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Stepp Ladder reviews...

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I use muddy sticks and aiders to climb and 3 Jimm Stepps for my platform. I use the Stepp knot to attach the steps to the tree. Is there a easier method to attach my Stepps using one strap for my platform? Looks like Boswell is using a ratchet strap here? Anyone have a good way to do this? Thoughts/opinions?
 
bigasports said:
View attachment 1326

I use muddy sticks and aiders to climb and 3 Jimm Stepps for my platform. I use the Stepp knot to attach the steps to the tree. Is there a easier method to attach my Stepps using one strap for my platform? Looks like Boswell is using a ratchet strap here? Anyone have a good way to do this? Thoughts/opinions?
Click to expand...

I think this has come up before but I'd pm Boswell to ask him about. I could be wrong but for some reason I remember that being just for the photo shoot
 
redsquirrel said:
I think this has come up before but I'd pm Boswell to ask him about. I could be wrong but for some reason I remember that being just for the photo shoot
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Thanks! I tried pm'ing him but I guess I haven't posted enough to be granted pm ability. Does that sound right?
 
I talked to him about this last year, and it wss just for pictures. He said it didn't work in reality

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
bigasports said:
Thanks! I tried pm'ing him but I guess I haven't posted enough to be granted pm ability. Does that sound right?
Click to expand...

You should be able to. Try pm'ing me. If you can't, reply in this thread.
 
I like mine as a platform. G2's review is spot on.. They are a good product, well made.. light for what they can replace.. and for preset stands would be awesome.. plus you could take the bottom 3 or 4 out and reduce theft.. I got the Wild Edge mfg. and happy to buy American.
 
I used them for the first time hunting on Saturday. Have been practicing on the telephone pole in my backyard for the last few months. I noticed a few things -

  • They don't work on any tree. The first tree I tried (unsure of the type...don't know my Michigan trees yet, they're very different than California ones) had deep grooved bark. The Stepps kept slipping, so after two wobbly ones were set, I took them down and moved to a smooth barked maple.
  • I have a 5-step aider hanging off the first Stepp. Worked awesome to boost my height...my footwear (rubber boots) was not fond of them. Unfortunately I had always practiced in different shoes. No biggie, only took a moment to adjust
  • There is a "sweet spot" to the tightness. Get it as tight as you can, then back off just a bit. Too tight and it won't cam over. Too loose and well....you don't want that.
  • They are not fast to setup. I imagine with more practice, I could get faster of course, but I can't see it going much shorter than about 30 seconds at top speed per step. Probably a good goal for speed would to be getting it all completed in ~15-20 minutes.
  • On a real tree, I had a tendency to place each step offset to the left from the one below it. I didn't realize that until I was about 1/2 way up. That isn't good or bad, just an interesting observation.
  • I used 3 at the top for my platform. Once set, they were excellent! Absolutely perfect for my needs.
  • Getting 2 or more set at exactly the same height won't happen. Be aware of that. you'll need to set one, do the next just above, the next just above the previous, etc. Also, tying the one on the far side of the tree can mess with your head after you've just done all the work to get to that point!
  • They can be noisy if you aren't careful. They're perfectly silent so long as you remain in control.
  • Removal is dead simple. Even ones where the "knot" gets locked in tight only take an extra moment to loosen.
  • It was raining. I was a little worried they would be slick. I had no issues. However, in the dark, they aren't the easiest to see when descending. Looking into some type of reflective marking for the tops of the steps.
I'm considering going with LW sticks for the main climb for a mobile setup. Use the one step with the attached aider at the bottom. Definitely will use them as a platform. I can't ask for anything better there myself. I could see a semi permanent setup where I have the platform and a few top stepps there and then use climbing sticks for a quick ascent and remove those sticks when descending. Tough call on public land.

One thing I would like to try in order to make them faster is splicing the rope in the way the Cranford rope steps are done. Definitely worth experimenting with.
 
