Trap Wax

[Matt 160]

Does anyone here use wax for their traps?

 

If so, is there a supplier in the UK?

[OldTrapCollector 377]

Does anyone here use wax for their traps?

 

If so, is there a supplier in the UK?

 

I have never used it myself Matt but I don't know why more British trappers don't use it - afterall the Americans swear by it for speeding up the reaction of the trap and protecting it from the rust that quickly takes over our traps.

 

I have brought back a few British made traps from the USA over the years for my collection and they are in far superior condition to our own of a similar use and age

 

OTC

[Matt 160]

That was exactly the reason I asked the question OTC. I couldn't agree with you more.

 

Lets see if

 

a} There is a demand for the product

b} Anyone is already selling it in the UK

c} Anyone (Magnum?) would bring it into the UK for sale

 

I know that Magnum used to sell 'Speeddip' - but there seems to be a lack of good stuff available over here. We need more of the ancillary trapping products.

[Matt 160]

why not just wd40? it still works?

 

 

Ummmm, you spray that stinking shite on yer traps and watch yer catch rate fall................

[OldTrapCollector 377]

We need more of the ancillary trapping products.

 

Why not buy it direct from the US online? It usually works out cheaper for such things in my experience

 

OTC

[Guest Ditch_Shitter]

'Set a trap dripping and stinking of WD40.' Is there no end to this bare sixteen year olds wealth of hands on wisdom?

 

 

Matt; In US they just use WAX, mate. Nothing more. Nothing less. Melt a candle bought in Tesco and ye have the same stuff. Parrafin Wax.

 

It's extremely available in uk. People use it for - and I'm not trying to be funny here - making candles. So ye local Craft and Hobby shop can likely fish a couple of kilo's out from under the counter. That's top price though, because it's " Beaded ". Easy to handle little sweets of wax. Cheapest is slab form. Hit it hard with a hammer.

 

I'd say a Kilo of wax and a single tablet of black dye will cover just about as many traps as a man can decently own. It's only a skin covering after all.

 

I take it ye have the standard methodology used?

[Matt 160]

I have done in the past OTC. I've dealt with the Cumberlands for about 15 years, but I'd rather shop in the UK.

 

Its also an interesting topic for here; how many trappers dye their traps? How many wax them? Not many, I'll bet.

 

I would also be interested in Glens opinion, he has travelled the world studying the ways of the trapper...... If GW thinks its a good idea, I'm sure a few more would dye and wax.

[Matt 160]

'Set a trap dripping and stinking of WD40.' Is there no end to this bare sixteen year olds wealth of hands on wisdom?

 

 

Matt; In US they just use WAX, mate. Nothing more. Nothing less. Melt a candle bought in Tesco and ye have the same stuff. Parrafin Wax.

 

It's extremely available in uk. People use it for - and I'm not trying to be funny here - making candles. So ye local Craft and Hobby shop can likely fish a couple of kilo's out from under the counter. That's top price though, because it's " Beaded ". Easy to handle little sweets of wax. Cheapest is slab form. Hit it hard with a hammer.

 

I'd say a Kilo of wax and a single tablet of black dye will cover just about as many traps as a man can decently own. It's only a skin covering after all.

 

I take it ye have the standard methodology used?

 

Yep, I've thought about doing it like that Ditch, but I'm led to believe that the North American trappers use a patent trap wax which includes an amount of beeswax, and possibly some other stuff.

 

WD40?

 

On the subject of 'Speed Dip', I was never that keen on using a product which you mixed with petrol. Anyone tried it? I'm an oakbark kinda guy meself...

[OldTrapCollector 377]

A good coating of regulation 'vauxhall leaf green' paint will preserve the trap much better than no coating at all. I know a lot of trappers use that for the same purpose.

 

OTC

[fish 148]

and look jam a trap on a cold day with wax you take the piss out of me the trap wont fire if it has wax all over it durr!

you should listen a bit mate some have been doing it a bit longer then you or me

[Matt 160]

Is there no end to this bare sixteen year olds wealth of hands on wisdom?

 

Obviously not....

 

the trap wont fire if it has wax all over it durr!

 

 

A good coating of regulation 'vauxhall leaf green' paint will preserve the trap much better than no coating at all. I know a lot of trappers use that for the same purpose.

 

OTC

 

I'm sure messrs Snareman, Woodga etc have shares in whoever produces that stuff...

 

If thats the case, why do the north americans bother with dye and wax? I'm not having a dig at you OTC, just interested.

[OldTrapCollector 377]

I don't know - as I said before, I have never used either myself, but there must be a reason.

 

Perhaps the availability issue is the reason behind it? The fact that it is not freely available over here might be why British trappers don't use it as a matter of course.

 

Or maybe the traditional line of not allowing any man-made scents anywhere near traps has put folks off??

 

OTC

[ChrisJones 7,975]

I've waxed Fenns with beeswax but that was because I was getting it free from a beekeeper. Didn't seem to effect catch rate, at least not to a rate I could determine.

[Matt 160]

I've waxed Fenns with beeswax but that was because I was getting it free from a beekeeper. Didn't seem to effect catch rate, at least not to a rate I could determine.

 

Was that an 'all over' waxing, or just a 'brazilian' on the spring Chris?

 

I'm led to believe that it speeds up the action of the trap, and presumably therefore, makes it a better, more humane kill. It also protects the trap from corrosion.

 

Interestingly, I was reading a US site, where the guy says that it makes conibears unsafe because they become too fast! He reckons its no good for water sets because they set 'emselves off!!!

 

Do you wax yours ditch? I'm interested to know if the 'real deals' on here bother, cue GW, Chalky, etc...........

[Matt 160]

I've waxed Fenns with beeswax but that was because I was getting it free from a beekeeper. Didn't seem to effect catch rate, at least not to a rate I could determine.

 

Was that an 'all over' waxing, or just a 'brazilian' on the spring Chris?

 

I'm led to believe that it speeds up the action of the trap, and presumably therefore, makes it a better, more humane kill. It also protects the trap from corrosion.

 

Interestingly, I was reading a US site, where the guy says that it makes conibears unsafe because they become too fast! He reckons its no good for water sets because they set 'emselves off!!!

 

Do you wax yours ditch? I'm interested to know if the 'real deals' on here bother, cue GW, Chalky, etc...........

 

 

Waxing Fenns and suchlike improves their performance no end,....

 

My trapping and snaring mentor,..Mr Glenn Waters advised me to do this,.especially when using the Mk 6 Fenn/Springer in a water based location against Mink... I would also wax the traps when setting in warrens against the rabbits..

Nothing beats a finely set trap,.but the waxing does improve the handle of the tool,.plus makes it far easier to manipulate.

 

AS for Body grippers/Conibears,...well,.you have to be careful,...

 

I always 'Speed Dip ' my mole traps and Imbras,...it realy does protect them...

I used to use LOg wod dye or Walnut husks,..but commercial Speed Dip' is a good product....

 

All the best,.CHALKWARREN....

 

Thanks Chalky.

 

Out of interest, I presume you buy in from the states? Do Magnum still bring in 'SpeedDip'?