Can the Mora clipper handle Batoning

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dd61999

Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
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I know this knife is popular within the bushcraft circle, how well does it handle batoning?
 
Not really, it's not a full tang blade, so a few not so well placed hits will take that handle right off.
 
I am not sure if he did it with the clipper or not, but RescueRiley has batoned with a mora plenty of times, and has posted pictures on here somewhere. The ones he used held up fine to it.
 
You can baton with pretty much anything, including a slipjoint, if you use the proper technique. The key is to remember that you are using the blade as a wedge, not as a lever. Don't place any strain on the handle, and you're golden.
 
I baton mine alot, I've got a few. I go for the high carbon models. I carve and whittle a good amount and baton it in use. I don't heavy baton with it, however. Not thick enough blade to even bother splitting with for heavy. I light-medium baton with it. Great for batoning in carving work IMO.

Batoning is all in the technique, with proper technique, and not crazy heavy batoning, it'll do fine. I haven't broken any yet.

What will happen with alot of force (and I have done), is it will possibly bend upwards at the ferrule area from downward handle pressure in hammer grip and upward force of wood being driven. It doesn't affect performance IMO, unless really severe. I still use the one that is upwards bent, kinda upswept now. Still works great, no further bending occurred since. I also do alot of shaving with downward pressure, a locked elbow and body weight driving above, and through tough woods, it may bend up over time in the same way, but it would have to be tough wood and whole lot of force...

For $20, you might as well try! You'll be surprised how much they can take! And you'll only give it more as it takes it, without remorse, which is a good feeling!:D

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I've done some very heavy batoning with mine - the handle is extremely strong - it's unlikely to break it !
 
TheGame said:
I am not sure if he did it with the clipper or not, but RescueRiley has batoned with a mora plenty of times, and has posted pictures on here somewhere. The ones he used held up fine to it.
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You're right, it's not a clipper but RescueRiley does baton with his mora.

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As long as you're not a batoning noob then you'll be fine. I've batoned my 760 plenty of times. :)
 
I have Batoned mine a lot too. Maybe even more so abused it just to see if I can break it. I figured for less than 20 dollars why not. It keep eating everything I handed it.
 
I've thought about batoning quite a bit lately. I'd have no hesitation in batoning my Mora Clipper. But I agree with what the others have said.

If the blows aren't too heavy, and if they are directly above where the cut is being made you should be fine. If there is levering involved you could have a problem with any knife.

Another problem arises when the blows aren't applied directly above the cut. For instance if you are splitting a long stick or an animal carcase and the handle is held on one side of the job and the blows are applied near the tip or between the handle and the job you are more likely to damage something.

I don't know what your circumstances are, but if you are going to depend on a knife for doing things like splitting a lot of firewood on frequent occasions I'd be looking for something a bit bigger and tougher than a clipper (but a very thick blade could be a disadvantage). The reality of it is though, that a Clipper is probably going to be more versatile than a bigger blade for everyday use, and a lot more comfortable for carrying around.
 
Hey Paleojoe, what are those wooden objects in the picture with your knives? Thanks in advance... Coote.
 
Moras are what Mors Kochanski uses to teach bushcraft and wilderness survival skills in Canada, they are also commonly issued in survival schools. I'd say that'd be proof enough as to their toughness. The rest is all technique.
 
coote said:
Hey Paleojoe, what are those wooden objects in the picture with your knives? Thanks in advance... Coote.
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Hello Coote,

those are some totems I carved, a hare and beaver. I love carving these little guys... Must be the Alaskan in me!:D

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moonwilson said:
You can baton with pretty much anything, including a slipjoint, if you use the proper technique. The key is to remember that you are using the blade as a wedge, not as a lever. Don't place any strain on the handle, and you're golden.
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+1, it's all in the technique.
 
I've battoned pallet wood type stuff using my clipper without problem, up untill I hit a nail.
then the only issue was the dent it put in the edge. that took a fair while to sort out.

now I have a home made version of the countycomm breacher bar that I plan to use for batoning and other such abuse. more to save the edge than doubts about the mora's strength
 
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