Thoughts on the muskrat pattern

[Frisky]

Last month, I used a muskrat pattern knife for the first time. On my birthday, my brother gave me a Camillus Yello-Jaket in that pattern. It’s assembled in China, using Japanese AUS8 blades. The blades had a rough grind on them, but I sharpened them to scary sharp and put the knife away in the neat wooden box it came in. It had good workmanship, but it wouldn’t be my 1st choice in a pocket knife. I didn’t expect to use it much, unless my brother was with me out hiking or something. Well, last month, I processed a deer and had piles of meat to trim free of fat and silverskin. Whenever I do up a deer, I like to use around 5 to 10 knives, just to try them out at various aspects of the job. I chose the Camillus and the Buck 110 for trimming. It’s tedious work, I wouldn’t wish on anyone, but it has to be done for the most enjoyable eating. The Buck was excellent, but I ended up grabbing the muskrat knife, over and over, until the blade finally began to dull. Not a problem. I closed the blade and opened its clone and continued on with the job. When I was through, they returned to their scary sharpness with about 1 minute of steeling on each blade. I now appreciate the design of the muskrat pattern.

The original idea behind the design was to provide a better knife for muskrat trappers. The rats often have muddy fur that can dull a blade quickly. With two identical blades in one knife, a trapper could skin twice as many rats before having to touch up the blade. The way the blade sits, while open, would make it useable for opening up a deer too. I also think it would take the hide off a deer with ease. In the near future, I plan to pick one up from Case. If you have a favorite muskrat knife, I’d like to see it.

Joe

 

[Arathol]

 

[Frisky]

Thank you! Those are beauties!

Joe

 

[5K Qs]

Joe, I enjoyed reading your experiences with the Camillus muskrat! :thumbup:
This might look vaguely familiar:

This is a memorable gift muskrat (thanks, Randy):

This Colt muskrat has stag covers that I enjoy immensely:

- GT

 

[Frisky]

Those are all beauties! Yes, I first saw the Blac-Jacket a couple of days ago and almost bought one, lol! I decided my next knife will be a sodbuster, followed by an American made muskrat.

Joe

 

[5K Qs]

Yeah, my Blac-Jacket was an incredible bargain (single-digit price) at one of the big home improvement stores last spring, and I think was still discounted last month when I checked.

- GT

 

[btb01]

This is the only Muskrat that I have, a US-made Schrade that I acquired in the last year or so. (To be honest, I don't know what makes it an "improved" muskrat.) Although I generally prefer variety in a multi-blade knife, I appreciate patterns like this with two similar (or identical) blades, as well, and as the OP explained, it makes sense when you need the knife for repetitive use doing the same task. I'll probably pick up another Muskrat at some point.

 

[cchu518]

I dislike the muskrat pattern. But I have a strong, strong like for the improved muskrat with one wharncliffe blade. I have a rough rider version that I really enjoy so I sent it out to get new handle covers.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Frisky]

I too couldn't see the point in having two similar blades, and I had no desire to own the pattern. However it proved desirable for repetitive work. I used it for 4 hours with no hot spots showing up. So, it has found a place in my gallery of users.

Joe

 

[Will Power]

Interesting to get a first hand field test of a pattern. I don't hunt, but it is useful to hear how it performs, as it was intended.

Here's my Queen Cutlery ACSB Muskrat. Single-spring, D2 blades. This was when Queen made outstanding knives (early this century) probably the best made American production knife I own.

Regards, Will

 

[Jeff_R]

Hi Arathol,

Wow that Case muskrat looks very familiar! You didn't perchance purchase that in a brick-and-mortar store yesterday, did you?

In any event, that's a beautiful Case 'rat. :thumbup:

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[Arathol]

Hi Arathol,

Wow that Case muskrat looks very familiar! You didn't perchance purchase that in a brick-and-mortar store yesterday, did you?

In any event, that's a beautiful Case 'rat. :thumbup:

Cheers,
Jeff

No, I have had that one tucked away for years along with a few other Case knives of the same series.

 

[edbeau]

I like the design and have a few.

Rough Rider


Camillus


Schrade


Imperial Frontier

 

[Steely_Gunz]

I'm not a big fan of blades with near-match pairings. However, I do think the way a Muskrat nested blades look from the top down when closed.
Then again, I have a Stockman in my pocket right now, and very rarely do I use the different blades for different tasks (generally cut with whatever I can get my hands on first), but I prefer the look of a three bladed knife when closed.

I might have to dip my toe in the Muskrat waters a bit. Maybe pick up a Rough Rider to see if I want to invest in a nicer one.

 

[Rookie82]

Aesthetically I've always like the muskrat pattern. I like symmetrical knives. However, they never felt very natural in my hand when trying to use one. Here are a few Tuna Valley muskrats I have (stag, stag, ivory, and horn).

 

[Frisky]

Rookie- I think I noticed what you're talking about when you say they didn't feel very natural in the hand. You don't have a blade dead center in the handle. They are on each side. At first, it felt a little strange. I got used to it quickly and didn't notice as the hours wore on.

Joe

 

[KBA]

I'm not a big fan of blades with near-match pairings. However, I do think the way a Muskrat nested blades look from the top down when closed.
Then again, I have a Stockman in my pocket right now, and very rarely do I use the different blades for different tasks (generally cut with whatever I can get my hands on first), but I prefer the look of a three bladed knife when closed.

...

This pretty much sums up my thoughts on the pattern. I will add that everytime I see the pattern my inner child who still wants to be a ninja comes out. I just picture both blades open and my fist gripped around the handle exposing only the blades. This is usually followed by a poorly done jump and kick as I make a battle cry sound.

Ive had only one and it just wasnt for me.

 

[deltaboy]

The only people I knew who used this pattern was some commercial fishermen or Trappers.

 

[Grateful]

I really like muskrats. I enjoy using a thin turkish clip and find them to be very useful. Once i got used to using the turkish clip for all my daily tasks having a second matching blade sharp and ready to go really made sense to me.

Here is my GEC muskrat with ebony handle scales. It is a single spring model and is really nice to carry. Its not nearly as shiny anymore. I also have a Case muskrat and like it a lot but not as much as the GEC.

JIM

 

[Frisky]

That GEC rat is a nice one! I like ebony scales.

Joe