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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Mora Eldris anyone?
- Thread starter DocT
- Start date
evilgreg
Why so serious?
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- Dec 25, 2012
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I have one. It's cute, but I'm not loving it otherwise. The spine is painfully sharp-edged on mine, and it's just a bit too short and stubby overall. It's small, but not small, kind of, in that it's short but really fat for its size.
The Zieg
Gold Member
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- Jan 31, 2002
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Everyone using it online seems to be trying to give it bona fides as a bushcraft knife, but I can't think of it as anything but a fixed blade for no-trace backpacking. That is, no fire, no messing with downed branches, no building shelters, no fishing, no making traps, etc. I'm sure these things can be done with it. You can survive with a sharpened rock, after all. But instead, I'd like it for the Colin Fletcher style of backpacking I grew up with: Opening dried food packets, cutting line for tarps, poking holes in ice on the top of a cup, stirring soup, cutting cord for replacement bootlaces, and so on.
So, then, I'm tempted, but I'm holding out. If I see one in a store for a decent price, I might jump on it, but not ordering online.
Zieg
So, then, I'm tempted, but I'm holding out. If I see one in a store for a decent price, I might jump on it, but not ordering online.
Zieg
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
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- 9,735
Looks like a neat little knife, very useful. I might pick up two or three if I see them at a good price, give a couple away and stick one in the car kit.
billygoat78
Gold Member
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- Mar 24, 2009
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- 768
I agree completely with evilgreg.
I ended up sanding down the corners of the spine on mine, at least in the spots where my thumb might land. The spine was very sharp and uncomfortable otherwise. There's probably some sharp 90-degree spine up near the tip I could use for firesteel if I need to, but this knife is never going to make it into my lone-knife-I-might-actually-need-to-use-hard pile so I don't plan on doing that. I didn't really like the idea of this "feature" anyway, and don't mind losing it.
I also have smaller hands but can only get 3 fingers on the handle in some grips. In other grips 4 fingers fit relatively comfortably, and it does fill the hand nicely, but I wish the handle was 1/4" - 1/2" longer. And this from a guy with smaller hands who likes small fixed blades. For larger hands I think you have to assume it's mostly a 3-finger (or 3.3-finger) handle. The handle also feels quite "plasticky." This is my first Mora, and I'd heard they were like that, but the handle still feels unexpectedly cheap in my opinion. It works fine for any task I've thrown at it so far though, and the handle hasn't been uncomfortable in any grip used, just a tad odd sometimes. Just take a second look at that handle length and make sure that's what you want.
All in all it's not a bad knife, but it's not overly impressive either. The edge was great, steel is good for the price point, grinds were clean and even. Blade thickness and edge geometry make it very good at what it does. Kudos there. The handle and sheath are pretty unimpressive though. This seems pretty common to Moras, and if you're familiar with their handle and sheath materials I don't think you'll find any surprises here. Otherwise those areas might be a bit disappointing, but at that price point something has to give. They work. It seems to be more expensive than other similar Moras though. I haven't tried those others, but I'm not sure there's any real feature on this one that justifies the price hike. It still feels like a 20$ knife (rather, a 20$ blade with a 2$ handle and sheath), and depending on your hand size it's possibly not as comfortable and therefore useful as it wants to be. It is very light and short, if that's what you're going for I guess this might hit the mark perfectly.
That said, I'll still having fun with it as a backyard whittler and coffee table EDC and I don't regret trying one out.
One side note, I'm not sure I'd feel safe with the knife hanging handle-down from the sheath around my neck. The sheath does hold the knife fine so far, but without that top strap gizmo they sell with the expanded package for this knife, it's debatable how well the sheath alone will hold the knife over time. I had second thoughts about even just slipping it into my pocket that way without some additional paracord jury-rigged through-the-sheath then through-the-lanyard secondary retainment. But maybe that's just me.
I ended up sanding down the corners of the spine on mine, at least in the spots where my thumb might land. The spine was very sharp and uncomfortable otherwise. There's probably some sharp 90-degree spine up near the tip I could use for firesteel if I need to, but this knife is never going to make it into my lone-knife-I-might-actually-need-to-use-hard pile so I don't plan on doing that. I didn't really like the idea of this "feature" anyway, and don't mind losing it.
