Hey guys Im possibly in the market to get a small bunch of 550 traps. Ive never owned any before so Im curious if you guys have any pros and cons with the MB 550 vs Duke 550. Other than the Duke is made in China and is a direct copy of the American MB except the pan shape difference and the MB sports crunch proof swivels and choice of regular or offset jaws. Please do not beat me up over considering a Chinese made copy of an American made trap. I am a trapper with a modest budget and just looking for the best trap for my money.

If It's about the price I would buy the Duke 550. They even offer free shipping If that's an issue.

I too am a trapped with a modest budget so I opted for the MB 550s just less of them. I will buy more here and there but I started with 2 dozen and now have 4 dozen. To some people that isn't a lot of traps but for me it is plenty. I believe having fewer traps has made me a better trapped because I only set prime locations. I had 8 dozen Duke #2s and rarely could I have them All set at once because I didn't have enough time to run that many. One day I hope to have enough time to run a longer line.

**Disclaimer: We try our very best to source all Minnesota Brand trap parts within the USA. At times in the past we have had issues sourcing sufficient quantities of particular parts from our USA suppliers. It is very important to us to provide a USA made product but also be able to provide trappers with traps. Therefore, our Minnesota Brand Traps are fully assembled by our American crew in Pennock, Minnesota with either all USA made parts or a combination of USA and minimal foreign parts when necessary to provide product to the marketplace.

Same with me. I work a full time job and supporting a wife and 3 kids at home so Its hard for me to have time to set a bunch of traps and have time to check a bunch of traps before or after work.

So even the MBs sometimes are made with foreign parts? Did not know that.

I went with MB550 mainly because I wanted an out of the box set and go trap...after giving them a cleaning. I read about and still read about how a lot of traps are just as good (AFTER YOU TWEAK THEM). I don’t have time to “tweak” a trap in order to have it catch critters. I read about dogs being bent and I even made a post asking about 550’s. I personally have yet to have a bent dog and that’s even a catch with a 90lb incidental...the owner told me how much the incidental weighed when I called him to come get it out of the trap. He got it, I reset and caught a coyote 2 days later.
I have only had issues with two traps, apparently they don’t hold up well the BIG tractors and harrows!! And yes, the landowner paid for them to be replaced.
My next dozen, here shortly, will also be MB550’s. You get what you pay for...

I have been talking to some people about the Duke 550s. If you aren't going to get real serious with setting traps the Dukes will do you great. The only problem I have heard of so far is the levers aren't as strong as the mb are, the Dukes will bend some and the pans are a little week but if the coyotes cant get their mouth on the pan to chew then it shouldn't be a problem. The price that I have been told on the dukes are crazy cheap I will be getting a dozen of the 650s and may get a dozen of the 550s. But I will always have my mb and will still buy more Mbs.

I did read somewhere that the MB comes set with a 2.5Lb pan tension. The Duke had up to a 5Lb tension out of the box. I do like the fact also the MB comes with a choice on jaws. Offset or regular. I prefer regular myself. I do like the square pan the Duke sports but thats not enough to justify buying them. I believe I will probably do like strike2x suggested and buy the MBs just a couple here and there.

I have 2.5 dozen offset, but a I think my next dozen will be regular. Why? Just want to try them out, possible I’ve missed a possum or two with the offsets. Critters = $$$

I wish I could say that, given the choice, I would choose American made over price, but for me it's just not realistic. I hope to get better at this in the future, but who knows. I believe in American made products, and American jobs, sometimes though it's just not conducive to my situation. Best of luck with your decision!

I bought 7 dozen Duke 550s I like them. I think they're as well built as a mb. Tractors smash them just the same as a mb and thieves dont seem to mind either. I dont regret my purchase one bit.

I got 2 dozen duke this past summer and will be buying more as long as the price stays the same.Only thing I did to them was put a nail swivel where the chain is hooked on to the trap.I would do this even if it was an MB,I just think it makes them nicer to bed.

