Knife enthusiasts know praise the Mora (Morakniv in Swedish) knives a lot for their robust and reliable outdoor performance. These renowned knives are commonly used by builders as a do-it-all knife, to being used as a capable everyday carry knife by the Swedish military – and there much more.
Mora knives are exceptional in the outdoors as they feature full-tang, resistant, and sturdy constructions (some even come with fire starters), there isn’t much you can’t do with a Mora knife. In this guide, we’re going to take a deeper look at some of the best Mora knife options on the market and for the money.
We’ll guide you through what to look for, where to find it, and how to make every dollar you spend count! If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and want an efficient and capable knife by your side, the Mora might be perfect for you. Additionally, they’re affordable and can last for years when you treat them right. Let’s take a look!
Top 7 Best Mora Knife Reviews in 2023
We’ve scoured the internet and gone through countless options to bring you this list. Each knife has been chosen carefully for the balance it has between price, performance, durability, and functionality. We’ve crafted this list to reach a wide range of needs, without wasting your time or your money.
If you’re after a great value deal, you’ll find something here that reflects that. If you’re not on a tight budget and care about premium quality, you’ll also find what you’re looking for. By the end of this guide, you should be able to tell what kind of value you can expect at different price points, what are the common features of a Mora knife, and even which type would best suit you.
You’ll have the knowledge and the options you need to make the best choice possible for your budget. And hopefully, you will end up with a Mora knife that you keep around for years to come! Let’s go!
Morakniv Companion Outdoor Knife
To kick this review, here’s one of the all-time most popular Mora knives – the Companion knife. Users revere these knives when it comes to outdoor and even tactical use. They’re widely used in the Swedish military and represent a healthy balance between power, ruggedness, and portability.
You’re getting a 4.1” blade that’s made from high-grade Sandvik steel. This slightly harder steel holds an excellent edge and can be sharpened to cut like a razor. This Companion model has a powerful and sturdy tip that’s well-suited to puncturing and stabbing – hence its tactical prowess.
The tip sits only slightly below the spine, so it’s intuitive and carries well. Moreover, we love the cutting edges on the Companion model. They’re long and exceptionally sharp. The cutting edge is very straight from the base of the blade. Then it curves up quite steeply to meet the higher tip.
This curve helps the tip pierce better and gives the knife more sturdiness thanks to the added thickness. One of the key features of the Companion model is the large and ergonomic handle. It’s easy to hold in multiple grips and with either hand. If you’re using this knife tactically, reverse grips are exceptionally comfortable and give you full control over the blade.
You don’t need to worry about the knife slipping or twisting in your grip thanks to its non-slip texture and material. Overall, this Companion model with Sandvik steel is one of the best Mora knife options on the market. It also comes with a sturdy and subtle sheath to further protect the knife from corrosion and basic wear.
- The belt clip on the sheath works excellently
- Powerful tip for piercing
- Long and straight cutting edge
- Sandvik steel holds an excellent edge without being too brittle
- Polymer sheaths aren’t that great in the long run
- Sheath only holds the knife via friction which can be a little unreliable
Morakniv Fixed Blade Companion Knife
Quite similar to the previous Companion knife, this knife uses different steel for the blade. The carbon steel used here is rated at a staggering HRC 61 which is quite something for a survival/tactical knife. It means you can put a wicked edge on the knife and have excellent edge retention, but the drawback is that the cutting edge can be a little brittle if you don’t take good care of it.
Thankfully, the design of the blade and its taller overall profile go a long way to make up for the more brittle steel. It has a rounded belly and a higher tip to keep the blade balanced and proficient at cuttings. You’ll find the patterned and textured handle to be comfortable and slip-resistant.
It’s excellent for use with reverse and standard grips, as well as ambidextrously. This is important for a survival knife as you never know what situation you’ll need the knife in. The only drawback of the sheath is the polymer material used. It’s not too durable in the long run and discolors rather quickly. Aside from this, the sheath is very sturdy and well-fitted.
The combination of the sheath and high-carbon steel gives this knife some of the highest corrosion resistance and some of the best edge retentions at this price point. Overall, you’re getting probably the best price on a Mora knife with this level of resistance and cutting power – so it’s worth paying attention to!
- Exceptional edge retention
- Comes sharp right out the box
- Very corrosion and rust-resistant
- Textured handle is versatile and ergonomic
- Hard steel is tougher to sharpen and is a little more prone to chipping
- The sheath isn’t very durable in the long run
Morakniv Heavy Duty Companion Knife
Here’s a heavy-duty cutter made from hardened carbon steel. Similar to the previous knife, this one uses HRC 61 carbon steel, though the blade is a little thicker and more durable. You’re still getting the same 4.1” blade with a slightly steeper grind to offset the slightly more brittle steel. You’ll find this knife handles cutting super-efficiently due to its sharp edge and thicker profile.
