Wildwood Survival - Traps - Figure-4 Deadfall

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"No-knife" Figure-4 Deadfall Trigger

The typical Figure-4 trigger mechanism requires some fancy knife work to construct. Dovetails and slots must be cut into the sticks at exact angles. These angles are sometimes hard to line up.

But having constructed the trap, it seems as though a knife is essential to making it. Not so! In fact, once you've made a figure-4 trigger without a knife, it seems almost simplistic in comparison.

Here are photos of a "no-knife" Figure-4 deadfall trap.

Trap and photos by Walter Muma

An overview of the trap.

Note that the vertical stick ends in a "Y" that holds the diagonal stick.

The end of the diagonal fits into a tiny branch stub on the horizontal stick.

The horizontal bait stick is held against the vertical stick with the same kind of stub.

Detail of where the diagonal stick meets the horizontal (bait) stick.

Note that the diagonal stick is held in place with the stub of where a twig once joined the stick on the horizontal (bait) stick.

Detail of how the horizontal (bait) stick is held in place against the vertical stick.

In this photo, the bait stick is being pulled towards the right by the diagonal stick, and is held in place by the small twig that sticks out.

Detail of the "Y" at the top of the vertical stick. No fancy dovetail notch needed here!

Now, doesn't that seem much easier to construct than making one with a knife?

Of course, there are drawbacks. One has less control over how the sticks fit together. And therefore less control over the sensitivity of the trigger.

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