Clarification of why everyone loves the Mora

Noshtero said:
Here's my question. If you haven't been able to figure out by now, I'm all about removing circumstancial references in people's opinions. Whenever I hear someone praise the Mora they always say "For $15, you can't beat these knives". Lots of people on this forum even say it'd be their choice if they could only take one knife into the bush

My question is, price aside, what do you think of them? Pretend the Frost Clipper was an $80 knife. Would you still pick it over an F1? Are their qualities to it that make it better BECAUSE it's cheaper? Like... perhaps the cheaper steel is way easier to sharpen in the field. Or...the cheaper handle material makes it way lighter weight.

Thanks
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Yes, i just had to jump in on this one. Sorry if anyone on this page has a mora, i did buy one back about three weeks or so. I got a great deal on it, but i don't like it. I think its to thin, i don't think it will hold up in the long run. But, i may be wrong. But i know its not the knife for me, but it is good and sharp and may hold up for a time. And it may be the knife for some one starting out, its light and good looking for the money, but just not for me. Your friend at the post Donald S.
 
skammer said:
See the breaking knives thread. Wouldnt last 2 mins with the abuse I give my blade under hard realistic working conditions. Thus I gave the 2 I owned away. Less than useless away from the kitchen. Granted they are better than nothing and for the price you get a smidge more than you paid for.

Skam
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Man, I'm glad I don't have to watch you abuse your knives! I don't know what you're doing with them that's breaking them, but it sure must be something I wouldn't use a knife for. If you are forced to use a knife for that chore, that's too bad. I'm evidently not...lucky for me!
 
thesupersurvivalpost said:
Yes, i just had to jump in on this one. Sorry if anyone on this page has a mora, i did buy one back about three weeks or so. I got a great deal on it, but i don't like it. I think its to thin, i don't think it will hold up in the long run. But, i may be wrong. But i know its not the knife for me, but it is good and sharp and may hold up for a time. And it may be the knife for some one starting out, its light and good looking for the money, but just not for me. Your friend at the post Donald S.
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Hi friends, i just wanted to add to my last posting. I was thinking about it and, if i was to buy one more mora knife, it must be hand made by a good knife maker. But i know a knife like that can cost around 150.00 to 300.00 dollars, and i may pay that, if i like it. But i have 50 knives at this time, so i don't see my self buying one at this time in my life. It's not the price, i just don't need it. Your friend at the post, Donald S.
 
Hey Donald S., thanks for posting your feelings. What is your knife of choice these days. Fill us in.....

They aren't for everybody, that's for sure, but I've been using the same Eriksson Mora 2000 for over a couple of years now and I've put it through some get down and get dirty chores. Left it out in the rain for several weeks after gutting a deer with it. Found it right where I had left it, cleaned it up and not a blemish on the blade. It's cut saplings up to 1 1/2" thick, 60 in fact over a two day period, then delimbed and stripped the bark from them. Stroped the blade every once in awhile and sharpened it when I got it home each day. Did a great job for me and now that I've got the new kydex pants for it, I might even stop hiding it in my pack. :D
 
THERE ARE THREE OBSERVATIONS I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IN THIS THREAD...

1. If this was almost any other tool we were discussing, we would analyze it solely on its performance - cost would be less of a consideration as long as it performed. Why you ask??? Because...

2. We collect knives. We become more passionate because of the commercialism surrounding our knives- and that's fine. I have a ton of knives up to the $500 price tag, but I love my POS Mora, and yet I will still buy other knives - I can't help it, I am a knifenut! And finally...

3. We are constantly learning and at different levels. Obviously what works for some doesn't work for all. And what worked for you yesterday, maynot be needed today or tomorrow. When it comes to gear, you can look at Nessmuk, Boone, aboriginals, The Ice Man, etc. All they carried were the basics. Whether you know it or not, that is what you are working towards as you learn about bushcraft or survival. I know I have a ton of @#$% I used to think I needed and I most certainly know I have only scratched the surface on what I am even just aware of. Soooo like any other tool, what maybe the basics in a knife for one person is not the basics for another. But be rest assured, your basics will change as you continue to learn.