Haven't bought any Duke 550s yet but did pre order a doz Duke 650s I'm excited to see next month

I ran two dozen of the duke 550's this season. Other than checking pan tension and checking the pan height, I did nothing to them. Never lost an animal in them. All good pad catches. Never had a distorted spring lever, bent dogs or bent pan issues. I am now patiently waiting for the 650 to get here!

Tim Caven has done mountains of things for the trapping community nation wide. Funded projects. Donated prizes. Donated to legal defense battles. He won my devotion.

I have thought Duke traps were just fine. But a nearly exact copy was over the top. That trap was an attack on an American made product without regard to copyright law. Yes it is too expensive for a little Minnesota company to fight it in China and any ruling would not be binding there anyhow. However I personally will never buy another Duke trap because of it. I encourage others not to as well. Defend an American value.

I can understand that. I do agree it was dirty that duke produced a near exact copy of the MB and slapped their name on it to be produced in China at near half price of the MB. Very few things anymore are actually made in the good ol USA. Im sure as I ride home im sitting in a pair of jeans made in Bangladesh. A sweater made in Vietnam and work boots made in Mexico. That’s the nature of the game I guess.

I don't think anyone has done more for the trapping community than Duke Traps have. MTP is not all American made either as you can see in their disclaimer above. MTP also owns Bridger Traps which is all made overseas, no one mentions that. Either way if you're buying Duke traps you are supporting an American company as well as US trap supply places, distributors, truck drivers, and all the kids programs and other things Duke support. You should not feel bad for supporting them IMO.

I use Duke Traps, Belisle Traps, EZ-traps DPs and MTP traps along with a few other brands. I'm not apologizing for buying any of them. It's my money and I'll spend it where I want.

If you think about it MTP and Duke are very similar. Both have foreign made products made for them both have an American made division, (pecans in Duke's case). Both support trapping and trappers. Both sell traps that are controversial in their origins, both seem to be dependable shippers, and I'm sure a lot of other similarities,,, just buy whatever you want.

Were does most of are fur go? Why not support the people who buy are fur???

I tried 24 Dukes this year and the 20 that didn't break are already sold. Sorry. NO BS. Unless Nebraska Coyotes are super strong.
That's what I get buy AMERICAN when you can. Why NOT support China?

I was considering buying the duke traps, are they really that different than the MB? The few people that I have spoken to in person seem to be happy with them. I own MB 550's and have no complaints other than one lever failed, it split at the seam.

Pictures??

We run both this year and both held coyotes and cats the same,either one will do,,the mb is better steel and worth the investment, but the dukes got a better price for a budget and a good trap,,,buy you a couple of each and try them is the only way you will be able to figure it out,imo

I am curious also as what "broke".

You miss the point. Stealing the design is what is unacceptable. The fact that you manufacture in China is only pertinent as it protects from a legal action against them. American engineering and patent should be defended. About ten years ago Cabela's stole the designs from Spring Creek Outfitters of the latters products Cabelas sold. They had them manufactured in China and sold at half the costs. They said "Suit us and we will break you with legal costs before you even see court." Eventually the owner, whom I know, had to sell the company. I simply cannot tolerate that. Spent $1000+ at Cabelas every year, not a single dollar since.

I hear a lot of people say that Minnesota Brand used the design off of Sterling's trap to make the MB 650, are all those ppl lying? If that is true then isn't the complaint that Duke copied MB's design being hypocritical?

Exactly desertambition !!!!

If your trap Isn't patented then no one Is stealing the design.

When I looked up the patent on the MB 550, it was for the pan and trigger system. If I read it right it was also expired. I’m no lawyer so I could have read it wrong.

Duke 550 worked great for me

Thanks for your input sir

I bought a dozen duke 550s at the Hoosier trapper day and all I did was boil and wax and attach cable stakes. I caught most of my 15 coyotes in them. Most of the coyotes still had their foot on the square pans when I got to them. I use mb 450s and 550s too. I used the dukes where thieves were more likely and I did have one stolen. Beats losing an mb though. I wish Duke made a closed jaw and a 450 sized trap.

