Help picking a particular pattern?

BJE

BJE

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Apr 12, 2006
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I am a little new to traditional knives, I have used them in the past and as a matter of fact an Old Timer small stockman was my first knife. In the past couple of years I got caught up in the tacticool products, but I want knives that are my favorites because they are special to me and not because they are the newest, stongest tactical tank out at the moment. In short, I am going back to the good ole' days:D. I have found many patterns that I like but none yet that I love. I would really like to try a knife with a clip point and wharncliffe in a muskrat (preferable) or trapper pattern around 4in. closed. with something traditional like bone or stag for the scales. I would like to keep it around $50 but I would be willing to spend more for the right knife. It also must be pretty easy to find as I want to able to use it and not feal too guilty if it gets lost or stolen. If you are familiar with VCM3's avatar I am thinking along those lines only preferably in a muskrat pattern. I have found the Case wharncliffe trapper but not with a handle material I like. Anyone have any suggestions? Also, for those of you who edc a Case, do you prefer CV or Trusharp?
 
Come to think of it I have a Case full size trapper that I am trying to sell. Stag Bone scales, SS blades, like new and in very good condition. I don't think I sharpened it. I only want $46 for it.
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Sounds like you have already narrowed it down pretty well!! :D

The Shepherd Hills website has a search by pattern page that puts cases production all in one visual search. You might go there and sift through the patterns and see what jumps out. It will either help you narrow the field or make deciding much much more difficult.
 
Ed T said:
Sounds like you have already narrowed it down pretty well!! :D

The Shepherd Hills website has a search by pattern page that puts cases production all in one visual search. You might go there and sift through the patterns and see what jumps out. It will either help you narrow the field or make deciding much much more difficult.
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I guess the proper question would have been
Could someone help me find this particular pattern?
I have been to the Shepherd Hills website, first time accidentally while trying to go to Case's web site. It's W.R. Case and not Case XX, but it introduced me to a helpful site so I guess it is a good thing I got the web address wrong.
 
BJE said:
... If you are familier with VCM3's avatar I am thinking along those lines only preferably in a muskrat pattern.
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Check this out:
Cumberland Knife Works Ebay store has a number of Case/Bose muskrats that are just what you mean. They are expensive.

You can try for one of the older ones too, just search for Hawbaker muskrat on ebay. Usually not cheap either.

I don't think there are any wharncliffe trappers around other than Case's offerings, and I don't think they have it in CV which rules it out for me.
 
Zip7 said:
Check this out:
Cumberland Knife Works Ebay store has a number of Case/Bose muskrats that are just what you mean. They are expensive.

You can try for one of the older ones too, just search for Hawbaker muskrat on ebay. Usually not cheap either.

I don't think there are any wharncliffe trappers around other than Case's offerings, and I don't think they have it in CV which rules it out for me.
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The hawbaker muskrat is exactly what I am looking for, but they have been very hard to find. Why couldn't I pick a more popular pattern:grumpy::confused::rolleyes:
 
Morablades said:
Come to think of it I have a Case full size trapper that I am trying to sell. Stag Bone scales, SS blades, like new and in very good condition. I don't think I sharpened it. I only want $46 for it.
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I appreciate the offer, but I am going to save my money for now until I know what I really want. I ordered a Rough Rider trapper and Pen knife from SMKW just to see how I would like those patterns (under $20 shipped!). That is a very nice looking sheath with that trapper though.
 
Sorry, I have no suggestions, but I believe a Muskrat with one Wharncliff blade should be a big seller for whoever made a production version. Even a mini-Muskrat would do well. I'd pick one up.
 
neeman said:
Cumberland carry that pattern by Queen for 49!
Thats why I suggested it..
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Sorry, I didn't see it at first. I spotted the $300 price tage on the Case/Bose and my wallet hit me in the face and made me leave. The only Hawbaker muskrats I saw by Queen had a spey blade instead of a wharncliffe. I have had terrible luck with the edges on all my Queen knives, I am going to have to find someone on the forums to put a grind on them, so I can put an edge on them. I am trying to stay away from Queen because of this luck. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
I had a hard time finding that wharncliff Queen at Cumberland. It's listed under Queen Classics as a "Haebaker" Improved Muskrat. My search on Hawbaker didn't produce any results. I really like the greenbird tracks scales. If the possibility of a thick bevel grind is putting you off, ask Bill if he'd sharpen it for a small fee. I've never asked him to do that for me, but he's always gone out of his way for me (a complete stranger to him). I've been very happy with the Queens in D2 and 1095 I bought from Bill.

If that doesn't work, I bet you live near a BladeForums member that would live to impress you with his/her ability to put a scary sharp edge on your new Queen.

At 4", the knife is a little large for me, I like the 3" to 3.5" size personally. Everything else about that knife is perfect, though, IMHO. I'd really like to find a smaller Muskrat with a Wharncliff blade. With D2 or 1095, it's the best of all worlds.
 
I found the Queen and it is NICE! But I also found a couple other knives I would like your opinons on. Fist is a Fightin' Rooster Hawbaker with Louisiana Blue Z-lox handle for around $50, next is a Parker (Japan) improved eagle muskrat for around $60, it has bone handles I think, and then there is the Queen wich may or may not have a usable edge for $75. I know alot of it is personal preference, but which would you pick?
 
I'll say it again,the blades on the Queen classic inproved muskrat,are different,than others on thier D-2 blades,they are thinner.The one I have is a good cutting knife.
 
I'll back Vince. All other things being equal, from the group you presented the Queen would be my personal choice.
 
BJE,Those classics go fast,too
There is an alternative knife,it can be found on Ebay.It is a John Primble "Hawbaker" style.These were made by Queen for Blugrass Cutlery.
Good quality,carbon blades.
I saw one one Ebay recently w/a start bid of $30
I just ordered one of those Queen's though,from Bill & he said he only has a couple left,your thread here just cost me $$ !!
There's a lot of production slips out there,but IMO,spend a few more dollars and get the better quality
This pattern here,Queen made for Bluegrass again,is a good one & close to what we're talking about
This one here is 3-5/8" closed,opposed to the 4" on the Queen improved muskrat,but it has two backsprings,the Queen muskrat has one ,a bit thicker single spring Spear & clip blades,nice
This one is still thin though & It is a good carry knife
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VCM3 said:
BJE,Those classics go fast,too
There is an alternative knife,it can be found on Ebay.It is a John Primble "Hawbaker" style.These were made by Queen for Blugrass Cutlery.
Good quality,carbon blades.
I saw one one Ebay recently w/a start bid of $30
I just ordered one of those Queen's though,from Bill & he said he only has a couple left,your thread here just cost me $$ !!
There's a lot of production slips out there,but IMO,spend a few more dollars and get the better quality
This pattern here,Queen made for Bluegrass again,is a good one & close to what we're talking about
This one here is 3-5/8" closed,opposed to the 4" on the Queen improved muskrat,but it has two backsprings,the Queen muskrat has one ,a bit thicker single spring Spear & clip blades,nice
This one is still thin though & It is a good carry knife
Click to expand...
I called Bill, he was very helpful, but he said that someone bought the knife I was looking at this morning and it would take 6 months before he could get any more:grumpy:. Now, I can't imagine who the ***hole is that bought my dream knife:confused:. I guess my quest continues. Thanks for the help anyway.
 
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