The Mini TrapPER DIEM -- Your Daily Mini Trapper

[jmh58]

Hi Q..Antique River Log.. Sorry for the blurry pic.. Gotta get a better pic as the wood is really nice.. John

[jerryd6818]

John, I hope this helps a little bit. I need to repost your pictures because I don't have any WOOD.
I'm not a huge fan of wood handles but that one is very elegant.

[jmh58]

THANK YOU jerry!!!! You made that knife look like it looks outside!! Thanks!!! John

[jerryd6818]

Beauty eh? No worries mate.


The only wood I have is the Buck I already posted so I'm going to fall back on Firearms week and post the Chinese Remington that came in yesterday's mail. It came in a clampak and as soon as I took it out, the shield fell out on my desk. I epoxied that critter back in and discovered that there were pin cracks on both sides at the rocker pin. Here she is, in all her "glory"( )

[QTCut5]

jerryd: I was not a fan of wood handled knives either until very recently. I don't know exactly why, though, because ever since I started to really look at wood handles more closely, I'm amazed at the warmth and rich grain of some of the different types of wood. Previously, all the wood handles I ever seemed to see were either Ebony or Cocobolo, neither of which I found particularly interesting...both types just looked kind of dull and plain to me with no real depth or discernible grain that gives other types of wood so much character.

~Q~

[QTCut5]

The only wood I have is the Buck I already posted so I'm going to fall back on Firearms week and post the Chinese Remington that came in yesterday's mail. It came in a clampak and as soon as I took it out, the shield fell out on my desk. I epoxied that critter back in and discovered that there were pin cracks on both sides at the rocker pin. Here she is, in all her "glory"( )

Wow...what a disappointment! Sorry, but I have to admit that I did laugh a bit when I read your post...not laughing at you, just at the absurdity of the whole scene...first the shield falls off then you discover pin cracks in the handle...what next? Did they remember to sharpen the blades? Unbelievable.

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

~Q~ don't get me wrong, I love, love, love wood and have a large compliment of woodworking tools which used to get used a LOT. But, I have an old prejudice against wood handles on knives. Not sure but I think it stems from the jar of 50¢ knives on the counter at gas stations. In my mind wood handles are related to 'cheap knives' and as much as I try, I can't get past that.

[QTCut5]

In my mind wood handles are related to 'cheap knives' and as much as I try, I can't get past that.

Yup, I can totally relate...once an impression is formed in the mind, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to change. I used to feel the same way about all-metal handles...it took discovering the Kershaw LEEK to finally get me to change. But, even still I just naturally tend to dismiss knives with all-metal handles. Once I got over my "Tactical" collecting phase, I no longer even bother to give them a second look.

BTW--The Cherry Wood handle on your Okapi Biltong is pretty nice! But, that metal "saddle" or "stirrup" back-strap design just ruins the look for me, proving once again that old habits/prejudices die hard.

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

BTW--The Cherry Wood handle on your Okapi Biltong is pretty nice! But, that metal "saddle" or "stirrup" back-strap design just ruins the look for me, proving once again that old habits/prejudices die hard.

~Q~

I can see how that would be off-putting to folks but keep in mind the Okapi's are built for function at a price point that the indigenous people of South Africa can (could) afford. I can't help but admire how well they achieved that goal. They are sturdy knives that do the job at hand, well. Closing snap is like the crack of a .22 rifle.

[QTCut5]

DAY 44

If someone were to ask me which Mini Trapper brand I preferred more: Case 07 or Queen 51, I'd have to say it's a toss up. Although, the Queen 51 does have what I consider a better-placed nail pull on the master clip blade--slightly further forward, towards the tip of the blade--which I like and find easier to use because it gives just a bit more opening leverage than the nail pull placement on a Case 07. Other than that (very minor) difference, however, I really like both brands pretty much equally.

Here's my WOOD Handled Mini TrapPER DIEM submission for today: a Queen #51T (the "T" stands for "Trapper," meaning it has a spey blade instead of a pen secondary, which is a model #51, with no "T"...just in case you were wondering). The highly figured wood on this Queen 51T is Birds Eye Maple. Just think...the handle on this knife came from a piece of wood that grew on a tree. The incredible beauty of Nature never ceases to amaze me. And to think that we're literally surrounded by it every second of our life...how often do we "stop to smell the roses" as the popular refrain goes? I would also ask, how often do we take time to appreciate or even notice some of the seemingly more mundane things in Nature, such as a simple twig, a leaf or a cloud in the sky (even the ones that don't resemble the profile of Richard Nixon )? There's beauty all around us all the time, we need only have the eyes to see.

