offset?

VarminterSpecial

VarminterSpecial

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Are they better than just the regular? What is better #2 or#1.75? or if i can get a better deal on 1.75 would that be alright?
 
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What are you trapping? I use offset traps and I use regular jaws. I honestly don't see much difference. I do laminate all my traps though. I think lamination is one of the best investments you can make. If you do your own welding it's pretty cheap.
 
i keep a few offsets to show when gaining permission.. the main reason why some people won't let you trap their farms is because they worry about someone's dog getting in the trap and having to deal with the issues... i show them the offsets and tell them that if a dog gets hurt it will do minimal paw damage especially as most dogs won't even fight the trap.. i did catch a dog one time and it was in a #3 offset trap... barely a crease across his pad and didn't even break the skin... let him out and he ran off w/o a limp... so, i am not sure if i've answered your post or not, but at least i told you why i use some of them....
 
Offset jaws for canines are all I would ever use. Many reasons but with the size you enquired about you will gain a big advantage of the levers rising higher, which means more spring strength to hold fox and coyotes with.
 
I personaly don't like offset jaws.Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like holding onto that canine by a couple toes.It happens to all of us.
 
Bruce,i have never lost a coyote,fox,or a bobcat that was caught across the pad or knuckles with an offset trap,that i know of.I have held 'big' coyotes,caught by a couple of toes.I pretty much thought the same as you,untill a friend "a former pennsylvanian" moved to Montana and went into some serious trapping.He averages anywhere from 80 to a 150 coyotes a year,and uses 'all' offset traps.The last i heard,he caught 100 this past season.

VarminterSpecial,a good 1-3/4 trap will hold just as good as a #2 trap.The advantage of the #2 trap is jaw spread.The larger the jaw spread,the better the chances the animal will put his foot 'inside of the trap'.I think knowing how an animal is going to approach a trap,and,forcing him to put his foot where you want it,is very important.There are many places where 'i know' i can get away with using a 1-3/4 trap,and thats for coyotes.Getting the animal to put his foot where you want it is the name of the game.I use mostly #3 traps,but many times,i use the 1-3/4.

I actually think the offset is better...Less broken skin and legs,and if they are laminated,you will hold more of the animals that chew there foot...Good luck on whatever you choose,or chose.
 
its a matter of personal preference in the end........

i have both and like them.......

just put some montana specials in the dirt today....i'll have pictures for you guys. haha
 
Offsets have better holding power due to the levers rising higher, that is the purpose. They do not help with foot damage, not the purpose. Like mentioned by many above, laminates greatly reduce foot damage and stiffen the jaws. Best would be both offset and laminated. If you buy a trap with a stamped offset it will have a much wider jaw surface which will reduce foot damage. Good luck
 
Offsets do not have higher levers than non-offset when the jaws are in the "rest position" with no catch ... only when there is a foot caught do the levers of an offset come up a bit higher, but not enough to make a difference. The offsets are stamped from the same smooth jaws of regular traps during production. Originally ... it was believed that the offset eased tension foot, toes or pad ... and in some states like here in Oklahoma ... this theory became law to "appease" the uneducated general public. Now think of it this way ... if you have a pad catch in a trap that has a 1/4" offset ... and the foot is 3/4" thick ... do you really think the critter is going to recognize a 1/4" offset in teh trap? Nope ... the pressure is the same. Which is better? #1-3/4 or #2? That entirely depends on your application, target, personal preference and bedding area.
 
OK trap depends on the size of the offset! It does make a differance when talking around 1/4" offset and how high the levers get over a non offset trap! I have sterlings and they have 1/4" OFFSET AND 99% of the time the levers are 100% locked up, I wouldn't get that with a non offset trap, that trap is at it best holding power with the levers all the way up and locked! Coyote cuffs are the same way. I have caught many coyotes in years past in the old victor 1.75's and I can tell you with a coyotes foot in this trap non offset the lever height is not near what a good coyote trap with a 1/4" offset is, those are just facts. Most offsets as you mentioned are sheared into the jaws and is a poor design, as with some of them older victors you could see the middle had less offset than the edges, things have gotten better with the forged offsets and design changes, but it isn't just an offset, it is the thickness of the jaws that help as well.

This stuff about offset traps loosing toe catches is pure non sense, I have held many coyotes through the years on 2-3 day checks and 20" of chain. With the offset and the wider the better, the toes are held in place and less chance for them to get broken over a traditional jawed trap, add in the weight of the trap, some mud/gumbo build up and I had far more issue with standard jaws and toe catches than I ever had with offset jawed traps.
 
I am not at all doubting you ... but then again ... I don't have $125 per Sterling to try them out, so I will certainly rely on your word about them. What I refer to is mainly "high production" traps ... that most folks will encounter, afford and use. I have also never lost a "Toe Catch" in an offset that I am aware of. I personally prefer offset traps myself ... and since it's state law here in OK to use offsets on any foothold trap with two or more springs ... it makes my choices simple.
 
the sterling coyote trap is not 125 that is the wolf traps, the coyote models are at a 30.00-33.00 ea range and I have had many for years I picked up for around 20.00 used.

I also have great luck with offset 4 coiled bridger 3's as I get a far higher lever on themas well 4 coiled and laminated,.

Utah why would you not want a laminated jaw?
 
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