• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Wild edge users

I’m using the KAILUS 5 step aider. I’m 52 and no kick outs. It can definitely happen but slow and methodical is key. Always make sure toe is planted against the tree before moving to the next loop and keep LB tight. Like anything, it requires practice
 
fbwguy said:
I’m using the KAILUS 5 step aider. I’m 52 and no kick outs. It can definitely happen but slow and methodical is key. Always make sure toe is planted against the tree before moving to the next loop and keep LB tight. Like anything, it requires practice
Click to expand...
Can you explain how you use the aider? I've tried the knaider/swaider and understand unhooking it as I go. Do you reach down from the step and unhook the aider to move it to the next step? Or set 2 steps and run the aider through the lower step?
 
@Jtaylor : I have vet tape on the bar to keep noise down and a biner on the aider. Set first step at about 7’. Climb to step. When on the step, I semi squat down and disconnect the biner and stand up. Hang the aider on my lineman’s belt while I set the next step at 7’ and repeat. As I’m on the aider about 2nd loop of the 3rd step I’m in a good position to set my platform about 1’ higher and off to they side of the 3rd step. When on the 3rd step roll up aider and stow away, then transition to platform
 
Hickel24 said:
Good things to keep in mind, I have my WE steps coming in next week. I've used bolts for a season now and it takes some time to get to height but very compact. I'm leaning towards trying the K/S first. Do you guys DIY your own or buy one from doublesteps.com? Also if you sing a 5 step aider which one?

Thanks,

Matt

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
K/S is the way to use steps. The key is in the tie on and how well you use a linesman belt. I tried other aiders but didn't like the instability and searching with the foot on the way down. I made mine but they're not adjustable. I think the ones from Dano are. K/S are like a 2 step aider that are attached to your feet so no searching.
 
BigAl said:
How many people her are wild edge users? How about...Do you use some type of aider? If so what and why? Seems some people love them or hate them.....what is your opinion? Thanks in advance for the responses!
Click to expand...

I wanted to like them but after trying to deal with them for half a season I ended up giving up on them and went the one stick method. I found the fiddle factor to be a bit too much with the WE steps. The rope had to be just the right tightness to cam over and if it wasnt it was a struggle. Idk i just found myself spending way to much time and effort getting them to cam over then worrying about them kicking out when using my aider. If I was looking at preset trees, this might be a way to go but as I hunt public, too much work for me to reset them on each new tree.
 
Kurt said:
K/S is the way to use steps. The key is in the tie on and how well you use a linesman belt. I tried other aiders but didn't like the instability and searching with the foot on the way down. I made mine but they're not adjustable. I think the ones from Dano are. K/S are like a 2 step aider that are attached to your feet so no searching.
Click to expand...
@Kurt thanks for the advice, looking forward to trying it out this season!
 
I carry 7, and get about 3.5’ per step with Cain method. I usually set my perch on the 6th step, and the 7th step is a nice hand hold for climbing into the perch. While hunting, I move #7 to the side or back of the tree for leverage while moving around the tree, or just an alternate foot rest. I set up to rappel down now, and just stop to take off the steps as I descend. I hunt a lot of crooked trees and trees with lots of limbs, and the stepps are much easier than sticks for most of my setups.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Anybody know where the steps are manufactured, I did notice that my steps were slightly different than my buddies whose were 2 years older and the welds weren't as clean, overall it wasn't that big of a deal, the steps worked just wasn't for me, prefer my sticks.
 
Miboy86 said:
Anybody know where the steps are manufactured, I did notice that my steps were slightly different than my buddies whose were 2 years older and the welds weren't as clean, overall it wasn't that big of a deal, the steps worked just wasn't for me, prefer my sticks.
Click to expand...
The latest I've heard from people who would know is that the Gen 1 stepps that say Wild edge Inc on the crossbar are made in China. The new ones that say Wild edge Inc down the side are made in Texas
 
There was nothing wrong with em even if made in China, I've used hawk sticks before, was just wondering if wild edge steps were made in America completely or split manufacturers.
 
Miboy86 said:
There was nothing wrong with em even if made in China, I've used hawk sticks before, was just wondering if wild edge steps were made in America completely or split manufacturers.
Click to expand...
NOW they are. From what I've been told, before they were not. At this time there is only one manufacturer and it's located in Texas
 
Jrybicki said:
Love mine, I have a set of 5 and carry all in with a diy kydex holster and use 4 with the knaider/swaider to get over 20' feet roughly at 24' on platform. For sure theres a learning curve/fiddle factor and pines in the south make getting the cam right a bit tough but I usually get them set on the 2nd cam attempt. It is a bit sketch climbing down after dark with the knaider/swaider especially if you stretched the climb out to the max. I have been toying around with one sticking in the off season to see which I like better. Climb time/efficiency seems about the same the stick is lighter if I don't include rappel equipment. Going to use both methods this season.
Click to expand...
I've been kicking this around for a few weeks actually.. I like one sticking alright but if there's a little too much lean I have to fight swinging around the tree and I'm wondering if it's just better to carry the (3) 30" heliums with the aider on the bottom step. Was checking out the wild edge steps with the knaider/swaider method and it seems awesome. One thing I was thinking that if I switch to that, I'm probably still going to repel down. That might address your 'sketchy climbing down in the dark' issue. use a combined tether/repel line and just repel and pull your steps down as you decend.
 
TooheyBirdie said:
I've been kicking this around for a few weeks actually.. I like one sticking alright but if there's a little too much lean I have to fight swinging around the tree and I'm wondering if it's just better to carry the (3) 30" heliums with the aider on the bottom step. Was checking out the wild edge steps with the knaider/swaider method and it seems awesome. One thing I was thinking that if I switch to that, I'm probably still going to repel down. That might address your 'sketchy climbing down in the dark' issue. use a combined tether/repel line and just repel and pull your steps down as you decend.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was planning on bringing the rappel line with me for the steps and see how I like that... though that sort of negates the weight savings of one over the other method. I think the biggest thing about the steps no matter which method: standard step, Cain, k/s is that you have to get the spacing of the steps right and consistent. I think this is a factor to the sketch piece of climbing down in the dark... if I stretched the steps out too far as well as lineman belt management. Using the K/S you have to pay out a bit more line than seems comfortable to allow you to get the knee up to the step... thats another part of the overall fiddle factor.
 
I've use K/S and like it. However I now use a 4 step aider from backwoods mobil gear. I love it. I am 5'9" and easily get 22ft-24 with 4 steps
 
tried them a couple of years ago, used them for a while, didn't like them. Tried them again this past season added the aider..now my go to for mobility and places that are just to much of a pain to carry sticks. Guess time will tell. I became more proficient with the knots. i use the bag they provided as without it those things will tear some stuff up ( like your bag). I tried the wildedge aider and didnt like it. Might have just been me.
 
Using 5 to 7 stepps with a knaider and kydex holster...wasn’t a fan of the swaider and 5 steps and knaidering into the ridge runner gets me close to the magic number of 20 feet or 16ish with ring of stepps/platform
 
Is anybody concerned about deer seeing and spooking away from the WE steps. They seem very prominent to me when I see pictures of them on the tree. The straps I'm talking about in particular- not the steps themselves.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top