What are the benefits of laminating the jaws on a trap?

Easier on the animal and reinforces the jaw making it less likely to have popped jaws.
Outside Lams and the bottom pic is obviously inside.

it gives you more surface area for the trap jaws to grip with. this alows you to have a better hold on the animals. also helps cut down on fur damage to the feet a little because there are no small peices of metal touching the skin when the animal is pulling.

Wouldn't set one without it,T.20

Spreads out the whack (larger jaw surface area)from the trap so easier on the legs. Every trap I run...(except Lil Grizz) is laminated. I can see no drawbacks to it...only positives. If you are concerned about coming up through mud or frozen ground with laminated traps...run 4 coiled or one size to 1/2 size larger music wire springs.

Also can make an illegal trap legal. (Jawsize)