got MY new MORAN! Impressions

Outlaw_Dogboy · May 20, 1999

Yep, it came in yesterday from ultout.com (thanks Ultimate Outdoors!!

) It is a NEAT little knife. My first fixed blade this small. The trailing point is a little different from anything I've ever had before, but it looks sturdy. The blade looks like a mirror, though. Unbelievable! I could shave using this thing as the mirror. Now I see why people were so worried about getting scratches on it. But, I don't think that will stop me from using it, or carrying it in the River City Sheath when it comes in. I had considered doing the David Rock drop point modification on it, but I just don't think I can do that to it. Better to save that mod for whatever new FB that Spyderco comes out with.

The Moran edge is pretty impressive, although a little deceptive in its sharpness. It feels smooth, like it doesn't want to bite. But, when I pulled my thumb away, there was a slice in the print. Not enough to draw blood, as I was careful to do the test very lightly. Too bad the Moran edge will be lost when I try to sharpen it. Maybe I'll try some of the methods that people have mentioned here.

All in all, I would have to concur with everything else that has been said here about the Moran FB01. NICE! If you have the money and can find one, I'd have to say it's worth it.

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Live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse, it's the only way to win.
Outlaw_Dogboy

kile · May 20, 1999

I recently purchased the moran, and I love it. it is by far the sharpest knife I have ever gotten from a factory, and it has the nicest mirror finish I have ever seen. by looking at it I thought it would be a bit small in my hand, but it feels great. the handle is sooo comfortable. my only complaint is the bulky leather sheath.

Watson-349 · May 20, 1999

Greetings,

Just got my Moran today. Ordered it on a Monday night and it arrived in the mail on a Thursday afternoon(Thanks to Brian from Discount Knives for the speedy delivery).

I've bought this knife because of the drop in prices, prompted by the news that this production run will be the last of its kind. Also I've read a lot of positive posts on the forum about the Spyderco Moran and I just had to have one.

I'm very satisfied with this knife. It's TRE sharp and imo, the perfect size for everyday carry, kind of a modern day Puukko knife. Just drop it into your pocket like the (some) Scandinavians do. (Swedes? Finns? Lapps? Norwegians? I'm not sure.)

The leather sheath is very tough and well made, but I too find that it is also very bulky and weighs just as much as the knife itself. Any opinions on aftermarket sheaths? I've got an Edgeworks slipsheath on the way, hopefully it will be here tomorrow.

Well, I hope everyone enjoys their Moran as much as I do. So far, It seems to be a very good knife for all around use.

Later,

Milin Tan (Watson-349)

[This message has been edited by Watson-349 (edited 20 May 1999).]

sing · May 20, 1999

I should have gotten mine two weeks ago, EXCEPT I screwed up my shipping address.

Ordered with Chai Cutlery to have it come with the edgeworks sheath.

Too bad with the screwup. Would have been able to use it camping last week.

Have a feeling I'll like this. (As if I am going to be that one person in thousand in these forums to say I don't.

)

sing

bald1 · May 20, 1999

Sing,

There should be no problem posting a critique of any knife providing the rationale for that which you don't like. I've done it quite a few times.

I'm posting this as I just commented to Shootist16 thread here noting a rather unusual post over in the general area where a member pooh-poohs the Spydie Military. His was a rather provocative post which resulted in some actually questioning if he were just kidding. I choose to ignore it and not post a retort citing the Military model's qualities and asking on what basis he casually discounted them. That's the difference: a well thought out opinion will be respected and accepted as such; a quick outlandish dismissal of a product endears no one.

So, Sing my friend, do not be concerned about feeling peer pressure about liking this knife or that. What we all treasure is honest, open, well thought out impressions and preferences. Never hesitate to share those. That's what makes our interchanges so valuable.

I do think you'll find the Spydie Moran quite interesting. And I'm willing to bet that this first thing that will hit you is how small it is followed by how that handle really grows on you

!

take care!

-=[Bob]=-

sing · May 21, 1999

Bob,

I don't mind saying I don't like a knife. In fact, I have posted that I didn't like the SpyderCo Walker lightweight and why. But, except for that, I haven't really come across a Sypderco that I didn't like.