When we do observe and appreciate the beauty of Nature, we are witnessing Truth. For as John Keats said, "Beauty is truth, truth beauty..." (Ode On A Grecian Urn, 1819). On this Sunday morning, I offer this little slice of Beauty and particle of Truth for your contemplation.

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

Tis indeed a beauty.

[loizzojv]

It has taken me two weeks to "catch up" with I this thread, reading in my spare time. I have thoroughly enjoyed this discussion, despite not owning a mini trapper. So, now I'm both excited and sad at the same time: excited to be caught up with current posts, and sad that there aren't 20 more pages to go. Here's to more photos of MT's!

[jerryd6818]

It has taken me two weeks to "catch up" with I this thread, reading in my spare time. I have thoroughly enjoyed this discussion, despite not owning a mini trapper. So, now I'm both excited and sad at the same time: excited to be caught up with current posts, and sad that there aren't 20 more pages to go. Here's to more photos of MT's!

Welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard. Posting pictures isn't difficult (see the Tips & Tricks Forum) how about some pictures of your knives.

[QTCut5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this discussion, despite not owning a mini trapper. So, now I'm both excited and sad at the same time: excited to be caught up with current posts, and sad that there aren't 20 more pages to go. Here's to more photos of MT's!

Here, Here!

Fortunately, you don't have to own something to appreciate its beauty--well, most people don't, anyway...there will always be exceptions such as those poor, unfortunate souls who have a Mini Trapper Monkey with OCD on their back (but, I'm not going to name any names...I think you can probably figure out who they are on your own).

And, you needn't worry about this thread ending any time soon. I can assure you that there are at least 20 more pages of Mini Trapper photos and idle banter to go before we're done here. Hopefully, at some point in the coming pages, we'll start seeing pictures documenting the early stages of your very own personal Mini Trapper addiction.

~Q~

[loizzojv]

Jerry - in honor of this week's theme, here is my mini copperhead with antique river wood finish. It would be considered my EDC. It was a gift when I graduated high school in '97.

[jerryd6818]

The Mini-Copperheads are such a classy little knife. Someone made a great choice for a gift there.
Thanks for posting it.

[QTCut5]

DAY 45

WOOD is such a versatile material, and perhaps more vital to the early development and growth of our country (not to mention the entire world) than any other single natural resource. Civilization owes a great debt to WOOD.

There are so many different types of WOOD, each with its own unique properties and aesthetic appeal. Some WOOD is hard and some is soft. Some WOOD has a deep, rich grain and other WOOD seems to have no discernible grain at all. In the hands of a master woodworker, I believe almost any type of WOOD can be transformed from an otherwise plain or even ugly chunk of splinters & sawdust into a work of fine art.

I'm no expert when it comes to WOOD (or anything else, for that matter), just a silent observer (and occasionally a vocal appreciator) of the myriad beautiful natural elements that continually fill my mind with awe and wonder. Although I am unable to positively identify the specific type of WOOD that makes up the handle on my Mini TrapPER DIEM submission for today, I can still appreciate and admire it, nonetheless. What I do know, however, is that regardless of the type of WOOD, I think you'll agree it sure is pretty: a nice combination of simplicity and elegance.

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

Same wood that's on my Buck but more nicely done.

[QTCut5]

DAY 46

A-TEN-HUT! Company...DOUBLE TIME...MARCH! Because, you guessed it; once again, it's time to play one of our favorite little games on this thread (well, one of my favorites, anyway): "Two-For-Tuesday" (aka "How to subvert the One-Knife-Per-Day Rule and (legally) get away with it!

For today's (double) Mini TrapPER DIEM exhibit, I present this pair of Case 7207s in golden Curly Maple. Not only are they beautiful in their own right (MUCH prettier in person than in photos, I can assure you), there's the added bonus that they satisfy the OCD of the Mini Trapper Monkey on my back's 'riddle' by fitting in perfectly for this specific week (primarily because they're both WOOD handled CASE knives). Anyone able to identify the pattern and solve the OCD Mini Trapper Monkey riddle will most likely win a prize (Apparently, my OCD Monkey really enjoys giving out prizes!)

1989 Case 7207 Curly Maple Mini-Trappers

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

DAY 46
Anyone able to identify the pattern and solve the OCD Mini Trapper Monkey riddle will most likely win a prize (Apparently, my OCD Monkey really enjoys giving out prizes!)


