Jim stepps the origiinal versions

[Tajue17]

This is about the original versions,  If any of you remember these climbing steps and you did actually use them let me know (if you remember 😀) what your opinion was. 

[Jack Denbow]

If I remember, and it has been a long time, they didn't grip well on a tree with hard bark. I think they gripped better on trees like pine or ash.
Of course, Jim Stepp would probably disagree with me. I met Jim at L.L. Bean's in Freeport, Maine while I was on the way to a bear hunt.

[marsh chicken]

still got mine in the original bag. I think they had their place. It depended where you hunted. When I used my little spirit lock-on and wanted to go compact I used them several times. As I've gotten older and have control of the property I hunt on I use whatever makes it easier on me. I mostly have every stand already set up. I now want to carry as little as possible but at 72 sometimes you don't want to rough it anymore.

[MCNSC]

I used them quite a bit for several years. Liked that I could take the bottom few off , made it harder for someone else to see,  steal or hunt my stands. I got a LW Assault and sticks and quit using the Stepps. Just felt like the sticks were better and easier. Now that I’m older I probably wouldn’t want to use them at all.

[Tajue17]

Thanks for the posts,,, i found in my storage a loc-on stand with 6 jim stepps packaged into the stand and everything was hockey taped to be quiet.  I faintly remember doing that but didnt remember using them but i think i remember trying to tie a stepp on a tree early in the dark and forgot how to tie that knot.   I then found 3 more full jim stepp bags so i got alot of these but i wondered about exactly what someone mentioned above using two or three on a tree then removing them and hiding in the woods.

Back then i moved on to lone wolf assaults with sticks it was more practical and still is for those pine trees with all the branches you cant really cut because of
Sap. 

I just got curious after seeing them and wondered if anyone still used them. 

[toddster]

I have a set of Jim's original one's and have set from "Wild Edge" which took over when Jim retired.  I used them quite a lot with a Loc On Spirit treestand, as all of my hunting is public and go deep.  They worked really well for me.  I did find had to pay attention little more with hard bark tree's, but once set, they was there.  I never had an issue with them and the "hitch" worked great ever time for getting them rock solid. 

[Roger9070]

Although I don't use them myself, I know a few people are using them and really like them.  My one buddy added aiders to his and can get up to 16 or 18 feet with three of them.  They are strong, lightweight, and packable. 

[Tajue17]

Thats the stuff i want to hear!  Ask your buddy about the main rope and dud he ever change to a different material or are the originals still fine AND did they develop  any rough surface helping them grab better? 

Way back Years ago i wondered if hockey tape wrapped tightly around the 1st 18" of that poly rope would help it not slide as much. 

[Roger9070]

Sorry for the late response, but I had to reach out to my buddies who are running the WE steps and get their input.  First, no one has used anything but the ropes that came with the steps from WE.  My one buddy who is very knowledgeable about Amsteel said that it doesn't stretch, so he wouldn't use it on the WE steps.  I agree with this because when I spoke with Andrew from WE, he said the ropes helped the camming action of the steps. 

Everyone I talked with has zero issues with them and is very satisfied with their performance in the field.  One of the guys also uses his steps with a knaider and swaider and has little bumps of JB weld on the crossbar for the hook to sit in while he is using his Knaider & Swaider.  The other guys have just put stealth strips on the steps to help quiet them down during transport to the tree.  None of the guys do anything to the ropes except hang them on a tree for a couple of days to stretch them out properly.

If you search on YouTube, there are all kinds of videos on modifying or making holsters for the WE steps.  I think once the ropes are properly stretched out and you can confidently tie the knot to attach them to the tree, these are an excellent option to sticks or screw in steps.

I hope this helps and safe climbing and hunting!

Roger

[Tajue17]

Great info Roger thank you this info

[Roger9070]

I hope it helps you get the best use of your steps!

[Tajue17]

Thank you