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Wild edge steps

Pros - very simple, relatively lightweight, 4 with an aider (I like to attach a prussik to the step to connect the aider so no metal on metal/better grip) will get you 20-25 feet easy.

I've been using the step as a platform, but I will without a doubt buy a predator for next season. They just require too much fidgeting and aren't as comfortable.

So all in all I like them, but they aren't perfect. A good alternative to other methods, and will likely continue using them next year, but perhaps add srt or drt into the mix. Add a 5-6 step aider to wild edge steps and they become pretty a very good tool, but nothing is perfect.
 
Using a knaider and swaider, I use 4 stepps to get to hunting height. One extra stepp plus a cranford as a platform.

Pros in addition to what was mentioned - packability. That one is important to me.

Cons - they are not super comfortable as a platform, high fiddle factor to get tight which improves with practice.
 
Both replies nailed it!
I climb with spurs and have been using 2-3 primal steps as a platform. I've sat for 7+ hours no problem. But the steps do have some fiddle factor sometimes worse than others. But once you get em tight they are always rock solid. I using a 'weight bearing' backband so I can lean into my back band and adjust my saddle if needed. I think that being able to adjust like that with the back band holding my weight really helps me out. Just a moment of relief out of your saddle cup helps a lot. Like being able to stand on a platform, without an actual platform if any of that makes sense!

The steps handle side pressure very well and enable you to have multiple points to pivot and step off of.
 
Using a knaider and swaider, I use 4 stepps to get to hunting height. One extra stepp plus a cranford as a platform.

Pros in addition to what was mentioned - packability. That one is important to me.

Cons - they are not super comfortable as a platform, high fiddle factor to get tight which improves with practice.
Where can you buy knaider and swaider?
 
I love my Stepps though I’ve been using them less this season due to not loving how much they can chew the bark. I’m only using the knaider now and find it best for a safe climb. Takes me 6-7 to get to height plus 1-2 more for platform. I don’t find setting up the ring of WE Stepps as annoying as some others do.

i made my knaider but doublesteps.com had them for sale.
 
The packability is what I like. I use them for deep hunts on public. For my shorter walks on private I use cut-down sticks.

I use the Cain method with 6 steps and place my platform on the top step. They are simple and easy to use with practice and you can climb practically any tree with them.
 
The packability is what I like. I use them for deep hunts on public. For my shorter walks on private I use cut-down sticks.

I use the Cain method with 6 steps and place my platform on the top step. They are simple and easy to use with practice and you can climb practically any tree with them.
this is the method id like to try for next year as of right now im using bolts but im waiting on my saddle which i should get any day now
 
this is the method id like to try for next year as of right now im using bolts but im waiting on my saddle which i should get any day now
I replaced ropes with amsteel and it works well. Definitely practice tho!
 
Where can you buy knaider and swaider?

Got mine from DanO’s site.




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With the knaider/swaider I carry 5 steps and get my feet to 25’ pretty easy and if I need higher I can set my ROS a little higher and step up. Most of the time I don’t need that much height though.

It takes some practice but it has become my go to climbing method this year.


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5 steps, 3 high with knaider swaider with 2 extra steps at top for platform gets me about 15 ft (at my feet) and a great platform. Never thought I needed to go higher. If I needed to, 20' with 2 step platform. Platform takes practice but once you get it they're even and good to go.

Edit: didnt address pros and cons

Pros, they're light with kn/sw especially and are easy to setup with a little practice. Doubles as a platform. Couple mods they wont dig into the tree, kn/sw wont slip (all household stuff to modify).

Cons, I think the bag is a little clunky but with some mods could have it functioning better.

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I like using 6-8 for climbing up to 22’. I’ll occasionally carry 5 steps and the aider to climb to a similar height.

Another pro not yet mentioned is the flexability in step spacing. Its nice to have easy climbs in the dark with bulky clothing. Whereas in early season its fine to stretch the spacing out.

fiddle factor, slowness and destroying soft barked trees is my largest Con with them.
 
I would plan to use them with a knaider or aider but not both together. 8 steps wth a knaider or aider will do 99% of what 99% of the people want them to. Start using the knaider with swaider or a five step aider and I think you are more like 99% of what 30% of the people want. Setting steps 5-6 feet apart looks sketchy because it is.
 
Pros: Basically get up any tree, easy to pack in a backpack, solid and sturdy. Cons: Rope seems to twist after awhile developing a memory and it's harder to tie loop, learning curve for the loop, some tree damage. I've been using 5 to get to height basically doing a pull up/Cain method off each but have a knaider swaider coming.
 
I dont need to hunt very high anymore, most of the time I'm hunting at 15-18 feet. O can accomplish this with 5 steps, with the fifth hosting the perch. I carry a self made one step aider to help getting onto the perch, as I use a modified cain method, there is no step above the perch to grab onto and pull yourself up.
Pros: light weight, high versatility( can be used as a platform by them selves, or like a ring of steps, as a bow/gear hanger), easy to use and take down, compact
Cons: I haven't really encountered things that I would consider a "con" per say, but with any gear that you first start using it requires some practice. Some guys have said that they quit using then and sold then because they couldn't figure it out. Something that I have noticed personally with other guys using these steps is, speed, they all what to do things as fast as possible. My method that I apply to most things hunting is "slow is smooth, smooth is fast". If you take the time to make sure your step is set correctly it wont move, if your step does move take the time to readjust it. Safety is not worth sacrificing for a deer!
 
This is my first year with the wild steps. I have yet to see any videos that shows someone mounting them on deeply crevassed and or "corky" bark, which is all there is where I live. On the smooth hardwood barked trees, they snap tight but on the former barks, they have been a nightmare for me! The bark is constantly breaking down or crushing and even if you think you have finally got the steps cammed down tight, once you step on them, or put a little side pressure on them, they will slip right off and you'll be dangling there on your lineman's rope, praying you can find some support to fix it! The only "fix", which isn't realistic, is to take an axe and shave down the bark so it is almost gone, and the steps can contact solid wood......like I said, this isn't practical, or good for any tree!
 
This is my first year with the wild steps. I have yet to see any videos that shows someone mounting them on deeply crevassed and or "corky" bark, which is all there is where I live. On the smooth hardwood barked trees, they snap tight but on the former barks, they have been a nightmare for me! The bark is constantly breaking down or crushing and even if you think you have finally got the steps cammed down tight, once you step on them, or put a little side pressure on them, they will slip right off and you'll be dangling there on your lineman's rope, praying you can find some support to fix it! The only "fix", which isn't realistic, is to take an axe and shave down the bark so it is almost gone, and the steps can contact solid wood......like I said, this isn't practical, or good for any tree!
Might I suggest something which has worked for me, but you need to be very careful with the knot - setup an aider to help cinch it down with your feet. I have a prusik knot cinched down where I connect an aider , and use leverage to get it rediculously tight. I also aider climb with them
 
I use Primal Steps, WE knockoffs. 3 steps get me 21’. I use a 5-step aider. I use a 4th step with plywood platform insert 18”-24” above the third step. I’ve been using this system exclusively for 2 seasons now. Whole climbing system fits a small sling bag
 
Four to get to height, about 22 feet. One extra that has two ameristeps threaded with the WE step rope, gives me a ring of steps around the tree. I love it. The nice thing about having a ring around the tree is that you do not have to get the two steps to be used as a platform setup in the perfect spots. Plus you can move around the tree.
 
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