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Wild edge stepp lovers

Great thread. WE stepps get a bad rap. I’m on my 3rd or 4th set. I sell in the off season to fund something else. Eventually come across someone offloading cheap stepps, and I’m back on them by season.

My favorite recent post on the book of faces was someone that wanted them “gone immediately” due to some reason. Everyone was suggesting more practice. I asked if he had stretched the ropes as recommended. His reply was “I dont have time for that”.

This thread inspired me to update my carry bag.
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Kydex style holster for 8 stepps. I like the keeper strap over the top. I use a heavy elastic cord tied at the back where it mounts to my saddle and routed over the stepps then I capture the bottom of the holster "V " in a tied loop at the end of the elastic cord. I can only fit 6, but I only use 6 so it's perfect.
 
Anyone else use 3 around the tree as a platform. Wild edge was the first thing I bought and I stuck with them, mostly because I'm cheap. I carry in with the gripr, but seriously considering the kydex holster build. I use 3 steps up with a knaider and aider then my fourth step is where I put two more on the side's at hunting height. Works good once you get the system down, keep thinking I should get a rappelling set up for coming down though. Also does anyone have a review on using the perch with the original ropes? Kinda wanna switch to amsteel just for the perch.
 
I've used knaider swaider in past. Not bad but not 100% sold. Swaider can be sketchy, knaider kinda gets hung up with my natural knee movement trying to release. Anyone suggest a good etrier? 2, 3 or I suppose 4. I just figure any bigger won't be able to fully use them all
 
Got to climb again yesterday. Still love the knaider, but don’t like the swaider. What I found that I liked most was a 3 step etrier. Also tried an 18” 3 step amsteel aider. This did not work like I hoped, I think an etrier works better in this application. Glad I’m giving the steps another chance though. I really like them and just purchased even more. I want to have 2 sets, that way if I like my spot I can just leave them in the tree.
Which etrier did you use
 
Which etrier did you use

I just picked up a 4 step etrier and the spacing is pretty short. Seems about like a 3 step traditional aider of 15-16” spacing. I was thinking about getting a black diamond Fifi hook but not sure. Hope that helps


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I tried an Amsteel mod on one of my Primal steps today. If you tie it the same way you tie the wild edge ropes and load it, it is extremely difficult to untie. I did find a video that showed a good way to tie it and avoid the stuck knot. This did solve the problem. The other issue I had was that the Amsteel has no stretch at all, there is little room for error when you tie the step and try to cam over. It has to be exactly correct, or you cannot cam it over. I know you need to adjust the rope with either Amsteel or Wild Edge ropes but the Wild edge ropes are more forgiving. Any alternatives would be appreciated.



 
I tried an Amsteel mod on one of my Primal steps today. If you tie it the same way you tie the wild edge ropes and load it, it is extremely difficult to untie. I did find a video that showed a good way to tie it and avoid the stuck knot. This did solve the problem. The other issue I had was that the Amsteel has no stretch at all, there is little room for error when you tie the step and try to cam over. It has to be exactly correct, or you cannot cam it over. I know you need to adjust the rope with either Amsteel or Wild Edge ropes but the Wild edge ropes are more forgiving. Any alternatives would be appreciated.



Use your fingers as a gauge for how far from the tree your WE Stepp bar should be when you tie the knot with amsteel, then you'll always nail the perfect length for a perfect cam. Amsteel ropes are so much better and stronger...the others stretch even when yr on the tree and the steps loosen so fast with them.
Practice...
 
Also, I use a chafe protection for aircraft wire on the amsteel and it makes it easier to untie the knot, as well as keep the amsteel from fuzziness up over time.
 
I tried an Amsteel mod on one of my Primal steps today. If you tie it the same way you tie the wild edge ropes and load it, it is extremely difficult to untie. I did find a video that showed a good way to tie it and avoid the stuck knot. This did solve the problem. The other issue I had was that the Amsteel has no stretch at all, there is little room for error when you tie the step and try to cam over. It has to be exactly correct, or you cannot cam it over. I know you need to adjust the rope with either Amsteel or Wild Edge ropes but the Wild edge ropes are more forgiving. Any alternatives would be appreciated.




I got a roll of mule tape for like $10. Works well in conjunction with a slip knot for release. Check out the wild edge slip knot video if you haven’t already.


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I got a roll of mule tape for like $10. Works well in conjunction with a slip knot for release. Check out the wild edge slip knot video if you haven’t already.


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So you use the mule tape instead of we ropes or amsteel? The 2500# breaking strength? How do you like it?


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I tried an Amsteel mod on one of my Primal steps today. If you tie it the same way you tie the wild edge ropes and load it, it is extremely difficult to untie. I did find a video that showed a good way to tie it and avoid the stuck knot. This did solve the problem. The other issue I had was that the Amsteel has no stretch at all, there is little room for error when you tie the step and try to cam over. It has to be exactly correct, or you cannot cam it over. I know you need to adjust the rope with either Amsteel or Wild Edge ropes but the Wild edge ropes are more forgiving. Any alternatives would be appreciated.