Just wanted to make this observation. Peace, QB
 
seems an anti-tactical type of thing. On one side of the fence are collectors/users (?) who want an absolute tank, probably high dollar, because they like having elite gear for tackling whatever tasks they face/imagine. If the knife is too cheap, you're a poser. On the other side, people maybe say their one knife choice is a $10 mora because it's the antithesis, and if they don't have elite gear, then surely they must have elite skills. If the knife is too expensive, you're a poser.

Me, if I'm hammering or prying, I like to have a hammer or prybar. If I'm shaving wood or preparing food, I don't think it's particularly noteworthy that the knife manages not to fall apart.
 
Here´s a point to consider. Have you ever in all your life seen an advertisement for Mora knives, Frost´s of Sweden or Erikson? No? Me neither. Maybe in Europe these companies are heavily advertised, but I doubt it. I have seen resellers advertise the knives for sale but I have never seen an ad from the companies themselves. Whenever a product gains this kind of a following with apparently no advertising it speaks highly of the product. Mac
 
There's very little advertising done by Mora of Sweden. If they get any advertising at all, it's mostly by their retailers. People use them because they're 1) cheap and 2) useful.
 
Quiet Bear said:
Back to the original question...

Knowing what I know based on use, I would pay more for a Frosts Mora (red handle) to get the design. The scandi grind, oval handle, and thin blade make it the best knife I have found for "bushcraft." I have a ton of knives, most in the $100+ range and I always go back to my old Mora.

That being said, what makes it hard to justify in terms of a higher price are the materials used. Nonetheless, I haven't had a failure and I know others who have used the same knife for over a decade with no problems.
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Quiet Bear, I agree with you. I see several factors at work here, and none of them impress me particularly.

(1) - Many people have plenty of money that they are determined to spend quickly on expensive toys.
(2) - Many people buy knives mostly because they think they are beautiful, "cool," "awesome," or "bad".
(3) - Many people seem to buy knives to try to impress somebody, thinking they will be envied or admired.
(4) - Many people live in some fantasy world, thinking they'll need a super-knife for some "end of the world" scenario.
 
misanthropist said:
Man, I'm glad I don't have to watch you abuse your knives!
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Its not pretty, watching how I use blades, but I am far from alone in how and why.

People used to lesser quility steel wince and groan when watching and then are shocked to the abuse one can give a quaility blade that can slice etc.. before and after real abuse.

Skam
 
Dr. Mudd said:
Quiet Bear, I agree with you. I see several factors at work here, and none of them impress me particularly.

(1) - Many people have plenty of money that they are determined to spend quickly on expensive toys.
(2) - Many people buy knives mostly because they think they are beautiful, "cool," "awesome," or "bad".
(3) - Many people seem to buy knives to try to impress somebody, thinking they will be envied or admired.
(4) - Many people live in some fantasy world, thinking they'll need a super-knife for some "end of the world" scenario.
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Many people have the need to own and use expensive super knives. Some view that with envy and judge.

Skam
 
skammer said:
Its not pretty, watching how I use blades, but I am far from alone in how and why.

People used to lesser quility steel wince and groan when watching and then are shocked to the abuse one can give a quaility blade that can slice etc.. before and after real abuse.

Skam
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Your right Skam none of us know anything at all about a quality knife.:rolleyes: All us poor hicks can afford is them there more knifes or sumpin like that, its good we got you to lurn us up. Chris
 
Recently I beat the hell out of my 4" plastic-handle Mora. I split bunch of smaller firewood by pounding on the spine with a hammer. It passed with flying colors. The only damage was dents in the spine, hardly noticeable. I also used the tip to dig in the wood and cut some mild wire, again no damage to the tip or the edge. The only thing I didn't do is pry as I feel it's unfair for a knife this thin to do that. Not bad considering what it costs.
 
My father went on a trip to Norway many years ago and came back with a red handled knife with a 4' dark gray blade that had been patina'd to the point of almost blackness. There were no visible markings on it and there was no sheath. He found it walking in the woods while he was over there. Anyway he kept it in the garage and used it for EVERYTHING that needed cut, batoned etc. It kept a great edge and cut like heck(which my fingers found out on many occasions). I used it as a thrower at times(dumb) but it never had a problem. My father always thought that a knife that did the work that it did and kept the edge that it did must have cost around 80 dollars or more in Norway.

