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- Nov 24, 2003
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Frost Mora 860 Clipper Review 5 years
I have had this knife for some 5 years, having brought in a box of 10 each of the S1, 860 and 780 along with blades in their 115/90 options. On getting it home having battled customs my eldest took a S1 for his present, my youngest the 780 and my wife the 860, for myself - one of each. The 860 was $13.50 (2004)
The former, S1, is in laminated carbon, the latter 2 in Stainless Steel. My immediate interest originated in the use of the one stainless steel version as the Natos official airmens survival knife during that time. What under wrote my interest was that they used my preferred stainless steel, Sandvik 12C27 at a HRC of 57.
Having a couple of custom knives in the 12C27 I researched the steels background and was initially disappointed to find that it was fairly low on the carbon ranking. However it was reputedly a very clean marstenite steel with high chrome and firmly rust resistant. It is not a super premium steel but still a very good one. My customs in 12C27 have served me very well.
They were not available to buy in Botswana or could be shipped individually so I purchased a box of each as they were affordable banking for presents.
Step forward to December 2009.
My wifes knife is in front of me, just sharpened, mine has been lent to a friend travelling Okavango, complimenting the SAK(linerlock) I gave them for 2008 Christmas (for their Namibia trip), their hand axe and folding saw.
Sheath - Sturdy but fairly chunky moulded plastic with a fishermans look to it the sheath of the 860 trumped those of the other Frost Moras. Fits on a thin belt by clipping down on to it for a reasonably firm hold. The loop is slotted to clip over a button, not something of use to myself.
Handle - hard polypropylene with the grip section of soft thermoplastic rubber, not unlike the Kraton of SOG and Cold Steel, giving a good grip for confident work. The form and moulding of the handle has created one of the most comfortable handles I have come across on smaller fixed blades. I would have liked to have seen a pommel hole for a lanyard like that of the 780. The material is still in decent condition and will be serviceable for some many more years.
Blade - At the time I considered the blade to be a tad thin at under 2mm, the 115 blades being 2.5mm. They were evidently stamped out as the spine bore witness. It is very sharp and stays sharp. My wife took hers to work and it has suffered relatively little despite being used by several people including the fitting of carpets. I am proud to note that that she kept the screwdrivers in the same kitchenette draw showing feminine intelligence. As it stands it has some micro chipping. With her change of employment it has been of constant use in the kitchen amongst many other knives and requires occasional sharpening. My 860 has been a cubby hole side kick. It has been used on site to cut pegs of hard Acacia (other wise known biblically as shittah-wood) notch them and draw in the dust. Done duty for the office braai, Hammered through dry walling, prepared meals when travelling around Africa. Edges are micro chipped the edge a little worn but easily cleaned up with a belt sander. Flexes well and is thin enough not to jam forcing it through wood. The saddest thing is that they are very poor at chopping, thin green vines can be slashed but more is asking too much.
Survival Would I be able to use it as my one and only in a survival situation?
Having done the training and practical some many years back and handled knives for over 30 years I can say yes I could. Reality dictates that the same training and experience means that I am properly prepared when I travel. I dont believe in the one knife dogma and would no less travel without water than without a few knives, tool kit, a medikit and a survival kit. Apart from my SAK in my pocket there is another clean SAK in my medical aid kit alongside a spare mini mag. There is a multitool in my cubby with the 860 and a forged main blade or machete behind my seat.
Summary - I know little of living, hunting and camping in northern hemisphere. Having lived and worked in much of Africa the 860 has been a great utility knife, and a great second knife that has done good service in harsh conditions. Particularly since it is excellent in dealing with food, fish and dressing game where many choppers are not. I have an excellent main blade of over 8 that is not stainless but chops batons and fills the gap
An optional use of a blade of 2.5mm would have been a great combination to go with the sheath and handle. Even with 2.5mm they would still be very limited due to only 4 inches in length. I have started fires with mine, but batoning wood with a small log took effort not to damage the blade. That I felt was pushing it. As a sportsmans knife it is excellent, as a vaunted survival tool, in Kalahari I would qualify that as in experienced hands.