As we see, when trapping products come up for comparison on Tman, there are typically comments for product A and product B, and some consider price as a component of their consideration. I don't consider price as much as I consider how long will something last? You can buy cheap twice and it's now more expensive than the real deal. I, like many, learned that years ago when foreign goods began showing up on American shelves. How many of us "wish" we could buy something "good" again (like the old days) in a particular category - as we use it and use it and use it some more?

Sadly, some categories now are only filled with cheap junk as consumers flocked to buy cheap stuff and good stuff manufacturers folded because of it.

MTP and Duke have both been solid supporters of our vocation for decades. There's no question about that.

My MB550s, purchased more than 11 years ago are going super strong. Same as the day I bought 'em. You can't find that in another trap on the market unless you invest in Jakes, etc. I appreciate the MTP crew (Rob Caven) providing the industry a trap in 2008 that we asked for and we didn't have to mess with (ready out of the box for coyotes) and now it's become the top trap in category - so we can anticipate cheaper knock offs will come out. China is that competitor, and Duke was the inspiration I guess? I really don't care about all that.

None of us have money to burn, but I'm sticking with MB550s. The real deal. They last and last. Not sure how long? Springs and all are 100% after 11 years! Money well spent!
A few bucks saved in the short term will cost me in the long run and I ain't getting dealt into that hand.

Well said Mark.

I might add 080808,

When something is built and runs like a Deere, I go all in!

Mark. I have respected all your comments but now I have a serious problem. I’m a Ford guy. lol

Disagree 110%

Understood 080808! I used to own Chevy's, having grown up near Flint, MI, birthplace of GM. I walked away from Chevy about 15 years ago after truck after truck after truck was sub-par. I looked at Ford when I bought my most recent Tundra, but didn't pull the trigger. Bossman talked to me years ago about trapping out of a Toyota that had loads of miles on it and not much shop work = MUCH cash saved. Again, when I use something, I need it to work.

My last Chevy (Colorado) blew a head at 38,000 miles and stranded me 16 miles from anywhere. $830 tow bill.

I may buy a Ford at some point but I like spending nada but maintenance for vehicles that we use a bunch.

Mark. Understood but due to my farm background I assumed we were talking about tractors . Bad when ya assume.
ps I drive a Nissan P/U. Very happy.

Objection! I'm a Dodge guy!

I was just in Kansas for our Trapping Academy AuthorTrapper. Two days before I was slatted to pick up leased Dodge trucks, all the Enterprise Dodge trucks were recalled! Ouch.
We got Fords.

Fords are the way to go in my opinion. Personally I would buy a Ford, Chevy or foreign over a Dodge. The only thing Dodge has I want is a ‘70 Charger.

I have 15 doz MB 550's and have NEVER lost any animal out of them. I did buy 2 dozen Duke 550's this winter to try out and will buy a couple dozen of the Duke 650's to try. When I'm trapping I don't have time to mess with bent, broke or trap problems. I don't care what brand it is, gives me problems and I will get rid of them. Can't make money messing with problem traps

I'm a Toyota man myself. Nothing holds up like one. I have one sitting in the driveway right now with 395,000 miles on it, and it has been owned by a houndman since it was new. It is starting to use a little oil but other than changing oil regularly and the timing belt twice, neither motor or tranny has been touched. Body is pretty rough, it's been rolled once, but it still runs good.

Unfortunately I also need a big truck to haul loads for work. Currently own an 08 Dodge 3500. The Cummins is a great motor, but the rest of the truck will fall apart around it while it is still going strong. And I will never recommend the automatic transmission. I have always been a strong proponent of standard transmissions but I couldn't find one for a reasonable price and everybody was swearing that the new Dodge auto was as good as Alison. I beg to differ, I have had it rebuilt twice in 130,000 and I don't hardly ever tow, and drive like an old man!

