After Robert Vance, who is the most knowledgeable person on Newhouse traps?

OH BOY!! THIS IS GOING TO BE A FUN TOPIC TO WATCH!

X2

It is a real struggle for me to refrain from posting on the question posted.

It was/is for me too Nancy, that's why I decided to just post the response I did.

newhousecattrapper probably gets my vote

Bruce is in the top level,,cascade is right with him,,if they don't know the answer there Probally is no answer

Im not sure who put Vance at the top, but I could place quite a few above him on scale of trap knowledge. Just buy a copy of his little blue book of trap values, that will say enough. I am not trying to pick a fight or upset anyone but the question was asked so this is my answer.
Mushrat

Greg and Bruce are both very knowledgeable about Newhouse traps. As for Mr. Vance, I will refrain from comment.

If your talking bear traps Paul Nohle of New York handles alot of them.
Tom Parr has a large collection, he may be helpfull.
Steve Langhert Of New York could help.He has a mega Collection.
The late Roger Mason of Maine was probably the go to guy on Newhouse.Roger claimed to have owned over 3000 bears traps in his life.

I am surprised that wissmiss did not come up with a civil and educational response. As for the collectors that have been listed, it would be interesting to hear about how they got their start and who did they learn the most from. Thanks, Tom

What sort of response did you want from me?? Let's try this one.

When it comes to trap knowledge in general and Newhouse trap knowledge in particular, there are any number of people in the trap collecting world that are far more knowledgeable than Robert Vance. Some of them have been listed above but there are quite a few more. I choose not to add to the list because I am afraid I will forget some one and they will be offended.

As for myself, I enjoy trapping collecting as a hobby but I am far from being an expert when it comes to all the fine details - such as original chain types and all the other details that people tend to nit pik over. I tend to stay out of the nit pik discussions unless I absolutely know for sure what I'm talking about.

I am fortunate to have a very good memory and an excellent set of reference materials. So, when some one describes a trap or
posts a picture, I am able to recognize what the trap is and respond accordingly. Some of the knowledge is automatic in my brain, otherwise I use my reference books. If you see a collector trap post about "what is this old trap" and I don't respond, it means I don't know the answer and I am waiting for some one more knowledgable to answer the question, rather than jump in with incorrect information.

And just for the record - I have made mistakes when posting trap information. Not many, but there have been a few in the 10+ years I've been on trapperman.

Thankyou wissmiss. That is what I was looking for, An honest opinion or statements of fact. Not something that leaves you wondering "Just what the heck did they mean by that remark?"

Ed Knoblock had his newhouse collection on display at Onieda Ny Museum.He has a great deal of knowledge on Newhouse Traps and History.Probably many others that are good on Newhouse traps.I have been at Eds house he has a nice collection.Bruce

Waymon Vest.

Bruce1- Thanks for your input. Three thousand bear traps is an incredible number of bear traps to handle in a lifetime. I think Richard Gerstell would have to be high on the list.

Wasn't Waymon Vest only a bear trap guy?

Waymon Vest knows a lot about any Newhouse. He is still around and lives in Texas.

There are many knowledgeable people that make it a study to know all they can about different traps and trap companies.Tom Parr is the President of NATCA (North American Trap Collectors Association)He also has an incredible museum in Galloway OH. John Hadix got me started in collecting and I am still always looking for old traps.Steve Langert is the guy I go to the most when it comes to pricing old traps. Bruce1 and I put on a collectors show every spring. If you guys want to learn about old traps and trap companies I would suggest a book The Steel Trap in North America. by Gestrel. Tom Parrs price guide is the closet thing I've found on prices with condition being the key factor. Its a cool hobby but can get a bit expensive.

It's not a hobby Bill, it's a disease.

It would be helpfull if someone with a good collection would put together a newhouse book from early 1800.s to the end just with photos not so much a price guide.Would be a good seller ! Many early collectors have went to the happy collection ground in the sky, what knowledge has been lost.