Original Ol'man stand had flat slats that made contact with tree that would slip especially on hard bark trees. Had that happen to me! Also, I had about a foot of bark peel off a pine tree with this stand. Luckily top did not slip and I pulled up bottom part that bark slipped on. Few years later they added more aggressive grips at contact point with tree. Later their was a recall on the pins. Lock nuts were added to the pins. Rust can get inside tubes and cause rust too. Ol'man went out of business and then they came back in business under new ownership with new design. Don't know if old recalls are listed on site? Check recalls under government website or internet periodically to make sure your stands or equipment does not have recalls.