What has brands of trucks have to do with MB 550 vs Duke 550 traps? SOS

Waiting on pictures..or it didn’t happen!

Anyone looking to buy a different truck should Google vehicle problems for that particular year/model. Look at the owners forums that are available for each brand your interested in. You'll be surprised that NONE of them are bullet proof. I had Toyotas for 25yrs and then bought a Ford in 2010. Later I find out about the variable valve timing problem due to a sub par oiling system, and the wonderful transmission seal leak. Ford is having a bunch of problems with almost every motor they use. Moody;s just downgraded Ford stock due to warranty claim problems.
I had very little issue with 5 different Toyota trucks. The 2 problems I had were common to everyone and repaired no cost. I now uncover the fact that, yes, Toyota does have some issues, some dealers will warranty, others won't even discuss. One problem has been traced back to at least 2011 on Tundra motors that develop and oil leak at the seal between the cam towers and the head surface. Still not corrected at assembly (motors are assembled in Atlanta). That's 9 years ago.
People can purchase whatever brand they like, I have learned to do a lot of research.
Sorry I sidetracked the MB550 vs Duke thread. I have MB's.

Yep!!! Trust me all, the levers and the springs on the Dukes will be a problem for those that trap hard all season.... MB all the way!

I had no problems with the levers but think duke will fix the problem if they get bad feedback just like they did with the #2 duke and the D ring.The springs are just fine IMO.

They have already offered to send new levers to anyone having trouble. This years version will have thicker stronger levers. They always listen to their customers. You have to expect certain issues can arise on a new design. MTP had several design changes when they started their 550 as well.

I will be buying American designed traps from the American company that designed them.

Here is my opinion. I was going to buy a dozen or two of the Dukes because of the price. $80 a dozen cheaper is a heck of a deal. Two of my buddies bought some of the Dukes to try them out too. At first glance the only difference is the shape of the pan. Once you feel the Duke trap in your hand after handling a MB the Duke just feels cheaper. Then you look at the chain on the Duke. Its lighter weight and the swivels are janky. Both of my buddies had traps that the levers bent. Both of them lost traps due to the chain or swivel breaking. One guy has already sold them ,the other will use them until they are no longer usable.

So if you change out the swivels and chain on the Dukes you are not really saving that much money. Then add in the fact that you will have to replace these traps quicker. Ill stick with the MB's

Where's the pictures of these broken chains and swivels? I don't believe you were told the truth by your buddies or they were causing it pulling the traps or catching something much bigger than the target animals listed for the traps.

The bent levers has already been addressed.

When I bought my first dozen MB550's, when they first came out, they wouldn't even stay set, slipped right off the dog. I sold them. They made changes and improved the later versions. Last year was the first year of production of the Dukes 550 and I'm sure they too will make improvements.

Most every big coon trapper agrees the Duke 1.5 DJ is the best coon trap available. However if you were around years ago their 1.5 DJ was not too great, pan set about 3/4" above the jaws and DJ was just a dimple pressed into the jaw hardly widened the jaw at all.

I have asked for pictures ADC also ...or it didn’t happen.. SOS !!

I stopped by a local hardware store today to get a bag of fertilizer. I noticed they had some of the Duke 550s on the shelf. I thought about grabbing a couple till I seen the price. $26 a trap. Crazy!!

Ordering a dozen MB550’s today. With this virus and quarantine, might was well get more sets in, lol!

Yep me too that's what I've been doing everyone else is inside talking about how bad this quarantine is but I see no problems with it so long as I don't run out of gas and traps.

Im doing the same. Only thing that worries me if they start doing the no leaving your home quarantine. That will suck big time.

Well technically I’m working when trapping. Work is allowed from what I’ve seen.