I also have smaller hands but can only get 3 fingers on the handle in some grips. In other grips 4 fingers fit relatively comfortably, and it does fill the hand nicely, but I wish the handle was 1/4" - 1/2" longer. And this from a guy with smaller hands who likes small fixed blades. For larger hands I think you have to assume it's mostly a 3-finger (or 3.3-finger) handle. The handle also feels quite "plasticky." This is my first Mora, and I'd heard they were like that, but the handle still feels unexpectedly cheap in my opinion. It works fine for any task I've thrown at it so far though, and the handle hasn't been uncomfortable in any grip used, just a tad odd sometimes. Just take a second look at that handle length and make sure that's what you want.
All in all it's not a bad knife, but it's not overly impressive either. The edge was great, steel is good for the price point, grinds were clean and even. Blade thickness and edge geometry make it very good at what it does. Kudos there. The handle and sheath are pretty unimpressive though. This seems pretty common to Moras, and if you're familiar with their handle and sheath materials I don't think you'll find any surprises here. Otherwise those areas might be a bit disappointing, but at that price point something has to give. They work. It seems to be more expensive than other similar Moras though. I haven't tried those others, but I'm not sure there's any real feature on this one that justifies the price hike. It still feels like a 20$ knife (rather, a 20$ blade with a 2$ handle and sheath), and depending on your hand size it's possibly not as comfortable and therefore useful as it wants to be. It is very light and short, if that's what you're going for I guess this might hit the mark perfectly.
That said, I'll still having fun with it as a backyard whittler and coffee table EDC and I don't regret trying one out.
One side note, I'm not sure I'd feel safe with the knife hanging handle-down from the sheath around my neck. The sheath does hold the knife fine so far, but without that top strap gizmo they sell with the expanded package for this knife, it's debatable how well the sheath alone will hold the knife over time. I had second thoughts about even just slipping it into my pocket that way without some additional paracord jury-rigged through-the-sheath then through-the-lanyard secondary retainment. But maybe that's just me.
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billygoat78
Gold Member
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- Mar 24, 2009
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- 768
Few quick pics and notes
Here's the fat little handle. It feels very plasticky (seam and everything) and does get slippery when wet, in my experience. For the price I didn't expect much, and knew Moras were generally pretty plastic-handled, but finally holding one, I can say the handle on this one feels a bit like injeciton molded, sun-baked, 10-year old chewing gum. Mora has a good reputation and a long history though, I have little doubt about it's ability. It's just not the most pleasant texture I've ever held. It's fairly neutral and feels decent in many grips, but ideal in none. There's also not a whole lot to keep your hand from slipping up or down the handle if you were to do something stupid. Still, it works fine.
Here I gripped the knife normally, then opened my fingers a little so you can see where they naturally lie. I wear a medium-sized glove and can sometimes cram my hand into a small of some brands for a slack-free tactile fit. My pinky fits on the handle in some grips, not so well in others. Often it's left in kind of an inbetween spot, kicking out in midair trying to find purchase, or fighting with the lanyard hole.
Here are the little nubs inside the sheath that are the only thing holding the knife in. They fit into the (noticeably shallow) diamond shaped dimples that can be seen in the middle of the handle in the previous picture. The sheath also has a little flex to it. I haven't field tested it hard yet, but I could see where leaning up against a tree or something might flex the sheath enough for these little bumps to fall out of the handle dimples. With handle-down neck carry and no secondary retainment, it's possible the live blade could drop right down your shirt. Maybe it's not a problem, but I don't trust it. There are, however, little drain holes in the bottom of the sheath that you can thread paracord through, then draw it up through the lanyard hole in the handle to better secure the knife to sheath. It's not a quick-draw then, mind you. The snap-shut over-the-butt strap they sell with the upgraded kit for this knife would also help remedy this 'problem.'
For the price it's still pretty fun and well made. I didn't mean the above to sound negative, I just thought they were things I wish I'd known or were worth pointing out. The knife itself is neither really good nor bad, it's just basically what you'd expect.
