New (cheapish) knives including Mora and Clipper

[BigShot]

How do folks?
I've been using an Opinel #8 for a while now and since I can't carry it on an everyday it's effectively treated like a fixed blade - that being the case, I want to get a fixed blade knife.
Mostly it will be used for general bushcraft use - cutting wood, making a hearth for a bow drill, a small bit of whittling (though I don't do a great deal of that) and so on. I'll probably go for carbon steel.
I'll probably be carrying something else to use for camp site food prep, that way I don't need to worry about keeping my main knife as meticulously clean as I would if it was also a food knife.

I'm also after something reasonably cheap.

I'm thinking about getting a Frost's knife. Probably a Mora or Clipper.
How do they compare to each other? I'm aware the Clipper blade is slightly bigger, and the handle is rubber, but in use is there much between them?

How thick are the blades on the Clipper and Mora?

Are there any other good knives that don't cost a packet?

I really like the shape of the Woodlore blade (though not the price tag on it) so something similar would be nice. Again though, not too pricey.

Finally - where is best the best place to get hold of either the Frost's knives or anything you suggest for as low a price as possible?

I'd like to keep the price below £20, but anything up to about £50 wouldn't be too much of a stretch. The cheaper the better right now though.

 

[Andy2112]

go for a Frosts clipper, i just picked one up for less than a tenner. Can't complain apart from slight rusting which i will get rid of soon.

 

[Wallenstein]

I thought the Clipper blade was slightly smaller than the standard Mora?

 

[BorderReiver]

Either would do. I'm not too fond of the plastic Mora grip as I find it a bit slippy. The wooden one can be roughed up a bit and the rubber one is fine.

As they're so cheap you can have one specifically for food if you want.

 

[BigShot]

Andy - I think I'd expect a bit of rusting with carbon steel. I've got a large roll of wire wool here - probably enough for a lifetime of cleaning up carbon blades and enough to pass on a couple of generations too. Haha.


Wallenstein - apparently so.
I misread the "mora vs clipper" thread I found in a goole search. Thanks for pointing that out.


BorderReiver - it's actually the plastic handle that's got me unsure about the Mora. I wasn't going to write it off, but slippy isn't something I'd want. Then again - I could always wrap the handle somehow.
I'd thought about a food-only one actually.


Any idea how the blades compare in thickness? I don't think I'll be able to find a shop that sells them around Manchester (I've certainly had no luck so far) to allow me to compare them. I'd like something a fair bit more substantial than my Opinel 8, but obviously I'm not going to get something really beefy at the low end of my price range.
If anyone has one they can measure and tell me the thickness it would be handy.

Cheers folks.

 

[preacherman]

The mora clipper is 2mm thick. Blade length is 10cm. overall length is 21.8 cm. These knives are great value, good quality and cheap enough to have a spare lying around.

I hope this helps.

Andrew

 

[Andy2112]

Bigshot,

Have you had a look at the shop on here ??

 

[Spikey DaPikey]

Ya wont go wrong with a Mora

 

[Mungo]

Ya wont go wrong with a Mora

I agree. Specifically, my favourite is the most basic, the #510.

I was tempted the other day to order about 10 of them and scatter them about my kit and my shed and my house. However, I am sure that the wife would object...

Cheers,

Mungo

 

[BigShot]

Thanks Preacher.
Any idea how the Mora and Clipper compare in thickness?


Andy - didn't even think to. Haha.
I'll take a peek now.


Spikey and Mungo - cheers.
Mungo - just hide them really well.

 

[preacherman]

I think that there is often confusion regarding mora knives, frost knives etc. To the best of my knowledge Frosts of Sweden is now Mora of Sweden.

I have a carbon '' Frosts Knife'' and a stainless ''Clipper''. Both blades are similar in length and thickness ( if not identical, I only have the clipper with me today). It is just the handle material and shape that is different.

Here is the Mora website which will give you details about all of their outdoor knives.http://www.moraofsweden.se/index.php?id=14

More info on this thread http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33796&highlight=mora+tang

As has been said on here many times you will not go wrong with a Mora/Frost. Sharp, good quality and cheap enough to lose without any tears

Shop around and you will get them for less than a tenner delivered

Andrew

 

[John Fenna]

I use a lot of Mora, rat tail tang, wood handle types, as a basis for knife rehandling projects.
I have sold many, and none have been returned.
Stick/rattail tangs are pleanty strong, the steel excellent and boy - do they take an edge!

 

[Mungo]

My only caveat for folks buying Frosts/Mora knives: if you keep them clean, the carbon steel blades are best. They throw a spark with flint, and also are great to scrape a ferro rod.

The laminated blades, while less prone to shattering, and rusting, are crap (so to speak) at casting sparks from a ferro rod, and you will have little to no chance at getting a spark from the metal itself - the outer laminate jacket is stainless. I've never bought a completely stainless one, it seems rather a waste.

Unless you live on a salt-water beach, that is and can't keep it dry.

Cheers,

Mungo

 

[Paul_B]

I've seen a mora/frost on Greenman Bushcraft for £6.99. £7.99 for a 740 in high carbon.

http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/cutting-tools/knives/

I don't know if this is cheap or not. Want to get one myself. Do good hunting and fishing shops sell them? There's one near me in Lancaster that I might try, but last time I went there it seemed full of (how can I politely put it) complete and utter prats. Prefer to see things in shop and take home straight away than waiting in anticipation for stuff bought on internet.

If anyone knows of a decent shop selling knives in North Lancashire, Cumbria and West Yorkshire areas please let me know. I generally somewhere in that area at the weekends so could pop in if there are any good shops.