Leverage climbing Sticks

I couldn't really find any reviews but if I remember correctly there was a link to a guy who modified some, which totally voids any warranty.

I order'd a set today and hopefully within the next week I will present a review with a video. I spoke with a rep of Ardisam[the maker] and they agreed with what I proposed.

So, lets see how they stand up in a real field test......over the years as UN-NON-ethical hunters enter the realm of us Ethical ones, private land hunting permission has diminished [lawsuits still pending for some I understand] and land leasing being gobbled up; I have resorted to PL, which is okay because I have been doing it for years so the change is not so dramatic.

In lieu of this the ability to enter-setup-hunt-leave with the concept of NO TRACE is ever on my mind.....which prompted the call to Ardisam and the inquiry of their product.

Albeit I do use a loggy climber and the same one for about 15+ years - great product by the way, I always look for those places where I can leave a lock-on and return the next morning, which requires an easy ascent and decent.

So lets see how they test.....and maybe help promote a "good" product....

Thanks Dave.

my intention is not to do any modifications. I have calculated that 4 sticks will average 10'-6" @ a spacing of 22" to 24" between each stick should get me about 18'-8" then with the stand I should be able to get 20' easy.

Of course I can make anything look good on paper. The straps that come w/the sticks can be set to right or left, depending on the user.

In all I think it will be a good review.....

Looking forward to getting the sticks and doing it for others to look at..

Be careful with these sticks.
http://www.bayoubucks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47017

Thanks, got to admit thats the first one i have read where something happened....

The Product spec:
Specifications
*All-aluminum construction with cast seat and platform
*Powder coat Black Sand finish
Height32"
Weight per section2.5 pounds
ConstructionExtruded Aluminum
ColorBlack Sand
Capacity275 pounds

No disrespect, but he did state that he weighs 230lbs, seems he was already stressing the single step. if -when- he was in motion there would have been a moment when ALL his weight would have been on one step..But I am glad that he is okay, and it should still be under warranty.

Definitely a note that harness/belts are safer than none...
thanks again

I went to upload a file but it would not accept my screencast file...?

This morning just after daylight and the clouds rolled out.

46 deg winds of the NW, just after a slight rain most of the night.
Taken from phone so I couldn't get it to zoom in too much...

http://www.screencast.com/t/zGqo8W3Y58

UPDATE:

Leverage tree climbing sticks are produced by Ardisam, which in turn is owned by the infamous "Hunters Edge" "Hunt Rivers Edge". name sound familiar to anyone?

I have been in communication w/them concerning some future modifications of the sticks...they keep telling me that their stands are TMA certified, well thats good to hear but I do not have one of their stands......

I asked for a revised set of straps graciously explaining and identifying some enhancements to the sticks by the improved straps, "but the stands are TMA cerified", thats nice but I didn't buy a stand.......

Hi Dave,
Wondering if you have used the modified laverage sticks with cam cleats on any hunts and what you think? I have the lone wolf sticks and am going to try the rope attach conversion and keep the versa buttons. I attached a video of what i am talking about. I am wondering about you cam cleats though.

buckle less lone wolf sticks

I just posted that video above, as it was referenced by Miller-TD#2. I am going to field test these sticks, to see how I like using them with the Web. The cam cleat looks like a great idea.

Hello Dave,

are u going to field test the Leverage sticks or the LW sticks?

The leverage sticks need some improvements, but I do not think that they [Ardisam] like my ideas, as coming from a hunter. I can tell them where they need some modifications, but somehow I do not think it matters. As for modifications I am going to make some but not to the extent that it voids the warranty, since they are new.

I loaned them to some friends and they are using them and so far we are in agreement as to what coiuld be changed to better them for "hunter useability" , this makes a big difference.....

I got the chance to try them out yesterday, as I wanted to compare them to just using the strap. Here are my thoughts:

1- Overall I like them, but there is much room for improvement. I suppose this is the best they could come up with to have the weight & price that they have.

2- Obviously heavier than the strap, but they are oubviously quicker too. That was my experience anyway.

3- I do very much like th packability/stacking of the sticks. I put 4 sticks inside my Guido's Web, tripod, 2 sets of clothes, cameras and it closes with no problem. This is probably my favorite feature.

4- Foot pegs are a bit small, but that goes back to weight/price. I am definitely going to heavily spray the foot pegs with the rhino liner in a can, to give them better traction. When these are wet, rubber boots can easily slip on them.

5- At 6ft 235, I've not too much room on these sticks. My experience was that the sticks bite solidly into the tree, and stayed there. The straps groaned a bit under my initial weight, but everything held solid.
That stinkin snap hook, I bet you guys heard me here in WV snappin them on yesterday morning, lol (not) ! The rope cinch idea seem appealing, I'm researching it.

With all factors being considered, I give these sticks a "B". They aren't the best, but they seem safe/durable, and they work. That's all I need. I will apply traction spray to the steps, and camo them up.