Quick pluses: it came with a stellar edge and great cutting geometry. It's thin, but at that length it's not an issue and makes for an efficient blade. I hadn't thought much about that secondary grind before, but it results in a good strong scandi up near the handle where you want it and a pretty mean belly and pleasantly pokey tip up where it's double-ground.
Unless the size or weight is your thing, however, I agree I'd rather have- and would find more use for- a carbon steel 511, or other Mora, which is of similar quality but 1/3 - 1/2 the price. Personally, if it was the only knife I was taking and a tad more weight wasn't an issue I'd step up the price point and look at something else if that's within your means, not to say that this knife couldn't do pretty much anything you needed, if you needed.
I got mine as an after-thought to another order. I wanted to try out a Mora and it sounded like a cheap fun new little coffee table toy (yes, I'm a bachelor). I use it for light yard and kitchen work, mail, backyard whittling, etc., and I really do enjoy it in those roles. It's very light, and easy to throw in a pack as a secondary/emergency blade too, but in my opinion the length, grip, and sheath are inadequate for its use as a sole camp/survival/backpacking knife. Just my 2 cents
Here's the fat little handle. It feels very plasticky (seam and everything) and does get slippery when wet, in my experience. For the price I didn't expect much, and knew Moras were generally pretty plastic-handled, but finally holding one, I can say the handle on this one feels a bit like injeciton molded, sun-baked, 10-year old chewing gum. Mora has a good reputation and a long history though, I have little doubt about it's ability. It's just not the most pleasant texture I've ever held. It's fairly neutral and feels decent in many grips, but ideal in none. There's also not a whole lot to keep your hand from slipping up or down the handle if you were to do something stupid. Still, it works fine.
Here I gripped the knife normally, then opened my fingers a little so you can see where they naturally lie. I wear a medium-sized glove and can sometimes cram my hand into a small of some brands for a slack-free tactile fit. My pinky fits on the handle in some grips, not so well in others. Often it's left in kind of an inbetween spot, kicking out in midair trying to find purchase, or fighting with the lanyard hole.
Here are the little nubs inside the sheath that are the only thing holding the knife in. They fit into the (noticeably shallow) diamond shaped dimples that can be seen in the middle of the handle in the previous picture. The sheath also has a little flex to it. I haven't field tested it hard yet, but I could see where leaning up against a tree or something might flex the sheath enough for these little bumps to fall out of the handle dimples. With handle-down neck carry and no secondary retainment, it's possible the live blade could drop right down your shirt. Maybe it's not a problem, but I don't trust it. There are, however, little drain holes in the bottom of the sheath that you can thread paracord through, then draw it up through the lanyard hole in the handle to better secure the knife to sheath. It's not a quick-draw then, mind you. The snap-shut over-the-butt strap they sell with the upgraded kit for this knife would also help remedy this 'problem.'
For the price it's still pretty fun and well made. I didn't mean the above to sound negative, I just thought they were things I wish I'd known or were worth pointing out. The knife itself is neither really good nor bad, it's just basically what you'd expect.
Quick pluses: it came with a stellar edge and great cutting geometry. It's thin, but at that length it's not an issue and makes for an efficient blade. I hadn't thought much about that secondary grind before, but it results in a good strong scandi up near the handle where you want it and a pretty mean belly and pleasantly pokey tip up where it's double-ground.
Unless the size or weight is your thing, however, I agree I'd rather have- and would find more use for- a carbon steel 511, or other Mora, which is of similar quality but 1/3 - 1/2 the price. Personally, if it was the only knife I was taking and a tad more weight wasn't an issue I'd step up the price point and look at something else if that's within your means, not to say that this knife couldn't do pretty much anything you needed, if you needed.
I got mine as an after-thought to another order. I wanted to try out a Mora and it sounded like a cheap fun new little coffee table toy (yes, I'm a bachelor). I use it for light yard and kitchen work, mail, backyard whittling, etc., and I really do enjoy it in those roles. It's very light, and easy to throw in a pack as a secondary/emergency blade too, but in my opinion the length, grip, and sheath are inadequate for its use as a sole camp/survival/backpacking knife. Just my 2 cents
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- Joined
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This seemed like a good idea when I first heard about it... but as time passed I just don't get it.