As long as they are built to take out of the box and set, I don’t care where they are made. I’m not a “tweaker” lol. Haven’t read about a trap on here yet that doesn’t need some sort of tweak or adjustment in order to set. The only other traps I’ve heard of are maybe Jakes or K9’s. Would like to try those, but when I place an order, I need them ASAP.

Sleepy Creek has been my go to trap for a few years....."Tough enough, with no foreign stuff"

Plus I loathe the paws-i-trip system, just my own opinions.

All my 550’s pans have set perfectly level and right below jaw line and pan tension is right about 2.5-3#, and all night latches work as advertised. Never had an issue. I only have 2.5 dozen traps though...another dozen is on the way so we shall see.

As far as filing the dog, isn’t that for pan tension on the 550’s?

Ok, gotcha. All mine are 2 coils. Saw no need for 4 coils down here, no freezing temps or Wolf size coyotes.

I use all 2 cool MB 550s and most of my season is in freezing conditions. If a trap is froze in 20 coils won't help. To each his own though.

I agree. I don't buy the "breaking through the crust" rationale for 4 coils. Its either frozen in or its not.

How long of chain are you running?

In an MB550?

I use 12” Super Stakes connected with a quick link and pound in to the crunch proof so all they have is what comes on the trap. I’ve caught a couple by just toes and one by one toe. I have no clue if it was due to the jumping or offset or maybe just caught that way somehow. My next dozen coming are regular jaws...just experimenting to compare to offset jaws.
Just my opinion, but to me a shorter cabin allows for less possibility of a pull out. I see a shorter chain as less momentum.

All my MB550 os have 18 inches of chain to the anchor point. Makes remakes more friendly and yotes don't seem to fight as hard. Holds way more coon. I know it goes against the short chain theory , used to think the same till I tried it. I don't put a trap in the ground that isn't 4 coiled except for 450s, for the mechanical advantage and the initial push to bust thru caked mud and clay and frost. Before I started 4 coiling I had empty sprung 550s, not any more. Even by the elbows. I'm the proud owner of 10 dozen MB550 os 4 coils. If I could I'd 4 coil 450s too. Jc Conners lightning spring are pretty close to perfect, not too strong but still do the job. All my land traps have his Rod swivels with a 30d nail J hook at the D ring.. bent so they have a long neck..

You fellers in the south may not need 4 coils but up here, yepper

Well If the pan won't go down then It doesn't make any differenced if the trap was 6 coiled.
If your using bone dry dirt or waxed dirt or peat moss with a little top dressing then you shouldn't have any problems with the trap not preforming whether It's 4 coiled or 2 coiled.

If you say so. so why is it that most of the biggest hitters all use 4 coiled traps?

If your trapping out of state where it`s cold,a lot of guys run salt instead of carrying waxed dirt.4 coiled helps in this a lot,Salt only does so much.If your only setting a couple dozen traps a year you can use waxed dirt and be fine with 2 coil.

Poster above changed his post wording, making my post out of context.

Threw them away!? Should have laminated them Bridger's.

Yes SIR! Junk in my book!

?????? I've used first the No.2 Northwoods,then the No.2 Bridger which is the same trap with a different name on the pan.While not my favorite trap I used it for years and caught quite a pile of predators with them.So with that I'd dispute every wild claim you just made about them.Your making ridiculous statements,"broke every foot....","needed a blood transfusion","I threw my Bridger No.2's away"? Come on,are you really a trapper?

Dont throw anymore away give them to me!!! Ill pay shipping!

Can you stop posting this....and the deer run-away type comments. This behavior does not reflect modern trapping methods, trap choice, etc. Think of what you're putting on the internet.

I'm calling bull on this

I'm not buying anything he's selling.

I catch my fingers in my bridger #2 os dogless didn't break them infact I think the brand new duke 1.5 coil spring I got right on my thumb nail hit harder. Yet I was not satisfied with foot condition with them so they will be laminated before I put them out again or I will sell them. I'm 100% sure laminating will solve the problem. Even so I'm Going to try some mb 550s and a few Jake's . Can't make informed decisions without the experience of each brand.

