The Mini TrapPER DIEM -- Your Daily Mini Trapper

[QTCut5]

the only one I can find that stretches far enough to fit the current theme is this Case LT207 SS Camo Case Caliber. The Camo handles and Caliber name will just have to do

And they do just fine, jerryd...in fact, I think your Caliber is a perfect fit for the theme. Thanks for posting it.

MerMike: Appreciate the comments and photo as well. Not to derail my own thread, but since everyone else got to show a gun photo, the Mini Trapper Monkey on my back wants to play the old game of Monkey See, Monkey Do again, so I feel compelled to show a gun photo too.

OK...Now drop your guns and let's get back to knives.

~Q~

[treefarmer]

Hey Mike, That's a fine old revolver!
What caliber is your old Colt? Do you still shoot it? And one more question, does the cylinder come out of the frame for ejection?
Treefarmer

[QTCut5]

OK boys and girls, this is the end of week three of the Mini TrapPER DIEM thread. So far we've covered a variety of themes such as "Simply Red", "The Color Wheel" (which was a contest won by renown Mini Trapperist, jerryd), and most recently, "Hunting Season--Opening Day" the complete week's entries (from my collection) of which can be seen in the following photo. Note: the photo includes the Colt Mini T that somehow managed to slip past the "One-Knife-Per-Day" rule based on the controversial Monkey See, Monkey Do precedent heretofore established by the aforementioned contest winner, jerryd (so don't even ask).

Get your cameras out and your Mini Trappers shined and polished, gentlemen, because by special request, NEXT WEEK'S THEME is:

CLASSY AND SASSY!

I, for one, can't wait to see what shows up.

Cheers & Aloha,
~Q~

[QTCut5]

DAY 22

I'd be willing to bet that if you were to ask anyone on AAPK what the Boy Scout Motto is, almost all of them would know it...which may also be true of a significant percentage of the population of the USA, or possibly even the entire world.

BE PREPARED

After all, isn't that essentially the reason anyone carries a knife in the first place...to be prepared for any situation that requires such a tool...especially, but certainly not limited to, emergency situations? Although, I suppose the argument could be made that any time a knife is needed constitutes an emergency of one degree or another...hard to dispute that logic. I mean, when you need to cut something, what else are you going to use, a smart phone knife app? And while it's not recommended, a knife could be used as a screwdriver, but, could the same be said of the reverse? Of course, many people carry knives because the work they do often requires a knife; but, many others who EDC a knife on a regular basis, do so as a matter of routine habit, regardless of whether or not the knife is ever actually used on a daily basis. The main thing about carrying a knife is simply to be prepared...to have one at hand if you should happen to need it (and also because knives are just plain sexy cool ).

As an Eagle Scout, I am a firm believer in being prepared. As a self-diagnosed sufferer of OCD, I am also a firm believer in being prepared (mostly in being prepared to find myself in situations that I feel totally unprepared to deal with. But, that's another topic entirely). So, it's not without a bit of embarrassment that I found myself somewhat unprepared to present a Mini TrapPER DIEM this morning. Actually, the truth is I was prepared (as you can imagine, my OCD caused me to have a complete line up of Mini Trappers all set and ready to show), but at the last minute a special request was made to change this week's theme and that caught me a bit off guard and unprepared with appropriate photos to post. Thankfully, the requested theme is "Classy & Sassy" and I have no shortage of Mini Trappers that qualify for that theme; some of which just happened to have been acquired fairly recently, in fact.

To get things started, I'm going with Classy first and showing this set of VERY Classy Boy Scout Mini Trappers that was given to me as a gift by a VERY classy guy and fellow AAPK member when he read about the recent loss of all my boyhood Boy Scout memorabilia due to mold & mildew earlier in this thread (see DAY EIGHT). I'm pretty sure you can figure out who he is, but if there's any doubt, just look up "Classy" in the dictionary because it will almost certainly have his name listed as the very definition of class (and if it doesn't say Tom "bestgear" Cosgrove, then you're obviously reading the wrong dictionary...probably some fake news, communist version).

