Looking at Trappers Help!

texbaz · Jan 25, 2015

Been accumulating knives all my Life but, have never owned a 2 bladed Trapper.
Looked on various forum supporter online web pages found a few that have really caught my eye. For some reason unbeknownst to me the one I like the most is nowhere mentioned on this forum and I find it Odd. It's the most recent release of the Queen Ruple Trapper in both Buffalo horn and Stag. This particular knife uses D2 is large 4.25 inches long closed with nickle silver pins, bolsters, and shield. Bang for the Buck it seems like a no brainer yet I find no reference for this knife on the forums. The Other is a earlier production 4.125 closed Schatt and Morgan Keystone Buffalo horn Swaybelly trapper, using their own SS, pictures and description don't say much.
Anyhow the Queen Ruple is what I really find myself going to it seems to be calling me. Sure need some pro's and Con's

Cory Hess · Jan 25, 2015

I've heard nothing but good about the Ruples. If I had the funds right now I'd already have one on it's way to me. The stag looks nice, but that buffalo horn they used is just beautiful.

black mamba · Jan 25, 2015

I'm not familiar with the Ruples, but the standard Queen #19 trapper is one of the best, especially in zebrawood and D2.

The GEC #48 is a quarter inch shorter, but it is a beauty as well.

Cory Hess · Jan 25, 2015

At 4.5" the Bill Ruple trapper is closer to a Mountain Man or #23 than a #19 or #48. I know that the first runs sold out very quickly and they did an additional run. My guess would be that they're not seeing much play here because of their size. This forum tends to favor smaller knives, and you don't see too much talk of the #23 or Mountain Man either.

texbaz · Jan 25, 2015

Cory, I think your thinking is spot on. The big knife is not that favorable amongst pocket carry. I have no problem carrying a larger knife. I was carrying a Northfield #42 Missouri trader stag, I love it but, it's lock has loosend up so bad now, I can shake it back and forth and it sounds like a rattle, it needs to go back to GEC.
The Queen Ruple Buffalo Horn trapper is 4.250 not 4.50 when closed, Same as the GEC Northfield #42.
Should just be a little heavier and still be have the same in pocket size.
thanks .

texbaz · Jan 25, 2015

black mamba said:
I'm not familiar with the Ruples, but the standard Queen #19 trapper is one of the best, especially in zebrawood and D2.

The GEC #48 is a quarter inch shorter, but it is a beauty as well.

Looked at the #19 pretty nice. The longer bolster on the Queen Ruple seems to give a more utilitarian look, might give it hair more blade stability.
thanks

Aias · Jan 25, 2015

Can't speak about the Queen, etc... but I'll second the GEC #42 trappers--I have 2 and they are my favorite knives. Tight construction, great grinds (though I adjusted the angle myself), stout pulls (very)--overall excellent fit and finish...

Some pics:

And a #23 and #73 for good measure:

Cory Hess · Jan 25, 2015

texbaz said:
The Queen Ruple Buffalo Horn trapper is 4.250 not 4.50 when closed, Same as the GEC Northfield #42.

Hmmm, the Queen site has them listed as 4.5".
http://www.queencutlery.com/Bill_Ruple_Burnt_Stag.html

I haven't gotten to witness them in person, so I was just going by the specs that Queen put out. I carry a two bladed #23 every day, and I personally think that the size is ideal.

texbaz · Jan 25, 2015

Cory Hess said:
Hmmm, the Queen site has them listed as 4.5".
http://www.queencutlery.com/Bill_Ruple_Burnt_Stag.html

I haven't gotten to witness them in person, so I was just going by the specs that Queen put out. I carry a two bladed #23 every day, and I personally think that the size is ideal.

Sure enough Queen does list it as 4.50. I was going off of TSA knives spec. actually 2 other sites also list the size at 4.250, my bad sir. they even list the weight at 4.8oz but the spec on queens is 5.6oz
Wonder if the Queen specs where pre-productuon.

texbaz · Jan 25, 2015

Aias said:
Can't speak about the Queen, etc... but I'll second the GEC #42 trappers--I have 2 and they are my favorite knives. Tight construction, great grinds (though I adjusted the angle myself), stout pulls (very)--overall excellent fit and finish...

Some pics:

And a #23 and #73 for good measure:

Some nice looking Trappers, as far as GEC I've looked, they are perfect. Slim pickins as far as selection right now.

Aias · Jan 25, 2015

Thanks--I'm waiting on a new run of #42's... I hope they make more soon. There were some Northwoods recently that were similar in size to the 42's--I think they were called 2 bladed Barlows, but they looked like trappers to me. Check'm out at KSF... they are made by GEC.