Figure 4 or Modified Figre 4....which trap is best ?

[pitdog]

I was out with fellow forum member Satsumatengu today and among the things we talked about was figure 4 traps.
I'll be honest we both pretty much sucked today at trap making but much of this was down to my dogs wanting to play with every stick we touched and also down to time restraints.

I've nearly always used modified figure 4 traps, I find these easier to make, easier to set and easier to make more sensitive, YMMV !

For those who aren't too familiar with the modified ones here is a video that shows them much better than I ever could~

http://vimeo.com/2700766

This was ST today making a traditional figure 4 using his Mora 2000 ( Even the pics I took today sucked !!!) ~

And a pic of his Mora 2000 next to my Breeden Woody for those who are interested ~

Here's a tiny modified fig 4 I made a while back for fun !

So which is your favourite, traditional or modified ?

 

[dayhiker1968]

Since I only make them for relaxation I build traditional.

All carving done with the little Wetterlings in the foreground.

 

[Wandering_About]

Conibear

 

[bearthedog]

Pit, first of all I always like your posts.

I do prefer the traditional method, but more out of laziness and that I’ve made about 100 the same way.
Just saying, usually the figure four is best served made from green wood as dry wood can and will break under a lot of weight, espcially when set up overnight.
Good post.

-RB

 

[pitdog]

Pit, first of all I always like your posts.

I do prefer the traditional method, but more out of laziness and that I’ve made about 100 the same way.
Just saying, usually the figure four is best served made from green wood as dry wood can and will break under a lot of weight, espcially when set up overnight.
Good post.

-RB

Thanks buddy, I guess it really comes down to which you have the most experience with eh !
I did find another video from the Bushcraft master himself showing the modified version ~

[youtube]GvRR5MTBBQI[/youtube]

 

[mykel m]

I made my first Memorial Day weekend,a traditional & it was a pain to set.
I like the looks of the modified & will be trying it soon.

 

[mykel m]

Pit, first of all I always like your posts.

I do prefer the traditional method, but more out of laziness and that I’ve made about 100 the same way.
Just saying, usually the figure four is best served made from green wood as dry wood can and will break under a lot of weight, espcially when set up overnight.
Good post.

-RB

Hey Bear,how do you get the round log to stay up,flatten the end on the ground?

 

[bearthedog]

Hey Bear,how do you get the round log to stay up,flatten the end on the ground?

This is one way, but usually just have to searcg for the balance point, which can suck!

I don’t like this example of the trap because the guy who made it set up the deadfall about 8 inches too far under the trap.

Here there isn't anything holding it in place and it is high enough up so it will give a good amount of weight when coming down.

-RB

 

[coote]

That is a very useful video.

I don't think I've ever made a modified figure-4 exactly as shown. But I have carved away the vertical stick just below the point where it mates with the bait stick so that a downwards movement of the bait stick will set the trap off.

The point made in the video about keeping the diagonal stick more vertical is a good one. If this is done, and the portion of the diagonal stick that is forward of the vertical stick is kept short, then there is less force transmitted back through the trigger. This means that there should be less friction on the mating surfaces and the trigger should become smoother in its operation and more sensitive.

Here's a diagram that might explain what I'm getting at:

Trigger sensitivity is important to me because my main targets are mice.

Another thing I do is to put a split in the end of the bait stick. Bait is forced into the stick so that the mice have to work hard to extract the last bits... and hopefully the trap drops long before this happens.

Thanks, Pit, for keeping my favorite topic active.

 

[jonnyt16]

Had to revive this thread, some great info and photos in here! I've been looking to improve my trap making skills (and my bushcraft in general) since I'm not afraid to admit they are very poor.

This modified version of the figure four deadfall looks very cool. I've always had a little trouble with the standard figure four; seems like I could never get the trigger sensitive enough no matter how much I tweaked it. One question on the modified version though: Do the sticks have to be squared off or can they be left rounded? The photos shown above (of the modified version) and the video linked has the sticks squared off. Just wondering if that is essential for the modified to work properly?

While we're on the subject, can anyone recommend a good book on bushcraft? I have several "survival" manuals but I really want a book that focuses more on traps and bushcraft in general. One with detailed photos or drawings would be great. I almost ordered Essential Bushcraft by Ray Mears but a lot of the reviews stated that it didn't really contain actual bushcraft skills or traps, it was mostly general survival stuff. Thanks guys!

 

[Joezilla]

Mors Kochanski Bushcraft. Bushcraft by Graves and also camping and woodcraft by mason, or kephart , either by jove and you are great.

 

[Shotgun]

I'd recommend Ron Hood if you want to make a good traditional figure 4. I watched the teaser vid on netflix and with only watching him go through it one time I was able to produce a working and sensitive trap in short order. He has a methodical approach to making them that is pretty easy to learn.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I'd recommend Ron Hood if you want to make a good traditional figure 4. I watched the teaser vid on netflix and with only watching him go through it one time I was able to produce a working and sensitive trap in short order. He has a methodical approach to making them that is pretty easy to learn.

100% :thumbup:

Doc