Well, this happened today...

BMCGear · Jul 18, 2015

I've been wanting to get a traditional to EDC. I've mainly carried modern knives for the past 10 years and I've peppered in some traditional ones here and there. Just like with the majority of the moderns they get bought, carried some, and then sold or traded to get something new in my pocket. I wanted something different this time though. I wanted to get a knife that I could carry daily whether in blue jeans or khakis for work. I wanted something that I could develop some history with; something that would age gracefully and tell the story of it's use. So I decided that a traditional was the way to go. I've always been a big fan of Case but going with a GEC wasn't out of the question either. I was looking at a few different patterns from each. I figured that I would go with a trapper pattern as I thought it would be big enough for anything I could throw at it, would have two blades (one to keep screaming sharp and the other for utility work), and I'm partial to the look of that pattern. It's been a while since I've owned a full size trapper though and when I went to the local hardware store I was disappointed in how it felt in my pocket. I don't think I could EDC one comfortably at work. I researched some more that night and there were a few patterns I was interested in and figured I would make the decision tonight and order one. I was running some errands this morning and stopped by the hardware store again. I asked to look at the medium stockman and mini trapper this time. I've owned a mini-trapper not long ago and thought maybe I should revisit that pattern since the full size was now out. I was handed a Stockman and then a Muskrat by mistake. I've only owned one Muskrat and it was an Old Timer when I was a kid. I wasn't a fan of the thin blades on that knife and actually broke one (the only blade I've ever broken). I looked at the Muskrat although I thought I hated the pattern. Man it felt good in hand, it was thin in the pocket, and a second clip point is just as useful in my EDC as a spey point. I compared it to the mini-trapper and left with the Muskrat.

Sorry for the long winded post. I look forward to the companionship this knife will offer and the story that it will tell.

Also, sorry for the bad picture. This was a quick shot taken to send to a friend who suggested that I try a Muskrat pattern a few days ago and I scoffed at his idea.

Railsplitter · Jul 18, 2015

Looks like a mighty fine choice. May it serve you well for years to come.

prisoner6 · Jul 18, 2015

Nice catch. I find I am in a similar spot. I have owned and carried a few traditional a over the years, and am always considering hopping back in. The pattern is always the question. I like the peanut, but have very large hands. Also have considered a medium stockman, a mini trapper and a swayback. Perhaps I should give the muskrat a look as well. I'd like a little length, but not too wide.

Lemmy Caution · Jul 18, 2015

Nice find! It looks like the nick is high up enough that you could mod the second clip if you decided you wanted a sheepfoot, coping, or wharncliff. Here's the mod I did on my CSC Muskrat, which I bought with the intention of modding:

This muskrat is single spring, so it worked out nicely.

Half/Stop · Jul 18, 2015

BMC That looks like a Chestnut Bone with CV blades. A very good choice

waynorth · Jul 18, 2015

Lookin' good, BMC!!
Is that a single-spring knife??

Lemmy Caution · Jul 18, 2015

waynorth said:
Lookin' good, BMC!!
Is that a single-spring knife??

Dont mean to presume, but pretty sure all of Case's current muskrats are single springs.

jc57 · Jul 18, 2015

Lemmy Caution said:
Dont mean to presume, but pretty sure all of Case's current muskrats are single springs.

The Case Chestnut CV Muskrat in my hand right now has 2 springs, made in 2013.

Pretty sure his is the same model as mine.

Grateful · Jul 18, 2015

I have a Chestnut bone cv bladed Muskrat like the one posted above. It's in my regular rotation and despite having two springs is a pretty slim knife and with the round bolsters is easy to edc. I really like mine, the blades are thin and cut and slice very well.

Jim

Cory Hess · Jul 18, 2015

I had a similar awakening in regards to the muskrat. When I first saw them I immediately dismissed them. If I'm going to carry a knife with multiple blades it makes no sense for those blades to be identical. Heck, they're even on opposite ends, so they'll feel identical during use. Then GT5K sent me a Rough Rider muskrat. I immediately understood. You get two blades, but the knife handles like a fat single blade. The shape of the blades in combination with the shape of the frame make the closed blade all but disappear to the touch. It is one of the most comfortable multi-bladed configurations I've ever found. I still prefer a trapper, but I definitely have a respect for the muskrat. That one you found is a beauty. I really like the jigging and the coloration, especially the little appaloosa look towards the bolsters. :thumbup:

waynorth · Jul 18, 2015

I wonder what makes Case decide on when to make two-springs, and when to make oners!!??