Thanks Dave for the input, on many points I tend to agree, albeit i think that my 185lbs does make a difference when getting them to 'lock' down again the tree. I noticed that mine always seemed to become 'loose' and that on the way down when I step in the middle of the top step they would slide down some.

-as for the strap I did put in a 'needs improvement' to the HR @Ardisam, but the reply was as I posted earlier - they are TMA certified--->? Since this stands for "treestand makers of america" I questioned how they can be a treestand.......getting back to the strap - it has to go. The hook is like banging a drum in the woods.

I am looking more to the 'versa-button' or the like for a modification and cutting the hook out. The other end of the strap has a good size loop which should fit nicely.

The stacking and strapping together are adequate, I use something similar to the carry strap as shown on the one video showing the LW being used......

They do carry nicely strapped to my Loggy's, but - still quit cumbersome. I loaned them out and the responses I got back were fairly similar to what we have written.

One thing I did notice is that when I used a smaller tree they were easier to handle and strap down, the rating is given in the paperwork is as 8"-20" diameter tree, but I can see by your pic that you used a much bigger tree as I do as well, I want the tree to cover me shoulder to shoulder, which made it a little hard to reach around and grab the other end of the strap, thus also making the drum sound when having to use two hands to strap[hooking bangging] it down.....thus the modification to something like the 'versa-button'.

Okay well that should suffice for now.......

Versa-button options:

Since versa-button is a lonewolf product, here is what I was thinking along the lines of

http://www.reidsupply.com/sku/JCL-5/

you will note that the hole/thread matches the same 1/4-20 of the bracket strap holder, so i think that it will suffice.......once tightened down it should keep the verticle position...

have some on order as we speak....

here is the second option, since a bolt will go all the way thru:

http://www.reidsupply.com/sku/KLK-25/

You know that's funny, cause I was thinkin the same thing earlier today. Out of the box they stack very flat. Those things gonna go on top or side?

Dave Mullins wrote:You know that's funny, cause I was thinkin the same thing earlier today. Out of the box they stack very flat. Those things gonna go on top or side?

they will replace the existing bracket strap holder part #3 from the paperwork. I may need to get a longer 1/4-20 grade8bolt. There is no need to drill a new hole just use the existing. Of course you will need to cut the hook to remove it or if you would rather save the hook, cut the threads and go to a seamstress for some strong stitch work....to replace the cut threads.

Then attach the knob w/the hooked[removed] end to the stick, the function should simulate the same as the LW...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3clPFGAwB3s

my carrying strap is similar, basically a backstrap made by Allen...

Hope this helps.

@@Dave, what were you thinking/?

I'm presently sleep deprived, and will be a walking zombie by the end of this week. I need pics, I'm not gettin it. Sorry (not much for the next week)

ok, when I got them I will take some pics...go to bed, you will be a safer hunter for it.......

Hey Dave do you still like the climbing strap method over everthing else you have tried? My Web is supposed to be in the week before Thanksgiving just in time from my 9 day break from work! I really want to maximize this time to hunt since the rut should be in full swing. I have 4 light weight climbing sticks made out of aluminum. I have forgotten the name of them but I have had them for about 4 years and they still work great. What would you recommend that I do since I won't have much time to practice with the Web?

I noticed that the local archery shop had replacement LW versa buttons. Could you buy them and put them on the leverage or is ther a difference in size.

Last Arrow,

Actually i just put some on the Lverage sticks i have. they do make the stacking a little different since the versa-button stands a little taller. make sure that when you order them you make it clear 'sticks' and not treestand - the salesrep did specify there was a height difference.....

Hopefully tomarrow I can upload a few pics that show them. It will be too dark in the am for the pic but as the morning opens i should be able to snap a few.

The trail cam is snapping three does crossing the creek about 7-7:30 am so if'n i get up and do not clip the snooze i should make it.

until then....

Leverage stick hanging on the tree using the versa-button

IMG-20121209-00124

laying on the ground ready to stack

IMG-20121209-00125

stacked and strapped together:

IMG-20121209-00126

Thanks Miller, looks like the versa-buttons worked well, where the holes the right diameter?

I didnt' use the hardware that came with the button, if you look at the first pic of it hanging on the tree I used a grade 8 bolt, I think that it was 1.5", but measure just to be sure, it may have been 1.25"...

I cut the threads that had the clip hook and then used the smaller end opposite the clipped hooked end, this allowed to use the larger loop from the slide clasp. take a good look at the first pic, you should be able to do 'full image'.

I stood on the very top section of the tube - not the folding steps - and sorta bounce on the tube, it gripped and held in place and then check the bolt for bends and the button for cracks - so far so good.

I climbed the tree.....using all four sticks. I usually average 25' easy.

[Here's another video, from this post:

http://www.publiclandbowhunters.com/t2113-miller-td2 ]

hope this helps....