Mora - how do I know what steel it is?

G

Gerald_G

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Dec 8, 2011
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I picked up an inexpensive Mora, and I think it may be older stock, because the markings do not indicate if the blade is stainless or carbon steel like the pictures I have searched out seem to for the newer ones. The markings simply say... "E. Jonsson Mora Sweden"

EDIT: Actual photos of my knife have replaced the links to similar knifes on the internet.

Mora_02_800.jpg


Close up of stamp.

Mora_01_800.jpg


Can anyone tell me what steel this might be?
(I'm a blade newb at best)

Thanks
 
Last edited:
This was posted just the other day !

dePaul said:
The SS line of Frosts sports Sandvik 12C27, HRC ~58. The carbon steel Frosts is Uddeholm UHB 20C (eq. to AISI 1095), cold rolled and heat treated to 59-61 HRC. Other designations used: German C.D. Wälzholz-Brockhaus GmbH CK 101 and CK 95, cold rolled, HRC 60.

The laminated steel core in knives from Frosts are made of Uddeholm 2140/Arne (eq. to AISI O1), HRC 60-62.

The standard SS from KJ Eriksson (no longer existing) was Sandvik 12C27M (Modified), HRC 58. After the merge they changed to plane Sandvik 12C27.

KJ's carbon steel was Uddeholm UHB15LM (eq. to AISI 1080) and DIN CK 75/80 (eq. to AISI 1080), both steels HRC 58. Since the Co changed names, these steels have been replaced by Uddeholm UHB 20C (eq. to AISI 1095) and C.D. Wälzholz-Brockhaus GmbH CK 101 and CK 95.

The Triflex blades are made of differentially tempered Uddeholm UHB 20C (eq. to AISI 1095).

The Hultafors SS series is japanese AUS-8 and the carbon steel variant is SK-5 (eq. to AISI 1080).

The Lindblom knives feature a chinese SS/EN 715 stainless steel. HRC 58-60.

Previously, the blades from Frost were a little bit thinner than those from KJ. Today, they are the same thickness (the thinner variant).

The steel used in Erik Jönsson knives is SS 1778 (eq. AISI 1078) springsteel. No stainless blades are manufactured any longer.

~Paul~
Click to expand...

1234,,,,,:)
 
That looks like stainless to me.
But it looks like this particular knife was modified by the owner. So if the picture was taken immediately after the blade was polished and cleaned - it is very difficult to say by the photo. You have to be medium or be absolutely clear about this particular model. I have got similar knife - without any mods. But it is from old stock - with marks on the blade clearly indicating carbon steel. ;)
 
Pardon me, I think it is very much the Mora®knife Classic No. 612.

It's just that mine has the markings as above, and not as in the current website.
Length handle and finger protection all match the 612 though.

From this, I'm guessing it's carbon steel?
 
The easiest way to tell is to cut a lemon or something and see if it patinas.
 
was not modified - new old stock (The pics are ones I found on the web)

"Erik Jönsson knives is SS 1778 (eq. AISI 1078)" most likely ?

I'll look into a lemon test.
 
The blade does not have specific grind lines - that what I meant. Like somebody has done rough polishing. And I have not seen that kind of sheath - they are usually just a black plastic - like on Mora knife Classic 612 ( http://www.survival-pax.com/Mora-Classic-612.html ;) ). So, probably "modified" is too strong a word. But considering the price tag - more effort than that knife is worth.
But I might be right of course. I am not such a great fun of Mora. Just reasonably priced simple working knives - that is all.
 
I am sorry, in my eager rush to gather info, I started this question using pictures of a similar knife to mine. To avoid any confusion further, I took a couple of photos of my actual knife, and edited the post to include the pics of my actual knife. I should have done this in the first place, but was to eager to wait for time to take the photos.

Thanks for all the sharing so far.

Can anyone point me to some good FAQs or threads on here with discussion on the pros and cons of stainless 1778 .vs. carbon etc?

Thanks
Gerald
 
age old debate-I've got an 840 and 860 I can compare side by side, and the high carbon holds its edge much better. It also sharpens up easier. Mora's 12Cr27 is fantastic in any right though...
 
Gerald_G said:
I am sorry, in my eager rush to gather info, I started this question using pictures of a similar knife to mine. To avoid any confusion further, I took a couple of photos of my actual knife, and edited the post to include the pics of my actual knife. I should have done this in the first place, but was to eager to wait for time to take the photos.

Thanks for all the sharing so far.

Can anyone point me to some good FAQs or threads on here with discussion on the pros and cons of stainless 1778 .vs. carbon etc?

Thanks
Gerald
Click to expand...

"SS 1778 (eq. AISI 1078)" is a carbon steel , not stainless .


1234,,,,,,,:)
 
Now I maybe wrong but I thought the Knife colour indicated ( at least a bit ) the steel - etc Red is Carbon Black is Triflex blue/green SS.

Have a look at the spine and see if you can see lamination lines indicative of the laminated model. I recommend the laminated model.

I think the new version of the old style wood handle model has a plastic sheath too.
 
I think the ss means spring steel , but thats just a guess .

1234,,,,,:)
 
I talked with Mr Jönsson approx. 3-4 years ago. He said the knives of today are made of SS (Svensk Standard) 1778. The stainless versions are no longer manufactured. The old ones had both red- and unfinished handles, for both stainless and carbon steel blades. The stainless steel blades were stamped (or had a sticky note) with a stainless logo. Thus this one is made of carbon steel.

The author of the artikel on Mora knives (Ulf Ahlström) is a friend of mine. We have been exchanging some interesting info throughout the past years. Our latest discussion involved automatic knives from Eskilstuna (the knife city of Sweden). We are both Mora knife knuts ;).

~Paul~
 
Great - thanks so much for the info everyone, gonna drop by and buy one for a buddy now too.

:thumbup::thumbup:
 
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