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Which Cranford steps????

Bowtech12

Bowtech12

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Messages
393
Location
Western New York
so I’m new to Saddle hunting
Kestrel on order still need to order the xop bracket from here

I’m going to use my lone wolf sticks with rope mods cause I’m used to that method

So I’m wanting to get some steps
I have a few of those ameristep screw ins
But are those Cranford’s easier to screw in
Which ones are preferred?
 
I tend to use the Ezy Climb Folding screw in tree steps the most. I have used them for probably 25/30 years. They fold up and pack nice, and seem to be real easy to screw in. You can purchase them straight from Cranford, or I usually now get them by the 4 pack with Amazon prime when they get below $24 shipped. Since I have buckets of them now, don't need to buy in bulk.
 
Bowtech12 said:
so I’m new to Saddle hunting
Kestrel on order still need to order the xop bracket from here

I’m going to use my lone wolf sticks with rope mods cause I’m used to that method

So I’m wanting to get some steps
I have a few of those ameristep screw ins
But are those Cranford’s easier to screw in
Which ones are preferred?
Click to expand...

Cranford EZY T steps, I’ve been using them for at least 10 years. I used to use them for ascending the tree, now I just use them for my platform. Rock solid and will not kick out from the sides when you are maneuvering around the tree and pushing your weight against them. They are razor sharp when you first get them so be careful. Caution....You have to wear boots with solid soles! If you use them with lighter boots that don’t have solid soles you will not be happy with them.


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The difference between those 1 piece Ameristeps and EZ climb steps is like night and day.
The only advantage Ameristeps have is the price. They are a lot less expensive than EZ climbs.
EZs are super sharp and screw-in so much easier because they pivot at the base of the lag. And EZ can be screwed farther into the tree than a one piece step. Ameristeps "bottom out" in thick bark and sometimes can't be screwed in any farther. One little bump or lump in the tree and the vertical part of the step hits it while screwing it. The same with having the step not perfectly square to to tree...go in a little crooked and you won't be able to get a full rotation while screwing to allow for a full bury of the threads. EZs entire threads can be buried into the tree, that's not always do-able with Ameristeps. Heck, you can screw an EZ in so far that the step won't pivot on the lag. Not that you'll need to do that, but it just shows how deep you can sink an EZ. Can't do that with 1 piece steps.
If you hunt in an area with exceptionally hard trees (like Osage), I dare you to screw-in an Ameristep without using some sort of tool.
EZs fold-up better, and are quieter if they rattle on each other. Ameristeps ring like a bell if they bang against each other.
I have lots of each brand. I hate the Ameristeps, they suck. I'd trade 3 of them for 1 EZ.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
The difference between those 1 piece Ameristeps and EZ climb steps is like night and day.
The only advantage Ameristeps have is the price. They are a lot less expensive than EZ climbs.
EZs are super sharp and screw-in so much easier because they pivot at the base of the lag. And EZ can be screwed farther into the tree than a one piece step. Ameristeps "bottom out" in thick bark and sometimes can't be screwed in any farther. One little bump or lump in the tree and the vertical part of the step hits it while screwing it. The same with having the step not perfectly square to to tree...go in a little crooked and you won't be able to get a full rotation while screwing to allow for a full bury of the threads. EZs entire threads can be buried into the tree, that's not always do-able with Ameristeps. Heck, you can screw an EZ in so far that the step won't pivot on the lag. Not that you'll need to do that, but it just shows how deep you can sink an EZ. Can't do that with 1 piece steps.
If you hunt in an area with exceptionally hard trees (like Osage), I dare you to screw-in an Ameristep without using some sort of tool.
EZs fold-up better, and are quieter if they rattle on each other. Ameristeps ring like a bell if they bang against each other.
I have lots of each brand. I hate the Ameristeps, they suck. I'd trade 3 of them for 1 EZ.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more!!


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Bowtech12 said:
so I’m new to Saddle hunting
Kestrel on order still need to order the xop bracket from here

I’m going to use my lone wolf sticks with rope mods cause I’m used to that method

So I’m wanting to get some steps
I have a few of those ameristep screw ins
But are those Cranford’s easier to screw in
Which ones are
Click to expand...
Bowtech12 said:
so I’m new to Saddle hunting
Kestrel on order still need to order the xop bracket from here

I’m going to use my lone wolf sticks with rope mods cause I’m used to that method

So I’m wanting to get some steps
I have a few of those ameristep screw ins
But are those Cranford’s easier to screw in
Which ones are preferred?
Click to expand...
I got the folding ones to have in case I want to get in a cluster of trees that have a base to large for any strap type step or if I need some to get past something while climbing. They screw in incredibly easy, scary sharp lol. Plan on making neoprene sleeves for them to keep them quiet in my pack. There are some pretty recent threads on here for using the strap on style.
This will be my first year in a saddle also but have made a few modifications to my climbing system. Carrying 4 WE stepps and 3 modified heliums with 20in aiders on top 2 sticks, ring of ameristep for platform. Figure I can get to any height I would need with this setup but always looking for better.
 
I've given mine a few coats of plastic dip. It doesn't make them dead quiet, but it does soften the noise a bit.

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love2huntnfish said:
Cranford EZY T steps, I’ve been using them for at least 10 years. I used to use them for ascending the tree, now I just use them for my platform. Rock solid and will not kick out from the sides when you are maneuvering around the tree and pushing your weight against them. They are razor sharp when you first get them so be careful. Caution....You have to wear boots with solid soles! If you use them with lighter boots that don’t have solid soles you will not be happy with them.


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Click to expand...
@love2huntnfish Do you know how much the t step weighs? i couldnt find any info on cranfords website.
 
I don’t off hand they r minimal for sure, u only need 3/4 for your base platform, depending on tree circumference. I try to hunt smaller trees so I get 360 easier, so I use three, but I carry 4 of em in a lil pouch on my saddle. Lemme know if u need close up photos and I’ll send em to yah.


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That’ll work, it’ll keep them from clanging together, which mine do on way in and while climbing down. I usually just wrap em in a paper towel, so I can use a much smaller pouch. Once I have the screws set I use the pouch for my range finder, 2 for 1

I have a boat load of em just in case u run into inventory issues or delivery time issues and you need them quick, just hit me up. Billy 703-595-3201


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love2huntnfish said:
That’ll work, it’ll keep them from clanging together, which mine do on way in and while climbing down. I usually just wrap em in a paper towel, so I can use a much smaller pouch. Once I have the screws set I use the pouch for my range finder, 2 for 1

I have a boat load of em just in case u run into inventory issues or delivery time issues and you need them quick, just hit me up. Billy 703-595-3201


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thanks, Billy! I might end up reaching out to you if I decide to go with the Cranfords.-Ethan
 
Make sure to check the pin where the step folds. I will not use folding steps any longer because I had one break coming down a tree. I wasn’t too high but it scared me. The point was still in the tree and the pin had pulled from the step portion. I bring it up mostly because I’m not a big guy and never have had an issue with wear.
 
good to know—thanks for the heads up. the t steps im looking to get dont have any pins in them.
 
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