I was going to order some more mb 550s but I bought little over a dz bridger #2 dogless offset 4 coil modified off a guy on here. That is my favorite trap now.

Bridger not American made.

I'm all for supporting american made. . . but I've driven Toyotas since before they were made in america. If I like something better I'm not going to buy an inferior (In my opinion, it is often subjective) product, just because it is american made. I might even pay a little more for an american made product if I like the company than an identical foreign made one. But bottom line is I'm going to buy the product that works best for me.

Personally I've never used a bridger #2 so I don't know how I would like them, but if that's what bobcat trapper likes, that's what he should get. Not something inferior simply because it is american made.

P.S. Bridger may not be american made, but they are owned by the same company who makes MB traps, and I believe are modified here in the US.

No! Say it ain't so.

LMBO

Based on my experience, and from what I've seen from others, the Dukes are not AS GOOD as the MBs. That is to be expected, and to me there's no point in trying to argue otherwise. They are built to a price point. Having said that, just because they're not AS GOOD doesn't mean they are not GOOD ENOUGH. My opinion is that for the average trapper the Dukes will work just fine, after all, they are BETTER than the average #1.75 size trap on the market. For many it will come down to affordability. The Duke clearly seems to have the advantage here, with purchase price that is.
For me, affordability played out a bit different though. For a fair comparison, I bought a brand new dozen of each brand. The MBs were super consistent out of the box, and I only added a mid chain swivel, no other tweaking was NECESSARY. The Dukes needed a bit more work to get them ON PAR with the MBs. Besides adding the mid chain swivel, I changed out all the j hooks and they needed some adjustment to get them to set nice and flat with the same pan tension across the board. Notice that I said ON PAR. Would these have worked out of the box? Certainly. Would they have performed as well as the MBs out of the box? Maybe, but unlikely.
Where I ran into the biggest drawback however is when I actually started catching coyotes in them. The main problem was the levers, and I came to expect bent levers on the Dukes after a catch. The MBs had Zero issues, with more catches being made in them vs Duke. So for me personally, it turns out the MBs were more affordable because there was much less downtime.

To all the people who haven't had any such issues with them, good for you, but I would like to know how many catches were actually made.

All in all, they each hold their place and I think if the lever issues are fixed on the Dukes I would try some more.

Rob Caven brought me a dozen mb 550’s to kodiak one winter 6 years ago. Lord only knows how many land otter and fox those traps have held up against gettin beat up in the rock piles over the years. Not to mention the salt hasn’t ruined them like most. They are tough, and still going strong.

Like some others on here I have been trapping for a long time.

When i first saw an MB550 it seemed too good to be true! I bought some and tinkered with them. Then started using them and found them to be as perfect as anything could or needed to be for me in my land trapping and some water trapping.

I have always lived in the USA and believe in supporting our economy because (I am generalizing here) both directly and indirectly we all pay each other. Plus the quality is usually superlative.

By comparison, When I first saw the Duke 550 I could not believe that they had the audacity to make a direct copy. I did not say an exact copy. It angered me because I know that they can usually easily get away with this. Next, it made me feel really bad for the Cavens and everyone at Minnesota Trapline Supply. I am not speaking for them, but that trap in production very likely bothers them a great deal.

The Cavens and everyone at MTS have been really good to me. I appreciate those folks for what they have accomplished and what they do. I expect that much time, effort, and expense went into designing the 550 and its siblings. Well, hold your head high folks because as a matter of principle and support, I would not use the Duke copycat traps if they were free.

Hopefully someday there will be an international legal mechanism to right the wrongs by Chinese and others who simply reverse engineer American products, produce a cheap copy, and sell it in America directly competing against the original product.

In case my answer is not clear - no I would not use the Duke 550.

I have some 550’s and 650’s . Have dealt with MTP for 20 plus years and couldn’t agree more with Wiily Firewood statement.

I am with you guys as well.

