Lets Talk Muskrats!

perchjerk

perchjerk

Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
1,208
So I have two case knives coming as of now, a sow belly and a muskrat, both in chestnut bone and CV blades. The sow belly was planned for sometime now after several recommendations and pictures on this forum. What wasn't planned was the ever intriguing muskrat that has many times been added to cart and then removed. I have always had trappers and prefer at least two blades but never really had a specific use for a spey blade. I do a lot of hunting and have used a trapper many times on game and get by fine with the clip blade just as easily as a spey, so why not a muskrat? I have no idea why I have put it off this long but I finally took the plunge.

So what are your thought on this pattern? It is definitely not as popular as trappers, perhaps for the redundant blade combo. I get that. I would call this pattern underrated, but I've never owned one before. I'm excited none the less. And I believe the case version has two springs which I personally like. And as always, pic are always welcomed!!
 
This one's my favorite. Great slim blades, classic jigging - it's all good!

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I received a muskrat as a gift from another member. It's not a pattern I ever would have picked out for myself. Honestly, it wasn't even on my radar. I didn't see any point in having a knife with two identical blades. If you're going to have two blades they should be different shapes so that the knife is more versatile. If you only need one blade type just make a single blade knife.

Since receiving this gift, I have really come to appreciate the muskrat pattern. I wouldn't list it as one of my favorites, but I can definitely see the value in it now. The genius of the muskrat is the slender California or Turkish clip. The blade that you're not using just disappears into the handle. The ergonomics are that of a single blade knife, but with the thickness of two springs it doesn't feel too thin like many single blade knives do. In my mind it's a knife that carries and handles like a single blade that you only have to sharpen half as much. I still prefer the trapper or jackknife, but I can understand why somebody would favor a muskrat.
 
For me is a great pattern, because I was into sharpening a lot some years ago, and is a wonderful pattern for carry different edge finishes in one package, and what Cory says is true, the blades disappear into the handle.
In the end I've settled in one blade off the Dmt coarse and the other one polish to extrafine and strop.
Thin geometry behind the edge and around 15 degrees per side.
You'll have fun with it
Mateo
 
My only muskrat knife is the Case Bose collaboration knife which has a Wharncliffe second blade. I like the combination of a clip blade and a straight edge blade. Usually, I prefer the straight edge blade to be shorter so that it can be used for controlled cuts. I usually don't care for knives with long slender blades but this knife is so well designed and built. Also the blades have just the right amount of rigidity... some others are too flexible to be useful to me. I also like stock knives and double-end premium jacks and muskrats use a similar serpentine handle.



 
I, too, had little use for the duplication of blades, but the Rough Rider Improved Muskrat, with its long sheepsfoot combined with a slim California clip, has become one of my favorite carries. The sheepsfoot doesn't disappear the way the clip does, but since I use it the most that doesn't matter much.
 
picturerock said:
This one's my favorite. Great slim blades, classic jigging - it's all good!
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Very nice example. :thumbup:

supratentorial said:
My only muskrat knife is the Case Bose collaboration knife which has a Wharncliffe second blade.
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I do like the collaboration knife as well. :thumbup:

waynorth said:
Schrade Walden Hawbaker
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Beauty Charlie ! :thumbup::thumbup::)

Half/Stop said:
This Case is either a 1970 or 1971. My eyes are to tired to count the dots. :)
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Very nice Mr. Halfstop - it is hard to count the nine and ten dot ones. ;):D
 
It's an interesting pattern and particularly when they are single-spring they draw my attention. However, I do prefer the Improved type that offer a different blade from the usual twin Turkish Clips, don't own one mind mine are the conventional sort. We should remember that the original use for this knife was for skinning small game and having identical blades would indeed be useful for the professional Trapper hard at work.

This is my Queen in ACSB and D2. For those who knock Queen or who have had bad experiences with them, if you could CE/CF this one you would be more than impressed. without a doubt the best made production knife I own. NO gaps, NO raised/sunk spring, NO play and above all else NO rub and this is single-spring. The snap is loud and you know what it EVEN arrived sharp, gasp!:eek::D:D

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This Mini Muskrat from Schatt 2014 has nice finish and low joints. Unfortunately, despite being only 420 it came blunt and has mysteriously refused to take any edge...:confused: Looks pretty though!:D:rolleyes:

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