• 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 vs Climbing Sticks

enkriss

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Sep 13, 2018
6,115
8,965
113
42
Way to much fiddle factor with the wild edge for me. If you don’t plan on using Knaider/Swaider/aider of some sort it’s double attachments you need to make on the tree. Also, the wild edge loosen up on some trees if you are not careful. Tried climbing a softer bark tree once and had a few sink in and kick out on me.

I would recommend climbing sticks over the wei any day of the week.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crockett Hollow

ThePennsylvanian

Well-Known Member
Feb 13, 2019
991
1,395
93
37
Western Pennsylvania
I think that it depends on your style. I like compact, tight simple setups. Both are great options for this, but I went with the WEsteps for two simple reasons: they're more compact, and they have no moving parts.
The steps are not better or worse, it's just a matter of your style preference and your tolerances!

Sent from my SM-G892U using Tapatalk
 

Smokinya1

Active Member
Jul 11, 2016
119
60
28
54
Shelby Al.
LOCATION
Shelby Al.
I made the switch to Wild edge stepps last year and it was worth the learning curve. I only use 4 stepps and just the swaider to get to hunting height and the packing up and carrying is 100 percent better! Before I was using 4 of the 17in Leverage sticks
 
  • Like
Reactions: AdamDSmith

patriotoutlaw

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2017
382
309
63
61
Missouri
I use both. If I am not sure of my destination, I prefer to carry the steps. I use "The Cain Method" for climbing. The learning curve with the sticks is much shorter. Stock sticks are kind of bulky to carry, compared to WE Stepps.
 

Bigolbaddy

New Member
Oct 24, 2018
19
8
3
49
I personally felt that dealing with 3 lines on the tree was simpler than 5 or 6. So I modified my Helium’s to cut weight and profile and added and aider to get even higher than I could previously. I use a button and the setup is FAST.
9b1f0e07651d9714b738872c44f46054.jpg
5d538e650273d8022c280edd9f047f9f.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: noxninja

cb750

Well-Known Member
Nov 18, 2017
1,040
682
113
SWO
There are a ton of threads on here related to this topic of you want more in depth info. I personally have modified lone wolfs and love them. I have on occasion found spots where I thought a step maybe better. I have debated going in with my 4 sticks and 2 WE steps for more versatility. Specifically where the tree you want has a bit of a gnarly shape to it. Not owning any steps I have no experience to know if the extra versatility is really a thing or just in my mind. They could double as a platform as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: swedin75

noxninja

Well-Known Member
Dec 21, 2015
1,388
748
113
I never have used WEI and rarely use sticks but when I do I have modded some sticks by shortening them down and adding an aider. I don't think I would like all the tying and camming for the WEI, but to each his/her own.
 

Scott F

Well-Known Member
Feb 15, 2015
766
655
93
Tampa, Florida
LOCATION
Tampa, Florida
Anyone who like using sticks more that WEI steps send me a PM and I'll take your temptation to return to the stepps away from you. Right now I only have (2x) steps and used them as a platform. Love them for this. I am (was) a very loyal LW sticks fan until I moved to Tampa and have to hunt public land in Florida. Having hunted in NC, SC, OK, VA, OH and a couple other states there is nothing like the catch-me vines and underbrush of these Florida swamps.

I'm thinking of selling my 34" ATA bow for a shorter one because my current bow is maybe too long...

On a serious note, the marginally longer time spent installing some WEI steps will be more than worth the effort of getting back to where the deer live in a predictably quiet manner.
 

Silvio

Well-Known Member
May 6, 2019
951
1,732
93
67
Grand Blanc MI
YAHOO
silvio26@yahoo.com
Undecided what route I want to use in my saddle setup this year. Which do you guys prefer and why?
The Wild Edge (Jim Stepp) steps are the most compact lite weight climbing method. There is a little learning curve to them but I like the fact I have no noticable weight on my back. When you carry sticks you have to take precautions to reduce noise from rubbing on brush and tree branches. Lots of exposed metal to accidentally make unwanted noise. Its personal preference, but I can tell you that when the WE steps go on sale here they are sold in minutes...Well common sense would tell you guys must like them. My advise, go to a saddlehunter rendezvous and try out every climbing method and ask plenty of questions. Seasoned saddlehunters who attends these events are there to help you out
Good Luck
May The Magic of The Whitetail Forever Enrich Your Life
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigAl

DannyAttacksTheMountain

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2018
714
437
63
46
I tried the WE steps and just couldn’t get comfortable with them. Had issues getting them to always cam properly. The modified Hawk Helium’s are my go to


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

kyler1945

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 4, 2016
6,921
13,745
113
38
Willis, TX
LOCATION
Willis, TX
I bought stepps from Jim about 10 years ago or so. Used them very little early on due to fiddle factor. When I switched to saddle hunting, fitting everything in a backpack became an imperative. I tried the stepps out again, and find them easy as pie now. I’ve used sticks exactly once in the last 3 seasons.

I use bolts a fair amount now, but if I’m not using them, it’s 4-8 stepps depending on how I’m climbing and what saddle I’m using.

I can’t stand packing sticks as much as other folks can’t stand camming stepps.

Buy both used, use them alternating for a season. You’ll know what’s best for you at end of a season, maybe two. Then sell the loser and you’re out 20.00 for shipping.
 

boyne bowhunter

Moderator
Staff member
SH Member
Aug 17, 2016
7,597
20,322
113
61
NW Michigan
I use the single stick climbing method 95% of the time using a shortened Hawk Helium with a short aider attached to the bottom standoff. I like the fact that the shortened stick is light, packs in my pack and doesn't rattle on the brush as I walk through. For me and the areas I'm hunting this method is the easiest, generally most versatile method to climb most any tree from 6" to 2' in diameter even if I have to go around limbs.

Edit: If I'm not single sticking I'm using the WE Stepps using a modified Cain's method to increase the spacing without needing a long aider.
 

Ontariofarmer

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Dec 25, 2015
5,258
5,098
113
I use the single stick climbing method 95% of the time using a shortened Hawk Helium with a short aider attached to the bottom standoff. I like the fact that the shortened stick is light, packs in my pack and doesn't rattle on the brush as I walk through. For me and the areas I'm hunting this method is the easiest, generally most versatile method to climb most any tree from 6" to 2' in diameter even if I have to go around limbs.

Edit: If I'm not single sticking I'm using the WE Stepps using a modified Cain's method to increase the spacing without needing a long aider.
Another benefit. Less metal to handle and pack up and carry and very fast and easy to attach
 
  • Like
Reactions: boyne bowhunter