Giant Bear Trap Looks Great In Living Room AG WORLD Ag World It takes 700 lbs of pressure on each spring to set Ed Hutzel s largest trap His no 21 bear trap is 6 ft 9 in tall has a 30- in jaw spread and weighs 140 lbs The Meyersdale Penn master trap builder has developed a big reputation over the past decade among trap collectors and trapping associations These aren t reproductions They are my own design Hutzel says These traps are heavier and stronger and made huskier than any other trap made in the last 100 years His biggest traps are actually bigger than bear traps ù large enough to trap water buffalo rhinos and even elephants Though completely functional the traps are no longer legal for bears but highly sought after by collectors from all over the world who display them on fireplace mantels or hang them from lofts of spacious lodges Hutzel blends a variety of old and modern techniques from blacksmithing to temper the steel to cutting the steel with laser and waterjet cutters He uses everything from hammers and punches to sandpaper grinders and polishing discs to create dozens of trap styles from smaller working traps to collectibles with a mirror finish Hutzel has been commissioned to build traps for many notable events including a trap for the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 2004 and more than 100 bear traps for the 50th anniversary of the National Trappers Association in 2009 Prices for the large collectable traps range from $325 to $925 The traps are serial numbered documented and made in limited editions Hutzel also makes working traps ù including tiny mousetraps small game traps and dog-proof traps He is working on two sizes of wolf traps Besides making collectable traps Hutzel has sole rights to sell a few books on traps and their value For example he sells Collectable Traps by Robert Vance which lists more than 2 500 items including traps and other collectables for $19 95 It is the 10th edition good for 2010-2015 He notes that many farmers may have valuable traps in their barns and sheds and they should educate themselves before selling them Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Hutzel Trap Co 290 Kretchman Farm Rd Meyersdale Penn 15552 ph 814 634-5823; seehxr1005@netzero com

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