting the buckles off and stitching the leg loops permanently into position. This way they are still very strong and you eliminate some weight and "clinkage."

You can also go with the Tethrd-style g-hooks, but I'm not sure how much I trust those. Take that for what it's worth, since it's coming from somebody who cut his leg loops off permanently.
 
The buckles are the reason why I just bought the kestrel even though I already have the mantis...will be selling the mantis as soon as I get the kestrel and get it set.
 
I just got my Kestrel in the mail on Friday. Love the look and feel of it. The buckles are nice and feel safe to me. Can't think you'd save all that much weight going to plastic buckles??
 
MBH said:
I really like the saddle but are those metal buckles really necessary ? can you change them to a lighter buckle are maybe plastic?
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If you’re a saddle company that is manufacturing saddles then yes in today’s world they are necessary. I could make a case for some piece of mind with the waist buckle under load but the leg straps are merely positioning devices. Keeping the saddle roughly where it’s intended, if the saddle is under load it’s a non issue anyway. All that said “insert giant disclaimer here” it’s your own level of safety & risk assessment & you should get real familiar with all this gear ( as originally intended) before you start making mods!!
 
I have the kestrel with the stock metal buckles. I don’t notice the weight since I wear it from the truck to the tree. I put fleece covers over all 3 buckles and they don’t make any noise so no problem there.

I know it is said a lot and it’s probably true that they are not weight bearing, but I feel better knowing that the buckles can handle the weight if needed. My best way to relate this came when I decided to make a kestrel clone for my daughter to use. When it came time to buy buckles there was no way I could bear the thought of her being 20 feet off the ground with plastic buckles. I can’t imagine the feeling if those leg strap buckles broke and she had a fall. Shudder to think of it. I’m probably being over cautious but it’s worth the price, weight and noise to me.

#redsquirrelsyearofsafety
 
Again, best practice safety says keep load bearing leg straps and buckles. Reality says the Anderson sling had none, and as far as I or anyone else can tell, no one fell from one. I made a DIY version of the sling and I am 100% confident in it with no fear of coming out. I have tested possible types of slips and cannot make it move at all, even when turning upside down.
 
I made a kestrel like clone with a plastic buckle that are weight rated to 500 pounds of force. I'm sure the metal buckles are rated much higher and are most likely safer though. I didn't use leg buckles though and went with the G hooks.

https://milspecmonkey.com/store/har...ra-buckle.html?search_query=Buckle&results=27

I tested it extensively at ground level and could not get myself to fall out of it. I didn't test any force on the buckle other than my weight though. I also bought a mantis and used that extensively. I wanted one to sweat in while prepping trees in the preseason and the other one for hunting. I did hunt out of my diy saddle a few times and it was comfy.

The next one I make though I think I'll use 1 or 1.5 inch tubular webbing instead of 2 inch seatbelt webbing, which was overkill in my opinion. I will also probably use a metal Cobra or similar buckle with it as well for the main buckle.

Overall, I don't know how much weight savings there is between polymer and aluminum. I tried looking for the weights but couldn't find it on Milspecmonkey website.

Unless you trust your sewing ability I would just probably keep the buckles as they are. You could change out the leg buckles if you wanted though.

Just think safety first and carefully think about any modifications you make and test as ground level first.


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MBH said:
I really like the saddle but are those metal buckles really necessary ? can you change them to a lighter buckle are maybe plastic?
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How much can the difference in weight really be to matter. I know guys like to go lite but really. Safety first.
 
DeerLaughAtMe said:
I chose the Kestrel BECAUSE of the metal buckles.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
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Got the kite with the metal raptor buckles like the kestrel. Stealth stripped them. Good to go. But then again, this will be my first season in the saddle. Plenty of time for practice tho!!
 
So I have the Kestrel , the first time I wore it , it made noise. The leg buckles hit the carabiner on the bridge. So I just buckle them behind me till I get to the tree , or you can daisy chain the bridge and clip it behind you. I like having the leg buckles, its a mental safety but I have climbed up a tree and set it up for next year and never even attached them.
If you haven't been climbing trees and using a saddle before take your time and go outside and sit in a tree, get use to the gear. For what it is worth I feel safer with the buckles on.
 
I ran the mantis and kestrel last year. I felt safe in both. For times when I wanted to try a new climbing system that I considered a “hold my beer and watch this” moment I always wore the kestrel. It’s super safe and I would comfortable doing real tree work wearing it. There are ways around the noise factor like buckle covers and tying in a fixed bridge.
 
MBH said:
I really like the saddle but are those metal buckles really necessary ? can you change them to a lighter buckle are maybe plastic?
Click to expand...

I switched my waist belt to a plastic buckle. Idk the rating on the buckle but I like it better than my plastic Cobra buckle I use to have. I switched the leg buckles to a g hook.
Screenshot_20190328-110154_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20190328-110200_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20190328-110209_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20190328-110217_Gallery.jpg
 
Not to stir the pot, but I'm not sure if I'd use a plastic buckle there...let alone one that I didn't know the weight rating on. Not sure the few ounces you save are worth that??
 
Shock loading necessitates the higher ratings and overbuilt safety factors. Every saddle hunter, particularly the ones asking or answering these questions should be aware. Under ideal conditions once setup shock loading should not occur to any degree while saddle hunting. It comes into play while climbing and setting up, in every single system I have ever witnessed. Even more so using large platforms that allow a saddle to be used as a hybrid treestand fall restraint.

Particularly because I use my saddle in that hybrid capacity, I go for overbuilt and try to stay in the 20Kn range.

The manufacturers, they'd have to be dumb as a rock not to overbuild from a liability perspective.
 
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