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Modded hawk sticks kick out

I

illmakeufamous

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2019
Messages
71
For you guys that cut their 2019 sticks to 26”(i think 4” cut off bottom), did you leave you button where it was or move it down? I had one kick out big time on me this morning and I don’t know if I should sharpen the stand offs or move the button or maybe both.


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If you cut from the bottom wouldn't the existing button be proportionally lower already?

I cut mine from the top and then lowered the button to better balance the stick.
 
illmakeufamous said:
For you guys that cut their 2019 sticks to 26”(i think 4” cut off bottom), did you leave you button where it was or move it down? I had one kick out big time on me this morning and I don’t know if I should sharpen the stand offs or move the button or maybe both.


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Click to expand...

I thought the same thing but the bottom steps have never felt as solid/tight to the tree as the LW sticks I had.


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I see. That might be more due to the difference in standoff design between Heliums and LW. Heliums sit out on the tree so to speak, whereas LW allow more of the tree into the standoff.

I have LW standoffs on my DIY sticks and I like how they snug to the tree (including the pivot adjustment). The limited time that I had and used Heliums I noticed that I felt like I had to pay much closer attention to how well the standoffs were aligned with the tree bark (top and bottom) and the strap had to be uber snug. Could have been user error. Plenty of experienced folks on here using the Hawks effectively.
 
TNSTAAFL said:
I see. That might be more due to the difference in standoff design between Heliums and LW. Heliums sit out on the tree so to speak, whereas LW allow more of the tree into the standoff.

I have LW standoffs on my DIY sticks and I like how they snug to the tree (including the pivot adjustment). The limited time that I had and used Heliums I noticed that I felt like I had to pay much closer attention to how well the standoffs were aligned with the tree bark (top and bottom) and the strap had to be uber snug. Could have been user error. Plenty of experienced folks on here using the Hawks effectively.
Click to expand...

May have something to do with the stock straps too? I like the versa buckle design but again, compared to my LW sticks, the helium wraps seem to make the stick bounce rather than solidify to the tree. I know this morning the tree I was in was pretty smooth barked so not much for the stick to bite to but just trying to brainstorm because that wasn’t fun at all. Every bone in my back felt like it popped when the lineman’s rope caught me


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Sorry to hear that. Not fun to have a slip/ride like that. Glad you are ok.

Smooth bark trees seem more prone to kickouts.

I didn't use the stock helium straps so I caught compare. I used Amsteel ropes on those and I use daisy chain webbing on my DIYs.
 
I've had a full size Helium stick kick out at the bottom when I was using the top of the stick as a platform. To compound the issue, I had climbed an angled tree from the underside. My remedy was to bring an additional strap I could use on the bottom of that 1 stick so it wouldn't kick out. Scary moment, though.
 
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