Handle 9/10:thumbup:
Sheath 6.5/10
Edge performance 7/10
Cutting/Slicing 8.5/10:thumbup:
Corrosion resistance 10/10:thumbup::thumbup:
Chopping 1/10:thumbdn:
Batoning 2/10:thumbdn:
Cost Value 8.5/10:thumbup:
Sorry no pics - my camera has vamoosed with my phone :grumpy:
I have had this knife for some 5 years, having brought in a box of 10 each of the S1, 860 and 780 along with blades in their 115/90 options. On getting it home having battled customs my eldest took a S1 for his present, my youngest the 780 and my wife the 860, for myself - one of each. The 860 was $13.50 (2004)
The former, S1, is in laminated carbon, the latter 2 in Stainless Steel. My immediate interest originated in the use of the one stainless steel version as the Natos official airmens survival knife during that time. What under wrote my interest was that they used my preferred stainless steel, Sandvik 12C27 at a HRC of 57.
Having a couple of custom knives in the 12C27 I researched the steels background and was initially disappointed to find that it was fairly low on the carbon ranking. However it was reputedly a very clean marstenite steel with high chrome and firmly rust resistant. It is not a super premium steel but still a very good one. My customs in 12C27 have served me very well.
They were not available to buy in Botswana or could be shipped individually so I purchased a box of each as they were affordable banking for presents.
Step forward to December 2009.
My wifes knife is in front of me, just sharpened, mine has been lent to a friend travelling Okavango, complimenting the SAK(linerlock) I gave them for 2008 Christmas (for their Namibia trip), their hand axe and folding saw.
Sheath - Sturdy but fairly chunky moulded plastic with a fishermans look to it the sheath of the 860 trumped those of the other Frost Moras. Fits on a thin belt by clipping down on to it for a reasonably firm hold. The loop is slotted to clip over a button, not something of use to myself.
Handle - hard polypropylene with the grip section of soft thermoplastic rubber, not unlike the Kraton of SOG and Cold Steel, giving a good grip for confident work. The form and moulding of the handle has created one of the most comfortable handles I have come across on smaller fixed blades. I would have liked to have seen a pommel hole for a lanyard like that of the 780. The material is still in decent condition and will be serviceable for some many more years.
Blade - At the time I considered the blade to be a tad thin at under 2mm, the 115 blades being 2.5mm. They were evidently stamped out as the spine bore witness. It is very sharp and stays sharp. My wife took hers to work and it has suffered relatively little despite being used by several people including the fitting of carpets. I am proud to note that that she kept the screwdrivers in the same kitchenette draw showing feminine intelligence. As it stands it has some micro chipping. With her change of employment it has been of constant use in the kitchen amongst many other knives and requires occasional sharpening. My 860 has been a cubby hole side kick. It has been used on site to cut pegs of hard Acacia (other wise known biblically as shittah-wood) notch them and draw in the dust. Done duty for the office braai, Hammered through dry walling, prepared meals when travelling around Africa. Edges are micro chipped the edge a little worn but easily cleaned up with a belt sander. Flexes well and is thin enough not to jam forcing it through wood. The saddest thing is that they are very poor at chopping, thin green vines can be slashed but more is asking too much.
Survival Would I be able to use it as my one and only in a survival situation?
Having done the training and practical some many years back and handled knives for over 30 years I can say yes I could. Reality dictates that the same training and experience means that I am properly prepared when I travel. I dont believe in the one knife dogma and would no less travel without water than without a few knives, tool kit, a medikit and a survival kit. Apart from my SAK in my pocket there is another clean SAK in my medical aid kit alongside a spare mini mag. There is a multitool in my cubby with the 860 and a forged main blade or machete behind my seat.
Summary - I know little of living, hunting and camping in northern hemisphere. Having lived and worked in much of Africa the 860 has been a great utility knife, and a great second knife that has done good service in harsh conditions. Particularly since it is excellent in dealing with food, fish and dressing game where many choppers are not. I have an excellent main blade of over 8 that is not stainless but chops batons and fills the gap
An optional use of a blade of 2.5mm would have been a great combination to go with the sheath and handle. Even with 2.5mm they would still be very limited due to only 4 inches in length. I have started fires with mine, but batoning wood with a small log took effort not to damage the blade. That I felt was pushing it. As a sportsmans knife it is excellent, as a vaunted survival tool, in Kalahari I would qualify that as in experienced hands.
Handle 9/10:thumbup:
Sheath 6.5/10
Edge performance 7/10
Cutting/Slicing 8.5/10:thumbup:
Corrosion resistance 10/10:thumbup::thumbup:
Chopping 1/10:thumbdn:
Batoning 2/10:thumbdn:
Cost Value 8.5/10:thumbup:
Sorry no pics - my camera has vamoosed with my phone :grumpy:
