Merry Christmas! Thank you for all of your trapping and fur handling videos! Just got all(?) my trapping gear, most from your recommendations-I live in western PA and this will be my first season trapping, and because of the knowledge you're sharing, I feel like I have a real shot at being successful (for a beginner anyways haha). Thanks again for all of your videos and explanations on the 'how and why' of all that goes into trapping, much appreciated. Happy Holidays!
@@rebekahpereslucha7525 patients and humility are the lessons you will learn. Glad to hear you are interested. Join a trappers association. You will meet a lot of good trappers and friends. You can learn alot, good lucky from North Central Pa
I have never once seen or used these traps before. I have no clue why this is in my TH-cam feed. With that being said, I just have one question: how badly does closing that trap on your hand hurt?
I'm a big time trapper here in South Alabama, and you couldn't have explained it any better. If anyone didn't understand what you were explaining and your excellent demonstrations, then they're completely clueless. Keep up the great work. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅
I caught my first coyote today. Been a trapper for 3 days now. Your videos helped me a ton and made my first catch come very quickly! Can't thank you enough so I'll at just leave you a like. 🙏
@@skinnypete8928 Pretty sure that being attacked by a pack of wolves and having your neck bitten off or dying from blood loss in a natural way is more barbaric than getting your foot stuck for a night and then getting insta killed by a gun in the morning.
Great explanation. Just remember for the folks that can't understand this, all I can say is " You can't fix stupid." It's about as simple as it gets. Two levers closing two jaws.
I have no idea how this got in my recommendations as i never watch any trapping or hunting videos. But it was fun and educational. Always fun to learn new things.Great video.
When you gave the finger at the end, I could see that bruise on your middle finger. Maybe even drew some blood? What a legend. Taking those last 2 traps without gloves was crazy and very respectable.
@@user-zh4fh6es6yyea cold don't help but it wheres off pretty fast and even when I sometimes release small predators instead of skinning them they usually don't even limp (they have but that's just if they've been in the trap over night and I see them on my trail cams not limping usually the same night)
So glad you demonstrated this I get so tired of people telling me offset traps don’t apply the same pressure as closed jaw traps. It really all boils down to common sense.
See the pelts drying brings back memories from my childhood. My father was a trapper for many years catching nutria, racoon, mink, otter and muskrat in South Louisiana. I will never forget seeing my dad skinning and scraping and cleaning the pelts then him and my mom stretching them on boards for hours then hanging them outside on a sort of clothes line he made. Never forget that unique smell.
Haha! The part where you show how good your "finger" works is hilarious. Very good stuff! Thank you for spreading knowledge to those that need it. Merry Christmas!
A fellow named Gary Meis, a critical warrior from Minnesota for the pro-trapping side of things, made a similar video some 25 years ago for an outdoor program called Ron Schara's "Minnesota Bound" where he debunked the goofball lies of the anti's. It was part of a major network, airplay all over Mn. He stuck a gloved hand in a similar trap. We used that show's excerpt in MnDNR Hunter Education classes for years. Many adults didn't know the truth. Didn't know any better. And that opened a LOT of eyes to the truth. I don't trap, but am a life member of the MnTA because they needed help. They were the first to be attacked by the 'rat=child' crowd.
I am 11 years old and live in Washington state and I can only use bulky cage traps but I enjoy watching your videos they have showed me how to tub animals, flesh them, and tann them, dry them. I also like how you showed that the traps don't hurt the animal just restrans it.
Loved it Man! Thanks for schooling people! There are people out there that have no idea what they are talking about and what you just did was a Stud and somewhat painful move to prove a point! If they can't see it from that view they probably need to be blocked, Merry Christmas and thank you for that great demonstration!
I got my hand in a MB 550 last week. Being a woman, my hand was fine. Nothing broken or bruised but it was a pain in the ass to get off as my hand got too close to the lever. Needless to say it took me a few minutes but I was able to remove my hand. My husband wasn't to happy. I find the hold power of the offset to definitely be better than the closed. Now to get me that coyote that's been hanging around my coops. Merry Christmas sir.
From one IL boy to another..don’t worry bout internet hero’s. They never lose in their mind. Keep cranking out these trapping vids! They are great and with nest predators and ground predators being out of control-we need folks trapping now more than ever! Good work!
