The care and feeding of a Mora

[needlejr]

So I finally got some moras, some are stainless some are carbon. My question to the resident experts is – what should I do maintenance wise to keep them serviceable?


Some first impressions on the knifes:
Moras are light. The blades are thicker than I thought they would be. The handles are…well… at first glance they are flimsy – one of the plastic blades is semi translucent and I can see that the metal extend maybe and inch or two into the handle, and no further. The wooden handles also do not seem to have full tang. Also handles on the Eriksson #2 are barely large enough for my hand, so #1 would be simply to small (I ordered #2 as per advice of folks on this forum). The very sharp edge is very close to the very slippery handle, I think, any stabbing that might be done with the blade could result in sliced fingers.

Ordered the knives from Ragweed Forge, and credit where credit is due – I got what I ordered and I got it very quick, full marks.

One of the blades I got in duplicate (#2) so I can do unmentionable things to it and see how it holds up.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

The stainless ones are fairly corrosion resistant as they are low carbon stainless steels, unless you do a lot of salt water work, you don't need to do much with them at all. The carbon ones will rust readily so as with any knife of that type of steel, dry it after use and oil it if you are not going to be using it for an extended period of time.

The handle on many are small stick tangs and thus not really indented for heavy torquing or impacts, but then the blades are not designed for that either, and for prying generally the blade will go before the handle, the only real limitation is not to pound on the handle itself.

The grip security is low on the traditional round ones, if you want to do hard stabbing or thrusting you need a laynard which you use as a grip extension, and use a thumb over the end of the handle grip to increase security further.

-Cliff

 

[Cougar Allen]

That's the kind of post that drives moderators nuts. The title and paragraph one are about maintenance so they belong in The Toolshed, paragraph two is a knife review, Reviews & Testing, paragraph three is an experience with a dealer, TGB&U, paragraph four belongs right here in Blade Discussion. I think I'll just gallop off madly in all directions....

 

[Esav Benyamin]

needlejr, welcome to Bladeforums, where driving moderators nuts is standard operating procedure.

Maintenance: your stainless Moras will maintain themselves and cook your breakfast while they do it. Your carbon steel Moras will darken. You can remove this patina but it's a waste of effort, since it protects the blade from real rust, and gives the knife character.

The best maintenance for any knife is to clean it and dry it as soon after use as possible. I like to use food grade mineral oil on carbon steel knives I use in the kitchen. You can get it at the pharmacy.

Moras are lightweight knives optimized for slicing. They were never designed for stabbing. Buy an icepick if you want to stab someone. That's what my mother-in-law did. (Don't ask.)

If you really, really want to stab with a Mora, hold it with the butt in the heel of your hand.

 

[Alberta Ed]

On the wooden-handled Moras you might want to punch the blade out from the pommel, remove it, fill the cavity and then replace the blade and the little washer thingy on the pommel. That will prevent rusting of the tang. Otherwise, just keep the carbon steel ones dry after use. I removed the wooden handle on an Ericksson Mora and replaced it with a deer antler grip, which I drilled out with a long 1/8" drill. Looks great, provides an excellent grip.

 

[tarmix101]

That's the kind of post that drives moderators nuts. The title and paragraph one are about maintenance so they belong in The Toolshed, paragraph two is a knife review, Reviews & Testing, paragraph three is an experience with a dealer, TGB&U, paragraph four belongs right here in Blade Discussion. I think I'll just gallop off madly in all directions....

Not bad for a Blade nut with only 5 posts. As far as care. If you have ever used, or stowed any carbon blades. There is nothing to it. Just dry it off after use. If you are not going to use it for awhile.... a light coat of WD-40 if perfect. Cliff mentioned this pervoiusly.... but it really isn't that hard. Just take care of it, and it will take care of you. I love my Mora carbons. With a little effort, I have never had a problem.