MORA KNIVES: History and Relevance

[@DavidWilson-eu1mv]

I have a Mora that I bought at a sporting goods store in Wisconsin when I was 13 years old. I’m now 77 years old and that Mora is still in my possession and still holds a clean, sharp edge.

[@rapalaron6348]

I'm from Sweden and living 600 kilometers north of Mora and i'm still 250 kilometers under the polar circle. I'm shocked what the Mora kniv kost in the US 😙 Every hand worker does wear a Mora knife and throw them away when they are dull.. I like the high end line from Mora but this guy has always a German Solingen hand made Puma fixed blade or folder on his belt 😆🤣 Hell no i will take out or skin a moose with a Mora knife... The Jagd Nicker, Four star fixed blade, as edc a four star folder. Those are my favorites but i own almost all models like the White hunter, bowie, hunters pal, Falkners heil, Forster nicker, Weidblad set, Auto messer, Skin master. Rabbiter, you name it. Great video buddy 👌Enormous respect for your knowledge and presentation. Cheers!

[@simonacerton3478]

They are about $20 US if you look around. That's an hours pay or less for most people. We don't however treat knives as disposable in the US for cultural reasons.

[@ZaryaTheLaika]

​@@simonacerton3478Yes, but in the Nordics, every kid grew up wood carving or whittling with a Mora or Fiskars. Most workplaces and homes have a knife in every drawers. The good knives that you carry are moreso were given as gifts and not for work.

[@simonacerton3478]

@@ZaryaTheLaika A certain subset of Americans more European if that makes sense to you were like this. Knives galore Latinos are rather famous for them as well.

[@ZaryaTheLaika]

@@simonacerton3478 Yeah! I have a crapload of knives from my dad because he always buy a new knife for his workshop everytime he leaves the house. They're not very good quality. Just your basic 5 euros knives that you find at home hardware stores and gas stations.

[@Joakim-j7h]

@@ZaryaTheLaika Fiskars? Hey You either rich or a Finn you have a Fiskars ;)

[@petrotmyrcz308]

Another enjoyable video DD. Most of these knives values seem to be off the charts. Thanks.

[@mdirtydogg]

Excellent video. Informative and useful. Thank you.

[@KevenNiemi]

Thx Desert Dog for this Mora history! I’ve been knife making and rehandling Mora 510/511s for years. It’s actually cheaper to buy the whole knife with sheath (cut the handle off) vs buying the blade blanks directly. Amazing steel either with the carbon or Sandvik! A few other cheap Mora type copies to check out would be the Marttiini 571 and the Ahti Finman series. These are Finnish takes on the Mora 510 and a step up in my opinion but still in that $15 range. However the 510 is really what started it all and was made even more popular in the bushcraft community by Ray Mears- I guess he made it cool! Crazy thing is Mora actually stopped making the 510 for awhile in favor of just the 511. Enough customer complaints came in that they brought them back in a black plastic handle at first. Thank you again for this content I learned a lot!

[@NCWoodlandRoamer]

Love these history lesson videos. Looking forward to the next one!

[@TheEriccurtis]

Mora is an interesting knife, I have a few I use in the kitchen to cut up vegetables and do meat preparation but as a outdoor knife to bet your life on I would choose something more durable.

[@jdsmith-bl2yl]

Thanks for the history lesson on the Mora, very informative and well presented !!

[@ottojii2]

Congratulations!!! Just the best video of Morakniv Knives!!!! Thanks a Lot!!!!!!

[@AnthonyBohorcus-p3p]

Exacting, In Depth, Thorough, BS Free & a Great Knife Selection There Also👍👍

[@borkwoof696]

Have been waiting for this video for years and wasn‘t disappointed. Thanks for the great videos!

[@OUTDOORSSWEDEN]

Nice to see interest for our swedish knives . I live in Eskilstuna in sweden a town known for quality knife making. Thanks for a interesting video!

[@j.c.5480]

Whoa! KZbin's algorithm got it right for once! I'm American and the first knives that I bought my kids where all Morakniv. Thanks for the history!

[@deltabravo1811]

Excellent lecture, Professor Dog! Need a Mora knives! Really enjoy the series! Thanks!

[@jeffvaughn7987]

Really enjoying these knife videos..hope we can see more

[@ognjenbegicevic6298]

Used or more like abused the Mora2000 in the army for years. They weren't the best but did job's that i would hesitate to do with a 200-300$ knife and thst as it's nicely explained in the video is the strong point of Mora knifes good quality (not the best) for a fair price so you dont fret about using them for anything. Thanks for a great vid.

