The Muskrat Pattern, under appreciated? Anyone know the history of this knife?

Woodrow F Call

Woodrow F Call

Joined
Jan 3, 2013
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I recently picked up this knife as I have been curious about the pattern. At one time, I did not like this pattern much, but I've had some different thoughts. I got into the single blade knives which are nice.... you get comfortable with that one pattern blade and it's slim. You take care of it and keep it nice and sharp, but then one day you get to working on a big project and that blade gets a little dull.... you can still use the knife, but you find yourself pushing a little harder to make those cuts. After getting used to using really nice sharp edge, you find that the duller edge annoying. Maybe you are working through some game, at this point you don't have time to stop and sharpen the blade as it's warming up and you don't want the meat to spoil. Now the muskrat makes sense.

When it comes down to it, if you are processing game, a clip blade is probably the perfect knife blade (if you can only have one blade pattern). Slender tip for fine work, big belly for skinning.... long and thin for a variety of tasks. Now if you are prying any with the blade, it might not be the best, if you are cutting wood or whittling, it's probably not the best blade. If you are just out fishing or hunting, it's got what you need. And now you have two of them in the Muskrat.

I'm starting to like this knife.
 
Nice knife Woodrow. I have a 1996 Buck Muskrat with one of the blades being a spey. I use it for cleaning small game. I have field dressed 3 Whitetail deer with it also. I think they were originally called the "Muskrat Trapper" for the simple reason that muskrat fur harvesters could do the skinning and switch blades if one got too dull.
I am interested to see what everyones thoughts are.
 
I love the Muskrat. I also love the two different blade shapes available in some other patterns. That leads me to really wanting a Hawbaker Muskrat. Especially with one Muskrat clip blade and one Sheep's foot. A Muskrat is in my future.

Chris
 
I can see where a flat edge in the muskrat pattern could be handy for other tasks, but I'd think two clips to be ideal for "muskrats."
 
Very nice knife. I was tempted to pick one up in pocketworn orange. Maybe I will yet. The clip is my favorite.
I always thought a muskrat to have two clips for skinning with the second as a backup
 
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