Case TrapperLock

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Creel

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May 15, 2008
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Hey folks!

I've been carrying a zebra wood trapper in SS steel from Case for the better part of a year now and I must say it's a great knife all in all. I tend to use knives rather than collect them and since this one has worked so well I've seen no real point in replacing it.

Sure, I've bought a few other knives on the side but the Case is what I've been using the most.

However, I've heard some great things about the chestnut bone line in CV and I kinda want to try one out. At first I thought to just get a new Trapper, since I like it fine but then I saw the TrapperLock pattern and got to thinking it would be neat to try something new. The one hand opening feature appeals to me along with the single blade.

What's your opinion on it? Anyone of you own one and how does it measure up to the more traditional patterns?

Any input is most welcome.

Thanks!
 
I'm a big fan of the Case Trapper pattern, and own a number of them myself. Just recently, I picked up my first Trapperlock knife (one of the new Chestnut CV models you were looking at), so my experience with that pattern is limited to that one example.

The knife is basically the same as the regular trapper only without the second (spey) blade. For this reason its a little slimmer and lighter than the regular Trappers but it still feels as good in my hand as the regular model. The larger handle fits my hand well, and I like the long, slim clip blade. The thumb stud alows easy one-handed opening and the linerlock seems solid enough for most uses.

My only real complaint (and its a very subjective one) is that the action of the knife does not feel as... solid as the regular Trapper. I think this is becuase the back spring is not as strong as the regular model. Now since the knife has a locking mechanism, the back spring does not really have to be any stronger than it needs to be to hold the knife closed and it does that just fine. I guess I'm just used to the "walk and talk" of the regular Trappers, and this is very different. It certainly does not seem to negativly effect the function of the knife, and indeed it was probably a deliberate design choice to make it easier to thumb open the blade.

I have also heard some reports that the way the knife is designed, the edge of the blade tends to strike the back spring when closing the knife, thus dulling the edge prematurly. I don't think my knife is doing that and it may just be an isolated problem with some examples. :confused:

Hope that helps!
 
My only concern about the knife, which has kept me from buying one, is the sabre grind on the blade. I like nice, thin blades on my pocket knives, and this one looks pretty stout. I have a few sabre grinds and they're not all that great for actually cutting (slicing, particularly).

-- Sam
 
Thanks for the good info, guys! I'm yet to actually hold the knife in question since I've only been browsing internet stores so the first hand knowledge was exactly what I was looking for.

I hadn't noticed the sabre grind from the pictures I've seen and that may be an issue for me too, since I also favour thin blades. I guess I'll have to look into it more.
 
It seems bizarre that they should opt for sabre grind on this type of a knife. Wonder why?

The Chestnut Bone looks excellent.
 
Again, thanks for the info folks! Kodiak, do you still carry and use it regulary?

With the exception of the sabre grind this knife seems to be exactly what I'm looking for right now. I do however use knives mostly for slicing so I'm kinda worried about that detail. I guess I'll have to order one up and see for myself, if it's too bad I can always reprofile it.
 
Hi. I do carry it on and off. I am thinking of looking up Bruce Bump and see if he can put a flat grind on it. He did another knife for me. I put a clip on mine, it carries a bit better now.

DSC00391.jpg
 
I have been collecting the Trapperlock for several years now because I love this knife!
I carry one nearly everyday and have used it to field dress deer and other wild game for camp chores and general cutting. I have carved turkeys and hams and used them in the kitchen. I also love the saber grind and find no real disadvantage to it, unless you are trying to slice through something very thick and tough.
There is no back spring on this knife! The only thing that holds the blade closed is a little ball detent on the lock spring. After you work this knife a little it will nearly fall open after you pass the detent. I do, however cary mine in a belt pouch to keep the pocket lint and grime out of it.
 
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