I thought you explained it perfectly in your first video. Lol !! Thanks for taking the time to make these videos and sharing them with the rest of us!! I started trapping almost 50 years ago when I was 9 . No one would tell you anything about how to trap .
I chuckled through the whole video. I feel your pain trying to explain facts to those who refuse to believe them. I'm no expert by any means and it's been a learn as you go for me. Only teaching I've had is from online videos and I must say I like your channel the best. Keep the videos coming
Great video Stu and your information is 100% spot on. As long as the animal's foot stops the jaws from making contact with each other, in other words closing completely, the pressure the jaws exert on the animal is exactly the same. The design of the offset jaws only ever had one reason for coming into being and that was to allow the lever or spring to rise higher on the jaw to maximize lockup. Anyone who has ever seen the large old Newhouse traps with massive teeth and offset jaws that are capable of holding anything that walks in North America will realize this. Anyone who doubts this needs to look at the Newhouse 114 that was made for wolves, the Newhouse 150 that was for smaller black bear and mountain lion and the Newhouse 15 that was for the largest black bear and grizzlies. All these traps were made generations ago and all have massive teeth and offset jaws. Animal comfort in no way inspired the design. It's all about holding power and allowing the springs to ride higher on the jaws when catching an animal with a thick foot. Thanks for educating people with accurate information.
Stu, you are doing great. You can't beat stupid into stupid, no matter how hard you try. You just keep doing your thing. No point in trying to convince people with no real-world experience or even basic understanding of physics and mechanical dynamics. It's not worth your time. Love the videos, keep them coming!
Bad ass man! My brother and I are trappers also and we have caught dozens of house cats in our traps with no damage to the animal. These traps were designed with the animals in mind. So that we as trappers can release an unintended catch.
Your video are helping me out alot and I'm 57 years old. And I'm learning alot from you and your videos. I'm learning this all so I can show my 13 year old grandson to trap. Because he wants to start traping and he wants me to do it with him. So keep up the good work you are doing on these videos. I'll be watching them forsure and thank you for your time too. Because to are showing this old dude shit that didnt know shit about traping.
I definitely enjoyed your video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Question...do you ever laminate your jaws on your coyote traps? Besides offsetting I have found this to be the best modification for holding coyotes. Us old trappers are dying off, and I am glad to have you educated younger guys to carry on. Thanks
Merry Christmas Stu. Man don't worry about these "I wanna see your manager Ken's" complaining. These type people will argue with a stump. I got it and I just started trapping.
Mechanical leverage. The higher up the levers are on the jaws increases the force needed to pry the jaws outward and drive the levers down with the jaws. Itd still be pretty hard to test since traps are so perfectly designed to hold but you could take a trap and secure one jaw to a table and a scale to the other jaw and test the weight to pry the jaws open using a 1 inch board. Youd need something very large just to prove the point even though the numbers would be small and the difference between pulling open the closed jaws versus offset jaws would probably only be 10 pounds or so difference, its still a difference to prove the point. This is a very hard test to try to explain but i may be able to come up with my own video explaining a little more. I may give it a shot later on tonight.
I think Turkey neck guy was just looking for some added flair to the demonstration when he suggested Turkey necks or sausages in place of a wood block. He literally said that he wasn't disputing you, but thought that it would be cool to do the demonstration with Turkey necks
You explained that awesome...the only thing I would add is that levers are higher on the wages that are made into the jaws, that allows like you said the mechanical advantage
This was great. Well explained. Lots to be learned here. I thought like others that it was to help with blood flow but this makes it clear I was wrong. Well done indeed. 👍👍😎
I don’t know why this was suggested to me but I am so happy that it was. This is the energy I want to have all 2022 when dealing with anyone who tries to argue with me.
Hahaha !!!!!! You had me at, "Putting my hand in Giant Trap". In the 70's my Little Brother Troy said that trap ( # 2 Victor Leaf Spring ) ain't gonna hurt me. He was 13 or 14. Well. He couldn't get his hand out. I had to get him out.
Like an idiot I got my hand/wrist stuck in a conibear 330 this year for the first time thank god it was cold out so I had thicker gloves and a few layers on but it wasn’t fun to get off by myself. Lol
Never trapped except as a kid with a Have a heart box type. But have always enjoyed learning new stuff. Thanks for learning me LoL. Best demo I have ever seen on leg hold traps. It also answers the question about cruelty to the animals. Thanks 👍
I've been worried about my dog ever stepping in one of these traps. This made me feel a lot more comfortable about them. Thank you! I'm still worried about conibears or him choking on a snare, but at least these I feel more comfortable about.