You could try this:



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Use your fingers as a gauge for how far from the tree your WE Stepp bar should be when you tie the knot with amsteel, then you'll always nail the perfect length for a perfect cam. Amsteel ropes are so much better and stronger...the others stretch even when yr on the tree and the steps loosen so fast with them.
Practice...
I will give it a try
 
I tried an Amsteel mod on one of my Primal steps today. If you tie it the same way you tie the wild edge ropes and load it, it is extremely difficult to untie. I did find a video that showed a good way to tie it and avoid the stuck knot. This did solve the problem. The other issue I had was that the Amsteel has no stretch at all, there is little room for error when you tie the step and try to cam over. It has to be exactly correct, or you cannot cam it over. I know you need to adjust the rope with either Amsteel or Wild Edge ropes but the Wild edge ropes are more forgiving. Any alternatives would be appreciated.




You could try this as well in 1/2” or 3/4”



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I started using wild edge stepps in 2017 in some form or another. I've tinkered with some other stuff in the meantime but nothing has replaced them. Since the knaider came out I've used them with a knaider. 7 stepps and a knaider and I'm up at least 20 feet. I don't think there is a much safer method because I always have something up above me to help pull myself up. Once you get comfortable with putting them on they go on really easy. Once in a while they may shift a little bit but they're never coming off. I think they are the best compromise between safe, packable and weight. I've tried a lot of sticks and sticks really don't compare in the packable department. I can go up the tree fast if I want, but more importantly I can sneak up the tree quietly without a ton of movement with them.

So share your love of stepps here. Whether you use the wild edge aider, knaider or just use them as they are. ( I don't support the knaider/swaider combo fyi!!!)
Pros: They’re packable, they’re relatively light, tons of surface area vs a screw in step, can use them for a ROS, can get around branches and go up leaning trees.
Cons: Ropes can be confusing for beginners and the bag is frustrating if you don’t get them just right in there, they can clank together if you’re not careful, not suitable for all trees(crumbly bark trees like red pine and softer trees like cherry SUCK), the standard ropes can’t do big trees very well.

Overall I think they’re the best bang for your buck. They pack in better than sticks, they’re cheaper than most light sticks, you can get higher with aiders, also their durability is second to none.
 
So you use the mule tape instead of we ropes or amsteel? The 2500# breaking strength? How do you like it?


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I've only used it a few times, but it is comparable to amsteel. Using the slipknot for both materials eliminates headaches after the hunt fighting tight loops. Cost is much easier on the wallet.
 
I stopped by the Wild Edge booth today at the Great American Outdoor Show. Spent a few minutes chatting with Drew-what a great guy he is! We talked saddles, steps, and my buddy who likes hang ons is seriously considering using the steps instead of his sticks! Picked up an additional 10 steps for some pre-sets I plan on doing, & another Perch platform.

That brings my total step count to 30 steps-9 with 8 ft ropes, & 21 with 6 ft ropes. 3 sets of 10. I guess that makes me a bonafide WildEdge guy!:p

I absolutely love the steps-they seem much more secure to me than sticks. I love it that I can always hang one more at head level & have a secure hand-hold prior to ascending further-no more hugging the tree for me! ;)

I use 'em right out of the bag with no mods-that is, after I clamp them down tight around one of my trees & leave 'em there for 3-4 days to get all of the stretch out of the ropes. If it rains on 'em, so much the better- I leave 'em there until they dry out. Haven't had any rope loosening issues after that pre- conditioning.

I made a "rappel practice" platform with 10 others that I have, & a Tethrd Predator XL platform. they've been up for a week now with me going up & rappelling down about every other day, with no looseness or shifting.

They definitely have a learning curve-not something you want to get a week before season opener, play with once or twice, & go, but the more you use them, the easier it is & the more you appreciate their versatility.

I also use the original bags- they work fine for me. One thing I did do was get bags that are 2 steps bigger than the number I'm carrying (i.e.- if I'm carrying 10 steps, they are in a 12 step bag, 8 steps go in a 10 step bag, etc.) That's how I ordered them from Drew, & it makes deploying them & packing them up much easier for me. I do it the same way as he shows in his videos.

I have enough steps now that I can leave my rappel platform up & set up another tree to try an aider, knaider/swaider, & the Cain method-for those I'll probably mod some of them with zip ties to keep things in place. I'm gonna be busy this off-season! :oops:
 
I bought some 3/4' green mule tape and will give it a try. It is rated for 1600lbs. This is not as strong as the Wild Edge rope but the packability will be a huge improvement if it works. I will try it with the Wild Edge knot/hitch and also with a slip loop and see how it works. I will also tie it several times to check for fraying and signs of wear. 1600lb load strength should be adequate although stronger is always better. I bought this because of the color.
 
I bought some 3/4' green mule tape and will give it a try. It is rated for 1600lbs. This is not as strong as the Wild Edge rope but the packability will be a huge improvement if it works. I will try it with the Wild Edge knot/hitch and also with a slip loop and see how it works. I will also tie it several times to check for fraying and signs of wear. 1600lb load strength should be adequate although stronger is always better. I bought this because of the color.

Mine was white. I’ll be steeping some tea to try and change color a little.
 
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