TrapperLock

R

rafterp

Joined
Dec 24, 2010
Messages
47
Good morning, I'm Dale. I'm partial to Trappers, and sometimes one-handed opening is beneficial. I've read some negative comments though about liner locks. What are your thoughts on these? Is it that they're not traditional? unhandy? don't work well? weak lock? Just curious about other's thoughts.
 
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Hi Dan and welcome to the forum.As for the trapperlocks,ive had a few and some some worked well and some not so much.They are a good looking knife.They are somewhat traditional kind of like a Russlock i guess.They have certainly been a hit for Case.They must have built 100 variations and so far as far as handle material.
 
Welcome, Dale. Having never owned a Trapperlock I'll leave it to our fine members to fill you in.
(Also, please try the "Search" function as I'm sure you'll find some info from recent threads on the subject as well.)

Generally, the one hand opening knives (thumb studs etc) and liner locks are not perceived as "Traditional" by the standards of this forum though it is clear that the pattern you are referencing is a derivative.

My view on locks is that you're safest if you don't rely on them and use the knife as though it "could" close on your fingers if you don't employ common sense. (Then the lock becomes a handy backup just in case.)

Enjoy your time with us.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'll try the search...I was just trying to start conversation as much as anything else, lol. I've only posted one other time here, but it's my favorite forum on the site. I'll finish reading all the stickies above.
Blues I sure agree about treating it like it'll close...my first serious "bite" was from a little cheap two-bladed jack knife given by my dad. I was trying to cut a slit in a piece of leather for a buddy's baseball glove and that thing folded up right across my middle finger. I thought it was cut plumb off! I still have the first John Primble stockman I bought with my own money when I was 12. I'll have to post a pic...the clip blade looks a good deal different than it did coming out of the factory.
 
Well, we're happy to have you here, Dale and appreciate your thoughts about the forum. Feel free to start up a conversation on our favorite knives anytime. :cool:
 
I've owned a couple of Trapperlocks. When I purchased the first one I had to look over 4 different ones at the store before I found one without blade play. The second one is an amber bone CV blade model, and I bought it off of a well known auction site. The first one had blade play and was sent back. The second one was fine. The biggest problem I've had with mine involved sharpening. The thumb stud on them gets in the way of sharpening, and makes the task very difficult. I agree with the person who suggested that Case should reduce the thumb stud size, as it sticks out way too far. I won't be buying another one, and rarely use the one I have due to the sharpening issue.
 
I absolutely love my Trapperlock.

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It locks up tight, and opens very smoothly. I love using it, and think it is a very attractive knife. I like the old school styling mixed with the liner locking mechanism and thumb stud (the detail work on the thumb stud is equally appealing).

I have the Yellow Boy for now, but will probably add other Trapperlocks to my collection. I would seriously consider giving these as gifts, as they are really nicely done.

Here's my son, whittling on his first stick with my Case CV Yellow Boy Trapperlock:

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OK, I don't have pictures, but I have over 30 Trapperlocks!:eek: I carry one nearly everyday. I have used them to field dress deer, clean small game and fish and I even use one in the kitchen from time to time. BTW, it is better than any resturant's steak knife!;)

Now I don't classify the Trapperlock as a "traditonal" knife, but a traditonal looking knife! If I am not mistaken the blade rotates on a bushing in these knives, not the pin, and there is NO back spring. I find the little bit of blade play on some just allows for an almost drop open blade. I would almost feel ashamed to post pictures of the modifications I made to my EDC TL along side some of the best in the world here!:o

I carry one with John Deere yellow bone scales that I have cut swedges on, and fluted the bolsters. It realy stands out from a stock one! I modified the blade on my son's CV yellow handle, and reduced the button to just a bump, that's all you need to push the blade over the detent that holds it closed. You can also do the best sharpening job by taking the button off. All it takes is a T5 driver. I also use blue locktite on the thumb stud, I have seen them loosen up when carried. I think the Trapperlock is a nice merger of old school+new cool!:D
 
Schrade Old Timer 1940T, What a great knife, mine is just a joy to use, I really like that knife.
 
I hadn't thought about taking the thumbstud off for sharpening. DUH, boy do I feel silly. That's a great idea!! That's why I come to this forum. You guy's are great!
 
Thanks for posting pics! I don't want to get this too far off the Traditional topic, but ever since those assisted-opening "Leeks" came out I've wanted an assisted-opening single blade trapper. I think that infatuation started when I was a little boy watching John Wayne in Big Jake. He threw an auto at Jim Davis and told him to cut down the sheepherder. It just doesn't get any more traditional than John Wayne. Anyway, since we can't carry an auto, I thought a single blade trapper, saber ground with swedges, stag handled, assisted-opener would be the nuts. Really, I am traditional. I don't want to carry something that looks like it ought to be in a commandos pocket. I could still drool over some of their gizmos being put in a traditional set-up. Not being a knife maker, I don't even know if there's room in a traditional handle to do what I'm dreamin' about. So Ok...it's out. I've confessed my fantasy and I'll go back to enjoying all these other traditional slippies that I so love. Take care ya'll!
Dale
 
I dont have one yet,but ill catch him in a trade deal one of these days.They are pretty darn traditional imo.Dont forget Case made lots of fine automatics back in the day.From Clasp and folding hunter size on down.Here are the two i have.A copperlock and a swing guard.
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There is a trapper that while it does not have thumb studs does lock and is more traditional and that is the Canal Street Cutlery Pinch Lock Back. It even comes in D2. There is a relatively recent thread on that knife in this forum.
 
Let me just start out by saying, I only joined to post in this particular thread. You may or may not see me here again. As far as the trapperlocks go, I think it is a great knife. I bought one back in 08 and it has really taken a beating and held up very well. To address the blade play issues was this when they first came out? I am just curious. Maybe they hadn't had all the kinks worked out. I know my thumbstud backed off but I just took it completely out for the time being. It was easy enough to open.

I have 5 of them but only use one. I got a g10 version so cheap off of ebay I couldn't make myself use it. I am only 20 and collect zippos too which are my main passion so like I said, you probably won't see me much. Thank you for listening to my windy first post.
 
The ones I had problems with blade play were all 2009 models I believe. The 2010 model I have now is great.
 
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