Purpose of a Muskrat?

[22-rimfire]

...the "improved muskrat" or "hawbaker muskrat," which has a wharncliffe instead of a second turkish/california clip. Kind of a cool knife, but seems to defeat the purpose of the original muskrat as the wharncliffe would seem to be particularly useless for skinning small animals.

Stanley Hawbaker was a big trapping supply operation. I would view them as sort of a AG Russell of trapping. I don't think they are in business any more but I have spent many a dollar there for traps and so forth. I used to subscribe to Fur Fish & Game magazine year after year back in those days. Still pick up a copy now and then at the newstand when I see it and there is something of interest inside.