What can a Mora do that a SAK can't?

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k-spar

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I'm going to be hiking the long trail (270 miles) at some point, and am thinning down my pack load.

Now, I love my Moras - but do they have much functionality over my vic huntsman?

Looking at other through-hikers packing lists, & most seem to go with just a vic classic or a leatherman micra. I'm going with the huntsman - I like having a saw.

Is there anything I really need (that's a loaded word) my mora for?
 
A Mora won't accidentally fold over onto your finger, leaving you with a nasty, soon-to-be infected cut miles by foot from the nearest emergency room. :eek:
 
Honest opinion, not for backpacking. I agree that most of the long distance hikers I know are more than happy with a small SAK. If it can cut open dehydrated food, trim finger nails, and cut moleskin, it's enough knife. I'd like a small SAK with scissors.
 
Well, if you're a firesteel kind of guy, the SAKs are stainless. But in 99% of situations I think your setup would be fine.
 
Grampa said:
A Mora won't accidentally fold over onto your finger, leaving you with a nasty, soon-to-be infected cut miles by foot from the nearest emergency room. :eek:
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Why would you cut with the spine of the blade?

Why would you be stabbing with a folder? To open a can? Use the SAK can opener! Or the awl if you simply want holes.

Lacking these two examples, I don't see how, under proper knife circumstances, a SAK will collapse the blade onto your fingers.

A better question: What will a Mora do that a properly used mid-sized SAK can't?

.
 
saks are great...Moras have the advantage of being carbon steel...and if your cleaning game they won't get gummed up...and for the price they are worth it.
 
I dont really like Mora's so I won't weight in on that. But your choice of a huntsman is excellent for an all around. If bulk/weight is a consideration, then I would looking into either a Scibeer Woodsman or a Swiss Bainco Jumberjack Both are going to have the saw you want, and both are Alox scales, lighter and (IMHO) stronger overall then the normal red scale Vic. Of course you can always get in touch with Scibeer and get him to build you a SAK exactly the way you'd like it.
 
The mora holds an edge longer, and you can baton with it.



That said my huntsman is always with me wherever I go
 
Vermont's Long Trail is pretty awesome: I've hiked the northernmost 20 miles or so, and a couple of other parts, too. I'm envious you're thru-hiking it.

You only need a SAK, as you won't (ie: shouldn't) do any primitive-living anywhere on it, with the exception of the most extremely unlikely survival scenario.
 
misanthropist said:
Well, if you're a firesteel kind of guy, the SAKs are stainless. But in 99% of situations I think your setup would be fine.
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I am, but I also find that the saw on SAKs are some of the best firesteel scrapers out there.

tabeeb762 said:
The mora holds an edge longer, and you can baton with it.



That said my huntsman is always with me wherever I go
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That's true, but it is possible to baton with a SAK too, you just have to do it carefully.

I think though, since I'll be using a woodstove for the majority of it that the mora may make up for its weight with the greater ease when cutting wood down to size.
 
Lawlor69 said:
Vermont's Long Trail is pretty awesome: I've hiked the northernmost 20 miles or so, and a couple of other parts, too. I'm envious you're thru-hiking it.

You only need a SAK, as you won't (ie: shouldn't) do any primitive-living anywhere on it, with the exception of the most extremely unlikely survival scenario.
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I've been thinking a lot about this. Would you consider using a woodstove (a pretty small foldable one) irresponsible on the LT? I'm trying to keep fuel weight down, but i'll be brining an alcohol stove as backup.

Of course I'll be following fire regulations, and i'll try to keep as 'leave-no-trace' as possible.
 
David E said:
A better question: What will a Mora do that a properly used mid-sized SAK can't?
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It will do cutting tasks without being an ergonomical nightmare.

I like SAKs and all, but any prolonged work with them is hell due to their "handles." Sure, discomfort won't kill you, but it's pretty annoying, like being stabbed with small needles. Of course, it's all a matter of what one is used to. I just don't see why I should suffer crappy ergonomics in a knife if I have better choices that are actually cheaper...

The weight-saving part I don't understand, either. I can't feel any weight difference between plastic handled Moras and the larger SAKs. If anything, the SAKs feel heavier.
 
Elen said:
It will do cutting tasks without being an ergonomical nightmare.

I like SAKs and all, but any prolonged work with them is hell due to their "handles." Sure, discomfort won't kill you, but it's pretty annoying, like being stabbed with small needles. Of course, it's all a matter of what one is used to. I just don't see why I should suffer crappy ergonomics in a knife if I have better choices that are actually cheaper...

The weight-saving part I don't understand, either. I can't feel any weight difference between plastic handled Moras and the larger SAKs. If anything, the SAKs feel heavier.
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Your definitely right about the comfort difference, and I may want to practice my carving, so that'd be important.

The weight difference between the two isn't big, but I'm talking about the difference between taking 1 knife or 2 knives. I'll be taking the SAK primarily for the scissors, saw, tweezers, and can opener, so I'm not going to take the Mora instead of the SAK.
 
Elen said:
It will do cutting tasks without being an ergonomical nightmare.

I like SAKs and all, but any prolonged work with them is hell due to their "handles." Sure, discomfort won't kill you, but it's pretty annoying, like being stabbed with small needles. Of course, it's all a matter of what one is used to. I just don't see why I should suffer crappy ergonomics in a knife if I have better choices that are actually cheaper...

The weight-saving part I don't understand, either. I can't feel any weight difference between plastic handled Moras and the larger SAKs. If anything, the SAKs feel heavier.
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Well the Huntsman being a three layer is pretty heavy. But I dont get your reference to the scales, plastic or Alox. Neither is uncomfortable to use, not at all.
 
Andy_L said:
firesteels work with stainless steel, it's flint that doesn't.
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No kidding! I guess I never tried it...duh!

That's pretty funny, I must have misunderstood this info when I first heard it, and then it just sat there in my brain untested for however long.

Well, shows what I know!

Also I never thought about using the saw as I can't bring myself to scrape firesteels with anything I want to stay sharp, such as the edge of a blade or those extremely-hard to sharpen SAK saw teeth! But I guess that would work pretty well.

I never baton anything so I wouldn't have thought of that either. But in my experience, you can generally camp for weeks at a time with nothing but a folder if you like.

In fact, my dad spent years in the bush as a prospector and almost never had a fixed blade. I think he was out there for three years at one point, resupplied by helicopter every three or four weeks. And I'm certain he carried folders almost exclusively.
 
k-spar said:
I've been thinking a lot about this. Would you consider using a woodstove (a pretty small foldable one) irresponsible on the LT? I'm trying to keep fuel weight down, but i'll be brining an alcohol stove as backup.

Of course I'll be following fire regulations, and i'll try to keep as 'leave-no-trace' as possible.
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Currently the LT and most of VT/NH is under a Red fire condisition, when are you planning on heading up this way? A small folding woodstove should be fine, I didnt use a stove at all when i did the LT. Of course that was back before the Glaciers retreated.. :D
 
Are you not considering a fixed blade at all?

On long hikes, I would take a FB for insurance. Something a bit more substantial than a mora. My F-1 goes everywhere.

A SAK and a FB go along way.
 
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