Mora knives, tough enough for a survival knife? (Update and pics on pg. 2) - Page 2

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Mora knives, tough enough for a survival knife? (Update and pics on pg. 2) (Page 2 of 3)

Posted: 6/16/2010 1:26:19 PM EDT

[#1]

Reminds me of a Rapala filet knife, better than nothing and probably great for fish and small game.

I'd probably get something else instead...

Cold Steel SRK $72

KA-BAR Becker Companion $69

KA-BAR USMC Knife $59

Posted: 6/16/2010 1:33:35 PM EDT

[#2]

Reminds me of a Rapala filet knife

Me too, but with a better blade steel and a little thicker. It should be nice for game and fish.

Posted: 6/16/2010 2:38:22 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:

Well I got it in the mail just now. I'd like to thank Ragnar for speedy and solid customer service. I'll definitely buy from him again.

At first impression it's a well shaped blade with a nice edge. The handle is fairly comfortable to my hand though it could be a little bigger. The overall build quality isn't bad, they've obviously gotten good at making them. It's still the materials and design that fall short to my eyes. The handles wood looks like one good hit on a rock out in the woods would crack it easily and over time moisture will beat it up. It's unfinished though so rubbing some oil into it should help that a bit. The way the handle is attached too really leaves me to wonder. If it broke, repairing or replacing it, probably wouldn't be easy. There's really not much to say about the sheath other than it is a sheath. You can see for yourself. I'm sure it will make a nice camp/hunting knife which I'll use for seeing how it holds up, but there's not a chance in hell I'd choose this as a survival/bob knife. It would be a nice knife to gift to a kid as a first hunting knife though in my opinion.

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy236/Blivalbloval/Picture016.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy236/Blivalbloval/Picture017.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy236/Blivalbloval/Picture018.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy236/Blivalbloval/Picture019.jpg

I agree the sheath sucks. I think they have aftermarket sheathes for them.

I have that exact knife. I sharpened it with a very shallow angle just to see how sharp I could get as an experiment. When I got done with it, I could cut free standing hair.......no I am not kidding. I felt it grab my leg hair as I was trying it out to see how sharp it was. I never got to my skin before it started cutting the hair. This is why its a hard decision on carbon vs stainless for my upcoming order of the military versions. Mine are the carbon steel.

Posted: 6/16/2010 3:02:43 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Well I got it in the mail just now. I'd like to thank Ragnar for speedy and solid customer service. I'll definitely buy from him again.

At first impression it's a well shaped blade with a nice edge. The handle is fairly comfortable to my hand though it could be a little bigger. The overall build quality isn't bad, they've obviously gotten good at making them. It's still the materials and design that fall short to my eyes. The handles wood looks like one good hit on a rock out in the woods would crack it easily and over time moisture will beat it up. It's unfinished though so rubbing some oil into it should help that a bit. The way the handle is attached too really leaves me to wonder. If it broke, repairing or replacing it, probably wouldn't be easy. There's really not much to say about the sheath other than it is a sheath. You can see for yourself. I'm sure it will make a nice camp/hunting knife which I'll use for seeing how it holds up, but there's not a chance in hell I'd choose this as a survival/bob knife. It would be a nice knife to gift to a kid as a first hunting knife though in my opinion.

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy236/Blivalbloval/Picture016.jpg
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy236/Blivalbloval/Picture017.jpg
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy236/Blivalbloval/Picture018.jpg
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy236/Blivalbloval/Picture019.jpg

I agree the sheath sucks. I think they have aftermarket sheathes for them.

I have that exact knife. I sharpened it with a very shallow angle just to see how sharp I could get as an experiment. When I got done with it, I could cut free standing hair.......no I am not kidding. I felt it grab my leg hair as I was trying it out to see how sharp it was. I never got to my skin before it started cutting the hair. This is why its a hard decision on carbon vs stainless for my upcoming order of the military versions. Mine are the carbon steel.

It's shaving sharp right now. I always like the 12C27 steel. It's excellent stainless steel that can get extremely sharp from what I've found and hold it well. There's not much reason to go carbon on these if your not looking for a batoning knife or chopper I feel. Which these aren't going to be prime for and you said you didn't have much interest in doing anyways.
I could see buying another sheath or having one made if I was going to carry a Mora regularly but I'm not planning to. I had Kenny Rowe make me a custom for my Cold Steel Military Classic and he did a excellent job. If I needed one, I'd probably have him make me one and you might consider if your in the market.