It's less capable than my Companion and more expensive.
It's more discrete than the Companion, but much less discrete than a folder which is just as capable.
I've never wanted for a lighter knife than the Companion so any weight savings isn't really valued.
I hate neck knives.
I'm just not the target demo I guess. Seems to be selling well though.
It's less capable than my Companion and more expensive.
It's more discrete than the Companion, but much less discrete than a folder which is just as capable.
I've never wanted for a lighter knife than the Companion so any weight savings isn't really valued.
I hate neck knives.
I'm just not the target demo I guess. Seems to be selling well though.
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2005
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- 4,242
I own several Moras so this is by no means my 1st. I think the Eldris is a good back-up bushcraft/utility knife. It wouldn't be my 1st choice, but it's compact size means I can stow it somewhere as an "I forgot/lost my knife" knife. So far mine has only seen use around the house opening mail and cutting open boxes. I wear a size large glove and find the Eldris comfortable in hand. Kind of a 3 finger grip with my pinky behind it. I also find the spine to be too sharp, especially on a stumpy knife I'm most likely to be using thumb pressure during use. My plan is to sand down the spine, maybe leaving the last 1/2" sharp. I find the plastic handle a step up compared to my older Moras & very similar to my Pro C. I went with the plain sheath as I don't like neck knives, nor did I want a fire steel dangling from it. Mine will probably get stashed in a daypack once I grow bored of playing with it around the house.
billygoat78
Gold Member
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- Mar 24, 2009
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- 768
^that, exactly. Mine too. And perhaps that's where it's real strength lies.
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Thanks folks. This is the kind of stuff I wanted to know. Actually, I like a small fixed blade to simply drop in my pants pocket instead of a folder. I think this was adequately addressed, here. It is too fat and would not work for this. I will just hang on to my Esee.
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This..
screened porch
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I expect the complex grind adds to the price. Does anyone have any views on why they did that or whether they should have?
It seems to be a solution to a non existent problem.
It doesn't do anything that the companion or other mora models can, but is more expensive. If I want a short blade, I have a pocket knife on me. If I want a fixed blade, it want a decent size blade for a wider range of capability.
It doesn't do anything that the companion or other mora models can, but is more expensive. If I want a short blade, I have a pocket knife on me. If I want a fixed blade, it want a decent size blade for a wider range of capability.
Wharn
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- Feb 1, 2011
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Does anyone have any updates on carrying one? I'm wondering how comfortable it rides in the pocket, or is it too bulky? If I have to wear it on my belt I'll just carry my normal Mora, but if it fits in the pocket comfortably I may consider one as an alternative to a folder. Thanks.
They are horrid, IMO. I've given mine to my wife. She uses it as a kitchen knife. YMMV. What the rest of the guys say. I regret buying mine, I should have bought another companion.
It would be too fat for pocket carry.
I like mine; it fills a niche. If I work in cramped spaces, getting a folder in and out of pocket is a pain. I neck carry it and find it practical in those situations; the shorter blade is safer.
Wife:"Is that an Eldris in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
I like mine; it fills a niche. If I work in cramped spaces, getting a folder in and out of pocket is a pain. I neck carry it and find it practical in those situations; the shorter blade is safer.
Wife:"Is that an Eldris in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"
I have one and like it. I am no fan of the "90 degree spine". It is advertised for striking fire steels and for shaving (scraping really) tinder. Well and good. However, overall, it strikes me as just skipping a step.
On balance, I like the three new Mora knives that share the handle and sheath design (Kansbol, Garberg, and Eldris) and I have all three. Only the Kansbol, the one with the Mora 2000 blade, comes Scandi ground. The Eldris and the Garberg have secondary microbevels.
On balance, I like the three new Mora knives that share the handle and sheath design (Kansbol, Garberg, and Eldris) and I have all three. Only the Kansbol, the one with the Mora 2000 blade, comes Scandi ground. The Eldris and the Garberg have secondary microbevels.