Looking for opinions if there are any pros/cons of using laminated closed jaw traps for beaver.

Thanks for your comments.

I do like them for front foot situations but the problem I'm running into is that the jaws warp so traps that won't close is a problem. One day I'll get around to grinding them off and might go to a double jaw type thing

I was just thinking about this today. I will be watching this thread

I would think there would be less chance of a beavers foot sliding in the trap to one side of the trap so long as they are closed jaw traps with no offset jaws.

I don't like a laminated trap for beavers. Front foot catches is okay, but not back foot. The back foot on the beaver is tapered with no pads. The wider the jaws the less pressure being exerted per square inch because the pressure is being spread out over a larger area. The next time you catch a beaver, put it's hind foot in a trap below the ankle, stand on the chain and grasping the front feet, pull upward. You may be surprised you're able to hang on to any of them. The narrower the jaw, the better I like them.

That's exactly why I love the #14 jump for beaver.Alot say its outdated but you are not going to pull a beaver well caught out of one.Those blunt teeth stop any foot sliding.The newer beaver traps I have no experience with.

Interesting.Would the trap being wet also make a diffrence?

I don't own a foothold trap that isn't laminated and that includes for beaver. . .of course, I long chain almost all my beaver traps, where the beaver can swim freely, (yet in many cases will drown).
I started trapping beaver in 1987 and as of date have NEVER 'footed' or even 'toed' a beaver and I have them caught by one or several toes.
# 9 wire on all my jaws, from #4's to #5 DBL. I don't care what anyone says.
I can show you a lot of 'live' footage on foot catches, both front and back with laminated jaws.
Laminated jaws ? You bet !

No laminations on beaver traps for me. The jaws lose their "bite."

Thanks Paul, I was thinking the same way. Do you find the foot swelling slightly around the jaws?
Narrow or laminated the force applied by the springs is the same. But yes, a laminated jaw reduces the pressure applied across the foot unless ;of course, the taper of the foot precludes full jaw depth contact on the foot.

No need for a laminated trap when trapping beaver.

Agreed. I laminated a few and soon realized it was a mistake. Stock jaws held much better.

Same principle goes for coon. Same type of foot structure.

X3

No lams for me either.

"Never footed or toed a beaver", thats a new one for me

I've caught a lot of beaver and I only footed one. It got up on the bank and tangled up. I caught that beaver 3 days later.

Highly suggest laminated offset

Thanks for all the responses, thinking I'll stay with non-laminated jaws on my beaver footholds.

Why?

These statements of opinion are based upon my experiences in conditions in my area. Your conditions and experiences may be different and result in different opinions.

In my opinion whether laminated jaws in a beaver trap are a good idea depends upon the specific trap. The trap needs to have a strong grip to hold a beaver by the back foot. Because of the size and shape of their legs and feet, it is easier to hold a beaver caught by a front leg than a back foot unless caught above the ankle. A catch above the rear ankle is great. A catch across the rear foot requires a very strong grip to hold. The grip strength of a trap is a function of the jaw size and shape and the spring type and strength. The MB750 is the first and only trap that I have used for beavers that had strong enough springs to create enough grip strength with factory laminated jaws to reliably hold a beaver caught across the rear foot. A catch above the rear ankle will certainly hold. A catch on the front leg does not exert too much pressure. They work great for me. The MB750 with laminated non-offset jaws are my favorite beaver traps.

I am curious why someone would prefer offset jaws on a beaver trap. Edited from laminated jaws.

I use MB750s for beavers when I need a foothold. I have closed jaw and laminated closed jaw 750s.

While different traps being laminated with round stock may create advantages or disadvantages, it is my opinion that the only thing flat-stock laminated closed jaw 750s do is satisfy legal requirements if there are any states that require laminations. No functional difference worth mentioning in my opinion. 750 laminations are just too thin and flat to really change anything. Other laminated types that use round stock, sure, it’s different.