Here is the classy Mini Trapper set he sent me, and my Mini TrapPER DIEMs for today:

Now, before anyone gets their undies in a twist by my posting of three different Mini TrapPER DIEMs in apparent flagrant violation of the "One-Knife-Per-Day" rule, allow me to point out that even though it's true there are three different knives, these three knives constitute a set...singular. And, besides, as the Supreme Ruler and rule-maker of this thread, I reserve the right not only to make rules, but also to interpret, re-define, bend and/or even break the rules as I see fit. And this BSA set is so classy, I feel it should be shown together as a single entry...so, I'll allow it.

OK, folks, hopefully you're prepared because now it's your turn to show off your Mini Trappers. What'cha got that's either "classy" or "sassy" or perhaps both?

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

~Q~ I looked up 'Classy' in the dictionary and there were those very same pictures. Very 'Classy' indeed. Good choice.

Keeping in mind that "Classy & Sassy" are defined in the mind of the beer holder, I think this white SparXX fits the Classy description. (It's the contrasting dark red shield that does it for me.)

[QTCut5]

I agree, jerryd...the contrast of the red shield on white scales is a very classy look.

Your post got the Mini Trapper Monkey on my back all riled up to the point that I'm instigating a new rule...or rather amending a current rule. From now on, if someone posts a knife that you also have, you are allowed to post it even if you've already posted one Mini TrapPER DIEM as per the "One-Knife-Per-Day" rule. This shall henceforth be known as the "Monkey See, Monkey Do Amendment" and is effective immediately.

Conveniently...because I just happen to have one that is very similar to jerryd's red shield on white Sparxx (only mine is white jigged bone...but close enough for government work...and piggy-back-riding Mini Trapper Monkeys!)

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

Mmm, daddy like. I'm going to have to keep my eye open for one of those.

[bighomer]

Great knives, love the scouts and I agree the white and red is flat classy and purdy also too.

[QTCut5]

DAY 23

I wonder how many "knife guys" have a special Sunday-Go-To-Meeting knife? I bet a lot do, even those who never step foot inside a church (on Sunday or any other day). And what, exactly, makes a particular knife a SGTM, anyway? Is it required to have some special, possibly spiritual, quality, perhaps? Can a knife even have a "spiritual quality"? And, if so, what would that constitute? I do know from personal experience that a knife can speak to my soul, but does the knife have a soul itself? Saint Thomas Aquinas postulated that even inanimate objects have "souls"...so, the next time someone in church asks you if the pew next to you is "saved," you may wish to enlighten him on this concept of salvation!

Personally, I don't have a SGTM knife. But, if I did, I imagine it would probably have Mother Of Pearl scales. For some reason, that seems like an appropriate handle material (to symbolically represent the archetypal "Pearly Gates" of Heaven, I suppose). Likewise, I would probably avoid carrying a red handled knife to church, especially one with any type of fire or flame motif (for obvious reasons). And, I think I would want a SGTM to be a fairly small, lightweight knife so it wouldn't make a distracting bulge in my pocket that would ruin the tailored line of my Sunday dress slacks.

Another thing to consider when choosing a SGTM knife is what types of cutting tasks it would be expected to perform on the Sabbath (although, technically, I believe one of the Ten Commandments prohibits working on the Sabbath Day...would that apply to a knife as well?) Perhaps appropriate Sunday knife work might include preparing fishes and loaves to feed the congregation following the sermon...in which case you'd probably want a fillet knife with a fish scaler and a serrated bread knife (I think Victorinox probably makes a model with those blades; I would be surprised if they didn't).

Well, enough spurious speculation--no offense or disrespect intended--these are just some idle thoughts of an idle fellow who's just grateful to be alive and surrounded by all the beauty of God's creation on another glorious Sunday morning. But, whatever your personal Sunday-Go-To-Meeting knife may be, I think it goes without saying it definitely should be Classy. For my Mini TrapPER DIEM on this Sunday morning, I present one of the classiest knives in my Mini Trapper collection:

1985 Case IV207 SP SS Elephant Ivory Mini Trapper

~Q~

[royal0014]

Kind of a long-winded feller, ain't he . . . .