Rowe Leather

Posted: 6/16/2010 4:17:50 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The Military issued Mora knife is part of many European and nato military kits. Its a thicker blade than the one in the OPs pic and is part of many survival kits. Yes a Mora knife will work. As stated above in several posts its a matter of opinion. The person has to determine what they want the knife to do. Skill with a knife also comes into play. There are many military issued knifes given out for "survival" and even more are offered from the civilian blade makers for a person to choose from. Each person must determine what knife is right for them through trial and error. You must use the knife in the field as well as day to day use to make an honest evaluation of your knife. A person may go through many blades until they find what's right for them. I have.

If you like the Mora use it.
Have fun and stay safe
RLTW

If there using this one it's not actually. Both the one I ordered and this model issued as a survival knife are .098" thick. It's basically the thickest they make from what I've seen from Frosts site, Ragweed's and others on the web. It's too bad in my opinion, if for not offering people the option alone. I almost bought one of these and may still down the road, but I like the blade shape of the other better and the leather sheath. The sheath on most of the Mora's are almost unwearable for me with the belts I wear.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/2000.jpg

I was considering this model also, but the soft squishing grip is something I've never liked as I'd had soft Krayton on other knives and never liked how it wore and tore easy enough.

http://www.ragweedforge.com/748.jpg

Hi Blivalbloval , You are correct and I was wrong. I went down to the dungeon and dug out my Mora I got in Germany when I was stationed there in the late 1980s. It is a thin blade

.I forgot how small it was compared to some of the other military blades I picked up over the years

Anyway I took a few pics of blades I got when I was in the Army for comparison and a few Cold steel twist lock folders. The Kurki is a British Issue from 2nd Gurkia Bn I got when I trained with them. The 2 green Swiss army looking blades are German and Spanish. There are 3 pilots survival knifes(one is a 6" from the 1950s), a mark 3 Navy and of course a USMC (kabar). All compared with my Mora just for fun. There are so many great knifes out there.... I carry Cold Steel Blades now and have for many years, even when I was in the Army....
Thanks again for making me look.

You all have fun out there.
RLTW

Posted: 6/16/2010 5:45:24 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Hi Blivalbloval , You are correct and I was wrong. I went down to the dungeon and dug out my Mora I got in Germany when I was stationed there in the late 1980s. It is a thin blade

.I forgot how small it was compared to some of the other military blades I picked up over the years

Anyway I took a few pics of blades I got when I was in the Army for comparison and a few Cold steel twist lock folders. The Kurki is a British Issue from 2nd Gurkia Bn I got when I trained with them. The 2 green Swiss army looking blades are German and Spanish. There are 3 pilots survival knifes(one is a 6" from the 1950s), a mark 3 Navy and of course a USMC (kabar). All compared with my Mora just for fun. There are so many great knifes out there.... I carry Cold Steel Blades now and have for many years, even when I was in the Army....
Thanks again for making me look.

You all have fun out there.
RLTW

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades001.jpg</a>

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades003.jpg</a>

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades002.jpg</a>

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades004.jpg</a>

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades005.jpg</a>

That's a nice collection of classic knives. Not pampered either, but used. I think there's a lot to be said for the classic stuff.
For instance if I only had one of those pilot knives on me out in the woods trying to survive, I wouldn't feel naked.

Posted: 6/17/2010 4:01:47 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Hi Blivalbloval , You are correct and I was wrong. I went down to the dungeon and dug out my Mora I got in Germany when I was stationed there in the late 1980s. It is a thin blade

.I forgot how small it was compared to some of the other military blades I picked up over the years

Anyway I took a few pics of blades I got when I was in the Army for comparison and a few Cold steel twist lock folders. The Kurki is a British Issue from 2nd Gurkia Bn I got when I trained with them. The 2 green Swiss army looking blades are German and Spanish. There are 3 pilots survival knifes(one is a 6" from the 1950s), a mark 3 Navy and of course a USMC (kabar). All compared with my Mora just for fun. There are so many great knifes out there.... I carry Cold Steel Blades now and have for many years, even when I was in the Army....
Thanks again for making me look.