@@Dougarrowhead Public land. Same places you hike and hunt with a dog off leash are the same places folks might be trapping. Here in Utah, over 70% of the state is public land.
Hey brother love your content! I know there's no ice anywhere but you planning on any winter time fishing videos? I like watching you pull those slab crappie through the ice.
You are 100% right. Offset traps give you better lockup on the levers of the trap. Hence more locking power same holding power but the levers are higher for more lockup vs the standard jaw traps.
You got balls for sticking you hand in a trap. But, for any given thickness of material clamped with the 2 different traps, the offset jaw trap will have increased clamping force because of the greater leverage of the locking mechanism coming farther up the jaws. The closer a trap gets to fully closed the greater force it is applying. However you are correct that the increased holding ability of the trap is because the lock comes up higher, not because of increased clamping pressure. The higher the lock is on the jaws the harder it is to open the jaws without applying downward force on the locks, conversely the more open the jaws are the easier it is to open the jaws by simply pushing the jaws open.
Merry Christmas Y’all. Thanks turkey neck man for being a good sport.
Merry Christmas to you my friend!
Merry Christmas Stu
Merry Christmas! Thank you for all of your trapping and fur handling videos! Just got all(?) my trapping gear, most from your recommendations-I live in western PA and this will be my first season trapping, and because of the knowledge you're sharing, I feel like I have a real shot at being successful (for a beginner anyways haha). Thanks again for all of your videos and explanations on the 'how and why' of all that goes into trapping, much appreciated. Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!
@@rebekahpereslucha7525 patients and humility are the lessons you will learn. Glad to hear you are interested. Join a trappers association. You will meet a lot of good trappers and friends. You can learn alot, good lucky from North Central Pa
the dude throws his hand into the trap and says "oh boy." this guy is my favorite dude on youtube
it really doesnt hurt at all. they dont close with any force behind them.
@@joshlower1 what about body grippers? I'm not an anti I dabble in trapping myself.
The Second time with the delayed "ahg" was even better 😂
@@joshlower1 they do actually have some force behind them so that the animal cannot escape
@@joshlower1 He looks like is gonna cry. In fact there is a cut in the video.
I have never once seen or used these traps before. I have no clue why this is in my TH-cam feed. With that being said, I just have one question: how badly does closing that trap on your hand hurt?
Ever get your fingers stuck in a powered car window? About the same, depending on what size trap you use
Not as bad as slowly dying stuck in it
@@mikecrystalrobert7898 for science ur going to have to prove it.
@@mikecrystalrobert7898 prove it
@@charlesacree4830 I just got my hand stuck in a trap the other day on video
I'm a big time trapper here in South Alabama, and you couldn't have explained it any better. If anyone didn't understand what you were explaining and your excellent demonstrations, then they're completely clueless. Keep up the great work. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅
I caught my first coyote today. Been a trapper for 3 days now. Your videos helped me a ton and made my first catch come very quickly! Can't thank you enough so I'll at just leave you a like. 🙏
Congrats on your first coyote!
What are you gonna do with it?
@@greeneyesfromohio4103 Practice skinning on it. Caught my first bobcat yesterday.
@@usernamehere6061 that’s pretty barbaric
@@skinnypete8928 Pretty sure that being attacked by a pack of wolves and having your neck bitten off or dying from blood loss in a natural way is more barbaric than getting your foot stuck for a night and then getting insta killed by a gun in the morning.
Great explanation. Just remember for the folks that can't understand this, all I can say is " You can't fix stupid." It's about as simple as it gets. Two levers closing two jaws.
I have no idea how this got in my recommendations as i never watch any trapping or hunting videos. But it was fun and educational. Always fun to learn new things.Great video.
I like the random videos sometimes. Just like you said it is fun to learn new things 👍
When you gave the finger at the end, I could see that bruise on your middle finger. Maybe even drew some blood? What a legend. Taking those last 2 traps without gloves was crazy and very respectable.
thats just a bit of dirt off the trap is all the traps dont hurt at all.
