Batoning up a storm with the Mora #333

FortyTwoBlades

FortyTwoBlades

Baryonyx walkeri
Dealer / Materials Provider
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Mar 8, 2008
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Visiting the mother in law this weekend and decided to split up some wood for her since she hates doing it herself. Whilst doing so it gave me a good chance to do an extended batoning session with my Mora #333 machete to make kindling. In spite of the ridiculously thin blade it held up wonderfully, even when going through some pretty gnarly pieces.

But first, some photos of the new JRE sheath I had done for it. I'll be getting some in to sell shortly, but this one was the sample and I quickly decided I was keeping it for myself. :D Rather than using the belt loop (which works just dandy) I opted for a 2-point suspension similar to that used on swords.

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Batoning:

I used the #333 as a push knife to shape a piece of wood into a baton. The wood in the background of this pic is what I started with--all wrist- to forearm-sized maple and oak.

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Knocked right through knots like they weren't even there.
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Victorious!
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It's AWESOME. Mine will be living on my pack--it's like it was designed for it. :thumbup:

Not sure when I'll have the sheaths in stock, but it'll be soon. I placed the order for them a few days ago. :cool:
 
very nice it cuts wood, but this knife is made for cutting isolation like fabric covered mineral wool, thats why it has so thin edge.
 
I didn't want one of these at first.. but... now I want one. Thanks a lot, 42 :D
 
IZULA said:
very nice it cuts wood, but this knife is made for cutting isolation like fabric covered mineral wool, thats why it has so thin edge.
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The factory edge is around 10 degrees inclusive, which deforms when chopping woody stemmed plants. I thicken them to 30 degrees inclusive. And yes, they were originally intended as insulation knives. :)

DeadFall27 said:
How well does it chop? I FREAKING WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Much better than you'd expect! Because of how thin the stock is it bites a lot deeper than its feather-like weight would imply.

Myker said:
Great, now I need one as well, does it come with a sheath ?
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It comes with a cardboard sleeve. :p

The sheath shown is a custom one from JRE, and will soon be available for purchase as a separate item. :):thumbup:
 
Just over 2/3 length. It comes down to just past the "A" in "MORAKNIV" on the handle. :)
 
Datblameit,I don't need it,I don't need it!
Thanks for sharing FortyTwo.:rolleyes:
Great sheath & better job on the edge regrind.
 
Thanks! The sheath is even more versatile than I had hoped it would be. Thanks to the lashing holes there are tons of different comfortable ways to carry it. If using cord for a suspension like I did, I recommend using cow hitches as they're easy to tie quickly and they hold their position well on the belt. :)

The edge configuration on the #333 from the factory is pretty much unusable for anything other than its original intended purposes. They even leave an aggressive floppy curled burr on it. After putting a 30 degree inclusive convex edge on it with a 40 micron belt it's a dream to use. Still cuts wood like a Mora should! (Hey--that rhymes!:p)
 
Do you think it would be up to the task of being used for very extended/ potentially heavy chopping?

I just would be afraid of breaking the dang thing if I used it too hard. I broke my buddy's SOG machete (comparing apples to oranges here, but same concept) when I was chopping a ~3" branch for firewood and about 4" of the blade came flying through the air with an impressively loud 'PING!!!'...scared the hell outta me...He didn't care though; he laughed and said, "looks like I have a reverse tanto machete now!!"

I saw this on your site a week or so ago and was thoroughly impressed; I might have to cave in if you are a good salesman...Oh, and that Bushlore you sold me a while back is still going strong! Thank you again for amazing service 42! :thumbup:
 
357fan said:
Oooohhh...I want!

Any idea what the sheath is going to cost?
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The sheath should be $32. Not bad given the quality of the leather and number of lashing eyelets, not to mention being made here in the 'states. :)

DeadFall27 said:
Do you think it would be up to the task of being used for very extended/ potentially heavy chopping?

I just would be afraid of breaking the dang thing if I used it too hard. I broke my buddy's SOG machete (comparing apples to oranges here, but same concept) when I was chopping a ~3" branch for firewood and about 4" of the blade came flying through the air with an impressively loud 'PING!!!'...scared the hell outta me...He didn't care though; he laughed and said, "looks like I have a reverse tanto machete now!!"

I saw this on your site a week or so ago and was thoroughly impressed; I might have to cave in if you are a good salesman...Oh, and that Bushlore you sold me a while back is still going strong! Thank you again for amazing service 42! :thumbup:
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I think it's too light to really do "heavy" chopping as you simply won't be able to impart that kind of force to such a light blade with your arm. The batoning I did put more strain on the blade than any heavy chopping would, though, and it held up fine. I deliberately did the test to confirm to myself that it would hold up under very rough use, and even when it went through gnarly twisted piece and the blade bent not just side to side but actually twisted through some of it, it came out straight as an arrow! Color me impressed. :cool:

Like I said, as far as chopping goes it chops outside its weight class thanks to the thin stock, high tip velocity, and narrow screaming edge on it. It takes a few more blows than a larger machete, but it takes so little energy to swing that it's like a beaver on crack and it'll gnaw away at even thick hardwood in record speed. And yet it feels like a normal small knife in the hand, rather than like a machete. It's a very strange animal!

Glad to hear that the Bushlore is working well for you! It's a great knife! :thumbup:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The sheath should be $32. Not bad given the quality of the leather and number of lashing eyelets, not to mention being made here in the 'states. :)



I think it's too light to really do "heavy" chopping as you simply won't be able to impart that kind of force to such a light blade with your arm. The batoning I did put more strain on the blade than any heavy chopping would, though, and it held up fine. I deliberately did the test to confirm to myself that it would hold up under very rough use, and even when it went through gnarly twisted piece and the blade bent not just side to side but actually twisted through some of it, it came out straight as an arrow! Color me impressed. :cool:

Like I said, as far as chopping goes it chops outside its weight class thanks to the thin stock, high tip velocity, and narrow screaming edge on it. It takes a few more blows than a larger machete, but it takes so little energy to swing that it's like a beaver on crack and it'll gnaw away at even thick hardwood in record speed. And yet it feels like a normal small knife in the hand, rather than like a machete. It's a very strange animal!

Glad to hear that the Bushlore is working well for you! It's a great knife! :thumbup:
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Duly noted :thumbup:

That is really great news to hear in my book; energy efficient, versatile, relatively inexpensive, dependable, durable...damn it 42...:D

I need one now...when the sheaths come in, I will start saving up because this is just a perfect piece of gear for me. Thank you for sharing!
If you ever want to get rid of that thing because you are sick of it, you know who to call, lol :p
 
I'll keep that in mind. :D It's become a new favorite of mine, though, so I wouldn't hold my breath! :p I've actually been using it for just as many knife tasks around the house as I have machete tasks.
 
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