You all have fun out there.
RLTW

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades001.jpg</a>

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades003.jpg</a>

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades002.jpg</a>

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades004.jpg</a>

<a href="http://" target="_blank">http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq217/raw275/survivalblades005.jpg</a>

That's a nice collection of classic knives. Not pampered either, but used. I think there's a lot to be said for the classic stuff.
For instance if I only had one of those pilot knives on me out in the woods trying to survive, I wouldn't feel naked.

You won't carry a Mora in the woods but you would carry the Camillus Pilot's knife?
If you like a thick edge for prying and digging, Pilot's knife, hands down. I have both knives (actually 2 pilot knives, both Camillus vintage 1980s) and a few Moras. Ever try the edge on a Pilot's knife? As issued the pilot's knife is a paperweight. If you got about 29 hours to spare to sharpen it, then I agree it is an OK knife.

Now, when you oil the leather washers up etc. it is a pretty knife as Ronin's Knife Porn shows clearly.
Very nice.

Posted: 6/17/2010 6:56:34 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

You won't carry a Mora in the woods but you would carry the Camillus Pilot's knife?
If you like a thick edge for prying and digging, Pilot's knife, hands down. I have both knives (actually 2 pilot knives, both Camillus vintage 1980s) and a few Moras. Ever try the edge on a Pilot's knife? As issued the pilot's knife is a paperweight. If you got about 29 hours to spare to sharpen it, then I agree it is an OK knife.

Now, when you oil the leather washers up etc. it is a pretty knife as Ronin's Knife Porn shows clearly.
Very nice.

It wouldn't be my first choice, but there still a pretty well made knife. I don't know which you've used but the one's I have and had were all 1095 steel. Hardly a hard steel to sharpen if a good edge was on it in the first place and still one of the best carbon steels today. If your thinking about one of the Navy one's or other brand that use a heavier chromium stainless steel, than I'd agree with you, but I still keep a diamond sharpener in my pack. All knives need to be sharpened eventually if you use them, unless you don't like a good edge.
Those leather washers around the tang of a basic pilot knife are actually quite strong and will take a lot of abuse same as the classic Kbar's. They do need more care over time though like the leather sheath and don't hold up like micarta or G10 for a handle. The blade is a good general size on them and thick enough to take a good amount of abuse while still very useable. Yeh, one wouldn't be my first choice, but there still a very capable knife.

Posted: 6/17/2010 7:54:11 AM EDT

[#9]

What I left out was that my sharpening skills are weak. Shoulda mentioned that

I am ashamed of it, but I won't lie.

Posted: 6/17/2010 8:22:43 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
What I left out was that my sharpening skills are weak. Shoulda mentioned that

I am ashamed of it, but I won't lie.

Nobody's gonna hold it against you. It's something you may want to work though as it's an essential skill.

Posted: 6/17/2010 12:44:58 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:

What I left out was that my sharpening skills are weak. Shoulda mentioned that

I am ashamed of it, but I won't lie.

Nobody's gonna hold it against you. It's something you may want to work though as it's an essential skill.

Oh, the things I could teach him!

I am kind of a fanatic when it comes to sharpening things when i get into the mood. My BIL calls my edges "Adam Edges" and tells me he no longer has to come into contact with the feed bags for them to open. I think maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

There is just something about a sharper than "razor sharp" edge.

Look into the Gatco diamond sharpening kit with the guide. I use this for setting the angle the same on both sides and roughing.

They look into the spyderco triangle ceramic sharpeners. I don't use their base. I eyeball the angle to match what I did with the gatco.

Then consider stapling a piece of leather to a nice flat board about 1" wide and rubbing the heck out of it with white buffing compound. I use this for stropping/ finishing.

Don't cut yourself!

Posted: 6/17/2010 4:49:21 PM EDT

[#12]

I remember sitting with my grandpaw while he sharpened his Case folder with a whetstone and some spit.
EVERY DAY he sharpened it a little. He would test it on his arm hair then take out his plug of Bloodhound chewing tobacco and cut off a plug. So, I sharpen with whetstone. Very poorly.
This morning, I am off work today (amazing) after writing the above words about my sharpening, I went and bought a Smith's Diamond Combination Sharpener, coarse and fine grit.
Gonna get to work with that on one of them old Pilot Knives.

