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Hawk 30” stick mod

shmelton

shmelton

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Messages
540
I’m thinking about cutting down some old 30” sticks I have. I have seen the mods on you tube where they are cut down to 22” like G2 outdoors YouTube mod.

What would be wrong with just cutting the stick just below the middle step, and just moving the bottom stand off up? I know it’s only 13.5” step spacing, but I use 2 step aiders which will still get me 15’ in a tree with no effort.

My main concern would be kick out. Do shorter steps have more kick out than longer steps? Has anyone done this before?


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Midway has a sale- 4 20” hawk heliums for $100, I think shipping is even free.
 

Hawk helium mods

Just finished 3 "etriers" for my Hawk Heliums. They are made out of 1 inch nylon webbing, and I hope to test them out soon. The design is essentially a step inside a step, each secured with a single overhand knot. I have tried the loop style ones where there is a single step on alternating...
saddlehunter.com
 
I have not modded any Hawk sticks but I did start out on a Hawk 20” mini. I doubt you’ll have any more issues on a short stick than a long one. I had an experience once of a Hawk stick kicking out on me and falling down the tree (was not fun at all). I determined the issue was the attachment method. Hawk sticks imo are more prone to kick out issues because of their stand offs. I’d say if you’re concerned about it, use the stock cam buckle straps, or use climbing rated rope and hitch cord for a rope-and-prusik on the Versabutton to attach it to the tree.
 
Jammintree said:
Midway has a sale- 4 20” hawk heliums for $100, I think shipping is even free.
Click to expand...

I’ve seen that. They had them for $75 last fall wonder if they will get that low again?


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Rogers Sporting goods Hawk 20in 99.99 free shipping. Macks Prairie Wings, Hawk 20 in 89.99 with free shipping if you spend 99.$ Midway gets you on shipping because of weight.
 
I got mine from Rogers last year, just looked it up and I got free shipping then too although they were $110 when I got them. Great sticks, easy to set and never had any semblance of a kick out, would buy again as a starter set. Haven’t even been able to bring myself to sell them even though I changed.
 
I use a full length stick with single step aider and I love having 3 solid steps. Only kick out I’ve experienced was a bent leaning tree. Maybe a shorter stick may have stuck to it better, but I saw it coming and it never really kicked out. A cam cleat would be best mod on the stick, but you can surely do as your thinking and cut it, move stand off and button etc….. But, the short stick is cheap and ready to go
 
I also like the 30 in Hawk sticks with EWO cable aiders and with 3 sticks I get 15 ft.. I just got a set of Skeletors and really like them also but I like having several climbing systems.
 
The only reason I’m thinking of going to 20” sticks is the ease of carrying. How do you guys using 30” sticks carry yours through the woods? I have yet to be able to get them on a pack and carry them comfortably.


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Former 30” helium user here. I cut one of mine down to mess around and didn’t have any issues. I found a longer stick to be a bit more stable but if you confirm your stick is set you shouldn’t have any issues. If you do cut it measure about 10x before you cut and maybe just cut the bottom part off like you were suggesting but right below the middle standoff. That way you won’t have to punch any more holes in the stick to move standoffs around. The issue with heliums is the metal is very thin and brittle, it’s prone to cracking and bending. It may not the first time or two you climb but after being exposed to repeat twisting and shearing forces you might end up with a nasty surprise as others on this board have found.
When I ran three 30” heliums I secured them to the side of my horn hunter g2 pack. Some folks have tried packs with a bow carrier and secured them that way. If I can find a pic I’ll upload it.
Edit: found the pic.IMG_0179.png
 
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I carry them horizontal with my wingman attached with a Titan strap. I use the Chipewa Stands over the shoulder stick carrier. It works for me but Im really likin the Skeletors and they strap nice to my pack. Without a doubt 20,s are easier, but I dont mind the 30.s
 
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