Squaring Spine on Mora

M

mem

Joined
Oct 29, 2005
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4
I'm a backpacker and use a Mora 510 because of the light weight, approximately 2.5 oz. It's seems to be perfect for me except that the spine is not a good striker for firesteel. I was told that I should square off the spine but have no capability to do that. Is there a place where I can send the 510 for this kind of work? Also, if anyone has an alternative to the 510 as a light weight fixed blade, I'd love to hear that too. Thanks in advance.

Michael
 
It's really not as difficult to do as you might think, plus you don't have to square the whole spine. Get a block of wood or some other hard material the width for the area you want to square. Wrap some sandpaper around it and go to town. Put the knife in a vise to hold it still.

One option I want to try is to take a round file of approximately the diamater of the firesteel I'm using and cut a shallow notch in the back with that. Leave the edges semi sharp and us that to work the fire steel. Should throw a bunch of sparks due to the greater contact surface area.

Charlie
 
I've even used my ceramic sharpening rod to square up my spine, it's not that big a process. Just hold it flat on whatever you normally use to sharpen your knife, and go to town until the back will scrape off wood dust. Then it's good to go.
 
I guess I will throw in my 2 cents.

I just did it to my 780 by wrapping a block of wood with emery sand paper and sand down the spine flatter. I was lucky enough for my 510 to already have sharp spine corners so I can use that to get a spark.
 
Another benefit of doing this is aesthetics. Once you square up the spine it doesn't have that stamped steel look anymore.
 
This goes with the Mora 2000 too.
One way to do it is to take two pieces of wood and place the knife between them, the spine and the wood level to each other. Put it in a vice and grind away with whatever thing you have. The wood will keep the knife in the right angle give way when grinded on. This saves the vice :)
You could also use fancy CNC grinding machines, laser cutters, water cutters etc.
A dogbone or emery paper is mostly enough though.
 
I just put mine in my vice (my vice is padded with thick leather) and use a fine mill file held flat. I get a really nice finish that way and they throw a shower of sparks. Mac
 
I squared off several of mine, but the steel is too soft for them to throw any decent sparks. Just used a file to square the back, it's not hard to do. If yours doesn't throw good sparks, just get a small 2 inch section of a hacksaw blade (bi-metallic work well), they weigh almost nothing and throw sparks like there's no tomorrow.

As an alternative, there are many good choices. A Becker necker is a fine little fixed blade, as are the Busse Active Duty or Game Wardens. Bob Dozier makes some nice smallish blades, but if you're looking for an all rounder in the woods, go with a flat ground Dozier, more tip strength. Many good ones to choose from from Dozier.

I could go on, but they start getting heavier, and much more $$$. I think they are worth it, but others might disagree.

If you like your Mora, just get that hacksaw blade and you're all set!
 
I also get great results with a little 2" chunk of 22 TPI hacksaw blade. It stores inside my hollow handle and is small enough I don't mess up my tinder pile with the over-strike.
 
My belt grinder took care of my 510 in about .074 seconds. Throws sparks like crazy now.

Files, sandpaper wrapped around a block, etc. should work just fine like others have said.

Let us know if you ever figure it out. If all else fails, or your just feeling lazy, you could send it to me for just the price of shipping, and I'll introduce it to a really fast 60 grit belt.

P.S. I think the Mora 510 is a perfect light weight fixed blade.
 
Thanks for the help you guys. I didn't realize this was something I could do without buying tools. Stingray, I appreciate the offer and your feedback on the 510. I'll give the block and sandpaper a shot and see how it goes.

Michael
 
I place mine in a vice and draw file them. Sometimes, I only square the clipped portion.
 
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