Don't mind me Q . . . it take me two hours of huntin' an peckin' to type all that!

[jerryd6818]

Not sayin' nothing. (except I NEED to have one of those done for my pile. That's just scrumpdillyliscious.)

My classy contribution for Sunday, Day 23 is a Tony Bose Collaboration Mini-T from 2013.

[QTCut5]

Kind of a long-winded feller, ain't he . . . .

Oh, Chris...you ain't seen nuthin' yet; the new week of Classy & Sassy has only just begun and I spend practically every second of every day thinking about nothing but knives. I read about knives, I look at and photograph the knives in my collection and I constantly dream about buying more knives. You might even say knives are kind of like my "religion" Although I wouldn't go so far as to say that I worship Mini Trappers, I think my respect and reverence for them is pretty obvious. It may be somewhat of an idle past time, but hopefully, it's not considered idol worship. And, as you have so succinctly observed, I really like to talk about knives...a lot.

Truth be told, I'm surprised (and pleased, too) just to find out that anybody actually ever reads all my esoteric, rambling thoughts on knives...I wonder what that says about you? Perhaps you're a true believer in the cult of knives just as much as me?

jerryd: I believe that Case Tony Bose Collaboration Antique Bone Wharncliffe Mini Trapper is the Ultimate Mini Trapper Holy Grail...either that or the "Golden Calf"...either way, all I know is when I look at that knife I feel as if I need to repent for breaking the tenth commandment...because I most certainly do 'covet' that knife. That one has more class than a military honor guard, and then some. Sweet, classy knife indeed! I can only wish that I could invoke the Monkey See, Monkey Do Amendment right now with one of my own to show, but alas...maybe someday.

~Q~

[QTCut5]

DAY 24

I encountered a bit of a conundrum this morning while thinking about this week's Mini TrapPER DIEM theme: Classy & Sassy. I'm pretty sure I know what it means to be classy, but not quite so clear on the meaning of sassy. My only reference to the word was from my childhood when my parents would tell me not to sass when I would talk back to them or other adults who criticized my behavior or tried to tell me what to do; "Don't sass me, young man, or I'll give you what for!" was something my father would say if I complained about having to do chores when I didn't feel like it.

According to my trusty 1947 Funk & Wagnalls dictionary that I've been using forever, "sassy" means "impertinent", and "impertinent" means, "Rude; impudent. Irrelevant; not to the point. Not suitable or fitting." I guess I must have been an impertinent child, because I didn't like to be bossed around and I had no qualms about standing up for myself and speaking my mind whenever someone tried to control me or make me do something I didn't want to do.

However, a more modern Merriam-Webster dictionary includes additional definitions of the word "sassy" to mean, "Vigorous; lively. Distinctively smart and stylish." And an even more modern Urban dictionary defines "sassy" as "Someone that is just the coolest person ever and uses sarcasm in the coolest and funniest of ways. Most sassy people are very loveable."

My goodness, how words can change meaning over time. Apparently, I was born in the wrong decade; if I had been born ten or twenty years later, instead of being impertinent when I was sassing back sarcastically to my father, I would have been considered vigorous and lively and just the coolest person ever...although somehow I doubt my father would have seen it that way.

So, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure whether this Queen Mini T is more "Classy" or "Sassy". The royal blue scales and Queen Crown shield certainly give it a touch of class. But I don't know what to think about the blade etch. When you've got true class, you don't need to advertise or announce it, doing so just seems a bit tacky or classless to me, perhaps even a bit sassy (the old definition: irrelevant, not suitable or fitting). But, at the same time, I do think this knife is "distinctively smart and stylish"...and possibly just the coolest Mini T ever--which fits the more modern definition of "sassy". So, I guess my Mini TrapPER DIEM for today might be considered both Classy and Sassy at the same time...it just depends on when you were born.

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

I picture "sassy" as a smart, funny, stylish, good looking chickie-poo from the big city. Very confident in her own skin and not afraid to express her opinion.

