Spot the Fake Talpex

[Rolfe 2]

Just a little teaser for you mole trappers that use the Talpex type traps........spot the fake! There are so many cheap imports nowadays that it is easy to lose track of the genuine article......!

These fakes are flooding the market at the moment........be they mole traps or Fenns......and they just simply are not as robust as the genuine article. Yes they will still do the job.......but are are so inferior to the real thing that they won't last 5 minutes under normal working conditions. So.......(in my opinion) it is always better to go for the genuine article rather than a less expensive imitation........I just think it is a false economy.

For those who haven't cracked it yet the fake is on the RIGHT. Just look at the spring structure........far weaker on the imitation than the genuine thing. Another thing that is critical in my opinion........is the shortness of the trigger (tongue) on the fake trap.......it is a full 10mm shorter than the real thing.........and this can make an enormous difference in the catch rate if it is not set correctly. Look out for the Talpex trade mark stamped on the real thing (although this is not always fool-proof as i have heard rumours they are even copying this). At the end of the day........you get what you pay for i suppose........Happy Hunting

[IanB 0]

Plenty of cheap crap traps about, people who buy them are misleaded into thinking they have a bargain.... The only form of traps I'd buy of the talpex style are the genuine talpex OR the Talpa style Magnum are now distributing...Avoid anything else, especially these on EBay No: 390028550037 these couldn't kill a field mouse never mind cut through soil... Should be banned...

 

Although saying that Duffus are the dogs

[OldTrapCollector 377]

Whilst I have an opinion on Fenn vermin and rabbit trap copies I don't on these Rolfe. I have handled both types (and others) and all seem more than capable of killing the intended target easily enough. The Talpex is well made, but is imported from the Continent, whereas the others originate somewhere more 'oriental'.

 

Purely from a trap collector's angle I would be interested to hear the views of users of the 'other' types, as well as advocates of the genuine article.

 

OTC

[IanB 0]

The ones I have linked to on ebay , I've seen and handled they are 100% crap, very weak, not upto the job at all...

[Holdaway 2]

I haven't handled any fake Talpex only the genuine ones. They are well made and will outlast anything less robust.

 

I agree with Rolfe and IanB, false economy to buy cheaper versions in the long run as you may pay out only two thirds of the cost but twice as often.

 

Genuine articles only for this chap.

 

H

[John Keswick 119]

Although saying that Duffus are the dogs

 

I "used" to be a Duffus man through and through (oooerrrrrr ) BUT, after trying the magnum "talpa's" I must admit that i have sort of converted!

The first trap i would pull out the bucket would have been a duffus and then any really shallow surface runs i would have stuck a fenn in, but i must say that i am most impressed with these new magnum talpa traps, every time i have whacked the culprit, no fecking messin.

The extra handles on top make them much easier to use too!

[IanB 0]

Although saying that Duffus are the dogs

 

I "used" to be a Duffus man through and through (oooerrrrrr ) BUT, after trying the magnum "talpa's" I must admit that i have sort of converted!

The first trap i would pull out the bucket would have been a duffus and then any really shallow surface runs i would have stuck a fenn in, but i must say that i am most impressed with these new magnum talpa traps, every time i have whacked the culprit, no fecking messin.

The extra handles on top make them much easier to use too!

 

Yes they are very good JK, and cheaper than the genuine talpex, stone dead round the chest everytime... Although, duffus are still the daddies...

[John Keswick 119]

Although saying that Duffus are the dogs

 

I "used" to be a Duffus man through and through (oooerrrrrr ) BUT, after trying the magnum "talpa's" I must admit that i have sort of converted!

The first trap i would pull out the bucket would have been a duffus and then any really shallow surface runs i would have stuck a fenn in, but i must say that i am most impressed with these new magnum talpa traps, every time i have whacked the culprit, no fecking messin.

The extra handles on top make them much easier to use too!

 

Yes they are very good JK, and cheaper than the genuine talpex, stone dead round the chest everytime... Although, duffus are still the daddies...

Well you KNOW there is only one way we are going to be able to solve this problem, YES it will have to be "The Hunting Life" Mole Catching competition 2009!