[@shellmaker10]

Like Christmas in January. Thanks for another superb video.

[@WR3ND]

This and your Green River knife video are really great. So glad I caught your Is Bushcraft Stupid video and subbed. Cheers.

[@j.dalemorgan2975]

Good one DD. Best Scandi-grind backstory I’ve had. Good info. JD

[@rudolfyakich6653]

Great video. I watched all of it and would say it will stand as a great reference for knife nuts. Thanks again D.D.

[@ROE1300]

👍 Excellent brief summary of knives made in area of Mora, Sweden. I have owned a variety of “Mora” knives over the years (Classic #2 being my favorite), none have ever failed me as I use them for knife tasks, not axe, hammer, or pry bar tasks. I absolutely agree with that like all tools these knives excel at some things and are adequate at other things. Having said that the people from the Scandinavian countries have successfully used these style knives in a demanding wilderness for years. Is the Mora Classic #2 the perfect filet knife? No. Is it the perfect game processing knife? No. Can you accomplish anything you need a knife to do in the wilderness with this knife? Yes. I really like the content and format of your “review” videos. Thank you for sharing your thoughts based upon real life use and experience.

[@timbryan9701]

A very well-thought out video. You and I have come to similar conclusions. I like either a flat grind, or high saber grind for slicing and general purpose work. I have plenty of scandi knives for wood.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Great history 😊thanks

[@richardskinner4198]

Well you just got another follower. I enjoyed this video very much a great history lesson and a good honest assessment of the blades themselves . I have several Mora companions I pair with my larger knives as they are good for various camp jobs ,carving and trap building too ,there are better blades for filleting ( I have a Rapala too) and game prep but when you have not planned on needing a fillet knife they will work well enough . I have yet to try the newer blades but I do like the idea of the full tang Mora and will get one to try and add it to my collection . Very useful and fairly priced tools I will never be without . Thanks for your video I look forward to more of your work .

[@blackie1of4]

You are full of information! You also always know what you are talking about.. which I appreciate! It's very easy to watch your videos from beginning to end. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us 😁

[@omf2007]

Good video - very interesting and informative.

[@marktapp5408]

Very useful video. Thanks for producing it!

[@brunopalharinm5331]

Nice video from brasil,here we love moras and tramontina

[@snesleywipessqueegeeservices]

Jolly good show old chap! Top hole content! Spiffing!

[@c62west]

Thanks!

[@paullambert4445]

Great knives! I have six. They are all around useful. 🎸🔪

[@jamesschneider3828]

If you want to cut wood for fire use don’t use a knife use a hatchet.

[@Maryland_Kulak]

I use whatever is handy.

[@realmetis8002]

Hi from Canada thanks for the great videos...btw it's pronounced..co-han-ski😀

[@tylerlcollins1260]

I like the carbon steel because because I can sharpen it up to razor on the bottom of my coffee mug. I’m no bush crafter , just a carpenter from maine

[@vorpalblades]

A Mora Scout was my first knife 43 years ago. It was already used when I got it. I have no idea how old it is. I still carry it on occasion.

[@eutontactical]

Nice video - Thank You

[@toddguillory692]

Great presentation. 👍

[@Maryland_Kulak]

I already own several Mora knives but you just made me order three more.

[@jonnybabylon]

Dog chief, keep it going. So few of us left from the old timers. I didn't realize they'd be gone and we'd be the old guys. I appreciate you, and here we go. Hope the kids are listening.

[@rapalaron6348]

Right buddy 👍

[@HickSquatch]

My first exposure to Mora knives was when we handed over a big fishing trawler we built to the customer and their crew of Swedes took over. Every one had a Mora on his belt. They guarded their “throwaway” knives because us Americans weren’t good enough for their traditional knives. I very much prefer MoraKniv tools! My Classic #2 and Eldris are favorites, so is my Companion. I cut the handle off a Pro model and replaced it with antler and ash wood handle.

[@stefanocappella9612]

Fantastic video. Thank you 🇨🇦

[@S.A.U.1489]

I have a mora companion, it’s a great knife. Then again I’m not an outdoorsman. I use it for mundane tasks around the house like opening boxes.

