H2 vs. Flex for a big guy

[Ontariofarmer]

I assume that weight is the saddle alone with no attachments.
Here it is 1 lb 7 oz. Right in the title. Take the carabiner off and I might save a few ounces.

My First Yellow Jacket (tm) Saddle Build *** Complete 1 lb 7 oz

Edit: People have asked me what I was going to name it and then I thought of a name. It is "The Yellow Jacket(tm) Saddle". Good enough. :D Today was the first time I took something that wasn't a saddle and made it into a saddle. I have been practicing with my sewing machines to good effect...

saddlehunter.com

I envy your skills. It looks great and is likely perfect for you. I cannot sew. I really don't want to learn. I retired in March so I have time but no desire.
Nice job. But it is not an option for many of us.

 

[Yetihunter1]

There are a lot of great saddle reviews. The videos that compare saddles in an unbiased way are fantastic


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Haha I have watched this a few times and some of his other reviews.

 

[Yetihunter1]

It is a good saddle. I have tried the flex and Cruzr too. I like the Cruzr best. I have seen a lot of great comments about it elsewhere too.
I think New Tribes could come out with a mesh flex... it could be similar. The TX5 looks similar except you can get a custom build which interests me. Custom fit too.

Need to check out the tx5. Not sure I would go the custom route since I don’t know what I like yet. The cruzr has outstanding reviews but are out of stock and with corona going round no clue on when they will be back in since they are a smaller shop.

 

[Ontariofarmer]

Haha I have watched this a few times and some of his other reviews.

They are good reviews. You won’t go wrong with most of the new saddles. An H2 or flex or Cruzr.


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[bj139]

I envy your skills. It looks great and is likely perfect for you. I cannot sew. I really don't want to learn. I retired in March so I have time but no desire.
Nice job. But it is not an option for many of us.

I had to remove stitches and rearrange the side straps. You can keep trying till it is just the way you want it. Pull stitches and resew. It is like Playdough with cloth. I learned the skills from Youtube in the last 6 months. Easy peasy. Artistic value is not important. Strength is. Each stitch adds to the strength. Make enough and you are GTG.

 

[matt76cmich]

Didn't read through everything, but as someone on the big side of things (6'5" 295#) I tried out a few saddles last year (H2, Flex, Yarak, and JX3). To me the Flex and Yarak were better than the H2 in a seated position (but the JX3 is in it's own league when in a seated position). Leaning the H2, Flex, and Yarak were a wash. Overall I liked the Yarak the best out of the traditional saddles, but I kept the H2 since I'm more of a leaner and if I'm gonna be out there for long sits the JX3 is coming with me. Just my $0.02.

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[steve-0h]

+1 on the JX3 big boy love. I’ve got a TX5 and a Cruzr on the way. I dig the traditional saddles for sure. But the comfort of that JX3 is impressive. It’s the saddle version of. Millennium M150 lock on. And welcome, by the way, to your new addiction.

 

[Yetihunter1]

Hey guys thanks for the help and input. I ended up ordering the kestrel flex and now trying to figure out a platform to go with the set up. From everyone’s reviews and a ton of research I think this will fit my comfort and safety needs. Now to figure out a platform, small and economical solo scout, ridge runner or predator..... so many decisions.... my wife thinks I’m crazy

 

[steve-0h]

Lots of cool platforms out there. A lot will depend on if you end up liking to sit more or stand/lean more. I’m playing with this and I’m digging it so far. The Artisan platform allows you to stand flat at the top of your climbing sticks and set your tether/hys strap/bow hanger, etc... The scout had a great angle for leaning. And I use the ring of steps for sitting and moving around the tree. And it’s part of my climbing stick. Lots of people will laugh at it, but I’m ok with that. This is what makes this stuff so cool... There’s a million ways to skin a cat. Lots of love for the Tethrd Predator. I’ve got a Lone Wolf Ambush on the way for my size 13’s, but if I don’t dig it, I may stick with the frankenstick setup

 

[Shane6491]

I liked the h2 but compared to my phantom it wast as comfortable for me. Was definitely a nice well built saddle. Never sat in a flex have herd good things.

 

[SnakeEater]

Lots of cool platforms out there. A lot will depend on if you end up liking to sit more or stand/lean more. I’m playing with this and I’m digging it so far. The Artisan platform allows you to stand flat at the top of your climbing sticks and set your tether/hys strap/bow hanger, etc... The scout had a great angle for leaning. And I use the ring of steps for sitting and moving around the tree. And it’s part of my climbing stick. Lots of people will laugh at it, but I’m ok with that. This is what makes this stuff so cool... There’s a million ways to skin a cat. Lots of love for the Tethrd Predator. I’ve got a Lone Wolf Ambush on the way for my size 13’s, but if I don’t dig it, I may stick with the frankenstick setup

This is awesome! I’ve been thinking about this, I’m running a short stick with artisan. Mind send a closer pic of the set up assembled from the bolt side? How did I you get the scout to attach and stay level?


Sent from parts unknown

 

[steve-0h]

This is awesome! I’ve been thinking about this, I’m running a short stick with artisan. Mind send a closer pic of the set up assembled from the bolt side? How did I you get the scout to attach and stay level?


Sent from parts unknown

These are pics from the guy that I got it from. His turned out a bit better than mine. He drilled his lower hole with plenty of room for a nut to clear the standoff. I got in a bit of a hurry with my lower hole (drilled top and bottom at the same time without assembling my standoff first) and so mine has the lower bolt going through the stick, but I had to use little C Clips instead of a full blown lock nut to secure my lower bolt. Honestly, in the pic that I originally posted, all I’m using is the top bolt, and it was solid as a rock. No movement at all, even when I kicked it with side pressure. Now with the lower hole having a bolt through it, it’s even more stable.

 

[steve-0h]

This is awesome! I’ve been thinking about this, I’m running a short stick with artisan. Mind send a closer pic of the set up assembled from the bolt side? How did I you get the scout to attach and stay level?


Sent from parts unknown

Both platforms were clamped together to drill the holes. Start with top hole going through both platforms and original stick hole. Assemble standoff. Then find the distance to clear the standoff with bottom hole. Measure that on platforms. Drill that bottom hole in platforms clamped together. Assemble platform to stick using bolt in top hole, clamp platforms to stick, and drill bottom hole in stick using pilot bottom holes that were drilled in platforms. 30 minutes.

 

[SnakeEater]

Both platforms were clamped together to drill the holes. Start with top hole going through both platforms and original stick hole. Assemble standoff. Then find the distance to clear the standoff with bottom hole. Measure that on platforms. Drill that bottom hole in platforms clamped together. Assemble platform to stick using bolt in top hole, clamp platforms to stick, and drill bottom hole in stick using pilot bottom holes that were drilled in platforms. 30 minutes.

Thank you! Much appreciated


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