Posted: 6/18/2010 3:52:02 AM EDT

[#13]

I wouldn't go out camping with a Mora for the same reason I wouldn't go out in the woods with a Chef's knife. Thin steel, wood grips, even though they are wicked sharp, I just wouldn't trust it to be there if I really needed it.

Posted: 6/18/2010 4:20:33 PM EDT

[#14]

A good chef's knife would be better than some of the junk people carry to the woods.

Posted: 6/18/2010 5:28:08 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

I wouldn't go out camping with a Mora for the same reason I wouldn't go out in the woods with a Chef's knife. Thin steel, wood grips, even though they are wicked sharp, I just wouldn't trust it to be there if I really needed it.

Are you aware of the military version mentioned above? This whole discussion was about how many of us do not believe in abusing our knives.

Posted: 6/18/2010 6:08:33 PM EDT

[#16]

I thought the discussion was about how many of us liked to have knives we could abuse..

Posted: 6/18/2010 6:18:09 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

I thought the discussion was about how many of us liked to have knives we could abuse..

bastard!!!!!

Posted: 6/18/2010 6:32:42 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I thought the discussion was about how many of us liked to have knives we could abuse..

bastard!!!!!

LOL...

Posted: 6/18/2010 6:43:57 PM EDT

[#19]

I use this.

Gerber LMF II Survival

Posted: 6/18/2010 7:59:16 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I wouldn't go out camping with a Mora for the same reason I wouldn't go out in the woods with a Chef's knife. Thin steel, wood grips, even though they are wicked sharp, I just wouldn't trust it to be there if I really needed it.

Are you aware of the military version mentioned above? This whole discussion was about how many of us do not believe in abusing our knives.

Well aware. And it is still .098" thick. My Shun Ken Onion Chef's knife is thicker than that. It's not about abusing, it's about just plain old using. I got a call from a cop that uses one of my knives. He had to use it to pry open a locked closet door (well, didn't HAVE to but did). A Mora couldn't do that. Sometimes what you plan on using a knife for and what you actually may have to use a knife for are 2 completely different things. But, that is why there are so many choices out there. What works for one person may be overkill for another. I would rather have a Mora, or a kitchen knife, than nothing.

Posted: 6/19/2010 8:54:25 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:

Quoted:
What I left out was that my sharpening skills are weak. Shoulda mentioned that

I am ashamed of it, but I won't lie.

Nobody's gonna hold it against you. It's something you may want to work though as it's an essential skill.

Oh, the things I could teach him!

I am kind of a fanatic when it comes to sharpening things when i get into the mood. My BIL calls my edges "Adam Edges" and tells me he no longer has to come into contact with the feed bags for them to open. I think maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

There is just something about a sharper than "razor sharp" edge.

Look into the Gatco diamond sharpening kit with the guide. I use this for setting the angle the same on both sides and roughing.

They look into the spyderco triangle ceramic sharpeners. I don't use their base. I eyeball the angle to match what I did with the gatco.

Then consider stapling a piece of leather to a nice flat board about 1" wide and rubbing the heck out of it with white buffing compound. I use this for stropping/ finishing.

Don't cut yourself!

+1 for the GATCO diamond kit, great stuff.

Posted: 6/19/2010 4:55:18 PM EDT

[#22]

Well, so far I can tell you one thing about the Mora I bought. It makes a nice kitchen knife and I'll have to buy more for that purpose alone. It went through a raw rack of ribs like butter.

Posted: 6/19/2010 5:35:00 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Well, so far I can tell you one thing about the Mora I bought. It makes a nice kitchen knife and I'll have to buy more for that purpose alone. It went through a raw rack of ribs like butter.

They slice and peel very well.

Posted: 6/19/2010 6:01:10 PM EDT

[#24]

I have abused several Moras over the years. I have used them to dig and cut roots. I pounded one into a tree trunk point first and then used it as a step just because I read that it could be done. :) I think I might still have pics of that somewhere. I have used them to baton and split wood. I have never had one break but I have seen pictures of broken Moras. They were certainly not made for abuse but they will stand up to everything that a knife should be used for and some of what a knife could be used for.

If you are after an inexpensive knife to stock your BOB, you might look at the Blackjack Grunt. It is made in China, but it sports a 3/16" thick blade of some steel that is roughly equivalent to 440C or AUS8. The sheath is barely usable but it comes with a convex edge, a comfortable handle, and only costs about $25 shipped. They are really an excellent value for a knife that can really take some abuse.

