Tell me about Moras and Opinels

[jlamb]

I hear a lot of talk about these 2 brands on here.... did a google search and found some for sale. Can someone tell me what your draw is to these brands? Price, function, looks..... Just looking to be educated a bit.

 

[marcinek]

They are quality cutting tools at a rock-bottom price.

If you don't need to chop through 2 x 4s and/or kill zombies, and you don't have to look tacti-cool, and you don't need to spend a ton of cash...they are great choices.

 

[Raining]

The draw is that they are inexpensive but not cheap quality. Great to use as extras or can stand on their own as your main knife.

Because they are so inexpensive, I'm not afraid if I lose or damage one.

 

[BoxANT]

For a little over 20 bones, you can get a great fixed blade and folder in carbon steel. They'll be able to do the vast majority of cutting tasks, and if they go MIA, then it's no biggie

I prefer the Mora Clipper and #8 Opinel.

 

[neeman]

I have had my Opinel for 30 years
And I am afraid to lose the knife because it is a bloody good knife
So what it is $8

 

[Leftoverdj]

Moras and Opinels are basic utility knives made of very good steels. They offer 95% of the performance of knives costing ten times as much. Both are very well thought out as general purpose knives. You get a good grip, a good blade, and that's about it.

Best part is that you get them at a price you don't have to worry about. Use them as hard as you like, and if you bust or lose one, get another. Hand them out like party favors to anyone in need of a knife. Stash them as spares anywhere.

If they have a weakness, it's only that they are general purpose knives. You can always find a knife that will do a specific task better. I use a Mora 760 as a kitchen utility knife, and the blade is just a little thick for that, but it still gets the job done. I'd like a bit more belly in a skinning knife, but I've skinned and dressed out several deer with Moras without real complaint.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

I hear a lot of talk about these 2 brands on here.... did a google search and found some for sale. Can someone tell me what your draw is to these brands? Price, function, looks..... Just looking to be educated a bit.

Did you notice the price on the ones you found for sale? You don't have much reason not to buy 'em & try 'em.

I took one of my Mora knives and sharpened some sticks to use as tent pegs (just to see if I could make tent pegs on the spot) and I think it was my best knife for the task (I did have some much dearer knives with me). The way the scandi grind cuts wood needs to be experienced to be believed - really incredible for making traps or tent pegs or whatever else you want.

Opinel knives are incredible slicers - I have a stainless #8 that I like to use for food prep, but I am also happy to use my carbon #9 on bigger tomatoes. These suckers take almost no time on a strop to get 'scary sharp' and they slice better than anything else I own.

Depending on the task my Mora and Opinel knives can be considered to be the best knives I own - it doesn't matter that they are also the cheapest. Both are made cheaply and sold cheaply, but I mean cheaply as it low cost NOT cheaply as in low quality. The cheap and simple construction of these knives mean that they cost very little to buy, but they are cheap & simple AND effective. I wouldn't use a Mora to chop or baton, but I would use it for food prep or wood carving. For very little money you can get some heavy duty cutting tools like axes & hatchets & machetes and have plenty of money left over for light duty cutting tools from Mora or Opinel. You don't need multiple hundreds of dollars to be well equipped in bladed tools!

On a tight budget you should buy:
An axe or 2
A Machete or 2 (Imacasa, Condor or Tramontina)
A Mora or 2 (I have a stainless & a carbon)
An Opinel or 3 (I have 4)
A SAK or 2 (great multi use tool for the price)

Buy the above and you are good for everyday around home tasks, bushcraft/camping and emergency situations. You wont have spent a lot of money but you will have a lot of good quality tools. Axes and machetes can handle harder jobs that are beyond the Opinel & Mora so you can use them for the tasks that they are good at and wont ruin them - the right tool for the job is the way to go!

 

[TrailingEdge]

Depending on the task my Mora and Opinel knives can be considered to be the best knives I own - it doesn't matter that they are also the cheapest. Both are made cheaply and sold cheaply, but I mean cheaply as it low cost NOT cheaply as in low quality. The cheap and simple construction of these knives mean that they cost very little to buy, but they are cheap & simple AND effective. I wouldn't use a Mora to chop or baton, but I would use it for food prep or wood carving. For very little money you can get some heavy duty cutting tools like axes & hatchets & machetes and have plenty of money left over for light duty cutting tools from Mora or Opinel. You don't need multiple hundreds of dollars to be well equipped in bladed tools!

On a tight budget you should buy:
An axe or 2
A Machete or 2 (Imacasa, Condor or Tramontina)
A Mora or 2 (I have a stainless & a carbon)
An Opinel or 3 (I have 4)
A SAK or 2 (great multi use tool for the price)

Buy the above and you are good for everyday around home tasks, bushcraft/camping and emergency situations. You wont have spent a lot of money but you will have a lot of good quality tools. Axes and machetes can handle harder jobs that are beyond the Opinel & Mora so you can use them for the tasks that they are good at and wont ruin them - the right tool for the job is the way to go!

This is some of the finest wisdom I have read on the topic of selecting edged tools. It truly covers all the every day necessities.

While I have many more knives, I have them because I'm fasciniated by the aesthetics and technology. And, with this post, Gadgetaholic has brilliantly nailed down the necessities.

