Mora Bushcraft as back-up woods knife?

S

Stiletto Raggio

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Jan 29, 2000
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546
I have a Blackbird SK-5 as my primary bushcraft and "survival" knife but I have been considering getting a lightweight, high-quality knife that could fill in should my Blackbird get lost or badly damaged. The Mora family has a wonderful reputation and, although the blades are a bit thinner that I normally prefer, I think they look like promising utility/back-up knives. They are lighter than a lot of the folders I carry on a regular basis but should be a bit more durable under hard use. The question is, should I get the Bushcraft or some other variant to fill this role? And if I go with the Bushcraft, do you recommend the plain sheath or the one with the sharpener and the firesteel ttached?
 
I would get one of the 2mm thick models. 2 mm is thick enough. The thinner the blade the less effort it takes to cut stuff. I think the utility model can be had for under 10 bucks.
 
#11863: The Companion MG Carbon $12
The handles are solid plastic with a rubber overlay for improved grip.
Just under 4"
2mm 0.08" thick

Should last for many years
 
Don't be surprised if you end up using it more than your other knives. They're great for what they are. Check sportsman's guide lotta times they'll have them 2/$20.
 
Thousands and thousands of guys use the less expensive Companion as their primary woods, hunting knife, fishing knife, carpentry knife, or craft knife. So yeah, it'll serve quite well in any role.
 
I like the companion it is a great knife for $8 you can not go wrong. Look at the Light my Fire Mora. It is a mora knife with a fire steel in the handle.
 
#11863: The Companion MG Carbon $12
The handles are solid plastic with a rubber overlay for improved grip.
Just under 4"
2mm 0.08" thick

Should last for many years
Click to expand...

I have one as a back-up and love it. Also use it as a primary from time-to-time. They are inexpensive knives just pick one up and try it. You will like!
 
I have a few Mora's and really like em. I have a Bushcraft Black on the way which has the 1/8" blade, I don't have it yet so I can't comment on performance. Right now I usually carry a Tops BOB and Lapalander Saw, but ordered the Buchcraft Black as a lighter alternative that is still plenty robust. I ordered the survival sheath with the fire starter and sharpener; it costs $10 more than the regular one but if you buy just the fire steel separate that costs $13 on its own....so it's a better deal to get the survival sheath unless you want to go with a smaller, cheaper ferro rod.
 
I carried a Mora Light My Fire knife as my primary with a Svord Machete in one of jungle exploration recently. It performed above my expectation and the ugly sheath work so well in the swamp. It drains the water and the spacing allows the blade to dry out.
 
I love Moras. They are cheap, well made for the purpose, sharp and can take a beating.

I have one in my car, one on the boat, one in my drawer at home, one at the cabin...ect.

One in my survival pack I carry when I hike or hunt....ect.

Basically if you need a knife that you don't feel bad beating the heck out of and it will stand up to it and you're not hung up on fit, finish and looks they are great all-purpose knives.

They actually make great survival knives if you are looking for something light and inexepensive for your bugout bag. So, I'd say, yes they do make a great backup blade for the woods or even a primary blade if you are short on cash.
 
The only time I don't consider a Mora adequate for primary woods carry is when it is very wet or bitter cold and I know I will need to split a lot of wood; then I want a hatchet or full tang fixed blade 3/16" or bigger. If you just plan on using the blade for knife tasks or splitting kindling, then a Mora is the tits. You'll be hard pressed to find a knife that handles knife tasks in the woods better than a Mora.
 
Excellent value knife. I've got a few of the variants - I like them all. I was especially surprised at the mora 2000, which I didn't originally think I'd like as much as I do. You can't really go wrong with a Mora. Joe.
 
sideways said:
I would get one of the 2mm thick models. 2 mm is thick enough. The thinner the blade the less effort it takes to cut stuff. I think the utility model can be had for under 10 bucks.
Click to expand...
I believe he's referring to the 511 and yes, it can be had for about $8USD, including shipping, if you look in the right place.
 
Yep they weigh almost nothing so its not a big deal to just throw one in a pack just in case. Plus they have great utility. Great back up blade.
 
HoosierQ said:
Thousands and thousands of guys use the less expensive Companion as their primary woods, hunting knife, fishing knife, carpentry knife, or craft knife. So yeah, it'll serve quite well in any role.
Click to expand...

Precisely!

And! If you have to worry about your primary survival/bushcraft (whatever that means) knife getting damaged....maybe it shouldn't be your primary survival/bushcraft knife.
 
So I realized I hadn't been back to check on this post...

I hear the resounding endoresements and will definitely pick one (or twelve) up. I will probably start with one of the less-expensive models (Companion carbon) and work from there. They seem to have a cult following and I haven't erally heard anything bad about them, especially for the price. It owuld be nice if they were more readily available on the local-purchase market, but I have been an internet/mail purchaser since I first started buying my own knives.

I operate on the "two is one, one is none" principle, so having a back-up and/or overlap in tool capabilities is always part of my planning. While I don't plan to lose or damage my primary knife, I also don't plan to get lost, break a leg or get food poisoning. Contingencies are the name of the game, but total preparedness has to be balanced with other priorities like mobility, cost, etc. That is where the Mora seems like a no-brainer.
 
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