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Thread: Mora Knives Only

  1. #21
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    Why did you buy one?
    I bought my first Mora knife after reading many positive reviews in the Wilderness & Survival Skills forum over at BladeForums.com. And since I am half Swede, I figured I should give them a try. My first Mora knives were a Frosts Tri-Flex Craftsman (Black handle; can't remember model #), a Frosts #760 Craftsman w/ stainless blade and orange handle, and a KJ Eriksson #911.

    What do you like/dislike about them?
    Considering the value (price+form+function) of the pieces, there is nothing I dislike about them. I like them because they are very affordable, very useable, durable, and are available in a variety of different configurations.

    How long has it lasted?
    I purchased my first Mora knives about 7 years ago. The only Mora knives that I have purchased that I no longer have are those that I have given away as gifts. They do make for great gifts. Depsite using Mora knives with a baton to split wood on occasion, I have not broken or damaged any.

    What are the limitations?
    Well, considering how they are constructed, I would say that they aren't the best implements for prying tasks. I wouldn't imagine most of the different plastic sheaths would hold up to a lot of abuse if worn on a belt day in and day out; i.e. the thin plastic loops on the #760 Craftsman series, or the swivel loop connection on my #911 sheath.

    Best way to sharpen?
    I don't know if it is the best way, but the way I sharpen mine is by laying the single bevel flat on a stone and drawing the knife across. This method takes the edge angle guesswork out of the sharpening equation. Super-easy, and it works well for me.

    Is there a best brand/style?
    I don't think so. It is up to the user's personal preference. I have a number of different styles, but the Tri-Flex Craftsman and the #911 are probably my personal favorites.

    Best carry method?
    I mostly carry mine in whatever pack or bag I am using; typically in a lid pocket or exterior/easy-access pocket. I also carry one in a pouch affixed to the back of my PFD.

    How do you use them?
    Campcraft/noodling around when camping/backpacking, and around the house and yard for random chores.


    ...And any other good info.................
    When camping, backpacking, traveling, paddling, etc., the Mora knife I have on-hand is the centerpiece of a knife kit which usually includes a small sharpener, some sort of fire steel w/ a carbon steel hacksaw striker, and a smaller waterproof container of petroleum jelly cottonballs. I try to lanyard these smaller items together and/or to the knife sheath somehow to bolster loss prevention. I then attach these items to the knife sheath with a strip of bicycle innertube to make a tidy, low-profile package. I complete the kit with a break-away lanyard so that it can be worn as a neck knife setup. The package is somewhat heavy and bulky to be worn daily, but if need be, it is ready to go.

    Examples of my little kits (middle kit is not a Mora knife):



    I highly recommend Mora knives to anyone interested in edged tools.



    Quote Originally Posted by ucrt
    I don't know about Frost now but years ago, they generally only had r-e-a-l-l-y cheap knives. I think he was kin to Jim Parker or something like that
    I believe you are thinking of Frost Cutlery. Frosts of Sweden was in no way related to Frost Cutlery. Frosts of Sweden (also referred to as Frosts of Mora or Frosts Knife) has since merged with KJ Eriksson to form Mora of Sweden.
    Last edited by hikeeba; 04-06-11 at 12:37.
    One doesn't need to be sick to get better.

  2. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tortuga View Post
    I love them for their feel and keen edge. I do not, however, use them as a general purpose survival knife. I use them for fine cutting and specific purposes.
    I thought I would update this because while I was home I was able to play with the two Frost's Clipper Knives I ordered from Best Glide. I came to the same conclusion as Tortuga.

    These are awesome for $15, but again it's a $15 knife. They are not work horses but I think they would serve a purpose as a great backup knife to keep in kits, vehicles, tackle boxes.

    The only thing I thought the knife was lacking for $15 was a lanyard hole through the knife handle. I'm pretty sure it would be easy to drill through the plastic handle since these knives are not full tang.
    Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

    Owner of MI-TAC, LLC .

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  3. #23
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    Moras are excellent knives and far exceed their cost with their value. If you are looking for a tactical knife, a chopper, or a prybar then this is not the knife for you. This is truly a great "woodsman knife" which for me at least is something in the 4 inch blade length range.

    Carbon steel holds a great edge and is very easy to sharpen. The scandi grind is very good for woodworking but can be a bit lacking in durability because it is a very fine edge. If you add a slight convex to the edge you will not lose much in functionality but will gain excellent durability.

    For me, there is nothing I can't do in the woods with a 4 inch knife. Natural shelters should not require tools at all if you do them properly, the woods will generally provide all you need in pre-cut lengths if you take a moment to look. With a Mora I can carve, cook, baton, fashion tent pegs, and pot hooks, make needles, hooks, etc. Carbon steel also works great on a firesteel which is my preferred method of fire starting. There is some concern from people that they are not full tang but I have done considerable batoning with them and have not had one break (yet) and have seen people stand on them and hammer them tip first into a tree to cut it down. They do an excellent job of prepping a one stick fire so I do not need to concern myself with man made or natural tinder anymore because everything I need is right there in the woods, even if it's pouring rain.

