Recommendation? Hi-quality (handmade?) Mora knife?

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Jul 9, 2019
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Hey, y'all...Interested in picking up one of these as a gift for my father and a lot of the Mora knives out there are pretty cheap, plastic sheaths, etc. Hoping to find something a bit nicer; it could be big brand, but handmade / small manufacturer would be even better. Thanks for any help!
 
good idea, get the classic 1 or 2 with wooden handle, and then modify it (sand it, shape it) for a perfect fit...
I personally use tung oil to refinish the wood, but others use linseed or whatever wood finish they prefer
 
There are several really good Puukko makers over in the custom/handmade for sale section. I’ve owned one and they are absolutely top notch. :thumbsup:
 
There are several really good Puukko makers over in the custom/handmade for sale section. I’ve owned one and they are absolutely top notch. :thumbsup:

Thanks! Could you possible point me in the right direction? I don't see any Swiss or Puukko makers in any of the manufacturer subforums..
 
I found myself wanting the same thing after using my Robust all weekend. Love the knife. Love the function of the sheath. Hate the cheap feel simply because it is such a good user.

I think I may get a classic one, refinish it, and craft a custom sheath of my own.
 
By their very nature, Mora knives are inexpensive. If you want to get him a puukko, get him a puukko. If you want to spend more money on a Mora, get him a Kansbol, a Bushcraft Black or a Garberg. Look at Marttiini knives they have some puukkos that are nicer than their base models, but not outrageous. Condor offers a couple of puukkos for under $100.
Get him a classic No.2 and find an old swedish lady to do some rosemaling on it.
 
Hey, y'all...Interested in picking up one of these as a gift for my father and a lot of the Mora knives out there are pretty cheap, plastic sheaths, etc. Hoping to find something a bit nicer; it could be big brand, but handmade / small manufacturer would be even better. Thanks for any help!

There is a Norwegian brand called Helle. Check out their Harding model which is pretty much the same as the Mora but fancier. My wife gave me one for a Christmas present one year. Very pretty knife.

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Strömeng, Karesuando, Ahti, Järvenpää, Roselli, other Nordic names to search.
 
Among the Morakniv catalog you can look at the Classic Original, which has a laminated blade (O1 core and 1035 sides), simply oiled handle and leather sheath. Beware though that the handle is quite on the petite side, mine is 102x24x19 mm, so may feel very little in bigger hands.

Otherwise from Mora, you may take a look at the already mentioned Ahti Metsa, then the Iisakki Jarvenpaa Vuolu, the Kauhavan Puukkopaja Yleispuukko and the WoodsKnife Perinnepuukko, all different rendition of the same basic pattern.
 
Mora is also revamping their red-handled classic series, going to a translucent red stain in place of the red enamel. There will be a price increase. The list prices look quite high, but the street prices should be somewhat lower.
 
Helle makes some very fine Mora style knives. Kellam knives used to have a store in Lantana FL just north of me. A friend has a Wolverine model that is stunning. Carbon steel of very high hardness, great slicer. The store is gone and I’m not sure if Kellam is still around but their knives are freaking awesome
 
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bikerector bikerector makes some pretty awesome bushcraft knives. The High point on in the linked thread is on my wishlist. Looks awesome! He may have something you would like.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bushcraft-knives-with-a-high-point.1712222/page-2#post-19661347

I do have a mora-inspired design in the works with a passaround being organized in the JK sub-forum. The knife should finish around the end of next week.

To be clear, I design the knives and have them made by JK knives currently, who is also here on the forum.

QUgWiAel.jpg
 
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