~Q~

This is "National Forest Products Week"
You're diggin' pretty deep there ~Q~. Clever of you my friend.


I want to post something and since I don't have any wood, I'll post this Micarta Mini-T.

It's a stretch but here's how it relates:

• Micarta is a brand name for a fiberglass and epoxy laminate
• Micarta comes in sheets
• Plywood is a name for laminated sheets of wood
• This is wood week and that's as close as I can get

[QTCut5]

DAY 46
Anyone able to identify the pattern and solve the OCD Mini Trapper Monkey riddle will most likely win a prize (Apparently, my OCD Monkey really enjoys giving out prizes!)


~Q~

This is "National Forest Products Week"
You're diggin' pretty deep there ~Q~. Clever of you my friend.]

Ha, the real answer to my OCD Monkey's riddle isn't even half as clever as your answer, jerryd.
(Excuse me while I wipe the egg off my Monkey's face )

It's true that National Forest Products Week is the third week of October; unfortunately, that is not the correct answer to the riddle. But that it is such a good guess, the OCD Mini Trapper Monkey on my back (who loves handing out prizes) is so impressed, he feels you deserve to get an "Honorable Mention" prize anyway for your amazingly clever answer since it's actually a better answer than the real one. (Why didn't I...er...um...I mean..he think of that? Stupid OCD Monkey!)

Well done, jerryd...somehow you've managed to break (or perhaps we should say..."expand & redefine") yet another Mini TrapPER DIEM contest rule and set a yet another precedent for future contests. Are you sure you're not a practicing attorney or member of the Bar Association? ( Because if not, I think you may have missed your true calling!)

The "real answer" to the riddle is still open to anyone else who thinks they can get inside the impossibly twisted yet somehow logically organized mind of my OCD Monkey. Although my OCD Monkey enjoys giving out prizes, these prizes aren't going to win themselves...they must be won/earned fair & square.

All the clues to figuring out the riddle have already been given...all you have to do is review my four previous posts and try to find a connection between 1) This specific week (of this thread); 2) WOOD; 3) Case knives; 4) Chinese people. It should be pretty obvious!

~Q~

[QTCut5]

I want to post something and since I don't have any wood, I'll post this Micarta Mini-T.

It's a stretch but here's how it relates:

• Micarta is a brand name for a fiberglass and epoxy laminate
• Micarta comes in sheets
• Plywood is a name for laminated sheets of wood
• This is wood week and that's as close as I can get

They said it couldn't be done...
BUT, if that line of reasoning doesn't prove you're an attorney, nothing will. Only a lawyer could turn Micarta into WOOD in four steps of twisted logic.

You, my friend, are a genius!

~Q~

[jerryd6818]

Obvious to you but to me...........

[loizzojv]

Here is my answer to the riddle:

This year is the year of the dog in the Chinese calendar. The dog is known for the power associated with the living branch. I'm guessing that October 13 th is the anniversary of a Case knife featuring wood handles.

[QTCut5]

Here is my answer to the riddle:

This year is the year of the dog in the Chinese calendar. The dog is known for the power associated with the living branch. I'm guessing that October 13 th is the anniversary of a Case knife featuring wood handles.

Wow! That is a very creative answer. And while it is true that this is indeed the Year Of The Dog on the Chinese calendar, "the dog [being] known for the power associated with the living branch" is a new one on me. I've never heard that before and have absolutely no idea what that even means! The part about October 13th being the anniversary of a Case knife featuring WOOD handles seems unlikely and would require a fact checker, but not only am I too lazy to bother checking, my suspicion is that it is not even remotely accurate...just a wild guess, as you freely admitted.

Nevertheless, I must admit my OCD Monkey was inexplicably amused and entertained by the sheer creativity of your guess to the riddle and he's insisting you be awarded the Consolation Prize just for being a good sport and participating in the absurdity of Mini Trapper Madness. Apparently, the OCD Mini Trapper Monkey on my back can be remarkably unpredictable and spontaneous at times, which seems totally out of character for him because it seems to defy all sense of order and logic, which are his usual trademarks.

But, be that as it may, despite your answer to the OCD Monkey riddle being completely incorrect...if you send me your address in a PM, I will send you a Consolation Prize that will allow you to officially join the Mini Trapper Tribe.

jerryd: your Honorable Mention Prize (for having a better answer to the riddle than the real one) was mailed off today. I'll send you the USPS tracking number in a PM so you'll know when it arrives (just in case it gets mis-delivered to your neighbor with the AK-47 bump stock by accident).

See how much fun we're having!

~Q~