You might also look at the Condor Knife and Tool line. It is hard to beat a good machete as a survival/BOB knife. They are tough, they don't cost a lot, they are EXTREMELY versatile, easy to sharpen, and with practice, they can do everything a smaller knife can do. Condor makes a 14" El Salvador machete is EXCELLENT and can really take abuse. The also have some hard use knives like the Rodan that can be had for a song. Here are my Condor El Salvador Machetes: http://jerkingthetrigger.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/condor-14-and-18-el-salvador-machete-in-carbon-steel/

Posted: 6/22/2010 3:32:13 PM EDT

[#25]

I have two carbon Mora knives. 3.5 ounces with the sheath. I love mine.

Search YouTube for Mora destruction test. They will take a rediculous amount of abuse. I baton mine all the time.

I sold my Camillus Campanion because I THINK it's just too big for many tasks and not worth the weight.

YMMV

Posted: 6/22/2010 4:43:02 PM EDT

[#26]

The only thing about the OP's pic is the sheath is not proper, seems cheaply made. As for toughness? Well my great uncle used one to cut the throats of Russians in the Winter War

Posted: 6/23/2010 5:34:12 AM EDT

[#27]

Sure it wasn't a puukko instead of a Mora? I like the Finn puukko's better, they usually have a thicker blade, but also tend to cost more than the Moras. I have a couple of Moras to take with me elk hunting, they are cheap enough that if I lose one skinning an elk, I won't cry about it. They are a great knife for the cost in my opinion.

If I could carry only one, a puukko or a Mora, it would be the puukko. The Sissipuukko appears to be a real good knife, if you need a modern military tool, but not at all in the inexpeisive category like the Mora knives. I only have the traditional Iisakki puukko.

Posted: 6/23/2010 7:22:58 AM EDT

[#28]

Yes same basic knife, the Finnish version is a bit thicker....The Finnish language is is an Ural-Altric, it was different origionally from the Scandanavian Languages. Although they share many commonm ties. I remember growing up my maternal Grandfather refering to my Grandmother, she was from Karelia, as Genghis Khan's daughter....that language connection is in dispute now, but if you take into account the exodus of the Khazars northward, it makes sense. That and a strong Lap influence... I think I need to go to the Cossack Museum and see what info rthey have, they were another strange group of people...with some ties to Central Asia.
It is funny that she comes from a native tribe similiar to the American Indians...except they look like this

Which is is my whole point product improvement

Posted: 7/15/2010 12:47:34 PM EDT

[#29]

Bumped to remind myself I need to buy a mora knife.

Posted: 7/15/2010 2:44:50 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
Bumped to remind myself I need to buy a mora knife.

you betta' not

LB

Posted: 7/15/2010 5:39:40 PM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Bumped to remind myself I need to buy a mora knife.

you betta' not

LB

It's great having pals

Posted: 7/15/2010 6:22:09 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Bumped to remind myself I need to buy a mora knife.

you betta' not

LB

It's great having pals

I recommend you don't buy one of the wood handled, stamped metal guard versions I did. After owning it and using it this short period of time the guard and handle metal have already started to rust. The blade is great steel, that's what these knives offer. The rest of the metal on mine is basic cheap carbon. Better to go with the polymer handles I'd say.

Posted: 7/15/2010 7:28:01 PM EDT

[#33]

My daughter had friends coming over so last minute she wants a fire pit.
10 old curb stones and a 5 gallon pail of sand later she is happy.

I used the Mora 2000 to make fuzzy sticks and we broke the rest of the wood to length from branches that were in a pile waiting for the chipper.

I have safe queens and some really used Moras.
The Moras are stashed around the property and in each vehicle...if one goes lost or breaks...it will be missed but it's a tool.

Posted: 7/15/2010 7:48:19 PM EDT

[#34]

I can say there is nothing better than a K-bar, I have nearly dug fox holes, cut wood, used as a hammer, and still will sharpen to razor sharp, I also sharpen the shot side of the blade. A great all around survival knife, cheap, high quality, tough and durable. Better knife....not so sure if there is one.

