Ken Erickson: Muskrat

[Blues]

...'Twas some days before Christmas, when all through the flat
Not a slipjoint was stirring, not even a 'rat...

(With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore )


Too quickly it seems that it's that time of year again when images of Ken's knives dance through my head. It's become sort of an informal Christmas tradition between Ken and myself that I get one of his knives to place under the tree (under the watchful eye of my miissus who brooks no nonsense).

This year's selection is interesting for me on a couple of levels. First because it's my first custom of this pattern and secondly because it completes a "trio" of knives built for me with the (Randall shop) yellow micarta which Ken has been putting to good use as well as CPM-D2 blades.

My idea was to create a series of workmanlike ranch and field knives in these materials with one, two and three blades. The single blade in this series is the "Cub" lockback @ 3.75" closed, based upon the Jr. Michigan Pen pattern that Ken has become associated with. The three blade selection is a 4.25" stockman. And now comes the improved muskrat.

When Ken and I put our heads together for this project we decided to use the frame and master (clip) blade of a classic Remington muskrat of yesteryear as our inspiration...and a wharncliffe blade designed by Ken to fit the pattern.

Since it's a single backspring knife, catch bits were required to allow the two blades to both pass one another as well as allow the maximum blade length that the frame would accept.
(I think you'll agree from the images that Ken got as much blade into this knife as humanly possible.)

I prefer the "Hawbaker" style muskrat pattern as I am not a big fan of blade redundancy despite understanding its practicality if a muskrat knife were to be used as originally intended.

The shield was based upon a vintage Winchester "Texas Jack" which I had recently sent to Ken.

Finally, we decided to dress up the bolsters by adding a fine thread.

Here's a summary of the relevant technical details...

Pattern: Muskrat
Length: ~4" closed
Weight: 2 1/4 oz.
Thickness: .425"
Construction: Integral. Single Back Spring, Catch Bits
Covers: Yellow Micarta
Steel: CPM-D2 @ ~ 60 Rc

And now the images that will be dancing through my head...

As always, your comments and impressions are welcome.

 

[glennbad]

Wow!

That's all I got...

WOW!

 

[pertinux]

(I think you'll agree from the images that Ken got as much blade into this knife as humanly possible.)

Looking at the images, I'd venture that Ken has achieved something more on a superhuman level.

My goodness!

No, I don't see how it would be possible to fit more blade into that handle, and to do it with (what I have come to consider) his trademark elegance of line? Amazing feat.

This must be very rewarding for both of you, to see this "notion" become reality.

I look forward to seeing the Golden Trio together. :thumbup:

~ P.

 

[Blues]

Sarah, I hope to be able to show them together down the road...but for anyone who hasn't seen the other two, here's a couple of quick links to some images...

Stockman

Cub

 

[mqqn]

Beautiful knife and pictures.

I keep seeing little details on the knife the more I look, very nice!

What does the 7 indicate?

best

mqqn

 

[Thalestin]

That is a real beauty, congrats

 

[Blues]

Beautiful knife and pictures.

I keep seeing little details on the knife the more I look, very nice!

What does the 7 indicate?

best

mqqn

Ken now uses a numbering system for the steel. CPM-D2 is "7".

 

[Gevonovich]

It is a superb night---cold outside yet a warm yellow glow emanating from beneath the silvery green needles of the Fraser Fir. Thoughts dancing in my mind like twinkling little diamonds amidst the sapphire dome of night sky. Emotions of friendship, tradition and gratitude filling my being. An almost mystical desire to blend with the night, and all the beauty that surrounds me. The smiles of family, thoughts of friends, the rich smell of pine, the crackling of a warm fire. Suddenly, a sense of timelessness, a new understanding of beauty, made with will and wish, destined to soar into eternity

 

[MT Damascus]

I really like the blade combo.



Kris

 

[expwmbat]

Wow--that's really wonderful in so many ways. I love the blades and the fact that he managed to fit them at that length (how? a magic trick?). Fantastic knife--congrats to you and Ken.

DJK

 

[Humppa]

That´s a fine example of a Muskrat. A stunning piece, for sure. It seems that the Muskrat pattern doesn´t get that much of attention. But it´s a nice pattern...

It´s a real masterpiece of Ken! Congratz, Elliott!

 

[zippofan]

Incredible Elliott, congrats to you!

I've found that I really enjoy two bladed patterns since I purchased a Northwoods (Queen) "mini-moose", which is really a serpentine improved muskrat with Turkish clip and Wharncliffe blades in ATS-34.

Cheers,
Griff

 

[Planterz]

The Hawbaker muskrat is my favorite traditional pattern. The Case/Bose is my favorite example of these (that I've owned), but this Erickson is absolutely fantastic. He certainly nailed the Hawbaker down. That's a whole lot of blade that fits in that handle, and the blades look like they'd slice like lasers. I like the low profile of the wharncliffe in closed position too. Every Hawbaker I've seen has the wharncliffe sticking out a lot more. That couldn't have been easy.

 

[jivedaddy]

That is a great looking knife Elliott-a definite improvement over the original muskrat pattern in my opinion. The yellow micarta and the shield add to the overall workman-like look of the knife. What a great addition to the other 2 knives you already have. Congrats, and way to go Ken, again:thumbup:

 

[Peregrin]

Great looking project, Elliott! Ken sure nailed it. The Hawbaker muskrat is one of my favorite patterns too. As mentioned by Aaron, that Wharncliffe blade is nice and low in the frame. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Blues]

Thanks, guys and gal. Your kind words mean the world to me and, I'm sure, Ken. It's always a pleasure working with Ken and dreaming up the next project.

My only bit of consternation with this project was whether to "dress up" the package by going with Ken's jigged bone or stag...but in the end I wanted to remain faithful to my original concept and (fortunately) Ken and I already have a pretty good idea of what the next project will be that will get the benefit of some nice natural covers.

 

[knarfeng]

Awesome knife. Perfect in so many ways.

It's become sort of an informal Christmas tradition between Ken and myself that I get one of his knives to place under the tree (under the watchful eye of my missus who brooks no nonsense).

Maybe you could convince her that you need to open that package early, just in case the Mayans were right.

 

[avoidspam]

Beautiful knife, a joy to the eye.

Sam

 

[Blues]

Awesome knife. Perfect in so many ways.



Maybe you could convince her that you need to open that package early, just in case the Mayans were right.

Me: "Honey, can I open my new knife now?"

Wifey: "No, you can't. Why?"

Me: "Because it's mayan!"

(Can I get a rim shot? Thank you, I'll be here all week. )

 

[ken erickson]

Thanks, guys and gal. Your kind words mean the world to me and, I'm sure, Ken.

I very much appreciate reading the kind and insightful comments! I am thankful that my work can strike a cord in some folks the way that it apparently does.