 

[Gadgetaholic]

This is some of the finest wisdom I have read on the topic of selecting edged tools. It truly covers all the every day necessities.

While I have many more knives, I have them because I'm fasciniated by the aesthetics and technology. And, with this post, Gadgetaholic has brilliantly nailed down the necessities.

And that is just what I learned from reading these forums! It isn't all about "buy a Sebenza" or "buy a Millie" - there is some really good advice to be found around here. Well not quite just from reading these forums, buying and using a couple of Mora knives and 4 Opinel knives also taught me a bit about how good these cheap knives really are. Anyone that hasn't tried either brand really should just spend the small amount of money to get some - even if you don't like them the cost to find out is not much and if you love 'em then you have a real bargain in your hands! Opinel and Mora are easy to sharpen too, a couple of minutes on a strop and you have a wickedly sharp edge!

 

[Joben]

Mora's have pretty good steel.
The Scandinavian grind is good for wood carving.
They are cheap enough I can have several scattered around the house and in various gear bags. And they are reliable enough I would trust one as a "survival knife" for most purposes.

I have several Moras, my favorite is my Frosts model 911 with a hard plastic handle and a half guard. My least favorite is the basic #1. The sheath retention is terrible, and i have no idea why a handle shape that pointlessly unsafe has survived so long. Some people are probably fans of that model, but I honestly have no idea why.

 

[dipbait]

Like Gadgetholic stated.The first time sharpening a stick with a Mora, I was hooked. You have to try one to appreciate it.The clipper sheath is handy and can be clipped to the front pocket, my favorite way of carrying it.

 

[The Government]

My least favorite is the basic #1. The sheath retention is terrible, and i have no idea why a handle shape that pointlessly unsafe has survived so long. Some people are probably fans of that model, but I honestly have no idea why.

That would be me.

I love that knife and it is my favorite of all the Moras. Actually my favorite is the #2, which is slightly larger.

The main reason that I like this knife is for its handle. It is a true bare bones design that leaves only what I need. There is nothing extra to get in the way and create hot spots. I have yet to find a more ergonomic handle for a bushcraft knife. It remains comfortable in long term use. As a completely non-tactical knife, the lack of a guard is preferred for me.

The wooden handled Moras are also the only ones with tangs that run all the way through the handle. They make them with laminated steel blades as well. I don't think any Moras from the "modern series" have laminated steel blades, but I could be wrong.

The sheath that it comes with works well as a neck sheath. I have found that the harder you push it in, the more retention it will have.

To be honest, i don't really like any of the plastic Mora sheaths all that much. I have a JRE leather sheath with a belt swivel that I like to use. After getting a proper leather sheath, it is hard to go back to the affordable plastic ones.

To each his own:thumbup:. I like them all very much.

 

[C.S. Graves]

Love the rustic look of a carbon Opinel that's been well-used.

My Frosts Mora blade is my favourite for whittling, though too big for detail carving. With a handle and scabbard I made out of apple wood, it's even MORE rustic:

 

[woseyjales]

I like the Opie #6 best for toting size el cheapo.
As mentioned, they can open boxes or slice
fruits & veggies effortlessly.
Lightweight in pocket and comfortable in hand.
Opinel & SAK prove collecting or using decent
quality PKs doesn't have to be expensive to be fun.
Just got in some Opie #08 size to tryout.
No.6 Carbon

No.6 assorted handle options:

No.8 Oak & GT (garden tool)

I haven't tried a Mora yet but I do have an 05 Speider
Helle that seems to be a Scandia bargain @ $40.

 

[bigbadboom]

Opinels - Tick
Moras - Tick

Also check out the Husqvarna branded hatchet - marked hand forged sweden. These are I believe rebadged Wetterlings Hatchets (theres another maker too , just buy the one thats the same as wetterlings ).
with this trio , you are well equiped , with quality tools for a very nice price (esp here in OZ where wetterlings are more than triple the price of Husqvarna)

 

[Sword and Shield]

Why Opinels and Moras? They work. They work better than pretty much all else. My Opinel #9 will keep cutting after knives costing ten times the price have retired.

 

[tiguy7]

The big deal with the old Moras was the laminated blade. The center was hard and the bread in the sandwich was more ductile. Somebody said the new Moras aren't laminated. I haven't bought one recently. The big deal with the Opinels is the convex edge which is hard to find on cheaper knives. These are good for certain kinds of food prep because the edge profile lets you change directions easily while you are cutting.

 

[NirreBosse]

Moras and Opinels are basic utility knives made of very good steels. They offer 95% of the performance of knives costing ten times as much. Both are very well thought out as general purpose knives. You get a good grip, a good blade, and that's about it.

.

Or in some cases at least 110% of the performance of the more expensive knife.

Bosse

 

[rinos]

Another brand to consider,i know question is about Opinels and Moras,but Svord is IMHO in same line

 

[axtalan0]

I'm glad the OP started this thread, as I too have been curious about the frequent mention of these 'cheap' knives and how good they are. Now you guys have me curious. I don't buy traditional folders (except the Buck 110), but I do love wooden handles.

I thought I was done buying knives until Christmas, but at these prices, I think I will get an Opinel to play around with. If they are as good as you all say, I can't go wrong. And they do look nice.