Morakniv Bushcraft Knives

Made in Mora Sweden, Morakniv knives are known globally for their quality blades.  They are considered the industry standard for survival and bushcrafting knives. 

For survival training, we recommend the following:

• Morakniv Companion

  • More than adequate for training and survival use

  • Less than $20!

  • Hi-Vis Orange is the preferred color

  • Two Blade Options

    • Stainless is better for general use in the Pacific Northwest since it doesn't rust

    • Carbon Steel is better for teaching care of blades, sharpening and for flint and steel fire training

    • Either if fine for a mature Scout

What makes a Morakniv so special?

• • Swedish made 

  • Scandinavian grind 

    • Allows for making feather sticks

    • Great for carving 

    • Much more robust than hollow grind knives

    • NOTE: Requires special sharpening technique 

  • Most models have the option of a Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel blade

    • Stainless steel doesn't rust and is more Scout-proof

    • Carbon steel holds an edge better but requires some maintenance and care

  • Blade can be beaten over and over with few failures

    • Great for batoning wood

      • Allows for splitting of wood

      • Cutting down small trees

      • Building Pioneering structures 

  • Hard plastic sheath

    • Don't worry about knife cutting through sheath

    • Shavings from sheath can also be used to start a fire

  • Overall quality and design of these knives are excellent

  • Very reasonably price

    • Great value

Different Morakniv Models

There are many different types of Moraknivs to consider.  These are the 4 most popular types for bushcraft use. 

Which Mora to Choose?

• The Companion is excellent and will fit the needs of 95% of users

  • For under $20, this is hard to beat (except when battoning) 

  • Stainless Steel blade option doesn't rust and is better for most Scouts

• The Companion HD is a nice upgrade

  • Blade is same thickness as higher end Moras 

• Both the Companion and the Companion HD need their spine ground sharp

  • Easy to do with sandpaper or rough sharpening stone

  • This allows for tinder processing and firerod striking

• The Bushcraft and Gerberg are ready to go out of the box, but is more knife than most Scouts will ever need

Note: Ragnar was an Eagle Scout and used to sell knives in bulk to Scout Units prior to passing ($10 for Companions)

Morakniv Blade Material

Morakniv offers most bushcraft knife blades in either Sandvik 12C27 Stainless Steel or UHB-20C Carbon Steel.  Both have their perks and both require maintenance.

Uddeholm UHB-20C Carbon Steel

• Hardened to HRC 58-60

• Holds edge better

  • Stays sharper longer

  • Easy to sharpen and keep razor sharp

• Will rust if not maintained

  • Particularly true in Hot and Wet environments

  • Use in Pacific Northwest and on Canoe trips requires special care

  • Requires more care to keep clean and dry

• Spine can be used for Flint and Steel Fire Starting

• Forms a patina over time which provides some resistance to corrosion 

Sandvik 12C27 Stainless Steel

• Hardened to HRC 56-58

• Difficult to maintain razor edge

  • "Softer" metal dulls easier and quicker

  • Takes longer to resharpen

  • Requires more sharpening

• Does not rust

  • Advantage in Jungle and Canoe trips

For Scouts, Stainless Steel is less problematic as they often take poor care of equipment.  For more experienced scouts, the carbon steel has a better edge and rust is generally just cosmetic and easily removed with vinegar. 

Morakniv Shortcomings

The majority of Morakniv knives are made for the general public with a nice compromise that allows for affordability and utility.  You get a lot for your money.  

Here is where other knives may be better than a basic Morakniv Companion (cost aside):

• Morakniv Companion has a thin blade for Bushcrafting purposes 

  • The 2.0mm thick blade works fine but thicker is preferred for most bushcraft tasks

  • Note that thinner blades may be preferred for finer wood work and food processing

  • The Companion HD, Bushcraft and Garberg have a 3.2mm thick blade, which is about the minimum size for a great bushcrafting knife

• Unfinished, unmachined spine

  • The Companion and Companion HD have a rounded spine - lacks the ability to use ferrorod or process fuels via spine scraping

  • This can and should be ground sharp, but it would be nice if it came that way

  • Bushcraft and Garberg have sharpened spines

• Partial Tang

  • Most Morakniv knives have a partial tang

  • Partial tang blades are more likely to break after repeated batoning

  • Hard batoning from the end of the handle will eventually damage the handle

  • Garberg comes with full tang blade

• Blade Metal

  • Mora uses UHB-20C (similar to 1095) - very acceptable steel for blade

  • Other options are available with better, worse or otherwise different property profiles (sharper, tougher, harder, etc.) 

• Finish

  • Quality finish is fine on most Morakniv blades

  • Edge can be resharpened if you feel the need

  • Other high end knives will come with a better blade finish

The Morakniv line of knives are more than enough of a knife for most survival situations or for Scouts and the price is exceptional.  Other knives are available if you have extra money to spend and need a knife for finer cutting, can take more abuse or for some other function.