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gabejessforster said:
I used them for the first time hunting on Saturday. Have been practicing on the telephone pole in my backyard for the last few months. I noticed a few things -

  • They don't work on any tree. The first tree I tried (unsure of the type...don't know my Michigan trees yet, they're very different than California ones) had deep grooved bark. The Stepps kept slipping, so after two wobbly ones were set, I took them down and moved to a smooth barked maple.
  • I have a 5-step aider hanging off the first Stepp. Worked awesome to boost my height...my footwear (rubber boots) was not fond of them. Unfortunately I had always practiced in different shoes. No biggie, only took a moment to adjust
  • There is a "sweet spot" to the tightness. Get it as tight as you can, then back off just a bit. Too tight and it won't cam over. Too loose and well....you don't want that.
  • They are not fast to setup. I imagine with more practice, I could get faster of course, but I can't see it going much shorter than about 30 seconds at top speed per step. Probably a good goal for speed would to be getting it all completed in ~15-20 minutes.
  • On a real tree, I had a tendency to place each step offset to the left from the one below it. I didn't realize that until I was about 1/2 way up. That isn't good or bad, just an interesting observation.
  • I used 3 at the top for my platform. Once set, they were excellent! Absolutely perfect for my needs.
  • Getting 2 or more set at exactly the same height won't happen. Be aware of that. you'll need to set one, do the next just above, the next just above the previous, etc. Also, tying the one on the far side of the tree can mess with your head after you've just done all the work to get to that point!
  • They can be noisy if you aren't careful. They're perfectly silent so long as you remain in control.
  • Removal is dead simple. Even ones where the "knot" gets locked in tight only take an extra moment to loosen.
  • It was raining. I was a little worried they would be slick. I had no issues. However, in the dark, they aren't the easiest to see when descending. Looking into some type of reflective marking for the tops of the steps.
I'm considering going with LW sticks for the main climb for a mobile setup. Use the one step with the attached aider at the bottom. Definitely will use them as a platform. I can't ask for anything better there myself. I could see a semi permanent setup where I have the platform and a few top stepps there and then use climbing sticks for a quick ascent and remove those sticks when descending. Tough call on public land.

One thing I would like to try in order to make them faster is splicing the rope in the way the Cranford rope steps are done. Definitely worth experimenting with.
Click to expand...

You have come up with the exact same conclusions and lessons learned as me. Great minds think alike.

I really like the Stepp Ladders. There is definitely a place for them in the hunter's tool bag. However, mobile setups is not where they shine.
 
Stepps awesome for a platform. Instead of sticks for ascent, not so much (that has been mine and others assessments).

They don't need 4 points, different rope, Attached to each other, and definitely no aiders attached to them.

Two or three for pre set trees. Then for your run and gun, stealth strips (for silence) are all that could really be added to these.
 
sojourner said:
Stepps awesome for a platform. Instead of sticks for ascent, not so much (that has been mine and others assessments).

They don't need 4 points, different rope, Attached to each other, and definitely no aiders attached to them.

Two or three for pre set trees. Then for your run and gun, stealth strips (for silence) are all that could really be added to these.
Click to expand...

Splicing on 1/4 inch Amsteel Blue is the best thing I ever did to Stepps - the rope that come with them is a pain in the arse in cold weather, it holds kinks/bends and is noisy as heck on a cold frosty morning. Amsteel is far superior IMO.
 
DaveT1963 said:
Splicing on 1/4 inch Amsteel Blue is the best thing I ever did to Stepps - the rope that come with them is a pain in the arse in cold weather, it holds kinks/bends and is noisy as heck on a cold frosty morning. Amsteel is far superior IMO.
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Do you do this for stepps that you leave in trees or ones you run and gun with? I know the ones I leave in trees are unmolested by critters.

Maybe I'll get some of the amsteel for my run and gun stepps at the very least.