[@helterskelter156]

Morakniv - Best knives for the money- truly unbeatable value. They make one for virtually every occasion. I use them for fishing, hunting, camping and even reno work. PS. Mora makes cork handled knives, fillet knives, flat tipped chisel knives, fish scaler knives, and my favorite beater - the Robust! Man, you just can collect 20 of them and you still won’t break the bank! Lastly, if you wish, you can throw the Mora on a whetstone and get it to an actual zero (“scandi”) grind. It’ll cut like an absolute beast, and may in fact be the sharpest knife you ever owned. Although edge stability does get compromised, so you’ll need to use it accordingly.

[@frstesiste7670]

Thanks for an interesting video. My first knife was a Mora Classic and a Classic No. 3 have been my favorite for the last 50+ years. Unfortunately they reduced the blade length in the last iteration so now I have a Pathfinder for more heavy duty use. The Pathfinder also have a thicker blade than the classic which is welcome, but unfortunately not full tange like the classic.

[@ZaryaTheLaika]

17:44 - bizarre bushcraft communities like the finger groove since those are considered as children's knives, not woodworking knives. Woodworking knives have no fingerguards on them

[@dougdumbrill7234]

A good friend gifted me a Mora Companion to try out. I use Green River sheath knives and always will. But I have no complaints about the Companion at all. It really could fill all my needs in a belt knife! So where does it go? In the cubby right next to my truck driver’s seat. I consider it a place of honor! 👍😂 PS 100%agree on the great handle! 👍👏

[@qtrendsetter3853]

Currently have been wearing a Eldris Mora as a neck knife daily. I've strapped this blade and made it even sharper. I just saw the Eldris with Fire kit. I guess I will mod mine to function as that new model.

[@johnhartley4721]

Excellent video, New sub here!

[@longrider42]

I have the Mora Classic No. 2. And two Mora Heavy Duty Companion knives, in carbon steel. And I use them in my kitchen more then any other knife. My Classic No. 2, has a red handle.

[@dimensionsofearth]

This is really great info! I actually have a longer bladed Moro Frost knife with the oruginal sheeth. The grind seems less hatchet like on it. I skinned and boned out my first deer last year with a companion HD... No wonder it took so long, I have no other experience to compare to but it felt like it should not have taken so long and I thought it was my lack of skill!

[@johnstruewing1164]

The sheath of the little orange knife has two holes in the bottom. Now I guess every outdoors man recognizes that they serve several purposes. They allow water to drain out, the sheath can be used as a modified bellows to direct air to a fire and maybe even used as a whistle for rescue purposes. Actually well designed

[@codyway7424]

Scandi grinds are perfect for fileting fish, as long as you baton correctly 😅. I have a companion that I worked over on a belt sander. It's a fairly useful knife now.

[@MrPh30]

Mora 2000 i think really took their popularity forward , and i like that one much .,

[@PerHansson-m2c]

I use the Morakniv 546 when working in the garden etc. Cheap allround knife which I replace when it's dull. When hunting I use a Puma Jagdnicker. These are the only knifes I need.

[@THUF007]

Love these lessons DD! 👍🏻

[@Stargazer80able]

Most handymen, carpenters or anyone working in construction and so on, has a Mora or similar Swedish made knife. I use the Mora for everytime I go hunting. Easy to sharpen to a razor and very similar properties to Victorinox out of Switzerland. Very good steel that is easy to clean and maintain and they sharpen extremely well.

[@thedetective8150]

Excellent video!

[@alanrice39]

I own many of the Mora knifes. I’m a three knife carry person. Most of the time I use the Mora in combination with another usually larger knife, like a 12” machete. The Garberg and companion HD are the two I carry the most, these are really good knifes, when used as intended no problems, learned a lot from this video

[@Mystninja]

I have a classic number one that absolutely loves rust. Lol

[@EagerMartialArts-cl7vd]

I e had a carbon Mira for years. Use it ALOT. It’s still factory sharp.

[@Jaxon1776]

I have Mora's in my truck. I have Mora's in my car. I have Mora's in my garage. I have Mora's in the house. They cut things when I need things to be cut. The 510 and the Kansbol are my favorites.

[@ralphbernieri3362]

I got a few myself; damn good knives for the $$$

[@johnstruewing1164]

Extremely informative, thank you. I have a Garberg

[@paulharding1621]

I’m late to the Mora party. Just bought a Kamsbol stainless here in the UK for £30.00. Got it to replace a knife that I lost. New knife has an orange handle. Hope to use it to dress a deer soon.