Well needless to say I broke that knife prying with it one day(DUMB!)and bout had a heart attack. My father was very disappointed and figured it would never be replaced. I had not found b/f yet and was relegated to think that I would never replace it. After being a member here for a while and hearing about these things called "Frost Mora's" and still thinking they were "frosts:barf:" I gave one a look. To my shear joy and amazment there it was...red handled and everything. Then I looked at the price....TEN DOLLARS? .......TEN DOLLARS??? I just could not believe it, I had spent 10 times that on other knives w/o blinking. So I quickly snatched up 4 and waited for there arrival.

I gave one to my father on fathers day, he coudlnt believe that I had found em. Then he asked me how much...he didnt believe me until I showed him. Then I showed him the other 3. We still have all 4 and have yet to break a one.

I guess the whole point is, that to me it will always be a great knife. Regardless of price tag I have seen what abuse it can take and how good an edge it holds and just how darn useful and convenient these little blades can be. Had I not had this experience with them I probably wouldnt look twice at a 10 dollar Mora.
 
To get back to the OP's original ??? My fascination with the Mora began after I used one. I have owned, or still do own several customs from the like of Dozier, May, Ingram, and respect them all for their quality, and F&F.

However once I used the Mora I was amazed at what a $10.00 knife could do. I use my knives as knives and think all the "I beat the hell off my knives and post it on BF" is stupid IMO and I just don't care:rolleyes:. Would I stake my life on a Mora.... that to me is a ridiculous ??? to start. I wouldn't stake my life on any knife. Without the skills and knowledge to use them, you're screwed. You can't convince me that of you take average tender foot dough boy, give him a uber super cleaving pry-bar, stick him in a survival situation that the super knife will be the determining factor of his survival.

In the end it all comes down to personal preference. Some here do not like Moras. No problem! The majority here know what a valuable tool they are for the price. Good for US.

It's your $$$ buy whatever makes you feel good;)
 
tarmix101 said:
I use my knives as knives and think all the "I beat the hell off my knives and post it on BF" is stupid IMO and I just don't care:rolleyes:. It's your $$$ buy whatever makes you feel good;)
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If you don't care then why do you care to comment? :jerkit: As long as the knives can take the use/abuse, there's nothing wrong with using them that way. Some are even designed with hard use in mind. You're damn right, it's my money and I can buy whatever I like and do whatever I want with it.
 
greens said:
If you don't care then why do you care to comment? :jerkit: As long as the knives can take the use/abuse, there's nothing wrong with using them that way. Some are even designed with hard use in mind. You're damn right, it's my money and I can buy whatever I like and do whatever I want with it.
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Hold up there. Lets not get all bent out of shape. First off, I never said there was anything wrong with it. I just mentioned I don't get anything out of it, and think it's stupid. You obviously dont. Good for you!

Second, I care to comment because I can!!! From what I understand this forum is about sharing personal opinions. You shared yours, I shared mine. We disagree. No reason to get all worked up. :confused::rolleyes:
 
runningboar said:
Your right Skam none of us know anything at all about a quality knife.:rolleyes: All us poor hicks can afford is them there more knifes or sumpin like that, its good we got you to lurn us up. Chris
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ITs all relative Chris. A $10 tool is a $10 tool even if you do get $20 worth of value out of it.

those that can buy a $250 tool and get $500 worth of value out of are no less wrong.

You want to buy $5 runners at walmart and think they are good footwear then all the power to you. ;)

The MORA is a good little blade for light duty. The problem I have is people giving it a hard use label which it is not.

Skam
 
+1

I haven't seen anyone say they were a hard use blade yet. I could have missed that post. I am a big Mora fan but I always back the knife up with a machete for hard use tasks. The 4 inch scandi does all the a machete does not, and the $10 versions do that very well. Seeing that I can do everything I need to do with a machete and a Mora it is very hard to justify spending several hundred dollars on a knife. There isn't a single task I need to do in the bush that they don't cover. The type of knife is very useful and if feel you need better steel or sturdier construction the knives are out there if you want to pay for them. The fact is that the $10 Mora is an extremely useful knife in easy reach of anyone who wants to get involved in bushcraft or wilderness survival. Mac
 
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