What's a moose, dangit? (Or the (un)Official Forum "Why A Duck?" Thread)

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KnifeHead

KnifeHead

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Seems to be that there are various opinions as to what a moose is.

A moose is a double end jack. A double-end jack is a folder with 2 blades that pivot out of both ends. Simple. Understandable. That's what you think NOW.

Put a full length, slender clip blade in each end and we call that a muskrat. That's not a moose. Of course it's still a double-end jack, but, swap one of the clip blades for a short spey blade and you have a double-end premium jack(do NOT call it a two blade stockman...that would be undignified :) ).

You understand that a muskrat is not a moose, right. Ok..good.;) It's a double-end jack with two, full length clip blades. So..what's a moose? A moose is a NOT a double-end trapper. Wait a minute!!! What's a double-end trapper? Well, a muskrat is a double end trapper with two slender clip blades but it's not a moose. Wait, there's more. :yawn:

A double-end trapper is not a muskrat because it has a full length clip and a full length spey blade out of both ends. THAT makes sense. A trapper is a jack knife with a full length clip and spey blade pivoting on ONE END so it just stands to reason if you pivot a spey on one end and the clip on the opposite end, you have a double-end trapper. Ahhh, it's all starting to make sense now.

"Wait a minute", you say, "What is a moose?". According to Blade's Guide(2005 edition), page 170, a Texas Jack is a Moose or a Moose is another name for a Texas Jack. A Texas Jack is a double-end jack with a full length, wide clip master blade on one end and a full length spear point blade on the opposite end. Big blades!

Wait a minute..that same page has illustrations of a Primble Sowbelly "Texas Jack" w/LONG SPEY a Case Tested XX "Texas jack" w/LONG SPEY. :eek: WHAT THE HELL!

AHHHhhhh the Texas Jack or Moose has EITHER A FULL LENGTH SPEAR ORRRRRRRRRR SPEY BLADE, according to that particular reference, and they are fairly heafty blades, not the long and slender blades of a trapper. The difference is in the size and width of the blades.

Why the name Texas Jack or Moose? Apparently it has to do with size and appearance of the blades in relation to the handle. It's speculation where the names originated but "Texas" and "Moose" conjur images of bigness. It's probably that simple.

I see Remington R-4353 knives refered too as a "moose" but they are really trappers, due to the shape and size of the clip blade and frame. A Texas Jack/Moose USUALLY has a premium stockman or cattle knife frame.

There you have it...but I could be wrong :p It's all very confusing. I think I will take up the hippie life and move to Canada ;)

The only caveat being, if Tony Bose says something is a Moose, then it's a Moose :D
 
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Certainly IS confusing:eek:

Try listening to Mr Parker playing Moose the Mooche that'll help:D
 
Thanks, willgoy. This really helps :D
Charlie Parker - Moose the Mooche
[youtube]tu14kEuqGJc[/youtube]
 
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the best example of a moose is Blue Grass Cut.winchester reintroduction.mine is rodgers bone carbon steel/mror polished.B.G. C. they totally copied win.patterns.mine is 1977.another is case x.x.green bone.these are big babies,4.25 inches.
 
DennisStrickland said:
the best example of a moose is Blue Grass Cut.winchester reintroduction.mine is rodgers bone carbon steel/mror polished.B.G. C. they totally copied win.patterns.mine is 1977.another is case x.x.green bone.these are big babies,4.25 inches.
Click to expand...

Pix us, please!;)
 
bullwinkle.gif


Elementary, my dear Kerry. (And elegantly put as well.)

P.S.: I love Canada!
 
Wait a minute...Bullwinkles torso is shaped like a....a....A PEANUT!!!! OH NOOOOOOOO!
 
KnifeHead said:
Wait a minute...Bullwinkles torso is shaped like a....a....A PEANUT!!!! OH NOOOOOOOO!
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:p... though he prefers to think of his shape as serpentine and most assuredly premium, Jack! ;)
 
I dunno,Bullwinkles torso looks like a beavertail Moose,to me,maybe,a fiddle back Moose
-Vince
 
VCM3 said:
I dunno,Bullwinkles torso looks like a beavertail Moose,to me,maybe,a fiddle back Moose
-Vince
Click to expand...

No..definitely not beavertail or fiddle back because it isn't symetrical. It's a peanut moose......definitely peanut moose. :D
 
Jason, according to Levine's Guide, that would be a derivation of a cattle knife called a Bull-Head. (Equal-End/Double-End with a spear master blade.) (Page 190, LG IV)
 
I am so confused! I still refer to some three bladed knives as a stockman when they ought to be called a cattle knife. Now this!

So does the moose name have anything to do with the symmetrical similarity to the their big antlers.

777px-Bigbullmoose.jpg
 
texasflyfisher said:
I am so confused! I still refer to some three bladed knives as a stockman when they ought to be called a cattle knife. Now this!

So does the moose name have anything to do with the symmetrical similarity to the their big antlers.
Click to expand...

It is suggested that it might. Especially if/when the two blades are in the half opened position.

The main characteristics to remember for the pattern are:

Two large blades...one on each end. Premium Stockman frame. Normally about 4" or larger closed. Wide/heavy clip master blade. (Secondary blade may be a spey or spear.)
 
Case 52075 "Moose":

orig.jpg



This is the "75" pattern that the 4.25" large Case stockman shares.
 
texasflyfisher said:
I am so confused! I still refer to some three bladed knives as a stockman when they ought to be called a cattle knife. Now this!

So does the moose name have anything to do with the symmetrical similarity to the their big antlers.

777px-Bigbullmoose.jpg
Click to expand...


This Moose has two awls and a flat head screwdriver on it.
Cool.
 
Hi,

I almost thought I knew what a moose was. But between the pictures of Bulwinkle, Texasflyfisher's moose, Charlie Parker, and Blue's Case, I'm no longer sure.

I will be in my room with the lights out and a cool cloth on my forehead. Somebody have a brandy sent in please.

dalee
 
I have studied a lot of old knife catalogs and....

I have never seen the term "Moose" applied to any knife prior to the Case catalog #70 circa 1967 which was the first Case catalog to include pattern names. In that catalog Case included both pattern nicknames for some patterns (for example Texas Toothpick) as well as the names which would indicate the usage (for example Carpenter's)...in that catalog the 6275 SP was called the Heavy Sportsman's - Moose.

In older catalogs I have seen equal end knives like the posted Winchester referred to as a Bullhead. I have also seen a sowbelly pattern with a clip and long spey blades referred to as a Texas Jack - in fact Belknap Hardware sold a John Primble branded knife of that pattern with the blade etch Perfect Texas Jack Knife.

Remember, pattern nicknames are never etched in stone and have evolved from the old days to the modern collector era.
 
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