Ruminations On The Trapper Pattern

[Quick Steel]

I enjoy seeing the many knives our members acquire. But I also find it very interesting to learn the opinions, thoughts, and experiences people have about different patterns or even about a particular knife. Kindly join in as your time and interests allow. So here are my ruminations on the Trapper.

I first started collecting knives 10 years ago and quickly got hooked on Case knives, especially their Trapper models. In just a few months my collection of Trappers had reached about two dozen. I suspect that, at some level, I thought I could ultimately collect every Trapper model Case made, at least every newer Trapper. I have read somewhere that many a new collecter is caught on Trappers.

I found the Trapper pattern to be practical. At the time it seemed to me that two blades were ideal. If I found the master blade to be dull, I immediately had a second blade to rely upon. I supposed some people needed more blades but that was not me.

I was happy carrying a Trapper, but I began to experience a gradual uneasiness as it grew on me that Case had no intention of ceasing the production of ever new Trapper models. They churned them out like cola bottles at a bottling plant. The stream was unceasing. I don't know what the Case corporate financial condition was at this time, but I feel sure I relieved them of any indebtedness concerns.

Fortunately for my own financial concerns, I recognized my addiction and began looking around at the wider world of knives. Soon my eyes fell upon a different pattern. The knife was called a Whittler. I felt confident just one or two of these 3 bladed gems would satisfy my needs. Alas, but therein lies a different tale.

[treefarmer]

I may be wishy-washy when it come to a favorite pattern. Some days I carry a large stockman, some days it will be a trapper. I suppose I've used a trapper more over the years than any other pattern starting with the 048 "Slim Trapper" by Case. I find a larger trapper to be almost perfect for anything I do. It is a comfortable pattern with the spay blade usually reserved for special jobs requiring a sharp blade. On the other hand I could brag on a 3 bladed large stockman, knowing how useful the sheepfoot blade is along with the short spay still reserved and the clip for most anything else. Then we can compare the trapper with the moose, another pattern I enjoy. Same blades as the trapper just on opposite ends. I have a 10 dot trapper that I near about wore out the stainless clip trying to keep it sharp. (I was a real sport back in 1970, I bought a new knife and a new F-100 4X4). I was so happy when the "hinge pin" broke so I could justify buying another knife. Since joining up with AAPK I learned about Case's warranty work and had it repaired. Case tuned up the clip blade to where it reminds me of a California Clip when they replaced the broken pin. I do have a soft spot in my heart for trappers but as you can tell it's hard for me to pick a favorite. I'm carrying my Queen #19 Trapper with the real Winterbottom bone right now, so you caught me showing favoritism.
Treefarmer

[Colonel26]

I do like trappers. And after digging around in the knife boxes, evidently more than I thought I did.

The three CASE Trappers were all Christmas gifts the one that’s opened up was my edc for a couple of years, it’s skinned lots of rabbit dinners. The red one that’s closed is the only stainless one I have. I think I’ll leave the old CV one out and put it back in the edc pile.

The wood handled one is a 31048SP XX era that I bought off eBay. The yellow celluloid scales and gassed out and it had a couple spots in the blade and the owner pulled the scales off and sold it. Dale rehandled it fkr me using the original shield with a piece of walnut out of my dad’s stove wood pile.

Next is a 1095 Queen #19.

Then there’s an old bone handled Solingen Sword and Shield. I know nothing about the brand. But it really takes a good edge.

Now just for fun and to throw a monkey wrench into the works here are two WESTERN Boulder bone handled stockman knives that have trapper like blades. The 746 has the full size clip, long spey, and at the other end a punch. The 743 has a long clip, long spey, and at the other end a sheepsfoot. Pretty unique, and in my experience hard to find. They bridge the gap between stockman and trapper.

[ken98k]

You are certainly not alone in you adoration of the trapper pattern. I have a few dozen myself, mostly, but not all made by Case. It is a rare day indeed that I don't have a trapper in my pocket. I love the fact that the trapper comes in so many variations, and has been made by nearly every knife manufacturer for over a hundred years now.
The experts can correct me if I'm mistaken but, I believe the trapper has out-sold all other Case patterns for many years and continues to do so.

[Reverand]

I cannot see a Case Trapper without thinking of my Dad - it is hard to catch him with any other kind of knife! I only have two of them, and he gave them both to me.
I typically carry some other pattern myself, but I do love a good trapper.
Colonial26, those two Westerns are cool! I have not seen one like them before.

