Case Trapper Clips?

onejim · Jan 21, 2018

I really like the Case Trapper pattern, but don't love it.

My case standard trapper is a great knife, and use it often around the house. But due to the size, I'm usually limited to leaving it in the truck or grabbing it periodically for use on weekends. It's just too big for me to carry it in the pocket. I know many do and love it. But for me, my sweet spot for a EDC pocket knife is right around 3.5 inches.

So naturally Case's Mini trapper should be the answer...righ?

Well...

I love the mini trappers size and handle shape. But for some reason that clip just doesn't do it for me.

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I really like the California clip on the standard case trapper, but I don't care for the California clip used on the mini.

If they had made an exact mini version, this knife would probably be one of my favorite knives.

Am I the only one?

I really want to love the knife, but it just doesn't click. I keep grabbing the mini and trying to carry it, giving it chance after chance. But everytime I open it, I'm turned off by the clip blade.

The fit and finish on both of these trappers is top notch. The walk and talk on the mini is great and could easily go head to head with any of my GECs.

Really just wish they made an exact mini version of the standard trapper.

Full disclosure, I have no other trapper....So maybe i just need to try another companies take on the mini trapper.

Thoughts?

Jim

onejim · Jan 21, 2018

Scratch

supratentorial · Jan 21, 2018

I like the mini trapper and the clip blade. I don't like the trapper or spey blade, in general. I find long skinny blades ackward to use. I prefer long blades to be broad rather than skinny. The mini trapper is better balanced and it is easier to use for controlled cuts, in my opinion. The mini trapper with the Wharncliffe secondary is up there on the top of my list of regular production Case knives--well designed and the combination of blade shapes have good utility.

What does "it just doesn't click" mean? Is it something functional? ...or does it just not match with the pattern on your socks?

afishhunter · Jan 21, 2018

Have you considered a belt sheath for the full size trapper? I know CASE makes a flap sheath for it, and possibly an open top, as well.

TrapperMike · Jan 21, 2018

I like the mini trapper also. The clip is not my favorite but I like it better then the clip on my #18 stockman. I have used my mini alot in the past and it is tough. With all that said I am a peanut kind of guy. The peanut might seem on the small size but the clip blade on it is just a little smaller than the mini trappers clip and the peanut gets just as much work done as any other knife. I am talking about carving wood, cutting zip ties, stripping wire and the such. Just my opinion.

mrknife · Jan 21, 2018

i have bought most of case's trapper offerings, single blade, slim line you name it. In the end, I either sold or gave em all away. their clip designs just doesn't do much for me.

bt93 · Jan 21, 2018

I like the clip on the mini trapper myself. I carry a mini trapper w/caplifter so it's the only blade. I just find that slender blade just seems to get the job done. On my SAK, I have to switch between the main spear blade and the small on on differnt tasks, but I find the mini trappers clip up to doing anying the large spear blade can do and it's slender enough that i'm comfortable openning mail and other chores where the main SAK blade is clumsy.

onejim · Jan 21, 2018

Supernatural,

Completely a preference. Plus it doesn't match my socks....which makes two strikes. Dangerously close to the doomed third strike.

As a general rule I don't like heavily clipped clip blade. Again a visual preference primarily.

If I get time later mabe I'll post some pics of other knife examples of clips I like and other California clips I'm not wild about.

Is there a specific use intended for the california clip?

Jim

supratentorial · Jan 21, 2018

onejim said:
Supernatural,

Completely a preference. Plus it doesn't match my socks....which makes two strikes. Dangerously close to the doomed third strike.

As a general rule I don't like heavily clipped clip blade. Again a visual preference primarily.

If I get time later mabe I'll post some pics of other knife examples of clips I like and other California clips I'm not wild about.

Is there a specific use intended for the california clip?

Jim

onejim said:
...My case standard trapper is a great knife

What you called a "standard" trapper is actually not the original standard trapper. The book definition of your knife would be a "light trapper". "Standard" trappers were heavy trappers. Knives like that Case pattern originated sometime after WWI. And mini trappers originated later. Now there are tiny trappers too.

I don't know where the name "California clip" originated. Remington used different letters "A" and "B" to describe some clip blades. They did use "Turkish clip" for a narrow clip but it looks a bit different than the clip from Case.