The Moran will be interesting. I just somehow drifted into fixed blade fixation.

I also am expecting a Boyer and a Madpoet. It'll be interesting to compare them against each other when they all arrive.

There are some really knowledgable folks in here, like a Cliff, who will give you as a scientific and thorough review as most can want. The beauty of this place is there also are also everyday casual users like me who can just simply say, "gee... I just (don't) like the feel of that knife in my hand."

Back to waiting for the Moran.

sing

prn · May 21, 1999

Sing says:

there also are also everyday casual users like me who can just simply say, "gee... I just (don't) like the feel of that knife in my hand."

That strikes me as a completely valid point. We've all got different hands. We've all got different grips. We've all got different selections of cutting jobs. I consider feel to be extremely important in our individual level of satisfaction with a particular knife. Sometimes we can predict pretty well from prior experience how well we will like a particular blade or handle shape. Sometimes that is a lot less clear.

For example, I have looked carefully at all the pics of Sean Perkins knives (and I think they're gorgeous

). I have also read all the comments other people have posted about them (and nobody has had anything but good to say). I just have difficulty imagining the feel of Sean's handles in my hands and how the edge relates to it. I am more than a little skeptical of what it would feel like to me. If his knives were a more conventional design, it would be a lot easier to imagine. But if his knives were a more conventional design, they would not have the kind of attraction they do, either.

Someday I'll hold one in my hand and then I'll know what I think about it. I don't know whether I'll be able to find someone who has one or whether I'll have to have one made for me to do that, but I'm holding out for the former for now. I have no doubts that I will be impressed with the quality and with the looks. My only doubts are what it will feel like in my hand. And I think that Sing has the right attitude here.

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Paul Neubauer
prn@bsu.edu

Outlaw_Dogboy · May 21, 1999

I was skeptical of the Moran, even after reading so many good things being said about it. But, I kept holding off, I dunno, just because. Because I had the BF Native on order, and because of hearing of the bulkiness of the sheath, and just thinking I plain didn't need another knife. Then I ran across the thread on the River City Moran sheath from Mike Sastre, and Dexter posted a picture of it. Hmmm... that looks nice. So, I went looking around, and found it for a good price at ultout.com. No longer could I resist, and I ordered the last one he had listed in stock.

I like the size, it seems efficient. I WOULD like a drop point better I think, but the trailing point will do. The handle is great. I think you will like it, sing. But, if you don't, I'm sure you will have no trouble unloading it

.
O_D

Watson-349 · May 21, 1999

Greetings,

My Edgeworks slip sheath for my Spyderco Moran Featherweight has arrived. It looks different than the one they show at the Edgeworks site. It isn't as square looking as the picture shows. It follows the contours of the blade a lot closer; an improvement in my opinion and it makes for a more compact carrying package.

I replaced the black cord with some paracord and have worn it as a neck knife. It hangs low around the belly area and the grip hovers just above the hem of my untucked shirt.

I've also worn it with my left arm/shoulder and head through the loop and it hangs conveniently and inverted at my side.

I don't have the ability to take/scan any pictures, but I'm sure you can, or have already figured out some unique carrying techniques for your Morans.

Both of these carrying modes, either concealed under a shirt illegally (sheesh!) or openly displayed legally (SHEESH!), are very quickly deployable. (SHWING!)

Today I carried my Moran around comfortably in the pocket of my shorts and when it gets cooler I can keep it in a jacket or coat pocket. Hmmm... I guess those would be considered illegally concealed too. And so it goes...

Later,

Milin Tan (Watson-349)

Brian Lavin · May 21, 1999

Those aftermarket sheaths are just great. I have both the Edgeworks and River City versions, both are very nice, each a little different. The River City by Mike Sastre is made of Concealex, which is a bit umm, thicker and richer (sounds like beer or coffee, huh ?) than the Edgeworks Kydex, which is slimmer and lighter but still strong. Both have a multitude of possibilities in carry modes. Whichever you choose you'll be happy. Edgeworks also has the tactical version, which is also very versatile and even beefier than the River City Concealex. Both of these companies/guys make great stuff.