Posted: 7/18/2010 10:39:43 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
I have abused several Moras over the years. I have used them to dig and cut roots. I pounded one into a tree trunk point first and then used it as a step just because I read that it could be done. :) I think I might still have pics of that somewhere. I have used them to baton and split wood. I have never had one break but I have seen pictures of broken Moras. They were certainly not made for abuse but they will stand up to everything that a knife should be used for and some of what a knife could be used for.

If you are after an inexpensive knife to stock your BOB, you might look at the Blackjack Grunt. It is made in China, but it sports a 3/16" thick blade of some steel that is roughly equivalent to 440C or AUS8. The sheath is barely usable but it comes with a convex edge, a comfortable handle, and only costs about $25 shipped. They are really an excellent value for a knife that can really take some abuse.

They put that blackjack grunt through the ringer over on knifetest.com. I was surprised at how well it held up. I might have to pick one up.

Posted: 7/18/2010 12:16:19 PM EDT

[#36]

I think way too many people have bought into the notion that unless they spend a bunch of money on a knife it is no good. The people making pricey knives are laughing all the way to the bank.

As for batoning wood, I can say I never even heard of doing such a thing until fairly recently (maybe the last decade). People I know who have been avid hikers, hunters, and outdoorsmen have never heard of it. I have tried it on my deck, and it seems to be something pretty useful. Much better than taking a hatchet or axe along.

I have always used a saw for cutting firewood so see no need to chop. In any case, if I wanted to chop no knife is really a good choice. A $15 machete will out chop any of them. Most times I would not even bother to cut firewood with a saw, just let the fire do the work for you as another poster said.

Posted: 7/18/2010 1:07:46 PM EDT

[#37]

LOL....K-Bars....my Uncle Frank was in boot training to be a SeaBee, yes that would be WW2. The Chief was teaching them sentry removal, sneak up and cut. My Uncle asked, why not just throw a knife in him...Chief catches an attitude...saying you can't do that! That was when the K-Bar flew past his face into a tree...he wasn't as good as my Dad. But when they were in the backyard, it was a 10" tree and K-Bars from 30'. At a piece of gum wrappers.
Interesting how either side of my family used different styles of knoves to do a job.

Posted: 7/31/2010 7:31:26 PM EDT

[#38]

I had never heard of Mora until I saw this thread a few months ago, now I own 5 of them. It is now my general purpose go to knife.

Posted: 8/4/2010 4:09:43 PM EDT

[#39]

Long as you aren't a "ruhtard" they are one of the best survival knives out there.. They are meant to be used as a compliment to a hatchet or tomahawk.. Not by themselves. Most "survival knives" these days don't cut worth a shit because they are too thick and the grind is too obtuse. These knives cut what knives were meant to cut very well. Once you use the combo of a good hatchet like a Gransfors Bruks and one of these you won't go back. If you absolutely HAVE to only carry one thing then the sharpened prybars can do everything but they don't do it very well.

Posted: 8/5/2010 1:12:18 PM EDT

[#40]

I just stopped by the Sportsmans Guide retail store in South Saint Paul Minnesota. I picked up a pair of carbon steel Sweedish military mora knives.(840MG)

mora knives

The surface finish is not as nice as my older carbon steel mora's. The grind is also not as nice, but the handle and sheath are a cut above, so to speak....

$25 for a pair is a heck of a decent price for such good quality cutting tools. I can't wait to get home to do some quick work with my Spyderco ceramic stones to finish the edge at a steep angle. One of these is going into my BOB. The other will go into my truck..

What kind of oil are you guys using to preserve the carbon steel versions of this blade? I thought about putting some metal conditioner my buddy gave me. CLP is a good preservative and it kind of dries on. I have some special oil made to keep our machine tools from rusting so I might try that.

Posted: 8/5/2010 1:19:40 PM EDT

[#41]

I wipe some synthetic motor oil on mine, no problems.

Posted: 8/5/2010 1:36:03 PM EDT

[#42]

Here are mine, customized for da woods.

Posted: 8/5/2010 3:28:54 PM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:
Here are mine, customized for da woods.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v489/mac66/100_3913.jpg

Did you do anything special to preserve them? Maybe I will try to blue it.

Posted: 8/5/2010 8:36:20 PM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:
I just stopped by the Sportsmans Guide retail store in South Saint Paul Minnesota. I picked up a pair of carbon steel Sweedish military mora knives.(840MG)

mora knives

The surface finish is not as nice as my older carbon steel mora's. The grind is also not as nice, but the handle and sheath are a cut above, so to speak....

