Questions about the #48 Trappers..

G

george c

Joined
Jan 26, 2013
Messages
66
Hi Folks,

I've been on a knife buying hiatus for a while. Made the mistake? of stopping by a couple of weeks ago....and, yes, ended-up with another knife. For the moment I'm not going to fight the urge to buy another. Which brings me to my questions about the Trappers.

There seem to be two models available: The Improved and the Western.

The Western has a spey blade which I assume rides lower in the frame than the Wharncliffe on the Improved. Is there a big difference in how high they ride? Any of you find the knife uncomfortable when you use the clip on the Improved model?

Are the frames identical? Does the Western have brass liners?

Was there anything actually Improved? Or, was the new name because of the Wharncliffe?

As always, will welcome all comments, thoughts, and suggestions.

Yes, I have my eye on a couple. Dang, got to watch this knife buying. I'm sure you folks will discourage my buying another, won't you?

Thanks.....

Best regards,

George

PS. I read the forum for about an hour and couldn't find the answers. Thanks.....
 
Last edited:
I just bought a 48 and can say that the Wharncliffe doesn't ride up too high over the clip in the closed position. There's just enough room to catch the nail nick on the Wharncliffe. I can't see how the spey would sit that much lower.
When the clip is opened, you can definitely feel the curve of the Wharncliffe in your hand but the trade off is worth the Wharnie blade.
As far as I know, all 48's have the same frame. Named it improved because of the Wharncliffe.
Has brass liners and half stops.
Here's my suggestion.....GET ONE!!!! :D

Correction.....After writing, I took a look at a 48 with a spey blade. The nail nick is on the pile side so the spey blade probably sits as low as the clip. The improved trapper's nail nicks are both on the mark side.
 
Last edited:
If you search GEC's Dealers, you should still find a few of the regular trapper, single blade, and jacks (Diamond Edge aka DE and original run) on the #48 frame besides the improved and western trappers.

I don't believe the #48 to be uncomfortable using either blade in any of the #48 configurations. As for lowest sitting blade while using the clip, it would be in order of lowest to highest: single blade, DE jack, regular jack, regular trapper, western trapper, improved trapper. If using the secondary blade then the #48s with the slim clip will sit lower than those with the big clip.

All have identical frames, or they wouldn't be #48s. All have brass liners except for the SFO single blade Scagel and Northwoods models (I believe).

Improved indicates a wharncliffe blade instead of spey. The same naming convention exists for improved or hawbaker muskrats that have a wharncliffe instead of a spey or second clip.

Other thoughts, I like them a lot and have more than a bunch :D
 
Hi bdev and 2Dead,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all of my questions.

Looked again on Mike's site. And, yes, I noticed the differences between what I'd call the regular Trapper and the other variations.

Anyway, I at first had planned on buying the Blackwood Improved but was considering a Western, also. Ended-up buying the most expensive knife ever (for me).....yes, I have an Abalone version on its way. Dang, thankfully I only have to justify this purchase to my pup.

2Dead, what a collection you have! Yes, before placing my order I looked at all of your photos again. Thanks for posting.

bdev, British cars? A pal in the '60s raced a Mini, somewhat successfully. My first SC was an MGA, also had a TR3 and 2 TR4s....

Again, thanks to both of you. Glad I posted my question as otherwise I'm sure my purchase would have been different. Would most likely have bought one of the other styles.

Regards,

George
 
george c said:
Hi bdev and 2Dead,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all of my questions.

bdev, British cars? A pal in the '60s raced a Mini, somewhat successfully. My first SC was an MGA, also had a TR3 and 2 TR4s....

Regards,

George
Click to expand...

Hi George...yes...two British cars. My avatar is a 1970 Australian Mini and I also have a 1971 MGB. To keep this reply on topic, both cars have a SAK in their toolboxes. ;)
 
Guess it's too late to answer this one since you already got one. I am particularly fond of the "regular" #48 Trapper. shown here in 440C stainless:



I also have one of the improved trappers - same clip blade, but with the Wharncliffe secondary, in 1095. Both are great choices. Those are my only #48s. I like the Jack version as well, but don't own one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top