Newbie knife advice

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Hootch

Full Member
Aug 19, 2015
49
6
Scotland
Yes, you probably get asked this each week, but I really don't know where to start. Up until now I've only used folding knives, Swiss Army and Opinel, both of which are fantastic of course. However, as I get more into cooking on a wood fire, I'm looking for a fixed blade knife, nothing fancy (£50 ish), that can handle some basic camp tasks. Something simple, strong enough, that keeps it's edge and is easy to sharpen. Oh yes, and not too heavy.
I hear a lot about Mora, but looking around there seems to be hundreds of them! Any particular model or blade material?
Thanks!
 
Apr 1, 2016
9
0
Bulgaria
The mora black is the best mora in my opinion, its thicker and more robust than the mora companion so if you have your heart set on a mora i think that's the better one to bye and perfect for anyones first fixed blade, the rubberized handle makes it comfortable to hold and relatively safe to use, there not to inexpensive and over time you will be able to make your own mind up about what's best for you,
 

copper_head

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 22, 2006
4,261
1
Hull
Mora or Hultafors heavy duty knives will do you well. If you want something that looks a bit more flash check out the Condor bushlore, I also hear good things about the Real Steel bushcraft. All available from Heinnie.
 

abctrev

Member
Mar 26, 2016
32
0
Essex
Just bought my first knife, a Hultafors Heavy Duty. Bargain at £5.25! 3mm blade, spine designed to use a firesteel, and so far seem to be sharp and bombproof. The handle is comfy and non-slip, so well happy with it. The sheath is plastic but does the job, and there is no fancy (or any) packaging, but sheaths can be changed, and for the money I don't think you could do any better. Hopefully I'll post a better review when I've had a chance to use it more.
 

rorymax

Settler
Jun 5, 2014
943
0
Scotland
I bought a Mora Companion stainless, very happy with it too, I think I will try a Hultafors heavy duty, I hear many good reports about them (and if Copper_Head likes them they must be OK).

I'm not into knives per-se, I just want something reliable and the Mora is just that.

Anyone know the best delivered price for a Hultafors Heavy Duty, for some reason I feel the need for 2 knives :)
 
Jan 3, 2016
110
1
Buckinghamshire
As people've said... for a first fixed blade Knife, and for many many outdoor folk experienced with knife use....Mora.

They're astonishingly good for the price. I used a Mora Companion for a few years.
 
Mar 31, 2016
1
0
Darlington
Thank you Richard,
Im a baby at bushcraft and was wondering what to knife to start with for fixed blade,i have small hands also.Any reccomendations for a stainless steel,knife..I went on my first bushcraft day and loved it..He did show me and tell me but i was on learning overaload as everything was knew.I know i need three knifes, a axe,im a small women so nothing to heavy..Any advice would be greatly apprieated.. Sam
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,106
2,833
66
Pembrokeshire
Mora or Hultafors - both offer excellent value for money, are cheap enough to wreck without breaking your heart and let you find out what features you really want in a knife before you lash out on a custom knife :)
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,106
2,833
66
Pembrokeshire
I bought a Mora Companion stainless, very happy with it too, I think I will try a Hultafors heavy duty, I hear many good reports about them (and if Copper_Head likes them they must be OK).

I'm not into knives per-se, I just want something reliable and the Mora is just that.

Anyone know the best delivered price for a Hultafors Heavy Duty, for some reason I feel the need for 2 knives :)

Only 2!?
I have over 50 ... but that includes my 15 Mora Companions that are for loaning to my students :)
 

Hootch

Full Member
Aug 19, 2015
49
6
Scotland
Thank you one and all, I am convinced! And at that price, doesn't seem I can go wrong really. If I spend hundreds on a knife I'd be afraid to use it! Thanks again.
 

EddieP

Forager
Nov 7, 2013
127
0
Liverpool
If you have a clas ohlson near you pop in. They have moras for cheap with a good discount if you buy 2. If you're a student you can have another 10% off.

I just got another 2 robusts for about £14 for the pair.
 

Mick721

Full Member
Oct 29, 2012
748
2
Sunderland
I've got a lot of knives. Some of them very expensive but when I go out to do something 'bushy' I invariably reach for the first knife I bought for this purpose - a Mora robust. It's tough, easy to maintain, no nonsense and comfortable to use for long periods. I'd happily get by with just that knife for the rest of my days. Buy one, as a start if you want, but you'll probably find you use it more than any other. You can't go wrong.
 

Shelley

Forager
May 27, 2015
140
1
New Zealand
Hmm, I may be bucking the trend here but I don't like Moras. There I said it, oh I have one, actually it's a Frost that I dug out of the ground when I was building a potato plot. I also have a Condor Bushlore and I think it's far superior, if you get the wood handled one its cheaper than the micarta and you can shape it a little to suit your hand better. Plus you get a leather sheath with it to boot.
The 1075 is not the best steel in the world but it sharpens easily and being full tang you can batten the heck out of it without worry, yet ist thin enough to still do food prep, which scandis aren't brilliant at.
 

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