Blade · May 21, 1999

I've had my Moran now for about 6 months and have become such a believer I'm now ready to order another.

Yes, the small handle did take me back a bit, but it's surprizing how quickly it becomes a natural feel in the hand.

Carried the knife in the Edge Works sheath in horizonal mode on belt in small of back during a week-long visit in New Orleans. The knife rode comfortably, was easily concealed and ready at hand if needed (happily it was never needed and we walked EVERYWHERE late at night in the Quarter.

I cannot say enough about this knife so I'll stop now.

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Life is a journey, not a guided tour -- GO ARMED!
-->BLADE

mcfg · May 22, 1999

For sore hands, I hold the Spydee Moran, the handle is really confortable. Maybe the Carpol Tunnel people could use it for physical therapy.

Where can the River City sheath be found?

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Mark Camp

"Life is nothin' but a series of fascinations"

Ok, and lots of hard work...

Clay Kesting · May 22, 1999

Mark,

Have a look <a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum20/HTML/000484.html">here</a>. Mike Sastre has a post in the thread and you can get his e-mail address from there.

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Take care,
Clay

"A witty saying proves nothing." Voltaire

mcfg · May 22, 1999

Thanks Clay,

I plan to go for it then. Nice "here" link.
That little Moran has gone from the back of
my drawer, to the top of my desk for this
last week.

Mark

[This message has been edited by mcfg (edited 22 May 1999).]

Watson-349 · May 22, 1999

Greetings,

I've been messing around with the paracord on the end of my Moran w/Edgeworks slip sheath.

I did a search on knots and discovered that knots are a whole different interest in itself. There are several different sites on the net about knots.

I've taken up the extra paracord using a daisychain, which simply entails pulling a loop through a loop until you get to the end. Then you just pull the endknot (I've used a figure-eight knot) through the last loop. You end up with a neat and compact bundle of paracord no longer than the sheath itself.

I find it very useful if your knife should happen to fall out when carrying it inside the waistband and serves as a nifty grab-handle too.

When you want to wear the Moran as a neck knife, simply slip the figure-eight knot back through the last loop and the daisychain unravels with a pull of the endknot.

Hope this tip proves useful to you.

By the way, what a great knife!

Later,

Milin Tan (Watson-349)

bald1 · May 22, 1999

Sing,

I don't want to beat this to death but your statement about not liking the feel of a knife in your hand is extremely valid and although quite succinct, exactly the type of solid comment that is appreciated. What I object to are the "it sucks" and "don't buy it" posts without ample amplification. That's all I really meant.

You take care

!

-=[Bob]=-

sing · May 22, 1999

Bob,

You're one of the more respected denizens of these forums, always posting with a positive attitude. For the record, I agree with you. I don't there is a need to be imflammatory even if one doesn't like or agree with something.

Still waiting for Moran.

sing

bald1 · May 22, 1999

Sing,

Thanks! I appreciate the sentiments. I guess I was having a bit of a bad day when I came across that post by EKkkk something. Then I posted a curt negative about it on Shootist16's thread. So here I tried to balance things, and wouldn't ya know it [grin], I strained myself [hehehehehe].

Oh well. I certainly hope you are never disappointed when you plunk down your hard earned green for a piece that has been lauded here. By the way, DO get an aftermarket sheath for that puppy. It'll increase the utility markedly.

Best!

-=[Bob]=-

[This message has been edited by bald1 (edited 22 May 1999).]

Outlaw_Dogboy · May 24, 1999

I picked up my River City sheath from the PO this morning, for my Moran. It is SCHWEET! Thanks Mike, this sheath is well made, and a beautiful complement to the graceful lines of the Moran. I guess I know who to go to for the Vanguard sheath when the time comes.

To all, if you get the Moran, I highly recommend Mike's River City sheath. It came with the same pull-dot snap loop that Dexter mentions in the thread posted above, as well as the neck chain.

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Work hard, play hard, live long, and try to teach the youth.
Outlaw_Dogboy