Great advice. Though I don't use them myself due to the public land constraints I have a few buddies that use them on private land. I will pass on your advice.

I agree, they are junk. I had one break on me this weekend while taking my friends stand down. Luckily it was the first step off the ground. I stick to my climber.

Had it happen to me twice as well. When putting them in and taking them out. Used a nail to replace the rivet to get the rest of the screw back out of the tree. Definitely need to be careful.

Last week my cousin had a misshap with the screw in steps and it cost him 35 stitches when he fell into the next step. His safety harness caught him before anything else happened though.

I've used the same set of folding, screw-ins for more than 20 years with no problems. I love the ease of carrying them in a pouch I made for them that fit on the front part of my fanny pack, but the stories like this are making me reconsider my use of them.

How do you carry the other ones without making noise?