Frost's Mora Knives

E

Echo4v

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Dec 10, 2008
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Which one is best?

I like the looks of the original S-1 with the birchwood handles but, will the laminated steel strike a spark?

The two that I am debating between are the first two on this link
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerc...SearchText=mora&list=10&range=1&order=Default

I have to admit I don't care for the sheath on either of them but, for less than 20 bucks I really wouldn't expect anything better.

So what do you guys think? Laminated or high carbon steel blade?

David
 
My favorite mora is the #1 in high carbon steel, I also own the 780 (triflex), 510, and 2000. It'll strike sparks from a firesteel no prob, haven't tried it with a piece of flint however, I would assume that it would work. I've modded the spine of mine however to make it a nice 'sharp' edge for firesteels. I'm also working on modding a metal bowdrill bearing into the handle... we'll see how that goes.

I've never had any problems with the lack of guard and it has more than enough edge for me, I'm actually going to be picking up its shorter (~3") twin the #1241 and see how that goes.
 
strike a spark off of what? a ferro rod or with a piece of sharp rock?

for a ferro rod, the only requirement is a sharp edge (i like to square the spines of most of my knives) either of these knives can have the spine squared to strike a firesteel really well. for "flint and steel" firestarting, using the spine of the knife as a striker with a sharp stone, the plain carbon should work.

i personally really like the laminated #1, but i don't think there is anything wrong with the plain carbon either.

i just got a new laminated #1 a few weeks ago and the edge was deforming when carving clear, hard maple. i ground the edge back (thorough sharpening), and made it a tad bit thinner, and it has held a good edge when i intentionally hit small hard knots and the like. moras seem to suffer from the edge being a bit soft from overgrinding, but sharpening that steel off on a coarse grit stone or the like will get you back into the good hard steel, and then the fun starts.

but to actually answer your question: i don't think you will go wrong with either.

EDITED to add: just a warning: if you have big hands, you might take a while to get used to the #1 handles. they are a bit on the short and narrow side. i wear a XXL glove, and i have grown to love mine, but i like a slightly slimmer handle anyways.
 
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The reason I asked about creating a spark is because I have a Canadian Belt knife that won't strike a spark on my magbar/flint firestarter. I thought it was just that the blade is stainless so I wanted to get a knife that will strike that firestarter, even though my gerber multitool does strike a spark on it very well. I have never used the firesteel type firestarters that most of you guys have, but I'm getting one when I get the mora, so I was more concerned with the one I have now.

Thanks for the info
David
 
David, the flint on your magbar is the same as most ferro rods that many carry, just a bit small smaller. it was the only ferro rod that i had for about a year. i practiced with it so much that i wore it in half. i set it in a new handle and kept using it.

have you tried the old hacksaw blade trick? just take a piece of dull hacksaw blade and use that for a striker, most work very well. i like power hacksaw blades, because they are stiffer. i just grind the teeth off nice and square, and they throw a good shower of sparks.
 
siguy said:
EDITED to add: just a warning: if you have big hands, you might take a while to get used to the #1 handles. they are a bit on the short and narrow side. i wear a XXL glove, and i have grown to love mine, but i like a slightly slimmer handle anyways.
Click to expand...

Good point. I wear XL gloves and love the "baby"-handle. :D
 
I have short thick fingers ( lifetime of riding and training horses) and I like a thin handles also so that's a plus to me.

Thanks for the advice.
David
 
Yup, lots of good choices! Like they've said, they types of 'flints' you're using are firesteels, and just need a sharp edge.

I prefer the carbon moras over the laminated ones myself. The two best in my experience are the 510 and the Mora 2000. Good stuff! Handsome replacement sheaths are available from JRE industries.
 
I love the #1 or #2 in laminated steel. The sheath may grow on you because it is absolutely the most space-efficient possible. Anything else will be bigger to do the same job. That being said, check out the JRE Industries sheaths for them. They are very nice!

The whole problem with Moras is that they're so cheap. I ended up buying several of them to try and can hardly keep track of which one is which and where I stashed them. :)

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
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siguy, what's the wood handled knife in your striker vid?
I haven't had much luck, even after squaring the spine, getting laminated scandis to spark a ferro rod. Is there a trick to preparing the spine on the laminates?
TIA!
Ted
 
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