Trapper Suggestions?

JD Mandrell

JD Mandrell

Joined
Apr 20, 2001
Messages
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We have a Gun & Knife show in my local town this wekend, one agenda for me is a good Trapper, as I don't really have a good one other than a 1970's Queen that belonged to my late father, so I don't carry it for fear of losing it. I am looking for feedback on these brands, or any others that anyone has if not listed.

1. Bulldog
2. Henckels
3. Eye Brand
4. Boker
5. Puma

I have heard some bad things about new Pumas?
 
My experience with the brands listed would probably have me leaning to the Eye Brand, for overall fit, function, and value.
If you are willing to sit "Chilly" and watch eBay......I might suggest you keep watch for a Cripple Creek KnifeWorld 5th Anniversary trapper. Since there were 2,000 of them made, most Cripple Creek collectors already have one or more, so they show up pretty regular-like. They are top notch.... carbon rich blades... and very cool. They are only 3 3/8" closed, 5 3/4" overall....so if you want a full-sized trapper, I guess this probably wouldn't work..... :(
However, if it sounds OK, I've seen them go for less than $90 occasionally.

Just the opinion of a Yankee, of course..... ;)

Bill
 
If you can find a Schrade Tennessee River Trapper, tehy were sellin' 'em till Schrade went under last year.

Great knife, it comes in Amber Bone and Rosewood? I picked up 2 at $17 each, that's a steel and I'm very happy with them, many times I find one of them occupying space in the bottom of my pocket.

As far as your choices I'll put 'em in my order of preference keep in mind this order relates to the older knives these companies made back in the 60's and 70's.

1. Boker
2. Henckels
3. Eye Brand
4. Puma
5. Bulldog
 
Case CV in yellow delrin is worth the money. Particularly if you can hand pick it.
 
Add another vote for the Eye Brand knives, especially if you come across one of the older ones. Their fit and finish is generally good, and if you can hand-pick the one you like, it's all the better.

James
 
brownshoe said:
Case CV in yellow delrin is worth the money. Particularly if you can hand pick it.
Click to expand...

I do plan to look at them and some in Amber Bone, I already have a Stockman and Copperlock in it, but and I hate to say this, but I agree with you, I only buy new Case stuff if I can hand pick it.
 
Never owned a PUMA in my life, but there are a lot of 'em around here raising hell and being shot for it.
I have never seen a BULLDOG knife other than in the SMKW catalog.
The newly issued Henckles and Eye Brand knives have been most impressive in their edge holding abilities and are very nicely put together.

Just the opinion of a South Dakota cowboy you understand...
 
I have an incoming Eye Brand with carbon steel. Not all theirs is carbon steel so you might need to ask questions about the one you want. I don't know the makeup of their stainless.
 
WIL TERRY said:
I have never seen a BULLDOG knife other than in the SMKW catalog.
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The Bulldog 4-1/8" Trapper is a pretty neat animal, and is available in good natural material handles. The engineering is excellent.
bulldog418-ivory.jpg

This is the ivory handled knife. (As in real ivory, not plastic), and it set me back all of $69 last November.

Other handles include Buffalo Horn and Mother of Pearl (both are less expensive than the Ivory handled one).

Carbon steel blades too.

I can't find fault with it. And I am fussy!

Regards
Rod
 
I think the trick is to find one with carbon steel blades. Once you do that, any of these brands are excellent. I really like the Bokers with carbon steel blades. I think they have the best fit and finish of those listed. The Schlieper Eye Brand are also nice and they always have carbon steel blades. I agree with T. Erdelyi's ranking.
 
If you run across them, the 94OT and 96OT trappers in 1095 steel from Schrade are excellent. The brown derlin may not look to fancy, but it grows on you and lasts forever.
 
Of those brands you listed, for current production I would pick Eye Brand first, and Bulldog second.

Again, if you can hand pick a Case amber bone Cr-V, that would be a contender. Also, the Moore Maker, either the bone-handled version (a little expensive) or the buffalo horn version.
 
Rod,
That bulldog looks like a really nice knife. How doee the edge hold up? where did you get it for that price?
 
Beaver said:
Rod,
That bulldog looks like a really nice knife. How doee the edge hold up? where did you get it for that price?
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I have used it a little.... but never needed to sharpen it yet. It is a carbon steel blade, so it should be easy to bring it back up when it needs it.

Where did I get it? ..... Ebay!
Item 2293386525
and looking back on it, it was December... and I was the only person who bid on it!

There are a few sellers with Bulldog knives on Ebay, and the knives all seem to go for realistic prices, despite some of them being in incredibly small production runs. (They all go for much less than Parker's Price Guide by the way).

An ivory handled trapper for $69 ? That just has to be great value at double that price.

Cheers
Rod
 
Well I'm back from the show, and I ended up with 2 trappers, I got a MINT unused older Buck Creek with yellow delrin scales, and I really lucked out on a Schrade 94OT trapper, unused and unsharpened for a great price.
 
The Last Confederate said:
Well I'm back from the show, and I ended up with 2 trappers, I got a MINT unused older Buck Creek with yellow delrin scales, and I really lucked out on a Schrade 94OT trapper, unused and unsharpened for a great price.
Click to expand...

Good job finding the 94OT, let us know what you think after using it a while. I'm betting it becomes your edc.
 
OTguy said:
Good job finding the 94OT, let us know what you think after using it a while. I'm betting it becomes your edc.
Click to expand...

It sure is strong, the backsprings are like a bear trap!

It cost me $17.00, which I think was OK, it is mint, no scratches or nicks on the delrin scales or marks on the blade.

Did schrade discon. this model even before they closed?
 
The Last Confederate said:
It sure is strong, the backsprings are like a bear trap!

It cost me $17.00, which I think was OK, it is mint, no scratches or nicks on the delrin scales or marks on the blade.

Did schrade discon. this model even before they closed?
Click to expand...

17$ for a new one is a deal, a good deal. Schrade had discontinued that model a few years before they closed, but I'm not sure which year.
 
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