    Ultimately the Mora a a great knife for the money and an excellent way to get started in bushcraft without blowing your wallet. I have been at this long enough now to know I actually prefer a custom knife but mainly that's for ergonomics. If you laid out a Mora, Strider, Kabar, SRK, BK whatever, Busse, or whatever other high dollar prybar you choose to insert I'd pick the Mora mainly for it's size and proven utility. Everything I have done in the woods I have done with a Mora just to see if it will work. But my philosophy is that there is no "one knife", if you need an axe use an axe. Carrying a 9 inch long quarter inch thick knife into the woods to substitute for a small knife and an axe is not a happy medium in my opinion. But that's just me, your choice of equipment is a very personal topic in my opinion. All in all I think I have about 12 or more Mora knives and tend to give them away to those getting started in bushcraft.

  4. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dura Mater View Post
    Moras are excellent knives .....
    Thank you for your contribution and welcome to the site.

    Which model of Moras are your favorite and why?
    Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

    Owner of MI-TAC, LLC .

    @MichiganTactical

  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by hikeeba View Post

    Examples of my little kits (middle kit is not a Mora knife):

    Looks like a Cold Steel SRK in the middle... What make/model is the knife on the far right (black handle)?
    Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

    Owner of MI-TAC, LLC .

    @MichiganTactical

  6. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave L. View Post
    Thank you for your contribution and welcome to the site.

    Which model of Moras are your favorite and why?
    Thanks for the welcome, glad to be here. Personally I like the carbon steel Clippers (specifically the 840MG because of the subdued colors). They have some high end bushcraft knives now but they seem like nothing more than sheath upgrades akin to putting lipstick onto a pig and not worth the extra scratch. Almost all Moras have a similar blade profile and the main difference is in the handle. The Clipper has a softer more comfortable grip that doesn't allow a lot of slipping in the hand especially if wet or perhaps bloody. Carbon steel because if the edge retention and ease of sharpening but it will rust if you don't care for it. There is nothing wrong with stainless but it's just not my preference.

    Oh, one more thing, sometimes Moras come from the factory with a very toothy sometimes downright terrible edge so buyer beware. These are great knives for practicing your sharpening skills though! Once you get it stropped up I promise the edge will be like nothing you've ever seen. I don't care how a knife comes from the factory because a good weekend of use will require some touch-up on just about any knife, even high dollar beauties. If you're not dulling your knife even slightly then you're not using her as she wants to be used.

    I carry mine on my belt mostly when I'm out in the woods. The sheath is not great but will suffice, buy or make a leather one if you like the knife. Limitations for the Mora are chopping/prying but no different than any other small knife. The best way to sharpen them is however you are comfortable sharpening a knife really. You could use a stone to maintain the scandi, add a secondary bevel and sharpen like 90% of most other knives, use wet/dry paper to create a slight convex and maintain it that way. Moras generally come with a very slight secondary bevel anyway which I promptly flatten out and then add the slight scandi-vex edge.

  7. #27
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    Here is an example of me using a Mora last winter to make a one stick fire:

    Dead standing or in this case hanging wood.



    Fire prep on a bark base using only the inside of the dry wrist thick wood and Mora 840MG porn.



    Closer look at prep.



    Final result. I should have used a brace and can't for the life of me figure out why I didn't. Ingition source was a firesteel and the spine of the Clipper. I keep the spine square at 90 degrees for this purpose.



    No fancy tinder, no road flares, no explosive devices or gunpowder. Just what mother nature provided for me. Of course using a firesteel and a knife was technically cheating too but some days you just feel lazy. Another example of my laziness is the lack of prep used that day. I probably should have prepared 4 times that amount at least. A true woodsman would have used his teeth to chew out a bowdrill set!

  8. #28
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    I just recently bought a couple of carbon steel mora companion MGs for 12.95 each based on what I have read about them in this thread and a few reviews elsewhere. The factory edge was impressive but I was able to improve on that with just a bit of stropping. I am impressed on their slicing ability but haven't used them on wood yet. Will post back after a few months of use.

  9. #29
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave L. View Post
    Looks like a Cold Steel SRK in the middle... What make/model is the knife on the far right (black handle)?
    The tool in the middle is a Cold Steel Carbon V Master Hunter.

    The model on the far right with the black handle is a Frosts of SwedenTriflex Craftsman. The Triflex blade is a carbon steel laminate having a high carbon steel core between sides of lower carbon steel. It was acquired before Frosts and K J Eriksson merged into what is now Mora of Sweden. I know More of Sweden still offers a few models with the Triflex blade, but I do not know if my particular model pictured is still produced.

    And as mentioned, it is pretty easy to add a lanyard hole to models that aren't configured with one. Although not pictured, I've done the same with Clipper models:




    Most of my Mora knives were purchased from Ragnar's Ragweed Forge: http://www.ragweedforge.com/SwedishKnifeCatalog.html

    Ragnar's main store page: http://www.ragweedforge.com/
    One doesn't need to be sick to get better.

  10. #30
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    Mora Bushcraft Survival Knife

    Anyone seen this yet:
    Mora Bushcraft Survival Knife

    I'm not sure if the price is worth what you are actually getting in this package but I like the simplicity of all being integrated into the sheath.
    Anyone else think it's odd that they are too lazy to put a lanyard hole on a "survival" kinfe
    Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

    Owner of MI-TAC, LLC .

    @MichiganTactical

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