New bushcraft knife :D

nc527 · Jan 13, 2011

Received my new bushcraft knife today from shockjockey24, a used koster 1rst gen Bushcraft. He also included a carbon steel mora, so I could try one of those out. I got out today for a few minutes and I can see already, this thing is SHARP. Out of the box it had no problem slicing paper cleanly. I made a quick handdrill set, and the tip worked great for drilling. I really like how the knife feels in hand, and I can hardly even feel it on my hip. Here is the only pic I took, but expect some more this weekend.

Anyone got any tips related to using this knife? its my first scandi, first custom, and first 3v steel knife.

Myal · Jan 13, 2011

yeah , have FUN with it , and bring bandaids

(1/2 joking )

bkduckworth · Jan 14, 2011

Ryan,

Thats a sweet one right there! Enjoy it man, thats probably the quintessential custom bushcrafter, should pair up real nice with that Wetterlings axe you've got.

Take it easy!

Brandon

ChapmanPreferred · Jan 14, 2011

Use the Mora for learning Scandi sharpening methods and once you can sharpen that knife to your own satisfaction, then you should have the confidence to use the Koster while knowing you can sharpen it when you eventually dull the knife.

nc527 · Jan 14, 2011

bkduckworth said:
Ryan,

Thats a sweet one right there! Enjoy it man, thats probably the quintessential custom bushcrafter, should pair up real nice with that Wetterlings axe you've got.

Take it easy!

Brandon

Hey man, long time no hear. Yea, while I was at Joes house, we were talking about customs, and I was like "I dont have any customs" and Joe was like "WHAT?", so I figured I needed one. Plus, that Swamprat I had wasnt a very good bushcrafter. Going fishing tomorrow, so the mora will get some use as a bait knife. With that knife and my wetterlings, I should be able to do anything. One thing I cant figure out though, is why doesnt my koster have the K logo on it? Did the first ones not have it?

nc527 · Jan 14, 2011

ChapmanPreferred said:
Use the Mora for learning Scandi sharpening methods and once you can sharpen that knife to your own satisfaction, then you should have the confidence to use the Koster while knowing you can sharpen it when you eventually dull the knife.

Yea, I got the mora out last night and sharpened with wet n dry sandpaper, starting at 400g, then 800, 1000, and 2000, followed by a stropping. Got it hair splitting sharp, in about 30 minutes.

Tonight I worked up the courage for the koster, and did the same thing, resulting in another hair splitting edge in about 35 minutes. I was expecting 3v to put up more of a fight, but I guess it really over estimated it.

Edit: I have decided that from now on, I will only buy scandi, and convex edged knives.

Also, does anyone know what mora I have? I want to buy another one.....or 2.....

PDE · Jan 15, 2011

nc527 said:
Yea, I got the mora out last night and sharpened with wet n dry sandpaper, starting at 400g, then 800, 1000, and 2000, followed by a stropping. Got it hair splitting sharp, in about 30 minutes.

Tonight I worked up the courage for the koster, and did the same thing, resulting in another hair splitting edge in about 35 minutes. I was expecting 3v to put up more of a fight, but I guess it really over estimated it.

Edit: I have decided that from now on, I will only buy scandi, and convex edged knives. Also, does anyone know what mora I have? I want to buy another one.....or 2.....

I think that is the cheapest Mora they make, they run about eight bucks or so.
One of the best too, in my opinion. I think ragweed carries them.

nc527 · Jan 15, 2011

PDE said:
I think that is the cheapest Mora they make, they run about eight bucks or so.
One of the best too, in my opinion. I think ragweed carries them.

it is the 2nd one from the left in this pic, but I cannot find it listed for sale.
http://www.ragweedforge.com/frosts.jpg

chopchop · Jan 15, 2011

nc527 said:
Edit: I have decided that from now on, I will only buy scandi, and convex edged knives. Also, does anyone know what mora I have? I want to buy another one.....or 2.....

That looks like a Mora "Tradesman" or "Viking" model... maybe the 640 carbon steel one. You might be able to find that one online, or a 660 (same knife, but stainless sandvik) or a 680 (triflex steel). I don't think Ragnar has any of those anymore, but you could try one that is pretty much the same blade, with different handles: a "Sports" model 440 (might want to cut off the top guard) or a "Craftsman" model 760.

Also, these Moras have a similar size carbon blade:
a #1 (wood barrel handle), a 511 (solid plastic), or a 711 (softer, grippy plastic).

The Hultafors HVK is also a similar shape and size.

Here's a thread by BF member Marion David Poff with some good comparisons of relative shapes and sizes of inexpensive production scandi's.