Chris Montgomery · Jul 18, 2015

Very nice and congratulations on getting that beaut! For me it's a nice revelation to find my perception was wrong on one I felt I didn't like.

I hope you continue to post pictures as this one ages and develops a history with you.

Chris

onejim · Jul 18, 2015

waynorth said:
I wonder what makes Case decide on when to make two-springs, and when to make oners!!??

I recently purchase a new (either 13 or 14) case 6208 to match my grand fathers old well loved 6208 from back in the day. I bieve it was a 10 dot.

The new knife had two springs. But ole grandpas only had one spring.

I was very disappointed. The dye job was way off to so it went back.

Going from one spring to two completely changed the knife. Wonder why...and when...they changed their ways. I imagine the time and skill required to do a single spring knife, done right, out weighed the cost of a second spring.

It's a shame.

Glad you like the knife. I've always wanted to try a muskrat. But was never a huge California clip guy. But that has changed in recent times. May need to get one and try that mod out that lemmy did.....which looks awesome.

Jim

BMCGear · Jul 18, 2015

Railsplitter said:
Looks like a mighty fine choice. May it serve you well for years to come.

Thank you, sir.

prisoner6 said:
Nice catch. I find I am in a similar spot. I have owned and carried a few traditional a over the years, and am always considering hopping back in. The pattern is always the question. I like the peanut, but have very large hands. Also have considered a medium stockman, a mini trapper and a swayback. Perhaps I should give the muskrat a look as well. I'd like a little length, but not too wide.

Case makes a Jack that's a bit bigger than a Peanut that I really enjoyed as well. I have very large hands too.

Lemmy Caution said:
Nice find! It looks like the nick is high up enough that you could mod the second clip if you decided you wanted a sheepfoot, coping, or wharncliff. Here's the mod I did on my CSC Muskrat, which I bought with the intention of modding:

This muskrat is single spring, so it worked out nicely.

Cool mod!

Half/Stop said:
BMC That looks like a Chestnut Bone with CV blades. A very good choice

You are correct! Thanks for the compliment.

waynorth said:
Lookin' good, BMC!!
Is that a single-spring knife??

Double

jc57 said:
The Case Chestnut CV Muskrat in my hand right now has 2 springs, made in 2013.

Pretty sure his is the same model as mine.

You are correct.

Grateful said:
I have a Chestnut bone cv bladed Muskrat like the one posted above. It's in my regular rotation and despite having two springs is a pretty slim knife and with the round bolsters is easy to edc. I really like mine, the blades are thin and cut and slice very well.

Jim

One of the best slicers I've owned.

Cory Hess said:
I had a similar awakening in regards to the muskrat. When I first saw them I immediately dismissed them. If I'm going to carry a knife with multiple blades it makes no sense for those blades to be identical. Heck, they're even on opposite ends, so they'll feel identical during use. Then GT5K sent me a Rough Rider muskrat. I immediately understood. You get two blades, but the knife handles like a fat single blade. The shape of the blades in combination with the shape of the frame make the closed blade all but disappear to the touch. It is one of the most comfortable multi-bladed configurations I've ever found. I still prefer a trapper, but I definitely have a respect for the muskrat. That one you found is a beauty. I really like the jigging and the coloration, especially the little appaloosa look towards the bolsters. :thumbup:

I had a similar revelation today. Thank you for the kind words; I really am enjoying this knife. I know it's the honeymoon but I haven't gotten this excited about a new knife in a while.

Chris Montgomery said:
Very nice and congratulations on getting that beaut! For me it's a nice revelation to find my perception was wrong on one I felt I didn't like.

I hope you continue to post pictures as this one ages and develops a history with you.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I sure will.

BMCGear · Jul 19, 2015

Carried the knife to church this morning, grocery shopping, and around the house all day. This is such a great pattern.