$25 for a pair is a heck of a decent price for such good quality cutting tools. I can't wait to get home to do some quick work with my Spyderco ceramic stones to finish the edge at a steep angle. One of these is going into my BOB. The other will go into my truck..

What kind of oil are you guys using to preserve the carbon steel versions of this blade? I thought about putting some metal conditioner my buddy gave me. CLP is a good preservative and it kind of dries on. I have some special oil made to keep our machine tools from rusting so I might try that.

Light coat of boiled linseed oil when I'm planning on it getting wet. Don't use any oil most of the time on my carbon Mora, just wipe it off every time you use it if you cut something wet and it is fine.

Posted: 8/6/2010 5:42:45 PM EDT

[#45]

I just used my ceramics to put an edge on one of my mora military knives. I kept the angle pretty tight to the bevel. When I got the edge shaped and sharpened until it was just about perfect, but it really lacked that final finish. Just not as bitterly sharp as I hoped. Way more than is required to gut a deer or cut paracord, but what is the fun in that?

Then I got out my leather strap stapled to a piece of wood. I rubbed some extra white buffing compound on it and when to work. 20 strokes per side alternating and its stupidly sharp. It shaves effortlessly. No damn reason to have a knife this sharp!

I really, really love these knives!

ETA: just finished the second one. It only took 3 mins from the stock grind to stupid sharp. It catches free standing hair, but won't quite cut it unless the blade comes in contact with skin.

Posted: 8/6/2010 9:09:44 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
Long as you aren't a "ruhtard" they are one of the best survival knives out there.. They are meant to be used as a compliment to a hatchet or tomahawk.. Not by themselves. Most "survival knives" these days don't cut worth a shit because they are too thick and the grind is too obtuse. These knives cut what knives were meant to cut very well. Once you use the combo of a good hatchet like a Gransfors Bruks and one of these you won't go back. If you absolutely HAVE to only carry one thing then the sharpened prybars can do everything but they don't do it very well.

Thank You, I thought I was the only one not on-board the Rambo train.

Posted: 8/7/2010 4:36:51 PM EDT

[#47]

As a son of a butcher, I have always loved knives.
A friend and fellow gun nut bought some Mora Clipper 840MGs for survival kits and gave me one. It was my first Mora. I was so impressed, I got on e-bay last week and won the used 11" Mora SS butcher knife in the pic for $10.50 + shipping. It needs about 30 minutes work on the Lansky sharpener and it will shave hair, I'm sure.

Posted: 8/7/2010 9:35:13 PM EDT

[#48]

For a fixed blade, I like the RAT knives, specifically, the RAT3.

I have cleaned fish with it and boned out a deer.

I have batoned it for kindling and made fuzz sticks.

It is the perfect blend of sharpened pry bar and usable knife for me.

Plus, it comes in a MOLLE compatible sheath to make your tacticool buddies respect you, lol!

Add a SAK farmer for the thinner, more nimble blade, tools, and saw and you are in knife heaven for less than $120 or so.

Posted: 8/8/2010 5:04:45 AM EDT

[#49]

I took a couple pictures in true Arfcom style....

This picture embodies everything that makes a mora special. It was hard to capture right. The extremely highly polished edge you can see in the picture represents the entire bevel. The scandi grind is already pretty narrow at the edge, but this really gets the point across as to how fine an edge is possible. This represents the reason they cut with so little force. This is the reason I am not concerned with a full tang on these knives. They simple don't need it when being used for regular cutting chores.

I can't believe I didn't get any shit for the toes in the picture!

Posted: 8/8/2010 3:55:57 PM EDT

[#50]

This thread inspired me to go dig up my old mora knives I had in a box in the garage. Unfortunately they did not far well in the cardboard box. The handles were stained and they had a speckling of rust. I decided that they rate a good clean up so I wire brushed the rust off with my dremel. I sanded the handles and just applied my first coat of boiled linseed oil. Then they will get resharpened, not because they are dull, but to remove the rest of the rust off the edges.

I am tempted to try my hand at making sheaths or paying someone else to make them. Cost be damned. I have had these knives for 10 to 15 years. They are some of the sharpest knives I have ever seen.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Mora knives, tough enough for a survival knife? (Update and pics on pg. 2) (Page 2 of 3)

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