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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Congress or Muskrat? - Advise
- Thread starter ISKRA
- Start date
silenthunterstudios
Slipjoint Addict
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2005
- Messages
- 20,039
Half stops would definitely be advertised.
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2015
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Not always true. Most jobs can be taken care of with 2 different blade styles, and you might need 1 backup blade from dulling over the course of a day but I don't see myself ever fully dulling 2 without being able to get back to the sharpening desk. Any more that 2 blades and the thing stops becoming very pocketable for me. I like to throw my traditional in the coin pocket
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2015
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- 2,131
If you are interested in the muskrats, type in "hawbaker muskrat " or "improved muskrat" you'll get some hits. Some have a long sheepfoot/wharncliffe style blade, and some have a Spey blade. Queen for one made them, and I know there are others I can't recall right now. Seems like I posted a very similar answer recently with a list of makers, but for the life of me I can't remember the thread🙄
Thanks, Neal
Thanks, Neal
I am actually changing my mind a bit. I think I'll save some more money like I said and go for the half congress and toothpick. I completely forgot about my Linder lockback. I always carry it in my bag, but almost never use it, so I often forget it's even there. It's not a top quality knife but it's robust and can handle heavy duty chores. This way I'll try to get the half congress as I really like jigged bone and the toothpick to see how I'll like stag. I like smaller knives. Before I got my peanut (which is far from being a giant) I often carried an old single blade Russian jack knife that is only 2.5" closed and I was quite content with it. This knife was made by a company called Iskra, which inspired my username.
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2006
- Messages
- 8,210
I've rarely seen manufacturers advertise whether the knives have half stops or not. You might email the dealer and ask. I don't know. Most congress knives that I've owned had half stops but some didn't. Conversely, most muskrats that I've owned didn't have half stops. But the Case/Bose muskrat does have half stops. I've never seen a toothpick with half stops.
Regarding muskrats... I usually prefer that the straight edge blade on a knife is shorter. A short straight edge blade is great for controlled cuts in the middle of something. A longer blade can be a bit more awkward for that use. Some muskrats are built on a single spring and some are built on 2 springs. Some have thin blades that have some flex to them. I don't use a pocket knife for skinning muskrats so I prefer no flex at all. That's one of the (many) reasons that the Case/Bose muskrat is my favorite muskrat knife. It has a single spring but strong blades with little flex. Great primary grinds too.
Regarding muskrats... I usually prefer that the straight edge blade on a knife is shorter. A short straight edge blade is great for controlled cuts in the middle of something. A longer blade can be a bit more awkward for that use. Some muskrats are built on a single spring and some are built on 2 springs. Some have thin blades that have some flex to them. I don't use a pocket knife for skinning muskrats so I prefer no flex at all. That's one of the (many) reasons that the Case/Bose muskrat is my favorite muskrat knife. It has a single spring but strong blades with little flex. Great primary grinds too.
I'll just let it be a surprise. Half stops aren't all that important to me although they are a nice feature.
From what I've seen on photos, the Eye Brand muskrat has two springs. I'll place an order in about two weeks, for now I think it'll be the half congress and toothpick, I prefer natural materials for the scales. I might still change my mind 'till then, we'll see.
Sabercat
Gold Member
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- Jan 9, 2015
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- 1,341
I prefer straight edge blades over curved, but ultimately prefer one of each. You can get just about any cutting task done with either, but can get it done better with both. If you can't find such a knife, your decision to go with two knives is good, except you'll have to carry two knives.
Regardless, you'll be happy with whatever you choose, but not SO happy that you'll stop buying them
There's a likely chance that your "perfect knife" will be an amalgam of many, but manufactured by none.
Either way, welcome to traditional knives!
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Regardless, you'll be happy with whatever you choose, but not SO happy that you'll stop buying them
There's a likely chance that your "perfect knife" will be an amalgam of many, but manufactured by none.Either way, welcome to traditional knives!
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I prefer straight edge blades over curved, but ultimately prefer one of each. You can get just about any cutting task done with either, but can get it done better with both. If you can't find such a knife, your decision to go with two knives is good, except you'll have to carry two knives.
Regardless, you'll be happy with whatever you choose, but not SO happy that you'll stop buying them
Either way, welcome to traditional knives!
Thank you! I am a bit afraid I started another another madness. :grumpy: Oh well, at least knives are useful and versatile tools, always coming handy.
Yes, I have now ordered the half congress in bone and the stag toothpick. I've done the transaction today, so they should ship it out next week. It will probably take a week to arrive, I don't know how long it takes from Germany, don't have much experience with this. I hope the knives will be good fit'n'finish wise. I'll let you know when they arrive.
Thanks for the help and advise everyone, much apreciated!
The two ordered knives have arrived today, which closes our short story here, I have posted a more detailed review about the whole thing here:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1167349-Your-newest-addition-traditionals-of-course!?p=16556785#post16556785
Despite the initial pesimistic thoughts the two slipjoints are growing to me with every minute. The half congress seems to be exactly what I need for my daily carry. I am still disapointed and the congress needs a few touches before I can start carrying it. I hope I have the tools needed to do the job, but I won't know before I return home at the end of the week ...
Anyway, you guys were very helpful and I apreciate your input in this thread. A big thank you to all!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1167349-Your-newest-addition-traditionals-of-course!?p=16556785#post16556785
Despite the initial pesimistic thoughts the two slipjoints are growing to me with every minute. The half congress seems to be exactly what I need for my daily carry. I am still disapointed and the congress needs a few touches before I can start carrying it. I hope I have the tools needed to do the job, but I won't know before I return home at the end of the week ...
Anyway, you guys were very helpful and I apreciate your input in this thread. A big thank you to all!
screened porch
Basic Member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2012
- Messages
- 18,770
I'm glad you're feeling better about them.
Not the greatest photo but there's nothing wrong with this one, coming your way tomorrow:
Wow, John, the generosity on the porch truly has no limits. You made my day with this picture.
I don't doubt your words, looks like a beauty! Looking at the dots, is that a 2012? This muskrat will take a honorary spot among my knives.