offset soft catch traps

[ricardo]

This is just a [what ya think] deal. I seriously think that a offset soft catch trap with maybe a 3/16" or 1/4" offset would make a better live market trap than most , I know that there are some folks that dont fell this way and thats fine [ to each his own] but why is there no such trap out there other than the victor with the bent jaws or they look bent . I dont want this to turn into a big argument ,just some opinions, seems to me that this type of trap would also be more weather friendly I.E. less froze feet, maybe more pullouts? maybe not? let me hear what you think.

[bobwendt]

I think you would lose more than you saved ,via pull outs. that rubber gets damaged in the least and it rolls from underneath. add in an offset above and beyond the off set already there but filled with rubber, and I think it would be the recipe for nightmares. the whole mechanics off the soft catch is a firm catch, not a loose one. but equally tight but weak. i.e. jaws come togather as close as possible, but not overpowered. we know that method works. add in an offset and I see plenty of potential down side and no good upside. my guess is the only reason an offset rubber is even offered is to meet some state requirement made by some totally clueless enforcment personel.

[ricardo]

like my state! I think you are right the rubbers do roll quiet a bit on the victors , but lets say that the rubber used is a LITTLE stiffer and the fastening system is beefed up say a additional plate on the bottom not letting the rubber roll up so much and the offset is only 3/16. I like the victor softcatch but it seems a offset would be a little more pressure friendly on the foot, I think that this is where it will be headed in a few short years anyway, strictly offsets or softcatches. or my knew trap design ,just kidding. there has to be a way to design this new softcatch and get the best out of both, offsets and softcatches. just shooting it out there, nobody ever said I was the sharpest tool in the shed.

[bobwendt]

I think spring strength is the ticket, not off setting. yes a metal strapped bottom would be better, except for the hassles. I `d like to see a sideways "U" instead of 2 strips, carlis( sudden valley), do-able?

[ricardo]

have you used any off the victor offsets [softies] it looks like the jaws are just bent?if they are actually made with a slight offset I may have to swap out all mine softies for these im in a offset state and yes I think that the main deal is spring strenght also but it is hard to find the happy place with it.

[Woodsmoke]

Slim Pedersen has been working on a padded trap with jaws that grip tighter as the animal pulls, but then relaxes as the animal stops pulling. I believe that if he can get it into the manufacturing stage at a reasonable cost, it will be the way to go for live market. Problem is going to be getting it affordable, as it appears to me that it will require a fair amount of hand assembly.

As far as regular softies with an offset, I 2nd what Bob has said - pullout nightmare.

[CoonDuke]

The KB traps could probably be fitted with rubber pads. They compound the pressure as the animal pulls.

[bobwendt]

bryan, I thought the kb`s already did that, maybe eliminating any advantage of rubber at all.

[markymark]

Problem is going to be getting it affordable, as it appears to me that it will require a fair amount of hand assembly.

Maybe if the live guys didn't sell themselves out for a few bucks they could afford any trap they want plus some.

[bobwendt]

isn`t that the trurth! 99% of the sumbees think they are walmart. about what the average hide trapper and adc guy does too.

[trappnman]

It reminds me of the story about the guy that just bought a new pup. "It's a $700 dog" he proudly states "but he let me have it for $200".

I think you know the moral of the story.....

[Woodsmoke]

Bob,

Different design than the KB, but I am interested to see what the KBs will do in the way of foot damage. From looking at the KBs, they appear to function just like a regular coilspring trap except when the animal lunges and then the pressure on the springs/levers is increased. I don't have any so am not 100% on that.

Marky - whether they can afford it or not is not really the issue, it is whether they will spend it. Most trappers are cheap and won't put any more into a trap than absolutely necessary - which is why so many want to use steel jaws for live market, cheaper than re-outfitting.

That said, having seen the design Slim has come up with - if it is JAKE priced or cheaper I will incorporate them into my inventory.

[ricardo]

the kb trap does get tighter with pressure on the chain, that would be a good design in a softie it would allow the trap to relax to just spring pressure when animal not fighting the trap and less pressure on the foot as long as the spring pressure was not to much, resulting in more blood flow to the feet, I think we are on to a space aged trap design would prob get best built trap in jd powers. [lol] I agree with to many pull outs on BIG offset softie.

[jerrym]

ricardo said:

the kb trap does get tighter with pressure on the chain, that would be a good design in a softie it would allow the trap to relax to just spring pressure when animal not fighting the trap and less pressure on the foot as long as the spring pressure was not to much, resulting in more blood flow to the feet, I think we are on to a space aged trap design would prob get best built trap in jd powers. [lol] I agree with to many pull outs on BIG offset softie.

I think I disagree with this Ricardo. The KB still has the pressure of 4 springs on the foot even if it is still laying there. If they fight it, it lays on the pressure even more. This is still way more pressure than the stock 2 coil Vic and helpers (Not that newer 4 coil style with big ole 4 coils from the factory) has. Just my 2 cents. Don't have any KB's but have played with them. Nice trap but not my speed.

[ricardo]

But we are looking at it with what we are using at the moment or have access to now. the rubbers would have to be differant, the jaws ,the plating that would holds the rubbers, spring pressure, if all this got worked out then add 1/8 or 3/16 offset with maybe the tighten as the critter pulls thing it would prob be a design that would hold up to the future regulation changes that we will be facing in the years to come, I do think we will all be looking at trap changes in the future,it sucks butt no doubt we will see if we are lucky enough.

[ricardo]

jerrym, yes it does, Im talking 2 coils or even light 4 coils not the same as the kb they are pretty stought traps im saying lighten the spring tension up and then add all the other good stuff to the design like the tension device when the animals pull and maybe even a small offset rubber jaws ect.......

[bobwendt]

maybe wheelie will come on. he i`lve traps coyotes here and used some kbs last season. seems he was pleased but we never really discussed it. fta7b has a canadian coming to give a live foot snaring ( for `live market) demo at the sept meet. darcy akerton. he goes to australia representing the belisle company to show the aussies how to do it where traps are banned. he himself is a `live trapper in canada also and swears by them. we all may be throwing all our steel and rubber and kb traps in the trash after his demo. I hear there is no comparison cost and damage wise. and darcy knows his stuff. already trappers from all over the u.s are making plans to come to this demo. that`s what a demo should be, state of the art cutting edge knowledge, not who is the present "in man" on the video /convention/story b.s. circuit.

[Freak( Jim V.)]

Bob , the sideways U is already done. Had them lasercut last year. Still have about 300 left. Bill Duke incorporated the U into the new #4 rubberjaw he is selling now.
Amazing what a simple concept but never done.....

[bobwendt]

so when will victor and the rest get with the program? you got any left to fit a #3 victor? thick enopugh metal and wouldn`t even need a bottom nut, just a tap screw and hole on the top only.

[trappnman]

why on earth would the regulations change?

Read the bmps. Use them. The fact that the coon bmps are illconceived and junk, doesn't mean that the canine and other bmps aren't well done. The canine ones are in fact very well done IMHO.

those that "accept" that steel jawed traps should be or will be made illegal, need to remember whose side they are on.