I was going to replace weak 330 springs and after taking off I thought to put back in Vice and open the spring up much wider. I put it back on and it was as strong as new traps. Anyone doing this?

Did that on a few old series one vics I had.
it makes them strong for a short time,but they dont last.
Best to put new springs.

Oakey, Boco hit it on the head...I tried that way back in my early days...worked a short while and problems began. Sterling Fur has replacement springs for them.

I would imagine that actually weakens the spring as your relaxing the coil by opening the arms wider.

And If you decide to replace the springs just replace one and you will be good to go.

I was wondering if the increase strength would be short lived. Thanks for the answers

Good to know. I have a couple of older ones that are nice but I can almost set them by hand. Guess I need to order a few new springs.

When mine get slower, I wax the spring to the rivet. Works for couple years.
Than time to sell and buy new ones.

The older I get, the less picky I get about weak 330 springs. The weak ones are easier for me to set and the beavers caught the way you're supposed to catch them aren't going anywhere. The older victors would wear flat out on you and needed to be replaced. Not near as much of a problem with today's traps.

I’ve taken 330 springs off, stuck a piece of 2-inch PVC pipe in the coil and stuck them back on the trap. You’ll have to wire the section of pipe in a couple of places to keep them in place. Problem solved until I sold them.

Then they became someone else's problem?

Not sure. They were good and strong when I sold them.

Would I be wrong in assuming the old springs would be of value to knife makers.

Long springs maybe, I don't think they could make anything except maybe a stiletto out of a 330 spring.