My 'classy' and 'sassy' for today is this over the top, hot to trot S&M #51 that ~Q~ sent to me. I'm in love with ya baby (the knife, not ~Q~).

[QTCut5]

Monkey See, Monkey Do Amendment in effect.

1991 & 2006 Schatt & Morgan Keystone Series Model #51

~Q~

PS Anybody interested in purchasing one of these, feel free to send me a PM...I'm sure we can work something out.

[jerryd6818]

Wow!! Those are splendiferous.

[Meridian_Mike]

WOW.... I hope you guys don't run out of Mini Trappers.... I am loving this thread!

Jerry, don't be usin' such big words.

Mike

[jerryd6818]

Jerry, don't be usin' such big words.

Mike

Aww, Mike. It's just a way of saying splendid with an exclamation mark. It means "extraordinarily or showily impressive". Don't you think those knives are splendiferous? Now use it in a sentence three times today and you'll have it down pat. i.e. say to your wife, "Sweetie, you look splendiferous today".

[QTCut5]

DAY 25

It's time to play Two-For-Tuesday; Classy & Sassy Edition. Presenting my Mini TrapPER DIEM entries for today: the 1977 Master Cutler Triplets--who flaunt the Two-For-Tuesday rule by introducing a third dimension in truly classy fashion, and allowing yet a fourth knife to join the party....this is a bold move and entirely unprecedented; but, apparently when you've got this much class, you can get away with breaking the rules with impunity.

Pictured alongside the Triplets is their Latin Cousin from 1978, Limitus Producto, showing a classic Sassy style with a pseudo-erudite blade etch inscribed in a fancy script.

Aside from the fact that they were all made by Queen Cutlery in the late 1970s, all measure 3 5/8" closed and all have a clip point master and a spey secondary blade. The one other thing they all have in common is exceptional sartorial taste, clad in quintessentially classy Rogers Bone Scales.

(I tried not to use too many big words, MerMike...I realize they can be confusing and distract from the pertinent subject at hand!)

~Q~

NOTE: Two of the Master Cutler Mini Trappers are available for immediate purchase ($55 each, shipped). Send PM if interested.

[jerryd6818]

DAY 25

~Q~ said I had to post the day if I beat him to the punch. With the time difference, I would guess (hope) he's sleeping right now so here we go for my edition of 'Sassy & Classy' for today. Gotta pull my weight around here in some way.

Whadda ya think? Sassy or Classy or both? Whichever, I think it's a hot motor scooter.

Edit: Looks like ~Q~ wasn't sleeping after all. What timing.

[QTCut5]

Thank you for posting the proper consecutive day out of respect for my OCD, jerryd. Close call on the timing, but, OCD crisis avoided.

This morning's late post was due to an uncooperative, recalcitrant computer that was reluctant to follow orders and allow me to make the Master Cutler Mini TrapPER DIEM post because, as a computer, it (normally) follows the rules, and it was trying to adhere to the Two-For-Tuesday rule and prohibit a four-knife post (apparently, computers can be afflicted with OCD just like humans!)

~Q~

[bighomer]

The Queen knives are 41 years old but the bone looks in the photos to be from a period much earlier, these are, to say the least classy, gorgeous knives and Jerry the Case ain't no slouch either.

[jerryd6818]

Thanks Joe. I got it for the blades and kept it for the handles.

[QTCut5]

~Q~ said I had to post the day if I beat him to the punch. With the time difference, I would guess (hope) he's sleeping right now so here we go for my edition of 'Sassy & Classy' for today. Gotta pull my weight around here in some way

No, I wasn't sleeping, jerryd, but once again your post has disturbed the slumber of something much much worse: your Sky Blue 07W has awakened the Mini Trapper Monkey Kraken on my back and he's insisting I invoke the Monkey See, Monkey Do Amendment yet again...see what you've started!

~Q~

[QTCut5]

DAY 26


My Mini TrapPER DIEM for today is this Hen & Rooster SFO Club Knife from 1984 that's got super classy bones (I really dig the color and the jig) and sassy writing all over it: Classy & Sassy!

~Q~