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WE Step Rope Mod

I pulled off all the buckles from my Primal Steps, and started using the WE Knot on the strap. I love the fact that the strap has no stretch. The straps without the buckles are easier to store and completely silent. I still use the factory cambuckle on my top step that i use with my slide-in plywood platform.
 
Homebrew454 said:
Strapworks has the hooks vinyl coated. I would think this would really help to set your Perch. Has anyone tried it yet?

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I do not use a perch (steps only guy), but I was thinking the same as you. There is no way that the step will pull away from the tree when on the edge of a perch with this. The strap just does not budge. You can hear it squeezing the bark as you cam it over.

I actually use two ameristeps that are threaded onto one of the ropes on a step. It is part of my platform. The strap will be much better for my setup. Here is my platform currently:


I will have to add the ameristeps and test it but I am certain they are going to lock on very firmly. This may convince me to get some more ameristeps or squirrel steps and just thread a bunch of them onto a step and use one, instead of two WE Steps for a platform. Maybe even come up with a way to completely unhook the strap from the Step so the ring of steps could be packed separate. I would be down to four steps for a climb. Even as little as three in some trees where I just can't go higher than 16 or 17 feet. Pete
 
Here is a vid of a first attempt to climb with a few of these modified steps. I love them. Even though the ropes are very easy to tie on, this is just faster and much easier to fine tune. But it potentially solves a couple things I don't like about my steps. I hate the dangling ropes. They get caught on branches of other trees when climbing down, they dangle all over the place, and they are a bitch to stuff back in the bag when you are tired, cold and its dark. With this there is no bulk and the webbing easily lays in the bag. So you can put each one in with each step placed in the bag. It creates a nice cushion for the next one, so it is nice and quiet. The step is much easier to undo. My ropes get a lot of use and after a while they lose their stiffness in the areas you knot over and over. So it takes a bit more work to loosen the knot. Never a problem with this setup.

Finally, and this will be big for me if it works, I will have a platform with just one Step. For now, I am testing with two Ameristeps. It is solid. I am trying to get my hands on five Bullman steps because they are more cost effective and if they are stable, the Bullmans would be at the same height as the Step. Ameristeps set up a few inches lower because of it stable design. Not a big deal, but even would be great. I can get the straps very tight when camming them over so I think it will work great. I was a little clunky setting the platform in the vid because I made the rookie mistake of having the webbing over the leg, not under at first, and I was setting it lower than I like. Working at head level is much easier. Regardless, it looks like it will work well. This would get me down to only four Steps because I would not have to set that second one next tot he top Step for a platform. That will be a huge time saver.

If the Bullmans work as I hope, I think I will have a nice way to detach the strap from the steps so you can just hook them on your pack or saddle. Basically another hook and cam on the other side.

 
Probably the issue with leaving the bullmans on the strap is that it will make packing in the bag an issue sone they’d be at the bottom hindering the nice stacking. But maybe not? Looking forward to seeing more of this.
 
If it’s a WE stepp with a strap and cam buckle you want, you might save time and money by selling your stepps and buying some Primal steps...
 
pesqimon said:
Probably the issue with leaving the bullmans on the strap is that it will make packing in the bag an issue sone they’d be at the bottom hindering the nice stacking. But maybe not? Looking forward to seeing more of this.
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I am going to set it up in a manner that will let you unhook it completely from the step so you do not have to store it in the bag.
 
It seems I'm one of the few who bought the primal steps who actually left the buckles on. I've been saying this same thing for two years now...it is so easy to set and adjust, and remove, with the buckle. I wouldn't trade them out for having to tie knots for anything. I wrapped tape around mine to silence, though I may go with your idea. They do stack exceptionally well in a pouch, with the straps and belts.
 
Peterk1234 said:
I could do it with a bag mod. Something to think about for sure. I could make a new bag and just make the bottom a bit more voluminous.
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I’ve never sewn anything before but have been toying with squirrel steps and WE step as a platform. Where can I get a buckle like this? Any specific kind of webbing? Lastly, how much of the webbing do you have doubled over to sew?
 
Nate said:
I’ve never sewn anything before but have been toying with squirrel steps and WE step as a platform. Where can I get a buckle like this? Any specific kind of webbing? Lastly, how much of the webbing do you have doubled over to sew?
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Strapworks is my favorite place for this stuff. They carry everything you will need. I use flat polyester webbing, standard stuff. Strong and no stretch. I folded over about five inches.

Do a search here on sewing. Loads of good info on machines, threads, e.t.c.

Pete
 
One thing I’ve noticed is not all flat hooks are the same width, even if they’re for 1” strap. So make sure the hook you get fits into thw cam buckle you get.
 

Sewing Resources and Information

With the discussions on sewing (or thread injecting if you prefer), I think it may be beneficial to those interested if we had a single resource thread for sewing information. I know a number of the little things I’ve picked up along the way are scattered throughout the forum. Please, if you...
www.saddlehunter.com

Good read for sewing. Also follow it down to the area about sewing webbing at the Sailrite website. I have been sewing multiple "V" instead of the boxstitch. It is a stronger method of attachment.

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