My First 'Bushcraft' Knife!

[Survival_Steve]

So it didn't take long to learn of Mora when I started looking for a good first bushcraft knife a couple of weeks back.
Originally I was going to go with the clipper, but decided its slightly chunkier cousin - the companion heavy duty - would end up offering me more versatility.
I went with the carbon steel version.

I ordered it from MM on Friday and it arrived around midday today (they told me it would have been Monday, if not for it being a bank hol). No complaints.

This is my first knife, so I have nothing to compare it to, but it's heavier than I expected - not a bad thing imo.
It's relatively sharp out of the box, but I will be taking it to my new homemade pocket strop later for a bit of honing (another first!).

Just wanted to post some pics to show it off (probably nothing special to most of you, but as my first bushcraft knife, I'm very excited!).
I also wanted to ask if anyone has any advice for a new owner (mods, care tips etc.). Only thing I know I want to do is file down the spine for use with my firesteel

Thanks!

 

[crosslandkelly]

They are a great knife, nice one.

 

[The puffin squire]

Can't go wrong with those. great choice

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[oldtimer]

I bored a lanyard hole in my Companion so I could follow Mors Kochanski's tip for looping it to the wrist in use. See his YouTube vids.

 

[Wildgoose]

Despite the wonderfully made, superbly designed knives owned by members of this forum I’d wager that everyone on here has a mora, probably several.

I’ve filed the spine of mine to make them a bit more fire steel friendly

 

[TeeDee]

Mora's are the quiet professional. Good choice.

 

[Broch]

I bored a lanyard hole in my Companion so I could follow Mors Kochanski's tip for looping it to the wrist in use. See his YouTube vids.

Are you never worried that, if you were working in dense scrub or similar, the lanyard could get caught and pull the knife through your hand? I know there are two schools of thought on this

 

[oldtimer]

I do have a scar on my thigh where I stabbed myself in the way Broch describes. It taught me to use the right technique for any given situation. Broch is quite right to issue the warning.

It's a reminder that when using a knife, a cuts kit should be at hand.

 

[Erbswurst]

Mors Kochanski meant, that most knifes are lost in the snow.
I heard that a few days ago in a video.

The only thing I ask myself is:

What is snow???

Mora carbon steel blades are surely the best choice for beginners and probably the best choice for old foxes.

 

[Brizzlebush]

I agree with all of the above, except for lanyards on handles.
I'd rather lose my knife than a finger.
I know lots of people like lanyards on knives.
I have a very short one on my Laplander. I can just get my pinky between it and the handle. It's bright red so I can find it if I drop it. But imho, anything that goes around your wrist I think, is asking for trouble. No disrespect to Mors (r.i.p), he certainly knew more than I'll ever know. But, I've tried hanging a knife from my wrist in the past and it just feels wrong. A moment where you're not paying full attention and.... ouch. Others here will disagree I'm sure, so each to their own.
Personally I like to keep things simple.

You can't go wrong with a Mora HD, great knife. I bought a leather sheath for mine, more expensive than the knife . But it fits the knife really well, feels great, it's really comfortable on my belt, it looks good and for me, most importantly, doesn't rattle. It'll probably out last the knife!
That said, the plastic sheath it comes with is very practical, clips on and off all sorts, and can even be pushed into the ground next to you if you're sitting down.

 

[MartiniDave]

I agree with what's being said about Mora knives. I have much "better" and more expensive knives, but still one of my favourite go-to knives is an old Mora Companion, so old that back then it was called the Clipper. I've used it so much it just fits, like an old, well worn coat. From memory it cost me all of £7.50.

 

[punkrockcaveman]

The companions/clippers are great. I used to have a 120 carver, that was fantastic. The sheath was, useless. I regret selling it though

 

[Broch]

I agree with what's being said about Mora knives. I have much "better" and more expensive knives, but still one of my favourite go-to knives is an old Mora Companion, so old that back then it was called the Clipper. I've used it so much it just fits, like an old, well worn coat. From memory it cost me all of £7.50.

Mine's so old it was actually made by Frost's

 

[MartiniDave]

Mine's so old it was actually made by Frost's

I think I've got some sort of "Mora" that has Erikson stamped on the blade.

 

[MrEd]

I agree with all of the above, except for lanyards on handles.
I'd rather lose my knife than a finger.
I know lots of people like lanyards on knives.
I have a very short one on my Laplander. I can just get my pinky between it and the handle. It's bright red so I can find it if I drop it. But imho, anything that goes around your wrist I think, is asking for trouble. No disrespect to Mors (r.i.p), he certainly knew more than I'll ever know. But, I've tried hanging a knife from my wrist in the past and it just feels wrong. A moment where you're not paying full attention and.... ouch. Others here will disagree I'm sure, so each to their own.
Personally I like to keep things simple.

You can't go wrong with a Mora HD, great knife. I bought a leather sheath for mine, more expensive than the knife . But it fits the knife really well, feels great, it's really comfortable on my belt, it looks good and for me, most importantly, doesn't rattle. It'll probably out last the knife!
That said, the plastic sheath it comes with is very practical, clips on and off all sorts, and can even be pushed into the ground next to you if you're sitting down.

couldnt agree more, i really dislike lanyards on knifes.

 

[Survival_Steve]

I agree with all of the above, except for lanyards on handles.
I'd rather lose my knife than a finger.
I know lots of people like lanyards on knives.
I have a very short one on my Laplander. I can just get my pinky between it and the handle. It's bright red so I can find it if I drop it. But imho, anything that goes around your wrist I think, is asking for trouble. No disrespect to Mors (r.i.p), he certainly knew more than I'll ever know. But, I've tried hanging a knife from my wrist in the past and it just feels wrong. A moment where you're not paying full attention and.... ouch. Others here will disagree I'm sure, so each to their own.
Personally I like to keep things simple.

You can't go wrong with a Mora HD, great knife. I bought a leather sheath for mine, more expensive than the knife . But it fits the knife really well, feels great, it's really comfortable on my belt, it looks good and for me, most importantly, doesn't rattle. It'll probably out last the knife!
That said, the plastic sheath it comes with is very practical, clips on and off all sorts, and can even be pushed into the ground next to you if you're sitting down.

Yeah I have to say, I don't like the idea of it pivoting round and into my wrist / face / chest! I think the 'forward lanyard' position is much safe as it won't swing back at you, but most gear doesn't have the lanyard hole in that position from what I've seen. There's a YouTube video on forward lanyards somewhere

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[Survival_Steve]

Also...I just finished giving the mora a good strop'...or 'a good stropping'??...I'm not sure which on my homemade strop.

It is now shaving sharp (I can actually do the arm hair thing), which makes me extremely happy, not only for the fact that I know have a very sharp mora, but I know my strop works, and I obviously know how to strop! ...feeling very proud of myself haha

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[punkrockcaveman]

Nicely done Steve! Strops are the best. Especially homemade ones!