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1/8" Amsteel Aider from Trevor Byrd

Back Strap M.D.

Back Strap M.D.

New Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2019
Messages
27
I had an idea in my head and Trevor Byrd made it happen.

I've been testing a one step aider on my Hawk Heliums for a while now but it was bulky and heavy, I wanted to run amsteel but have never worked with it so I messaged Trevor my idea with specs, 5 days later they're here.

Super low profile and light! Undetectable when packed. 20" step per aider.

Was using the webbing that came on the sticks (last pic) but like this so much better.

I set my platform 20' with 3 sticks and dont like to get much higher because I'm not comfortable with that shot angle.

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I love it. I tried the CAYG once this year and it wasn’t my cup of tea. PITA in the dark. And I did the mod to my helium’s and my top cleat is not at the same hight in each stick so it doesn’t make for a consistent aider length on each stick. So using a CAYG with significant variants in my sticks makes for a difficult climb. If I modified my sticks consistently I would be better off with a CAYG. So your method will fix it all that for me.

@DaveT1963 says in one of his videos that smart bucks can pick up on your attached aiders blowing in the wind and I 100% believe that bc our bucks in the N East are super weary and seem to catch everything. But I think your aider profile with Amsteel is less likely to get noticed.
 
Have you had any problems with kick out with the aider attached to the bottom step? I had some kick out issues when attaching to the bottom step location on my hawks when using webbing that made me uncomfortable enough that I abandoned them and am living with only getting about 15 feet up.
 
How are they when the wind starts blowing? As light as amsteel is id think they’d move too much. I wrap my daisy chains to minimize movement.


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ofor said:
Have you had any problems with kick out with the aider attached to the bottom step? I had some kick out issues when attaching to the bottom step location on my hawks when using webbing that made me uncomfortable enough that I abandoned them and am living with only getting about 15 feet up.
Click to expand...
I havent had any problems with kick out with the webbing or amsteel although I never space more than 20" from top step and load weight by pulling on top step with my hands when stepping up on the aider.
 
iamcorey said:
How are they when the wind starts blowing? As light as amsteel is id think they’d move too much. I wrap my daisy chains to minimize movement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I was originally going to run just amsteel on the aider but Trevor suggested the tubing seen in the pics, the weight helps hold them in place. 15 plus mph wind yesterday and they stayed pretty still. I think the low profile of the amsteel helps in not catching the wind. When I had webbing on them they blew all over the place.
 
Guys please dont take this wrong, but I would NOT tie my aider on the steps. one little slip and the weight WILL shift to one step or the other. you might be fine 99 out of 100 climbs but all it takes is one. It also puts all the weight below the cut out part if step instead of the entire step. Just my opinion.... be safe.
 
DaveT1963 said:
Guys please dont take this wrong, but I would NOT tie my aider on the steps. one little slip and the weight WILL shift to one step or the other. you might be fine 99 out of 100 climbs but all it takes is one. It also puts all the weight below the cut out part if step instead of the entire step. Just my opinion.... be safe.
Click to expand...
I want to be clear...I'm not recommending that anyone uses this setup if they dont feel comfortable with it.
I feel safe with this setup because of the three point body contact with both hands on top step and foot in aider as stated above. I also use a linemans belt as an additional point of contact.
Works for me. I appreciate the concern tho. Great to have multiple sets of eyes looking out for safety issues.
 
ofor said:
Have you had any problems with kick out with the aider attached to the bottom step? I had some kick out issues when attaching to the bottom step location on my hawks when using webbing that made me uncomfortable enough that I abandoned them and am living with only getting about 15 feet up.
Click to expand...

I don't have cut down sticks, but I have been attaching my aiders to the shaft of the stick just above the bottom step for 6 years and I have never had a kick out. I'd go so far as to say attaching towards the bottom of the step increases the bite on the stick, sucking it into the tree more (ie 'setting' it) if you experience problems with kick out, you probably aren't 'setting' your sticks well enough.

@Back Strap M.D. I agree with @DaveT1963, connecting it to the shaft of the stick is safer. but if you feel confident, have at it!
 
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