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Kestrel Buckles

Hillclimber

Well-Known Member
Jan 7, 2018
464
239
43
35
WV
Is there anybody replacing the metal buckles on the kestrel with lighter, less noisy plastic ones?
 

sdonx

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 30, 2018
1,369
1,223
113
58
SE MASS
I sewed up a few of these from neoprene. I got the idea from here, from Erniepower I believe

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Bigterp

Moderator
Staff member
SH Member
Sep 11, 2017
7,037
12,450
113
49
Baltimore, Maryland
I tried not to give him a hard time sounded like he had a lot on his plate. Just didn’t want anyone to find that old thread & send money.
 

swampsnyper

Well-Known Member
Mar 10, 2015
4,463
6,523
113
47
Warrior, Al
LOCATION
MS
Well my 1st set of ameristeps was from a member. They were mostly the recall steps....
It was in the early years of saddlehunter.com and I gave the benefit of the doubt that he just didn’t know any better. I didn’t know any better until I asked if the step should flex. Then we got to the bottom of it and @redsquirrel researched and posted the recall id numbers. It was a good education for all of us. Chalked it up as a learning experience.
 

kelly.jayp

Well-Known Member
Aug 23, 2017
1,473
1,965
113
Charlotte, NC area
Yikes. That sucks. He was all good when he first posted that. End of day it’s just some neoprene sewn together. I just didn’t have a sewing machine.


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Possum

New Member
Feb 22, 2018
4
9
3
55
Is there anybody replacing the metal buckles on the kestrel with lighter, less noisy plastic ones?
Is there anybody replacing the metal buckles on the kestrel with lighter, less noisy plastic ones?
I cut off the legs straps and replaced the waist buckle with a plastic buckle that I had in my stash of goodies. I don't recommend modifying a saddle's structural integrity in any way, but I have used my trophyline saddle for 16 years with leg straps and shoulder straps removed and it has no waist buckle. I've had a couple of minor slips over the years but always climb with a linesman belt and never have slack in my tether or linesman belt. I don't like clankity metal things and I go very sloooow when climbing and descending.
 

BassBoysLLP

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
Sep 28, 2014
3,096
2,279
113
Well my 1st set of ameristeps was from a member. They were mostly the recall steps....
It was in the early years of saddlehunter.com and I gave the benefit of the doubt that he just didn’t know any better. I didn’t know any better until I asked if the step should flex. Then we got to the bottom of it and @redsquirrel researched and posted the recall id numbers. It was a good education for all of us. Chalked it up as a learning experience.
Recall steps are fine for a platform. never had one break. I buy them cheaper and hold on to them.

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sureshotscott

Moderator
Staff member
SH Member
Jul 18, 2017
1,975
3,563
113
SE MI
Asked boswell why those particular buckles were used and complained about the weight, he said they were chosen because they were QD and met their safety requirements.

John E cut those straps off his Kestrel, there's an old thread with pics...
 

BassBoysLLP

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
Sep 28, 2014
3,096
2,279
113
actually most of the buckles on a hss are metal, similar type

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Erniepower

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
Oct 25, 2015
3,230
3,653
113
Minneapolis MN
I've hunted off of recall steps for years without any issue. I bought them on AT and didn't know, any better at the time either.


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Erniepower

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
Oct 25, 2015
3,230
3,653
113
Minneapolis MN
I tried not to give him a hard time sounded like he had a lot on his plate. Just didn’t want anyone to find that old thread & send money.
Yep. He kinda disappeared. To bad cause I wanted to order a few more sets



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BassBoysLLP

Well-Known Member
Vendor Rep
Sep 28, 2014
3,096
2,279
113
Yep. He kinda disappeared. To bad cause I wanted to order a few more sets



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Hopefully he is OK. If his handle is any indication, he's got some life experience

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d_rek

Well-Known Member
Sep 25, 2014
2,495
2,143
113
SELP Michigan
LOCATION
SELP Michigan
I don't wrap my kestrel buckles. There is potential for make some noise. I have had my cam on my bow hit them and when you take kestrel off there is the possibility they may bang together.

I'm more intrigued with cutting the dang things off... John E. gave me some ideas with his modded kestrel. But i'll buy another kestrel to mod before I cut up the one I have.