Trappers....Form or Function?

blades&grace

blades&grace

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Dec 22, 2005
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Please forgive my ignorance if I am misinformed.

I have always thought that Trapper style folders were made with two distinctive blade patterns to help in the specific tasks of cleaning and skinning animals. Hence the name.

I have noticed from time to time that some single blade knives are being referred to as Trappers. My question is.......Is it the shape of the knife (clip point blade and Remington Bullet style handle) that makes it a Trapper or the dual blade configuration?

Maybe it's both! I'm interested in your thoughts.

If this has been asked before sorry :o
 
A trapper is a jacknife with two specific full length blades
The master,a clip,secondary,a long spey

Then,there are different types of trappers
This info is from Bernard Levines guide IV

Pretty sure,a single trapper,is just a style of a jack
Hope that helps,
-Vince
 
Brent, when folks refer to single blade trappers they are going by the frame as I'm sure you already know. (Just as a serpentine stockman style frame can be used for stock knives, muskrats, moose/texas jacks, premium jacks and even single bladed knives.)

The classic "Trapper" pattern is as described by Vince above and is built on a swell center regular jack frame.
 
Thanks Vince,

I'm still a little confused. A trapper can come in all shapes and sizes as long as it has two full length blades (clip and spey) on the same end....right? So how can a single blade Jack be called a Trapper unless handle shape plays a part?

I'm not trying to be difficult. Just trying to get it through my thick skull. :)
 
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Thanks Elliott,

You posted that just as I was reponding to Vince :thumbup:

Brent, when folks refer to single blade trappers they are going by the frame as I'm sure you already know.
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I really didn't know that :eek:
 
blades&grace said:
Thanks Vince,

I'm still a little confused. A trapper can come in all shapes and sizes as long as it has two full length blades (clip and spey) on the same end....right? So how can a single blade Jack be called a Trapper unless handle shape plays a part?

I'm not trying to be difficult. Just trying to get it through my think skull. :)
Click to expand...

Brent,
You can get dizzy,talking knife names,patterns,lol.But in the Levine IV,it says the trappers with one blade at each end,is a "Double end trapper" & a variant,a "Muskrat"
But then,the Texas Jack,is under "jacks"
round n round,we go

I think a single blade trapper,is just that,if the handle is like the trapper & not a jack style (ie,straight jack,dog leg,etc) But,this term,single trapper,is just a modern knife thing
In his guide ,it has the single trappers,pretty much lumped in,as a jack
You gotta get that book,its great!!
-Vince
 
A trapper will be recognized by the 2 blades, but also by the shape of the frame. A slim line trapper frame is pretty recognizable as well. I think once the term "Trapper" was familiar amongst the culture, designating a "single blade Trapper" was not too difficult to swallow. The classic trapper frame is what makes a trapper a trapper. The variable is # of blades. Hope this helps, (and I hope I am accurate).
 
BTW,What I just typed there,to explain....Well,Elliott,:thumbup:, can do it better,I get confused,easy
To interpret a trapper,in Italian American,it goes like this...
Yo...skin the deer,use the spey blade,you momo...
Aaaye,fillet the fish,use the clip,fougheddaboudit...

That's a trapper
-Vince
 
Canal St. makes a single blade called a half moon trapper. Again, I think it's the frame thing. To me a trapper has a clip and long spey.
 
blades&grace said:
Thanks Vince, It's on my Christmas list......to bad I've not been nice:D
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Yo,make me one of those knives you do,with the stag,not too big..I'll send you mine :thumbup:
-Vince
 
Yo,make me one of those knives you do,with the stag,not too big..I'll send you mine
Click to expand...

I can't find the time to get'em done fast enough making them for $$$ let alone making them for books! ;)

If I should edit this let me know Elliott!

I don't want to use this post for trading!
 
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blades&grace said:
I can't find the time to get'em done fast enough make'em for $$$ let a lone making them for books! ;)

If I should edit this let me know Elliott!
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Well,I'll say this Brent.you've made & posted,quite a few gorgeous knives :thumbup:,only then,to ask,what they are called :D
I think 99.9% of the modern day knife person,will look at the single blade variant & call it,a trapper,even with a warncliffe blade
Never once,a curved jack,slim jack,or crooked jack
-Vince
 
blades&grace said:
I can't find the time to get'em done fast enough making them for $$$ let alone making them for books! ;)

If I should edit this let me know Elliott!
Click to expand...

Vince is just havin' a little fun with you, Brent...:cool:
 
Well,I'll say this Brent.you've made & posted,quite a few gorgous knives ,only then,to ask,what they are called
I think 99.9% of the modern day knife person,will look at the single blade variant & call it,a trapper,even with a warncliffe blade
Never once,a curved jack,slim jack,or crooked jack
Click to expand...

I only make them.....as for the name.... I've been trying to figure that out for a while! But now I won't feel bad calling them Trappers!
 
blades&grace said:
I only make them.....as for the name.... I've been trying to figure that out for a while! But now I won't feel bad calling them Trappers!
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Your trappers are lookin' good,too,Brent Keep up the awesome job :thumbup:

Rick Menefee has one,he calls a "front pocket",and a "NY special",too
I think Kerry Hampton has one he calls a "sexy trapper"

You could name your own,if you'd like How 'bout the "Indiana pocket Hunter" ?
-Vince
 
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