I have a couple victors and a couple north woods. I was setting them today and it seems to me the north woods are stronger than the vics. All the traps were made in the eightys. Why is the north woods stronger?

Also, some of the north woods wont stay set. I'll get the dog to the pan and when I let go of the pan, the trap springs, I know I'm setting it right. Is the dog to short? Thanks for any help.

it could very well be the dog is too short, also check and make sure there is no dye or wax either on the tip of the dog or in the pan latch
i find that my 2 year old duke 1.5s are stronger then my brand new 1.5 victors

I filled the wax/dye off. I've set other traps of the same brand with the same lenght dog, so I guess it couldn't be that.

most likely when you filed, you went too far and it made the metal really slick and maybe angles down. one of my traps is like that anyway

I had some NWs and they were very strong little traps.

Could the dog be bent a little or the pan notch could be sloped a little like Grove said.

Could be, when you say slope, do you mean up or down?

it slopes downward so the where the dog and notch make contact the pan notch will just slide down the slope of the dog. if that makes any sense lol

That makes sense. How do I fix it? Do I have to put a new dog on them?

bend it a little upwards is what i would do.

If your dog bends down bend it up a little.If the pan notch isn't square.The dog will slip out of it.You may have to file it a little to get it right.

those northwoods 1 1/2s are a good trap. i found one in my grandpas shed. it was my uncle's when he trapped in high school. around 15 years ago. it is as strong as my new dukes. cant wait to see if it will get me some critters.

Thanks for the help. I'll try fixing it today if it doesn't rain.