Thanks!
 
sojourner said:
Do you do this for stepps that you leave in trees or ones you run and gun with? I know the ones I leave in trees are unmolested by critters.

Maybe I'll get some of the amsteel for my run and gun stepps at the very least.

Thanks!
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The ones i have order over the years were the old ropes.... I seldom preset trees anymore as to many of my sets were found and ask if a sudden other hunters show up. I try to not leave any trace I was there.
 
crb said:
Jim Stepp partnered with Andrew at Wild Edge to start manufacturing the steps again. Trophy Tree Steps is creating essentially the same step and was born because the patent expired. Trophy Tree Steps is having the steps made overseas and Wild Edge is building them in house one at a time which is why you can only order so many. There is also another company based out of Russia that is selling the exact same product and is less expensive than both of the companies I just mentioned. I'm not sure of the quality since I have not used the Russian product. You can find them for sale on Ebay and there is a lengthy video that demos the product. My biggest concern with the Jim Stepp is noise whether taking them out to ascend the tree or packing them back into your pouch to climb down after a hunt. If you pre-hung these I think that would remove the noise factor but now your purchasing more steps. I would also checkout Stealth Steps http://www.stealthstep.com before you go ahead with the Jim Stepps. I have these and they work great for my situation.
Click to expand...

I eliminated much of the noise on the stepps by wrapping them in heavy duty cloth tape, the kind that doesn't have an adhesive backing but sticks to itself. Then I filled the square tube with foam insulation. That took care of the noise of the stepps hitting each other or something else. The tape didn't really help with the knots though as the tape tended to grab the rope so much that I almost couldn't get the knot off when done. Some guys have suggested amsteel rope which may be the way to go.

I also really don't like climbing with them but as a platform I like them but its a pain to hang three without tangling the ropes. It is faster to use my muddy sticks with aiders then use the stepps as platforms.

Has anyone ever tried to splice two or more together so that they can be hung together? Not sure if the cam over would work that way or not.
 
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Wrfjrf1978 said:
I eliminated much of the noise on the stepps by wrapping them in heavy duty cloth tape, the kind that doesn't have an adhesive backing but sticks to itself. Then I filled the square tube with foam insulation. That took care of the noise of the stepps hitting each other or something else. The tape didn't really help with the knots though as the tape tended to grab the rope so much that I almost couldn't get the knot off when done. Some guys have suggested amsteel rope which may be the way to go.

I also really don't like climbing with them but as a platform I like them but its a pain to hang three without tangling the ropes. It is faster to use my muddy sticks with aiders then use the stepps as platforms.

Has anyone ever tried to splice two or more together so that they can be hung together? Not sure if the cam over would work that way or not.
Click to expand...

I had same problem trying to hang 3 at same height. One isn't big enough to use as a platform, but 2 at once is nice. I personally still use 1 to my bow side of my xop platform. I wrapped a couple of mine in hockey/sports tape and like it. Had same problem as you though, very hard to loosen factory rope since it went slip easily on the tape.
 
I got a 12-pack of Stepps this year. They are very heavy, and the bag is too small. In the field, it is very difficult and time consuming to get the stepps into the bag. They made it so tight to avoid rattling apparently. I wrote to the company but they did not write back. That is most unfortunate. I don't want to give them a bad review. But this is my experience.
 
I just ordered a set. Now, after reading the reviews, I'm a little concerned. I figured they would be easier to carry in and out than sticks would be. Sticks go up pretty easy, but don't always go around odd shapes of trees very well. I guess there is no perfect solution, yet.
 
kenn1320 said:
There is a post on here about somebody getting screwed by one of the copy cat version company's. Wild edge is making them in Wisconsin and easy to get a hold of them with questions. Ive used 3 as a platform so to speak and they work well, just tough to get them all at the same height given how they cam over. Nothing at this time will replace my helium sticks for climbing.
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What brand are those Helium Sticks? Are they two or three step sticks?
 
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