In general, I suppose skinny blades are more useful than broad blades for skinning small game. Though for that purpose, I would always prefer to use a fixed blade rather than a folding knife ...given the choice.

What's useful varies from chore to chore... Also times change... I think knives as pocket jewelry is becoming much more popular than knives as tools. Maybe knifeless knives will be the next rage after fidget spinners.

JB in SC · Jan 21, 2018

The Case Bose Wharncliffe trapper is a great combination of blades and at 3 5/8" about the perfect EDC size. Keep in mind these knives were meant for processing game and the slim blade is easier to negotiate around bones and tendons.

JJ_Colt45 · Jan 21, 2018

I have bounced back and forth between a large trapper and a mini since I was young ... I have to say I bought a GEC 48 Improved Trapper and it kind of solved that for me ... it gets pocket time and my Case Trappers don't get used much now.

kvaughn · Jan 21, 2018

afishhunter said:
Have you considered a belt sheath for the full size trapper? I know CASE makes a flap sheath for it, and possibly an open top, as well.

I do this when I want to carry my XX full size trapper. A small inconspicuos classy belt sheath.--KV

supratentorial · Jan 21, 2018

Here are some of the clip blade variations from the 1920s that are shown in Levine's Guide.

supratentorial · Jan 21, 2018

Here's an old Cattaraugus peanut with an interesting saber clip.

Ace Rimmer · Jan 21, 2018

I agree on the size of the regular trapper. I have a Rough Rider trapper and have ended up leaving it in my truck as it's just a bit too big for pocket carry. I have a Case Wharncliffe mini trapper that I think is an ideal size, although I agree that the clip blade looks a bit odd. (I'd guess that it was very much designed with slicing in mind.) On mine the Wharncliffe gets the most use. I've decided that I just don't like spey blades as I don't seem to have a use for them. I can get some use out of the short spey blade on a stockman, but not the long one on a trapper. (Well, maybe spreading mayonnaise or something like that.

)

deltaboy · Jan 21, 2018

Get a belt sheath!

onejim · Jan 21, 2018

afishhunter said:
Have you considered a belt sheath for the full size trapper? I know CASE makes a flap sheath for it, and possibly an open top, as well.

I actually have that sheath, but I've never really cared for carrying a folding knife on my belt. I know, picky huh.

TrapperMike said:
I like the mini trapper also. The clip is not my favorite but I like it better then the clip on my #18 stockman. I have used my mini alot in the past and it is tough. With all that said I am a peanut kind of guy. The peanut might seem on the small size but the clip blade on it is just a little smaller than the mini trappers clip and the peanut gets just as much work done as any other knife. I am talking about carving wood, cutting zip ties, stripping wire and the such. Just my opinion.

The 18 is another one I'm not wild about. I have an old 18 my wife gave me that I really want to love, but between the covers and that clip....I just can't get there. It carries tremendous sentimental value....but just not a daily go to knife for me. However, the 032.....now that scratches an itch. And I'm grossly overdue on trying out a 47. But with case's hit or miss qc...I want to handle one before purchasing, and unfortunately finding brick and mortar stores is harder and harder.

bt93 said:
I like the clip on the mini trapper myself. I carry a mini trapper w/caplifter so it's the only blade. I just find that slender blade just seems to get the job done. On my SAK, I have to switch between the main spear blade and the small on on differnt tasks, but I find the mini trappers clip up to doing anying the large spear blade can do and it's slender enough that i'm comfortable openning mail and other chores where the main SAK blade is clumsy.

I love the mini trapper frame and the different cap lifter (compared to gec's) but with the standard mini clip, I'm probably not going to get one any time soon. Key word here is probably. I'd take the caplifter over the long spay any day.

JJ_Colt45 said:
I have bounced back and forth between a large trapper and a mini since I was young ... I have to say I bought a GEC 48 Improved Trapper and it kind of solved that for me ... it gets pocket time and my Case Trappers don't get used much now.

I've never tried the 48. Now I got another to look into.

supratentorial said:
Here are some of the clip blade variations from the 1920s that are shown in Levine's Guide.

Great info!

My favorite clip shown would be the "R clip" (which I think are very close to the 032 pattern and the GEC 66 clips) and the "A clip" (which reminds me of GEC 15 clips).