i think there would be more damage without the lamination. I have a few traps I should get around to laminating. Picked them up in a trade a couple years ago. That wider jaw face helps a lot to keep feet from being cut. The offset induced tighter grip keeps the foot from sliding around and being cut.

Ask the live market guys If they use offsets.

I like to take a piece of #9 wire and wrap around one of the jaws.

Sorry no pics sir, I ground 6 dozen old Monty 1.5s, 2s years ago. You just need to mark them with a sharpy so you can see how far to go, start in the corners first where the contact points will be. Just make sure to round the edges when done.

Combination of 3/16th offsets at least 3/8th wide jaw surface with ample power so the paw can't move has been the best so far. Wider maybe better.. but there needs to be a balance between jaw width, offset gap, and power. I've spoke with a bunch of trappers both fur and live market we all agree..

Good info thanks for sharing. I agree 100% on the sharp edges and the width to strength ratio.
Sometimes i wonder if off sets are the way to go???

I use what i do today because in 2014 i went to Ogorman, at the time he was using #3 bridgers inside and outside laminated offset and 4 coiled. His bridgers were regular jawed with 1/4 inch lugs welded on the jaws to offset. I didn't ask questions at the time because I figured if they worked for him they should work for me. And they do, because the #3 is a very high lever trap and can have a lug added and still have great lock up. I know it doesn't sound like it should work great but it does. As far as lock up and minimal damage i can't think of another trap i could switch to for better results. It takes a lot of welding and time to get it to this point but i feel it's worth it in the long run.
Sorry if i kinda hijacked this thread but hope the info will be considered and useful in the end.
I have a lot of respect for mr. Coyote and feel we should do our best to take it easy on him right up to the bitter end.

Danny, i agree with you 110% about folks making laws about things theys know nothing about. It's not right but unfortunately that's the world we live in today.

I want to know how to leg catch a coyote? I’ve yet to catch one on the leg. Even a full pad catch with the toes touching the pan don’t result in a leg catch.
Now I have caught coons by the legs without broken bones and even a few foxes that got caught up a little above the pads. Never a broken bone, but with MB550 offsets I have had what would be considered damage by live market trappers. Everything I’m acquiring now will be regular jaws...no more offset.

I have never trapped live market. I do trap sometimes where an offset is required by regulation. For some years now I have just gone to all offset. This trap i s a #4 sleepy creek. It is the closest I get to an ankle catch wannabe.



IMO the gap is too wide in these sleepy creeks. With smaller coyotes their foot slides back and forth and they get cut.

We leg caught a coyote during that coyotes study. It was caught In a #3 Duke offset It wasn't pretty.

1/4 offset is too big, and ya have to have at least 3/8th wide jaw contact. Wider would be best. OG has had it right except for the offset gap IMHO.. At that time they were state of the art, not any more. The goal is at the ankle or even lower. With wider jaw surface leg caught is doable without damage .

That's true but most of these guys trying to make offsets by grinding out a slot are doing It on regular jaws and not laminating. And that In my opinion Is asking for trouble.
I have some offset jawed traps but they have wide cast jaw faces. Or have been laminated.
If It's not a legal issue I wouldn't own a offset jawed trap.

I started out with a 1/4 offset, didn't take long to see that was too much. 3/16 for me anyway seems to be the sweet spot.
I can't think of anything i could do to get better performance out of a trap.
I'm thinking guys are having problems with offsets because of too much gap.

I see your traps are laminated. Offsets and no lamination's are the problem In my opinion. Once a coyote Is first caught It's foot hasn't swelled up yet and you can have some movement. But once that foot begins to swell then you won't have any movement. I still feel If you have a high levered trap and good stout springs you don't need an offset jawed trap.
I trapped the live market for 12 years and the only thing I did was to laminate both inside and out side. Inside being more important. Short chains and plenty of swivels. In those 12 years I never had a fox or a coyote or a cat turned down because of a damaged foot.
But of coarse not to sugar coat things for the fur market there Isn't market for feet.