Solway MK6 Spring Traps

[Netter 0]

Just wondering if any of you have used the Solway MK6 trap?

And if so how you found them? As good as Fenns?

Cheers Netter

[IanB 0]

Never used them netter, only used fenn original mk4 and mk6 traps... 9 times out of 10 you get what you pay for, the same with the chinky traps that copy the BMI Magnum traps, yes there cheaper but there no were near as good quality or spring power and a lot are mis-shaped and can only be set on finest setting on dog..... crap , I'm specifically talking about 110's here though, can't comment on others..

[ianrob 2]

Just wondering if any of you have used the Solway MK6 trap?

And if so how you found them? As good as Fenns?

Cheers Netter

Hi mate, I recall someone on here using the mk6 Solway. It could have been molecatcher or Chalkwarren I think. The Managing Director of Solway was on here too at the time. I seem to remember that there was a gap of 1/2" or so between the top two bars of the trap after it was sprung. This could allow a large strong rabbit when caught by the neck to survive while being slowly strangled. I don't know if that problem has been rectified, but I'd email them and ask if I was you. As I said the MD was in on the discussion so should have an answer. The details are as I recall them so I hope they are correct.

[snareman 3]

Just wondering if any of you have used the Solway MK6 trap?

And if so how you found them? As good as Fenns?

Cheers Netter

Hi mate, I recall someone on here using the mk6 Solway. It could have been molecatcher or Chalkwarren I think. The Managing Director of Solway was on here too at the time. I seem to remember that there was a gap of 1/2" or so between the top two bars of the trap after it was sprung. This could allow a large strong rabbit when caught by the neck to survive while being slowly strangled. I don't know if that problem has been rectified, but I'd email them and ask if I was you. As I said the MD was in on the discussion so should have an answer. The details are as I recall them so I hope they are correct.

moley was the chap who tried the trap, and discovered the gap. the rabbit that was trapped was alive in the trap.

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

I got 10 a couple of weeks ago and there is no gap in the jaws, they seem to close to with no problem. However I used them for the first time last week, I ony caught three rabbits, all were caught well by the head and all were still well alive. I was using them alongside Fenns and Springers which also caught and all catches were dead. It could be a coincidence? I am trying them again in a couple of weeks so it will be interesting to see the results.

 

All the best

 

AF

[john b 38]

This is the topic that ended up becoming the 'Solway Thread'

 

http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/index...showtopic=45969

[gnipper 6,547]

I got 10 a couple of weeks ago and there is no gap in the jaws, they seem to close to with no problem. However I used them for the first time last week, I ony caught three rabbits, all were caught well by the head and all were still well alive. I was using them alongside Fenns and Springers which also caught and all catches were dead. It could be a coincidence? I am trying them again in a couple of weeks so it will be interesting to see the results.

 

All the best

 

AF

 

Sounds like they aren't worth giving another try mate, can't just be coincidence that the three you caught in them were the three really hard feckers that would have survived a wallop off a fenn

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

Well I should have listened to Gnipper. I decided to give these traps another try. Put 9 out this afternoon and have just been to check them. One live rabbit (again well caught by the head) and one sprung with a lot of fur on it so it must have bruised the rabbit at least before it ran off. I have yet to get a dead rabbit in one of these!!!

I am going to pick them up in the morning and bin them!!

 

 

All the best

 

A disgruntled AF

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

Picked the rest up this morning. Two rabbits, one dead, one alive. I guess people are right, generally you get what you pay for. I wont be using these any more, I will just cary on with the expensive Fenns.

 

All the best AF

[gnipper 6,547]

Take them back to the shop mate, i'd be kicking off for a refund. How can you sell them as humane killing traps when they don't kill?

 

Is there any way of getting them took off the market if they really are that bad?

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

The traps came direct from Solway Feeders they were bought for me by a site I control rabbits on so I have not got an invoice or anything. I wouldn't mind but I recommended they buy them, I sent off for one myself to have a look at but foolishly I did not test it in the field. It seemed to look a lot like the Fenns and Springers I have so I thought they would be OK.

I certainly think some kind of letter or something to Solways is in order though, there is clearly a problem with these traps, there is no way that they are humane.

I substituted them today with Fenns and Springers and this evening I had 3 rabbits, all dead. 2 in Springers 1 in a Fenn.

Having had a closer look at them side by side with the Fenn and Springer visually there does not seem to be that much difference. I can not find a gap between the jaws on any of mine but I must admit they do not seem to overlap quite as much as the other traps. I checked the spring tensions (by thumb!!) and the Fenn is stronger but there is still a lot of strength in the Solway spring. What is different is when you set them. The Solway traps seems almost sloppy and moves around much more than the other two. I tried to see whether it was tolerances in the make up or just flexible metal but to be honest I think it may be a combination of both. I think the fact they do not seem to kill is perhaps a combination of all the above points rather than just one major fault. What ever the problem I will not be using them any more.

It realy is a shame they are not up to the job as the price is very good but as the man said 'you get what you pay for'.

 

All the best AF

[moley 115]

The traps came direct from Solway Feeders they were bought for me by a site I control rabbits on so I have not got an invoice or anything. I wouldn't mind but I recommended they buy them, I sent off for one myself to have a look at but foolishly I did not test it in the field. It seemed to look a lot like the Fenns and Springers I have so I thought they would be OK.

I certainly think some kind of letter or something to Solways is in order though, there is clearly a problem with these traps, there is no way that they are humane.

I substituted them today with Fenns and Springers and this evening I had 3 rabbits, all dead. 2 in Springers 1 in a Fenn.

Having had a closer look at them side by side with the Fenn and Springer visually there does not seem to be that much difference. I can not find a gap between the jaws on any of mine but I must admit they do not seem to overlap quite as much as the other traps. I checked the spring tensions (by thumb!!) and the Fenn is stronger but there is still a lot of strength in the Solway spring. What is different is when you set them. The Solway traps seems almost sloppy and moves around much more than the other two. I tried to see whether it was tolerances in the make up or just flexible metal but to be honest I think it may be a combination of both. I think the fact they do not seem to kill is perhaps a combination of all the above points rather than just one major fault. What ever the problem I will not be using them any more.

It realy is a shame they are not up to the job as the price is very good but as the man said 'you get what you pay for'.

 

All the best AF

 

take a look from the side ,not from above , where the round bar and flat bar meet , there is a gap , on a fenn there is not , that,s why they do not kill rabbits, i got one off solway to try out before i ordered 200 , i ended up getting 200 fenns , more expensive , but more humane, makes you wonder who field tests these traps before they are passed