Improved Muskrat Vs. Muskrat

[Fox1011]

All the Old Timer 77OT's I have seen have a blade etch that reads Improved Muskrat. This one I have just come across has no sign of that etching. It may have worn off so completely that it is not visible but it got me to thinking... Was there a Muskrat before the improvement? Or were they always an Improved Muskrat even back when they were first introduced (1976).
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Ed

 

[thawk]

There were some older ones in the Schrade Walden line that had rounded bolsters, but the Walden I have is improved but the newer style with squared bolsters. There are some old muskrat threads that discussed what "improved" meant.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301233&highlight=improved

I think this thread has some good discussion from some of the "old timers".

 

[waynorth]

Thanks for searching that one up, thawk. It is indeed a great old discussion.
It is a thought worth further investigation that the "improved" part of the etch refers to the slimmer clip blades. (Now if I can just find a "pre-slim" muskrat!!)

 

[Fox1011]

That extensive conversation was full of a lot of good information. Thanks for the reference. I am thinking that this one may just have had the etching rubbed right off.
Best Wishes,
Ed