@@joshlower1 when its freezing and you setting traps and int slams on your Fingers it will Hurt 😅
@@user-zh4fh6es6yyea cold don't help but it wheres off pretty fast and even when I sometimes release small predators instead of skinning them they usually don't even limp (they have but that's just if they've been in the trap over night and I see them on my trail cams not limping usually the same night)
So glad you demonstrated this I get so tired of people telling me offset traps don’t apply the same pressure as closed jaw traps. It really all boils down to common sense.
Perfect explanation. If they don't get it now, they won't ever!
See the pelts drying brings back memories from my childhood. My father was a trapper for many years catching nutria, racoon, mink, otter and muskrat in South Louisiana. I will never forget seeing my dad skinning and scraping and cleaning the pelts then him and my mom stretching them on boards for hours then hanging them outside on a sort of clothes line he made. Never forget that unique smell.
It’s hard to believe people don’t get this. But I did learn that if I’m trying to catch cardboard boxes, I need closed jaw traps 🤣😂🤣😂
Haha! The part where you show how good your "finger" works is hilarious. Very good stuff! Thank you for spreading knowledge to those that need it. Merry Christmas!
A fellow named Gary Meis, a critical warrior from Minnesota for the pro-trapping side of things, made a similar video some 25 years ago for an outdoor program called Ron Schara's "Minnesota Bound" where he debunked the goofball lies of the anti's. It was part of a major network, airplay all over Mn. He stuck a gloved hand in a similar trap. We used that show's excerpt in MnDNR Hunter Education classes for years. Many adults didn't know the truth. Didn't know any better. And that opened a LOT of eyes to the truth. I don't trap, but am a life member of the MnTA because they needed help. They were the first to be attacked by the 'rat=child' crowd.
I really appreciate the honesty you have in your videos.
I am 11 years old and live in Washington state and I can only use bulky cage traps but I enjoy watching your videos they have showed me how to tub animals, flesh them, and tann them, dry them. I also like how you showed that the traps don't hurt the animal just restrans it.
It's kind of funny that in movies these kinds of traps always sever fingers when that would completely defeat the purpose of a trap.
You made it pretty simple and easy to understand. Thank you!
Great video Stu 👍. Sometimes all you can do is smile and walk away. Some people will never get it.
Loved it Man! Thanks for schooling people! There are people out there that have no idea what they are talking about and what you just did was a Stud and somewhat painful move to prove a point! If they can't see it from that view they probably need to be blocked, Merry Christmas and thank you for that great demonstration!
There are millions of tree huggers who need to see your video! Great job.
I got my hand in a MB 550 last week. Being a woman, my hand was fine. Nothing broken or bruised but it was a pain in the ass to get off as my hand got too close to the lever. Needless to say it took me a few minutes but I was able to remove my hand. My husband wasn't to happy. I find the hold power of the offset to definitely be better than the closed. Now to get me that coyote that's been hanging around my coops. Merry Christmas sir.
Oh geez you should have used a polish Sausage and I will be a believer!! Only use a Polish Sausage!! 🤣🤣👍🏻👍🏻💯💯
lol! your exactly right. Cant say I would stick my hand in a trap to prove a point for foolish people lol. happy trapping.
I’m still not convinced. I really think we need a tutorial with a Turkey head 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 sarcasm
I believed you with the first demo, always critics.. keep doing what you do !!
From one IL boy to another..don’t worry bout internet hero’s. They never lose in their mind. Keep cranking out these trapping vids! They are great and with nest predators and ground predators being out of control-we need folks trapping now more than ever! Good work!
I thought you explained it perfectly in your first video. Lol !! Thanks for taking the time to make these videos and sharing them with the rest of us!! I started trapping almost 50 years ago when I was 9 . No one would tell you anything about how to trap .
I chuckled through the whole video. I feel your pain trying to explain facts to those who refuse to believe them. I'm no expert by any means and it's been a learn as you go for me. Only teaching I've had is from online videos and I must say I like your channel the best. Keep the videos coming
Dang, this man has all the correct information, and stuff of steel to back his point up. Nice job Sir, that deserves a subscribe from me.
