Tried to make my first figure 4 trap...

psy-ops

psy-ops

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
Messages
3,164
I was home with my son and we were watching Les Stroud. He made a figure 4 trap and I thought this would be a great activity.

It was not successful. The balance has got to be just right. I am going to try again tomorrow.

My knives worked very well, especially, my CRKT/Crawford Falcon. That is one tought knife I have aso been using it for a paring knife.

Anyone have any tips?

Thanks

Chris
 
You got me. I've never been able to make one work, although I've only tried once or twice and it was a long time ago.
 
I find it easier to make the notch using a small saw like the one on my multi. It keeps the line nice and straight. It's a hit or miss with mine, sometimes they stand, so times they don't.

You just gotta keep practising until you get the balance.
 
As previously mentioned, use a saw to make notches. Also, make your components out of hardwood. You have to constantly check to make sure your parts fit together nicely. When I make them, I try to make the points as fine as possible. This makes the trap trigger more readily.

Here are a couple pics of a couple Figure 4's I made last summer.

med_1156111291-RESIZED_FIGURE_FOUR_.jpg


med_1156112167-RESIZED_KEV_WITH_FIG.jpg
 
K estela, Thanks for the tips. Is the top piece which is at a 45 degree angle flattened out to handle the pressure of the deadfall's weight?

Runningboar, What is a big PITA? I never heard of that.
 
Chrisaloia,

The top piece of the Figure 4 is not flattened but it is thinned out. When properly constructed, the Figure 4 will hold a great deal of weight.

Think about this too. How much weight would be required to kill you if dropped on top of you? You don't need to have a 50 lb. rock to kill a 2 lb animal. Just make sure what it falls on is solid as to deliver all of the impact directly to the animal.

Also, some people say the figure 4 must be placed so the upright will not prevent the weight from falling. However, when placed correctly, the figure 4 "throws" the pieces away from the weight and it isn't an issue. Just make sure not to sink the center piece into the ground.
 
P-I-T-A got it. Thanks.

K Estrella, The center piece is not sunk in the ground, wow!
Thanks again.
 
use a payout (sp?) deadfall trap. it's easier. that figure 4 trap is a toughie. but keep practicing...you'll get it. also, if you really like survival stuff...try making a survival bow. it's a bunch of sticks lashed together...it's actually pretty stout...
 
k_estela said:
As previously mentioned, use a saw to make notches. Also, make your components out of hardwood. You have to constantly check to make sure your parts fit together nicely. When I make them, I try to make the points as fine as possible. This makes the trap trigger more readily.

Here are a couple pics of a couple Figure 4's I made last summer.

med_1156111291-RESIZED_FIGURE_FOUR_.jpg


med_1156112167-RESIZED_KEV_WITH_FIG.jpg
Click to expand...
Chrisaloia, if it did not work for you the first two or three times, its ok. Please don't give-up, its easy if you had, or have some one by your side the first time you make one. I may be wrong, but did you make one, and not able to get it to set up , when you tryed to add the rock or wood? I think if you had, no i know if you had K estela, or my self, or some others on this page with you, this figure 4 would be ready with-in the hour or less. Most of the time, the hard part is setting it all up. not cutting the wood, for the firure 4. By the way K estela, great job on the figure 4s, i like the one with the thick top stick and large rock, thats the way to make a number 4. By the way i like the cool knife in your photo, can you please tell me the brand name. To all, keep up the great work. Your friend at the post, Donald S.
 
TSP, thanks for the support. I will be persisting on this project. It is fun. I have 2 weeks to chill out. I am glad there are good KE posted really good photos and gave me sme great tips.
 
Chrisaloia,

Keep up the good fight. If you need any more advice, don't hesitate to ask. That is what discussion forums like this are here for, to share ideas and help the learning process.

TSP,

The knife in the photo is a Bark River Knife and Tool Fox River. It is my constant woods companion and what I used to carve these traps.
 
My daughter and I practiced at home one day using wooden dowels we bought from Home Depot. This way we could get the mechanics down, before using knotty, crooked wood that you would find outside.

We also used the laundry basket and a dog treat to trap our smallest dog. That was the most fun part. :)

(no animals were harmed in the scenario typed above....)
 
We also used the laundry basket and a dog treat to trap our smallest dog. That was the most fun part. :)
Click to expand...

LOL, I needed a good chuckle this morning:D
Best part is getting the kids involved.:thumbup:
 
Success! Well, at least in building the trap. I guess that is the hardest part. Catching food is another chapter.

I took some pictures. Thanks to everyone. My 3 year old son was a huge help. He saw that I was having a bit of difficulty in setting it. He said, "Do you need help." I said, "Yes" but internally saying, "who is going to help me?" He came over and put his hands on the back part of the figure 4. That was the little touch that was able to stop the leakage of gravity which was able to support the weight of the dead fall.

Good fun!

Next project a bow and drill.
 
chrisaloia said:
Success! Well, at least in building the trap. I guess that is the hardest part. Catching food is another chapter.

I took some pictures. Thanks to everyone. My 3 year old son was a huge help. He saw that I was having a bit of difficulty in setting it. He said, "Do you need help." I said, "Yes" but internally saying, "who is going to help me?" He came over and put his hands on the back part of the figure 4. That was the little touch that was able to stop the leakage of gravity which was able to support the weight of the dead fall. Well, GREAT JOB! the difficulty most of the time is in the set-up. Your friend at the post Donald S.
Click to expand...
 
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