[@ZaryaTheLaika]

10:12 - well, yes, Mora syndrome is why Finns say the puukko is a tool, not a weapon because you don't want a fingerguard on woodworking knife since its easierto choke up for finer, detailed works. Most of the knives sold woth fingerguards are for combat or for children.

[@wizardofahhhs759]

So children engage in combat in Sweden!?

[@ZaryaTheLaika]

@@wizardofahhhs759 I was making a joke about the Puukkojunkkaris (1820s to 1880s). Obviously hunters and fishermen want fingerguards to prevent cutting themselves while skinning and descaling.

[@WR3ND]

I did pick up their Ash Lok as a sort of collector's piece and I like the look of it quite a bit. Can't say I would recommend it though in terms of practicality.

[@donduhart5479]

Using a knife to baton wood is like using a suppository as a lollipop in my opinion

[@drock5404]

Love me some Mora's. Big fan of Helle too.

[@butchie2752]

Several moras but not the fancy ones. Have some other more expensive knives. Like them but debatable about whether they’re “better” . A knife is not a hatchet or a saw. Great vid.

[@johnmorganjr769]

Thank you D.D.!

[@57WillysCJ]

I have multiple Frost and Erickson knives. I don't use them for woodwork so I have put standard edges on them. I have used them on game and I don't care for the edge. Marttiini makes as good of a knife for the same money. I have two KJs with heavy Jagaren knives which are not your standard Mora. They were hunting knives as well as a fishing knife. The fishing knife is a 301 and the hunting one is a 1701. They also produced a version of the Canadian belt knife. All of that said and done the Green River is a better inexpensive bushcraft blade. The Canadian belt knife is as well. Mors used the Moras because they were cheap knives for students.

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

I have used a Mora knife for 30 years to field dress my deer. They are a high carbon steel with a stiff backbone limiting the amount of blade flex. I can put the knife under the sternum and in one motion detach all the ribs. It holds an edge forever.

[@blinkhornklinkhammer999]

“For people who enjoy LARPing in the woods…” 😅🙌

[@LoreTunderin]

The Eldris sheath can be put on backwards to extend the handle.

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

@@LoreTunderin I never thought of that!

[@larrybadman9965]

IT'S TRUE AND I WOULD PREFER FOR BOTH OF THEM, ELDRIS AND ELDRIS LIGHT, AS IT CONCERNS THE LENGTH OF THE BLADE TO BECOME 8CM INSTEAD OF 6CM THAT IT IS NOW.

[@behindthespotlight7983]

11:57 in a pinch a lot of the one-off steak knives sold at Dollar Stores can add the utility of the basic Mora to the ol’ bedroll or throw together gear in a close-to-worst-case scenario. In my experience many of the laser cut, injection molded Scandi grind knives in the kitchen department at Dollar General or Dollar Tree can absolutely stand up to a few nights in a hobo camp

[@PaulBlundell-xf6mt]

Nice knifes , , I prefer the helle , , but both make,s are excellent , 👍 ..

[@robertejennings5400]

Sharing this one too.

[@boomstickman71]

Moras are great knives for the money, but if I'm going to rely on a knife for survival, I will have a Mora AND a heavy duty survival knife. I do own a Garberg, which I like, but I still prefer to carry the Fallkniven A1 for survival situations.

[@amatobo384]

Great video about Morakniv, the history, and the knives over time. I would also have been very interested in your opinion on the new Ash Wood series (Finn, Lok, Wit, (Rombo for the kitchen). With the cheapest of them starting at around 150 Euros (approx. 157 US$) here in Europe).

[@jim-gb7sj]

If you baton. Place the knife in the wood enough to let go if possible. gently hold the handle and start batoning with your hand balancing, not holding. These knives aren't for splitting logs but relatively small work. I've never had one break. Of course I always have a small pruning saw and a large cold steel knife.

[@josephmarciano2584]

That Drop-Point Gator is $70 on Amazon. Not cheap, but if it can do the job of 2 knives, then it's a deal.

[@Joakim-j7h]

I'm a Swede. I have always considerd a Mora a throw away knife, a knife for people that really dont even like knives enough to care about them. They are cheap and no one even bothers to resharpen them here in their home country of Sweden. No they are not bad, but ''the Mora crowd'' fosters some what of an anti-knife attitude. Your not man enough if cant do with just a Mora! It wasnt long ago that Fällkniven made the F1 for the Swedish Air Force, before that the Pilots that flew expensive Fighter planes just had a redhandled Mora as their survival knife! I have since learned to like and use the Mora, send me your adress and will ship you the best of the ''Moras'' that isnt even a Mora. Its a Hultaforss! Its a Mora on Steroids!