[Colonel26]

I cannot see a Case Trapper without thinking of my Dad - it is hard to catch him with any other kind of knife! I only have two of them, and he gave them both to me.
I typically carry some other pattern myself, but I do love a good trapper.
Colonial26, those two Westerns are cool! I have not seen one like them before.

Thank you sir. I had a time rounding them up, hopefully I’ll eventually find better examples, but for now they’ll do.

Here’s an add for the complete 74x set from Western. It took me a few years but I eventually put together the whole set plus the 741 muskrat.

Sorry for the thread drift, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[Old Hunter]

I've never bonded with the Case Trapper (54 pattern) but I seem to have accumulated a number of them - probably due to the fact that model is so often used for special runs - big nice blades for plenty of engraving or other bling. I probably should give a Trapper another try, but I think the Schrade size (between the Case 54 and 07 patterns) is the "right" size for me. Here are the 54 pattern Case Trappers I can remember owning. OH

[jerryd6818]

That's a really nice group Colonel.
.
.
As anyone who has been on AAPK for more than a couple of days knows, I have an affection for the 07 & 07W Mini-Trappers, regardless of brand but mostly Case because they're the ones who make most of them in the most variations (read that handle covers). However, all that said, I do have a few of the 54 full size Case trappers. I also have a Queen that was a Christmas present a few years ago, plus maybe one or two others that I can't draw to mind right now.

This one I won on AAPK in a give away by Garry (Quick Steel) back in 2013. I think it was my first full size trapper.

These are all purchases over the past three years.

And here's the Queen I was talking about.

[Quick Steel]

Jerry, do you recall when you began collecting the Mini-Trappers? And do you have any ideas on what appealed to you about them?

[jerryd6818]

Jerry, do you recall when you began collecting the Mini-Trappers? And do you have any ideas on what appealed to you about them?

I picked up a few in 2017 but in 2018 I went hog wild and that's when the lion's share of my pile was acquired. As for what it was about them that appealed to me, it's something you just can't put your finger on. I just flat liked them. I had a slight affinity for trappers caused by that 54 I won in your give away, so I think you may have planted the seed. I can tell you one thing, the Mini's ticked all my boxes. Middle of the sweet spot for length & girth (not too fat, not too skinny). Middle of my sweet spot for number of blades even though I'm not a big fan of the spey blade. Readily available in a wide variety of covers. That's about the best I can do to answer your question.

[bighomer]

Got a few, along with the barlows and other jacks
( hinged to open on one end ) my second favorite pattern, congress being the favorite. There's not many patterns that I don't care for.

[Quick Steel]

Jerry your answer is fine but you are scaring me. I know my mind is slowing with age but...

"I had a slight affinity for trappers caused by that 54 I won in your give away, so I think you may have planted the seed."

Did I ever have a giveaway? I honestly don't recall it. I am happy you got it if I did, but could it have been someone else? Please advise.

[steve99f]

Not a dedicated fan of the large trapper, the 54 frame. I have a couple that didn't come with the second blade and like them a lot. I lean more towards the slightly smaller "trapper" with the pen blade rather than the spey. Usually called copperheads.

Unfortunately, I am traveling and don't have any knife pics on my work computer. But you all know what a trapper look like anyway. And copperheads.

[Quick Steel]

Steve, no photos needed in this thread, tho always welcome of course, My intent was to focus more on thoughts and experience, or opinions about the pattern such as you provided.

[jerryd6818]

Jerry your answer is fine but you are scaring me. I know my mind is slowing with age but...

"I had a slight affinity for trappers caused by that 54 I won in your give away, so I think you may have planted the seed."

Did I ever have a giveaway? I honestly don't recall it. I am happy you got it if I did, but could it have been someone else? Please advise.

Garry, I understand. I had trouble remembering the last four of my SS# and my phone number today when I called the VA. Sheesh. Now that's scary.

Try this memory jogger ---► viewtopic.php?f=23&t=37100

[Quick Steel]

Thanks for the jog Jerry. I hate to admit it but if it were not for the evidence I would testify under oath I had never done any such thing. Obviously 7years ago I was a more generous person.

[jerryd6818]

Obviously. Well partner, you're not getting it back. It has a good home and here it will stay until I draw my last. I do appreciate the generosity of your old self.

[Quick Steel]

bump