A growing (grudgingly) respect for the lowly Mora!

tknife

tknife

Joined
Mar 18, 1999
Messages
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I know I'm preaching to the Mora choir here, and Tony will probably never speak to me again ;) But I just had to post a few thoughts on my Mora trials and tribulations.

My first experience with Moras was many years ago with one of the red wood handled versions. I spent a lot of time getting rid of the micro bevel and putting a razor sharp zero Scandi on it. Thing was a serious straight razor, but the edge was way too fragile and bent after just a little use. Plus I hated the smooth handle and was always afraid of my hand slipping onto the blade. That one is in the garage somewhere, never to be seen again.

Fast forward a few years and I decided to get a 510. I liked the handle, solid feeling and secure, very comfortable for me as well. I kept the micro bevel this time and was able to sharpen it up to a razors edge, only now the edge lasts without bending. It flies through anything I have tried it on. Food, all types of wood and vegetation, even batoning.
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So then I decide to pop on the outrageous $12 price, and got a Clipper and one of the new Companion models from Ragnar. Super comfortable to use, light as a feather, sharp as any knife could possibly get, and cheaper than a fast food meal for two...
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I have carried one around either in my back pocket or conveniently clipped somewhere on my past few hikes and I don't even notice it there.
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Bend and cut a sapling, no problem!
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I'm pretty sure I would be just fine for an extended stay in the woods with about $40 worth of cutting tools
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I know what you mean, it picks my brain to decide between one of my Mora's or a Fallkniven (prop's to Fallkniven for being built like a tank). As much as I'd like to ignore the Mora's, they're very... practical. They also have a certain nostalgia for me, an onus on ones knowledge and experience. It stresses less on the gear that you take, but on the know-how... or something like that. Kinda hard to explain. :thumbup:
 
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I know my Mora 510 is scary sharp, and seems to hold its edge well through all the normal knife tasks I put it through. And, you're right, you hardly notice it's there while hiking, until you need it. It's a very handy knife, indeed! Paired up with my Scibeer modified Farmer(with scissors), all of my cutting needs along the trail are met.

Ron
 
I couldn't agree more. I liked mine so much I asked Mike Griffin (CA) to make a custom based on the Mora's design (thin 3-4mm stock, round/comfy handle). It's just had a heat treat....
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Mac that looks like it will be a sweet knife :thumbup: I think what I am most impressed with is the weight. They basically weigh nothing so whether you are wearing it, or it's in your hand chewing through wood, it feels like it's barely there!
 
I do like the traditional rounded wood handle for winter hunting trips. When my hands are so cold they are nearly numb, it still feels secure and controllable for cleaning animals.

I'm waitin to see on the newer plastic handled ones. I want to see one in person before I take the plunge.

Another good thing about the traditional one is that you can have it in your front pocket, and it is so non-threatening looking that noone flips out.
 
tknife said:
I spent a lot of time getting rid of the micro bevel and putting a razor sharp zero Scandi on it. Thing was a serious straight razor, but the edge was way too fragile and bent after just a little use.
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I think I know where you went wrong there . . .

I really like my HighQ Allround Carbon - I paid $10 for that one from Ragweed Forge, the tang on those ones go more than halfway along the handle (~2/3) and the handle is really comfy. A couple of minutes on the strop (sharpening the micro bevel) and this sucker is crazy sharp.

I don't use my Mora knives for everything - I think that a saw/axe/machete/Big knife/khukuri is pretty handy to bring along for chopping/batoning type jobs. But for a bit of food prep or making stakes or traps or carving whatever - the Mora does the job better than anything else you could get for that money.
I pretty much always take camping a big knife or machete or khukuri + a Mora as my main two cutting tools. I usually also have stuff to play with/test and backup stuff like a SAK & MT.
My Mora is my secondary knife as well as being my primary carver/whittler knife.
 
Erasmus said:
I do like the traditional rounded wood handle for winter hunting trips. When my hands are so cold they are nearly numb, it still feels secure and controllable for cleaning animals.

I'm waitin to see on the newer plastic handled ones. I want to see one in person before I take the plunge.

Another good thing about the traditional one is that you can have it in your front pocket, and it is so non-threatening looking that noone flips out.
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The Companion series is absolutely stunning for the money. The new sheaths for the Craftline TopQ, HighQ, and Companion series snap on like kydex and are much sturdier than their predecessors with an awesome belt clip that can be secured to the pack or waistband if not wearing a belt. The tangs are long, and the prices are still super low. The spines in most cases have been ground flat rather than being left rough stamped. :thumbup:
 
tknife said:
Mac that looks like it will be a sweet knife :thumbup: I think what I am most impressed with is the weight. They basically weigh nothing so whether you are wearing it, or it's in your hand chewing through wood, it feels like it's barely there!
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Here's some pics of it with redwood burl scales put on. Sheath is in the works.

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That turned out beautifully! Is it full on Scandi or does it have a secondary micro bevel?
 
I drool over the big full tang knives like a ESEE or BK, but I use the heck out of my clipper and it hasn't failed at doing anything yet.
 
I know what you mean tknife. Mora's are a whole lot of knife for a few bucks.

I bought a lot of knives looking for that perfect outdoor knife. When I saw a picture of the Mora 2000 here on the forum two years ago, I liked the looks of it. The green handle appealed to me because it was soo different, and a few people said they thought it looked like puke. I had to have it, I ordered it online, and when it arrived fell in love whit my inexpensive Mora. It's been my goto knife, leaving the more expensive knife purchase sitting there wishing for some action.
 
You can (and should) put a slight convex edge or micro bevel on any scandi cutting edge. It really strengthens the cutting edge and makes it less prone to chipping, dings and rolling.
 
Once I realized the Mora is supposed to have the micro bevel, I did a complete 180 on my view of them. I also like how I can scratch the "wanting a new knife itch" for just a few bucks too :thumbup: I'm already eyeing a 511 that I want to mod into a 510 and do a few other things with. And it's only 8 bucks!
 
I've come to determine that unless you damage the edge of a scandi (cutting bone, knots, etc.) that a leather strop will quickly bring the blade back to life.

Cheers,
Serge
 
I have a Mora 510 that I won here in a giveaway, and it is the one I reach for when doing tough work around the home. It does its job well, and I won't have an anxiety attack if I damage it.
 
I bought a butt load of carbon steel Moras at one time.
I've never had as much fun for so little money, at least when it comes to knives.
tonym is "confused." Moras are great. :D
 
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