Muskrat Pattern: Love It or Leave It

Trey Fuller

Trey Fuller

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Apr 11, 2020
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102
I have always kinda liked the look of a muskrat knife but also thought it was a bit impractical for the average person. I’ve noticed lately that the resell value as well as interest in muskrat knives seems to be low. Has it always been this way and I am just now noticing? What do you think about the pattern?
 
I’m an odd ball I guess. Have a Boker solingen Congress in my pocket right now and the muskrat is my favorite Case pattern.

In my neck of the woods the trapper pattern in king for hunters, farmers and outdoorsman but I’ve always held that the muskrat is the best hunting/outdoors knife.

I have had a muskrat in my pocket most days out of the last 10 years. One blade is for general tasks and the other always stays razor sharp and ready for skinning. They make good filet knives for crappie and bluegill as well.

It’s a shame Case discontinued the pattern.

 
I prefer mine with two different blades for increased utility.

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I feel H Hoffmajo89 has the best answer so far. The Muskrat might strike 'ordinary' people as an oddity, two identical, blades seemingly redundant or else offering a Wharncliffe as an alternative to stave off all the bayings about duplication. But in single-spring form it will showcase quality&skill in nesting the blades. It was likely aimed originally at the professional trapper who, under time pressure may need to skin animals rapidly and not want to spend time on re sharpening, hence two long thin California/Turkish Clip blades. Provides a good fillet knife when you don't want or can't carry around a fillet knife in a sheath etc.

Having said that, I only own one full size Muskrat a Queen Cutlery in D2 single spring a beautifully made knife plus a Mini Muskrat (Water Vole??;)) from Schatt & Morgan in a blade steel I have never been able to edge....looks a beaut though! I don't use either and they do satisfy my curiosity about this curious pattern, no more will be bought as I'm not a trapper and fishing seems in the past unfortunately.
 
I wanted the 81 in moose pattern, but going to give the muskrat a shot and wait on an 81 moose in jigged green
 
Awhile back I bought a Muskrat just to fill out the few Schrades I already owned. At the time the popular consensus seemed to be; two identical blades was too redundant to be useful. A theory I agreed with until trying one. After using a Muskrat, I liked the main blade so much that having two of those wonderful blades was a good thing, even if they were both on the same knife. The blades were ultra slicey and the ergos fit me extremely well. I picked up a second Schrade 77 because they're not making them anymore and it is such a great pattern.

Here's one of those (antiquated) Muskrats with an excellent (but also antiquated) small game getter. :)

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Trey Fuller said:
In my opinion, the moose is so much better.
Click to expand...

Serious question from a relative traditional knife newbie: So what’s the Moose vs Muskrat difference ? I find conflicting statements when I search. Seems to depend on manufacturer ?

I have an S&M Moose; love the large Wharnie added to the main blade:

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And what’s the pattern name of the 2018 BF knife ?

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Thanks in advance,

Roland.
 
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