[@tonynapoli5549]

Can’t go wrong with a Mora knife worth every penny.

[@jackwagonhoedown4114]

I have a beautiful Erik Frost stag handled personal (dress) bayonet. It came with a steel sheath.

[@txnomad333]

Will you do an episode covering Ruana knifes?

[@Mystninja]

I like Mora knives in the kitchen. I haven't taken one camping yet. I think my Victorinox does the job. For what I need.

[@robertpetersson5655]

Greetings from Sweden. The longer variant with wood handle nick name is pundarlans Junkie lance in English

[@JerryShaver-vb7nd]

You sure you don't work for Mora? Lol? Seriously, thank you for all the information and done so professionally! Thank you!!

[@HomegrownLonewolf-h3j]

There's also a Mora, Washington, USA. In the Southwestern part of the state.

[@shadowcastre]

interesting video... Mora does make a good knife, but as with most knives, they were never meant to to be a do-all blade. Mora knives shine at crafting and carving wood which is what they were intended to do. I am a firm believer in ... Use the right tool for the job.

[@fadingmargins]

Another first class video but if you forgive me, you missed the third of the Mora knife makers. The one that did not join the merger - E Jonsson.

[@anangryranger]

I personally own nine Morakniv knives. Three of them are Companion design. A stainless steel Companion is used daily in the kitchen. As to using any knife to split timber is foolish in my opinion. That's what axes and hatchets are made for. 😏

[@texpatriot8462]

I have one without the finger protector. With the slick handle,I don't trust it. I use it for a letter opener.

[@ZaryaTheLaika]

32:46 - and Fiskars (in addition to Rapala). Mora has a really difficult time comprting with Fiskars if we're talking about household name and cutthroat price-point competitions

[@thezieg]

A quibble you might be able to correct me about: Isn't the Mora Bushcraft model a reworking of the preexisting 911 Quicksnap?

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

Although the 911 and Bushcraft look the same from a distance; up close you'll see that the Bushcraft has a different blade that is much thicker, deeper, and slightly longer than the 911. The bushcraft comes in stainless and coated carbon steel, the 911 only came in bare carbon steel. The bushcraft also has a longer handle than the 911. So, although they look similar, the Bushcraft uses a different blade and handle than the old 911.

[@HickSquatch]

Fun trivia: I don’t know if they did it on purpose; the Eldris is the same dimensions as Otzi’s flint knife.

[@ivarand]

I think I have around 20 or so different mora knives , some even after my dad and my grandpa. I tend to prefer the carbon steel blades, easier to keep sharp and more forgiving. My dad was a fisherman, and often used Frost knives. He got some stainless steel ones (in late 1980's I think) but was not happy - edge was downright brittle and chipped easily. A batch with bad heat treating maybe? For those work knives, handles were color coded. Red plastic handle = carbon, blue = stainless

[@behindthespotlight7983]

7:39 a tool that no one ever demonstrates but would be very effective and efficient in many baseline bushcrafting applications is a pair of the red handle Made🇺🇸Felco hand pruners. They are a bit heavy but were I building a wilderness tool belt dedicated to gleaning materials to build the best bushcraft camp possible it would carry the following: •Buck 110 folder •Buck 117 •Mora •Leatherman Wave •Made🇺🇸Felco’s •Estwing roofers hatchet (with hammer) •Agawa 21 folding buck saw •6 inch ferro rod And my S&W across my chest with a Swiss Army Ranger and full size Bic in my pocket. Better add a few 4mil contractors bags in my back pockets, a 150’ skein of 550 and a likewise hank of bank line in my pockets And a spool of 18g brass wire And a steel canteen with cup aaand a 21 pound deep fried Tom Turkey

[@altoncahoon182]

What are the two side by side shotguns in the background of your video? Loved the mora content, too. Thanks

[@desertdogoutdoors1113]

@@altoncahoon182 They are part of a video that will air next month. on vintage SxS's

[@omf2007]

"LOL" I was going to ask the same thing.

[@kimherrick9615]

I've never understood the batoning of wood, use your axe or, a saw. A knife is not meant to process firewood.

[@KevenNiemi]

I agree. Fiskars makes a nice light hatchet that wouldn’t weigh your pack down out in the woods. That and a quality knife is all one would need.