2022 GEC #81 Coon Skinner

Back in the early 90's, my Grandpa got my Brother and I our first ever pocket knives while on vacation in TN; a Case Peanut. I still have it to this day. Since then, I've mostly collected Case and Schrade slipjoints with a variety of fixed blades from various manufacturers. I never spent a lot on knives. I just need them to function. When my Grandpa and I would hunt deer and rabbit, we used an Uncle Henry 127UH to field dress countless game. With the years and years of memories this knife holds, it is undoubtedly my most prized piece.

I know I'm late to the party, but last week I splurged a little and bought my first ever GEC; the #81 red onion micarta. Just picked it up from the post office this morning. The quality is truly everything everyone is talking about. Smooth transitions to the bolsters without gaps, flush pins and shield, backsprings are flush in both closed and open positions and without gaps, nice bevels and grinds on the blades, sharp, no blade play or rap, and as far as I can tell so far no blade rub. The blades sit nice inside of the knife. And having a single backspring, it's a nice thin profile. Not too big and not too small. Walk and talk is fantastic. The pull is not too hard or too soft. I like the look of the red onion micarta and the serpentine shield caught my attention. This is the only muskrat pattern in my collection. And while I understand it is not a common pattern due to having two identical blades, I can see myself getting good use out of this knife on a day to day basis and when out in the field. It may not be my most prized possession, but it is certainly one of my nicest pieces. A true work of art, but one I intend to put to good use.

With my Grandpa having been an old tool and die maker, the fit and finish on this knife would've made him proud. To anyone on the fence about purchasing an 81, I say go for it.
 
Incredibly, I'm still on the fence on these. I only have one GEC, because I am usually too late to the party. I managed to get a 94 last year, but have missed everything else. After trying to catch a drop all year, it's insane to me that these are still available. Did they make extra, or is the muskrat pattern not as popular?
 
The muskrat is not one of the more popular patterns. Redundant blades are why most people don't like them.
 
I was on the fence initially, too. And, perhaps, I'm biased as I made the purchase and have knife in hand.

If you're looking for maximum utility (is this the right word? edit: I think versatility is a better word) out of a multi-bladed knife, then I think a muskrat is not for you. It clearly doesn't have a clip and sheepsfoot, for example.

However, I looked at it like this. If this were a single bladed knife with only a turkish clip, I would be happy with the pattern, craftsmanship, utility, etc. The fact that it has a second blade that is redundant does not detract from the knife at all, imo. It only provides is redundancy, which is kind of nice. One is none and two is one, right? 😅 I can use one clip as the workhorse, not caring if it dulls slightly, and keep the second clip reserved for when razor sharpness is needed. Kind of like a double bit axe.
 
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I think you'll like it 😉 The build quality on mine is everything that I've heard about. And if you like turkish clip points, it'll serve you well.

Also, just my personal opinion, but a muskrat knife on display is just something beautiful to behold. Whether both blades are open fully, half way, or a quarter way, the symmetry is stunning.
 
crufflers said:
I got these today. Bull Moose and Coon Skinner. Sweet knives.
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mrknife said:
if this had two full clips instead of two muskrats, i wonder how it would change the knife or maybe even one full clip and one muskrat 🤓
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I think they would call it a Moose.
 
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