We can set the location and dates later, but all those that want to take part will have to be over 18 years old, able to drive and of course be the BEST "dog man" in the UK

[Phil Lloyd 10,738]

Thought provoking post...

 

 

[moxy 617]

Duffus type trap anyday and of course of quality build, as said many times on this forum by many members " why put a trap in the ground that will only catch one?"

 

However the quality of the trap is reflected in the price, but needless to say i have trapped with both good quality and the lesser. You just get more life from a good quality trap. Like a duracell bunny.

 

I have had some success from both scissor and talpex but find that duffus types are the better, horses for courses i suppose.

 

Dont be fooled though by what is sold as a quality trap, i have come across good,well built barrel traps and they do last,but the wire they are made from is unworkable, there is no room for fettling,the wire is just too hard. I have had them in a vice with mole grips and just made them adjust!! Brittish made as well.

Pre set is a term i have come across by molecatchers and wholesalers alike, sorry but i aint having none of it!!

 

I can see your point rolfe, especially in the trigger, that is essential, but the springs on the cheaper import are at least good for a few hundred moles, provided they dont drop appart before.

 

[stubby 175]

Of late,.I had been experiencing severe pain and crippling weakness in both hands,..so much so ,.that I simply couldn't work the traps as slickly as would be required, to earn my living as a catcher of moles...IN fact,.until I got my hands fixed,.I could barely chin a cony...let alone depress the robust spring on the genuine Talpex..

Nowadays I find it childishly simple,.but at one stage I was phoning around the country asking all and sundry in the forlorn hope that there might be some 'trick or treat' setting method that I could utilise..

 

 

I picked up 6 genuine talpex along with some duffus and scissor traps, and have a simular problem to you chalkwarren, too many years on the building sites, using hammer drills has left me with minor white finger (bloody shakes) looks like I need a drink somedays, but I also found them quite hard to set, my tip for setting them, simply get a square of plywood, say 8"x8" lay the trap on this, then use both palms to push the trap open and set it, works for me

[Rolfe 2]

Of late,.I had been experiencing severe pain and crippling weakness in both hands,..so much so ,.that I simply couldn't work the traps as slickly as would be required, to earn my living as a catcher of moles...IN fact,.until I got my hands fixed,.I could barely chin a cony...let alone depress the robust spring on the genuine Talpex..

Nowadays I find it childishly simple,.but at one stage I was phoning around the country asking all and sundry in the forlorn hope that there might be some 'trick or treat' setting method that I could utilise..

 

 

I picked up 6 genuine talpex along with some duffus and scissor traps, and have a simular problem to you chalkwarren, too many years on the building sites, using hammer drills has left me with minor white finger (bloody shakes) looks like I need a drink somedays, but I also found them quite hard to set, my tip for setting them, simply get a square of plywood, say 8"x8" lay the trap on this, then use both palms to push the trap open and set it, works for me

 

Yes.......there is a knack to setting them safely and speedily.......something you have to do if you are setting any number where time is of the essence, but it is a KNACK and does not require that much finger strength in my opinion......but if you are suffering from any weakening in the hands then i can see this may be a problem. I wish i could show in pictures how i set them.......it is too hard to try and explain in writing. If anyone wants "Hands On" (excuse the pun) tuition....come and see me after my mole trapping demo at this years Pest-Tech and i will gladly show you..... If you have time after Snaremans excellent snaring tuition that is

 

Rolfe.

[Holdaway 2]

I'll be there for both courses Rolfe. Perhaps this time I won't be lured away by an attractive mole dibber...

 

 

H

[badgeroy 3]

When and where is the Pest-tech please?

[nighttimenellie 4]

I know everyone is different but i realy dont like the look of the traps with the extra bits on top to help setting them, i have to set in amongst sheep and get a few kicked out, but with an extra bit sticking up it just makes the trap a bigger target so to speak, the ones i saw Chalkwarren post up originally didnt have those loops on them did they?.

P.S Chalkwarren if im right and you are now changing to the looped ones, ill buy some of the others off you at a reasonable price

Edited May 28, 2009 by nighttimenellie