Since there aren't any Trap patents then there Is no harm no foul. It's called doing business. In my opinion the MB traps look a lot like the Sterling traps. And no one Is making a big fuss over that.

The MB650's are not direct copies of the Sterling and it is pointed out,time and again by Sterling owners that the trigger system is not the same.

It was my first year trapping last year. I used mb550s (cast offsets) for my coyote sets and they worked flawlessly. I looked at the Dukes at the convention and definitely like the price point. I will buy from Minnesota Trapline because they are local and customer service rocks

Beav - yes there are patents on various traps. Yes there is harm and foul. And no, it is not just doing business. I have never met in person the Cavens or anyone who works at MTS. But I find it very easy to see the problem and I find it even easier to have the integrity to speak out in support of these American people.

And by the way, there are other methods to protect a design. Valuable designs are highly protected by a very powerful system. For example, Ford Motor Company has protected the size, shape, proportions, and font used to spell out “Super Duty”. There has been litigation in Federal court over this. Guess who won? How about the curve and likeness of a Volkswagon Bug? Yes, highly protected. There are protections for trade marks, service marks, and even copyrights that can be used to protect elements of an entire object. Final example - create and advertise with a business logo that contains a stylized 4 pane window and see how far that goes. Intellectual property is included in the design of physical products.

I really don't see a problem with it. Most of us that fix things ourselves like vehicles, furnaces,washers, dryers, exc. Don't use OEM parts because we can get a much cheaper alternative. This is no different. Are the dukes just as good as the originals probably not but for many the price difference is worth it. The dukes are what 25% cheaper than the mbs , I have seen the duke 550s and there's no way that it is only 75% the quality of a mb . Maybe 5 or 10% less of a trap but that's it which would make the dukes,for most the better deal.

No body usually cares where their after market coil packs come from only that they are half the price as factory ones.

I think the biggest issue with the duke 550s that people have is that they know and have had good experiences with Rob and his family/employees and it feels personal and that's ok good people tend to stick up for friends and family .

Like I stated earlier I don't see an issue with this but if Rob or his family/employees do especially if Rob thought him and Bill were friends, have a problem with it totally understandable. I personally have never met either of them.

I do believe if Bill would have come out with his version of the 650 first before his 550 this wouldn't have been as big of an issue also could have chose a different name, been wanting a bigger version of the 550 for years. Just my 2 cents to each their own, good luck.

Was the sterling trap the first to come out with wire levers? Were they the first to come out with the lock down system for both jaws?
Who came out with the first cast jaws?

As we can see everything has been copied from day one.

Many are missing the point entirely.Rob Caven did all the research and development for the production of the MB 550 and it was considerable ,several design changes,several jaw style changes as well as different models.You are talking a tremendous outlay of resources for a small company to developer a trap that many have called the most popular trap of it's type,right now.

That is all it took.Duke had to get a slice of that with out all the expense of research and developement.Just hand it over to the Chinese to do what they have done since WWII-copy without remorse.This type of piracy stifles creative inventers and entrepenuers and discourages them from wanting to take on big projects that can be a boon to us all.

Nailed it Taxi, thanks There is a lot more to designing a trap than most of you think. After the protos are done then the proof testing. It takes a lot of catches to do that. The cost of protos is staggering, then the tooling and dies etc. etc.. It doesn't happen overnight, if you want a solid well designed product. All pawholds function the same, but some are designed better than most. Thanks to Rob The MB 550 is one..

The paws I trip type pans have been around for ever same with cast jaws. And 4 coiled traps have been around forever. Lots of trappers have added a rod to the dog to keep It from being bent.
The frame the jaws the levers have been around before most of us were born. I don't see where a ton of research had to be done.

How long has the mb 550 been on the market?

https://www.bing.com/search?q=black...3522F05&FORM=QBLH&sp=1&ghc=1

Dose this look familiar?

No one said anything about the position trip pan.