Merry Christmas , you do a great job ! thank s for sharing
“I can still give the finger to all you haters out there!!! “. Amen Brother. Great explanation. Thanks. PeaceY
Great video Stu and your information is 100% spot on. As long as the animal's foot stops the jaws from making contact with each other, in other words closing completely, the pressure the jaws exert on the animal is exactly the same. The design of the offset jaws only ever had one reason for coming into being and that was to allow the lever or spring to rise higher on the jaw to maximize lockup. Anyone who has ever seen the large old Newhouse traps with massive teeth and offset jaws that are capable of holding anything that walks in North America will realize this. Anyone who doubts this needs to look at the Newhouse 114 that was made for wolves, the Newhouse 150 that was for smaller black bear and mountain lion and the Newhouse 15 that was for the largest black bear and grizzlies. All these traps were made generations ago and all have massive teeth and offset jaws. Animal comfort in no way inspired the design. It's all about holding power and allowing the springs to ride higher on the jaws when catching an animal with a thick foot. Thanks for educating people with accurate information.
Stu, you are doing great. You can't beat stupid into stupid, no matter how hard you try. You just keep doing your thing. No point in trying to convince people with no real-world experience or even basic understanding of physics and mechanical dynamics. It's not worth your time. Love the videos, keep them coming!
Another informative video. I appreciate your honesty and always being factual.
Keep up the great work.
Thanks for all your efforts.
Merry Christmas.
That middle finger to the haters was amazing 😂
Bad ass man! My brother and I are trappers also and we have caught dozens of house cats in our traps with no damage to the animal. These traps were designed with the animals in mind. So that we as trappers can release an unintended catch.
I know nothing about traps, but I like hearing what you said.
Perfect ending... fingers work great, even that middle one. Great job. Keep up the good work.
I laughed out loud actually at that!
Great demo. Classic Stu stuff, keep'm coming!
Couldn’t of explained it any better! Good video man
It's definitely all about leverage! Great instructions brother!
Your video are helping me out alot and I'm 57 years old. And I'm learning alot from you and your videos. I'm learning this all so I can show my 13 year old grandson to trap. Because he wants to start traping and he wants me to do it with him. So keep up the good work you are doing on these videos. I'll be watching them forsure and thank you for your time too. Because to are showing this old dude shit that didnt know shit about traping.
I definitely enjoyed your video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Question...do you ever laminate your jaws on your coyote traps? Besides offsetting I have found this to be the best modification for holding coyotes. Us old trappers are dying off, and I am glad to have you educated younger guys to carry on. Thanks
Great demonstration, thanks for setting me right on this. Merry Christmas
I love how u stick your hand in the traps
Merry Christmas Stu.
Man don't worry about these "I wanna see your manager Ken's" complaining.
These type people will argue with a stump. I got it and I just started trapping.
Mechanical leverage. The higher up the levers are on the jaws increases the force needed to pry the jaws outward and drive the levers down with the jaws. Itd still be pretty hard to test since traps are so perfectly designed to hold but you could take a trap and secure one jaw to a table and a scale to the other jaw and test the weight to pry the jaws open using a 1 inch board. Youd need something very large just to prove the point even though the numbers would be small and the difference between pulling open the closed jaws versus offset jaws would probably only be 10 pounds or so difference, its still a difference to prove the point. This is a very hard test to try to explain but i may be able to come up with my own video explaining a little more. I may give it a shot later on tonight.
Great demo... it convinced a land owner to let me use legholds now!!!
Thank you for the awesome video, I can't believe how people couldn't get it the first video haha 😆
Love it! Your videos are educational and extremely well put together! Happy trapping!
😂 I'm working nights and you just made my night so much better 😂😆
I don't know a thing about traps, I just came to see a man stick his hand in one. Wasn't disappointed.
I think Turkey neck guy was just looking for some added flair to the demonstration when he suggested Turkey necks or sausages in place of a wood block. He literally said that he wasn't disputing you, but thought that it would be cool to do the demonstration with Turkey necks
Explained It perfect!! Nothing left to dispute or argue!!
Best Christmas present ever! “As a matter of fact, I can still give a finger to all the haters”
Great job explaining!!!
Beautiful!!!!! 😂😂😂 love the give the finger to the haters 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Best explanation I’ve heard for this! Good video Stu!
You explained that awesome...the only thing I would add is that levers are higher on the wages that are made into the jaws, that allows like you said the mechanical advantage
EXCELLENT VID especially the finger for the HATERS
Thank you for teaching me something I didn’t know. Wow your hand 🖐?! Amazing!!!
We have a another Trapper J here. Boys and Girls.
Heck I learn something new everyday! Good Video Bud!
Fantastic explaining, if anyone give negative comments it just means they don't know any better
This was great. Well explained. Lots to be learned here. I thought like others that it was to help with blood flow but this makes it clear I was wrong. Well done indeed. 👍👍😎
lol dont waste your time on haters, your videos have helped me alot thanks for your time. merry christmas
Merry Christmas and if anyone writes a dumb comment after this then you know the old saying you can't fix stupid.
I really enjoyed this particular video ! Thanks for sharing
Comments for the algorithms
Can't believe you stuck your hand in! That was great!
I don’t know why this was suggested to me but I am so happy that it was. This is the energy I want to have all 2022 when dealing with anyone who tries to argue with me.
Can't explain, or show it any better than that!! Thank You!
Thanks stu for trying to set it straight it’s about leverage gosh I’ve had this argument before. I’m a fan of getting those levers up high!
Good vid. You are definitely more 'hard core' about your craft than I would be.
Loved the attitude. Lol. Very informative videos. Keep them coming. Oh. Merry Christmas.
Keep giving the finger to the haters!
Best video ever. Broke down to kindergarten level, which seems to be needed. Loved the coyote foot. Hilarious.
Dude, you rock! F the haters!
I love it!! You rock!! To hell with the haters!!! Keep up the good work.
Never saw the first video, but this was hella interesting and informative. Was happy it was recommended in my feed.
Merry Christmas to you Coon Creek. 🎄
Awesome video. Great transparency! Sorry turkey neck man 🤣!
Fantastic video/demonstration!!! Keep the videos coming! Have learned a lot from you! Thank you!! Merry Christmas!!
Scott from Maine
Great job man. And classic move to make sure you could still use your fingers correctly. Keep up the great work and have a Merry Christmas.
Hahaha !!!!!! You had me at, "Putting my hand in Giant Trap". In the 70's my Little Brother Troy said that trap ( # 2 Victor Leaf Spring ) ain't gonna hurt me. He was 13 or 14. Well. He couldn't get his hand out. I had to get him out.
I'm new to trapping good explanation makes sense to me maybe for the haters you may need to give them two fingers up 😅
Like an idiot I got my hand/wrist stuck in a conibear 330 this year for the first time thank god it was cold out so I had thicker gloves and a few layers on but it wasn’t fun to get off by myself. Lol
Great job I think we just got some snow flakes out there
Very well demonstrated buddy! Merry Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year!
You took that trap like a champ.
You are absolutely right that is the only reason I use offset jaws
Never trapped except as a kid with a Have a heart box type. But have always enjoyed learning new stuff. Thanks for learning me LoL. Best demo I have ever seen on leg hold traps. It also answers the question about cruelty to the animals. Thanks 👍
Davey Crockett level explanation.
I've been worried about my dog ever stepping in one of these traps. This made me feel a lot more comfortable about them. Thank you! I'm still worried about conibears or him choking on a snare, but at least these I feel more comfortable about.
How are you walking a dog or letting one run around in an area where you don't know if there could be any traps set.
@@Dougarrowhead Public land. Same places you hike and hunt with a dog off leash are the same places folks might be trapping. Here in Utah, over 70% of the state is public land.
@@scottpiper654 sounds scary
Hey brother love your content! I know there's no ice anywhere but you planning on any winter time fishing videos? I like watching you pull those slab crappie through the ice.
I had no idea that kind of trap wouldn't spring harder. I wouldn't do that with a rat trap though :)
Obviously you are correct! You don’t need me to tell you that. Thanks for the science channel!
ive always been all for hunting and stuff but never knew anything about traps, this was a really interesting video, thanks for thsharing the knowledge
Words to live by “I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you”
I liked this video because of the middle finger at the end lol
You are 100% right. Offset traps give you better lockup on the levers of the trap. Hence more locking power same holding power but the levers are higher for more lockup vs the standard jaw traps.
You got balls for sticking you hand in a trap. But, for any given thickness of material clamped with the 2 different traps, the offset jaw trap will have increased clamping force because of the greater leverage of the locking mechanism coming farther up the jaws. The closer a trap gets to fully closed the greater force it is applying. However you are correct that the increased holding ability of the trap is because the lock comes up higher, not because of increased clamping pressure. The higher the lock is on the jaws the harder it is to open the jaws without applying downward force on the locks, conversely the more open the jaws are the easier it is to open the jaws by simply pushing the jaws open.