Casting a jaw was never the issue either.THE exact 550 cast jaw was copied.If you think there was no R+D on developing a specific cast jaw,several different updated versions,you don't know anything about the design and casting process.Shocking.

The MB 550 has a unique frame.Oh yes,traps have had frames forever.Not this one.It was copied exactly.This took a lot of R+D to develope.

It takes a ton of research and developement to develope dies and equipment to stamp out all the parts.Even the levers are designed for that trap.It isn't about levers have been made before and you know that.Duke copied that specific part,albeit with cheaper material.

Why don't they design and build their own,better trap? Because they don't do expensive R+D.It is partly why they can sell cheaper.Let someone else do the expensive part.

The 550 is the most blatant example of this that they have done.Theft of ideas and intellectual properties deters talented people from creating new and better things.That affects all of use,even Duke.It can reduce their selection of traps to copy.I'm sure they are doing well.They have a solid business plan for making money.I couldn't do it.

Relax Beav,you're not going to buy either,anyway.

Your right.
I talked to Bill Duke and asked him If he would name the new 650 "The Beav special" He said he would take It under consideration. LOl

Make sure you get royalties.There was a lot of R+D that went into creating your "brand".

So no one knows when the first mb 550 was introduced?

Sorry,I don't but have wondered this myself.I have had mine for maybe 6 years but I know they were out years before I tried them.I hope someone will answer you question.

Beav,



You know as much as anyone about dukes.


Did they actually design any models that they produce?

I wish they would copy a sterling.

Never been a fan of that style of trigger.

I can ask.

take a look at the wts brand of dingo traps? they look like an exact copy of the #3 dogless bridger and the #5 bridger traps. or are the bridger traps and exact copy of the wts traps?

I love this thread. It quickly shows me who has similar morals and values. WhoI have respect for. Being new it helps shorten the learning curve.

If duke would have developed this trap and MB copied it would this have been ok. I think most traps are copies of a other traps already out there. Patents will prevent this for a short time frame

Copying a concept is common.This is a direct copy of the MM550.way different.Add insult to injury,they did it to a business associate-MTP has sold their products for years.A US patent doesn'T work in a foreign country.You can get patents in other countries but patents are expensive and it is cost prohibitive.Would anyone trust a Chinese court to give you justice?Wow,that just sent chills up my spine.

I'm no Patent lawyer but I can't see any part of any coil spring trap that can be patented In the US or any other country.
The Grizz DP had a patent on part of the trap but not the whole trap.

I would think a new design of the dog trigger mechanism or something you could probably patent. But since the majority of traps are made in China and China ignores US patent law; well I couldn't really see bothering with it.

Well one thing no-one has addressed is that the MB550 jaws are a unique,creative design and are an intellectual
property,just like a sculpture.Not like a stamped out jaw.They are unique creation and as such would fall under copyright law which attaches AT the moment of creation.You don't have to file a copyright if you can prove you had it first.Any question who had it first?Copyright lasts way beyond a patent.

True Taxi but the 550 has had at least 3 different jaw designs. The originals were by far the best on feet. Wish they never would have changed. Only will run MBs here. I’m thinking I had my first long dog 550s back in 08 or 09. Not 100% though.

All 3 designs would still be under copyright.I think I may have a few of that first design.I haven't noticed a difference but haven't studied it either.

Do you know when the MB550 first came out?

Not sure Taxi. Do you remember when they had the big fat jaws? Wasn’t very long but they were really different.

The patent on the Grizz Trap was for the complete trap, not part of it. The language of the first claim on the patent was written wrong due to a misunderstanding between my patent attorney and the USPTO patent examiner. The USPTO office recognizes myself as the inventor of the Grizz DP concept.

One thing I will add to this post. There are many great ideas that have been invented for the trapping industry. Unfortunately, there is always someone waiting for the next big thing to come out so it can be copied.

I know what Rob Caven is going thru and wish him luck.

Most bodygrips look very similar to the one Frank Conibear invented.