We loved the extra-large ergonomic handle and how comfortably it sits in your hand despite the added size. This is exactly what you want on a heavy-duty fixed blade knife. You can get plenty of cutting power without fatiguing your hand and the handle allows for ambidextrous use. The handle is textured and uses a high-friction grip.
As a result, you don’t lose control of the knife while heavy cutting. Furthermore, the sheath has quite a tight fit that you need to get used to. It does a great job of protecting the knife from chipping and scuffing. Overall, this is one of the best Mora knife options that can handle a comfortable mix of mid-heavy duty cutting tasks!
- Serious cutting and piercing power
- The thicker blade is very robust
- High-carbon steel gives you great edge retention and resistance
- Extra-large ergonomic handle
- The sheath fits a little too tight and takes time to get used to
- Tough to sharpen the blade
Morakniv Eldris Fixed-Blade Pocket Knife
If functionality is important to you, this knife is worth paying attention to. In 2016, it won numerous awards in Scandinavia for innovation, functionality, sustainability, and quality. What this means for you is that you’re getting a knife that’s been tried and tested, and still comes out on top for what it does.
Perhaps the most unique feature of this knife is the pocket size blade. At 2.2”, it’s a small blade – but don’t let that fool you – this knife is powerful. The shorter size gives you plenty of control over the exceptionally sharp tip and tons of accuracy and leverage for making quick cuts.
This cutting power combines well with the lightweight and compact design to bring you an incredibly portable and effective outdoor/ tactical knife. The 12C27 stainless steel is durable and holds a great edge. It’s very resistant to corrosion and isn’t very brittle either. We loved that the sheath includes a clock lock instead of being friction-held.
This helps make sure the knife stays secure. There’s a lanyard hole near the butt of the knife’s handle for carrying on a belt or a bag. You can also use the square-edged spine to strike a fire starter. Overall, this is one of our top picks for the best Mora knife for the money with its award-winning performance, quality, and longevity.
- Compact, lightweight, and easy to use
- Click-lock sheath is secure and robust
- The handle is large enough for big-handed users
- The square-sided spine can be used with fire starters
- The sheath is quite a bit longer than it needs to be
- Short blade size has limited functionality
Morakniv Garberg Full Tang Knife
You’re getting a larger 4.3” blade and a full-tang design. It’s quite a weighty knife, but that’s expected given the larger blade and the full-tang. 14C28N Sandvik steel is used in this knife. It’s exceptionally strong and robust steel that holds a great edge. It’s quite hard compared to other steels used in Mora knives, so you’ll need to be wary of chipping. The blade is razor-sharp and corrosion-resistant.
It’s well-balanced and handles well once you get used to the longer blade. Our favorite feature is the MOLLE compatible mount on the sheath. It can be fastened to belts, clothes, bags, vehicles, and more. The sheath clips into place over the knife and offer robust protection. You’re getting the best Mora knife with a little extra cutting power and heft – all at an excellent and affordable price point.
- Premium hefty feel
- High-quality sheath
- Large and comfortable handle
- Full-tang
- Quite bulky with the sheath on
- Not easy to sharpen
Morakniv Garberg Fixed Blade Knife
This knife is very similar to the Garberg above, except that it’s made from Carbon Steel. You’re getting a little extra steel hardness, edge retention, and sharpness. There’s an additional corrosion-resistant coating around the blade to further protect it. This is one of the most resistant Mora knives in this review.
Our favorite feature is the ergonomically shaped rubberized handle with cross-texturing to give you plenty of slip-resistance and grip strength. The full tang design and high-quality sheath make this a tough option to ignore. To sum up, this is a top-rated best Mora knife that’s made even better by an affordable price and excellent durability.
- Excellent quality sheath
- Cross-texturing on the handle
- Top-tier corrosion resistance
- Great value for money
- Quite heavy and bulky
- Tough to sharpen
Morakniv Bushcraft Survival Knife
Our final knife is an adept outdoorsman’s knife. It comes with a fire starter flint and block that’s built into the handle that can last for up to 7000 strikes. The sheath is quite bulky, though it makes up for it by being extra-robust and attractive. Additionally, the knife fits comfortably and doesn’t slip out easily.
This knife is built around functionality and longevity. It uses slightly softer steel to reduce brittleness, while still offering decent edge retention. Finally, the rubberized handle has two finger grooves. The front groove doubles as a finger guard to protect your hand during heavier cutting.
- Excellent quality sheath
- In-build fire starter kit
- Easy to sharpen and maintain
- Finger guard on the handle
- Quite expensive compared to other options in this list
- Heavy and bulky with the sheath on
How to Pick the Best Mora Knives for Your Use
Do you need a multi-purpose knife that helps with various tasks like camping, kitchen, and the likes? You need to get the best Mora knife. It would interest you to know that the Mora knife is one of the best bushcraft knives on the market.
Mora knives come at various models and prices, and sometimes, it might be difficult for you to choose the ideal mora knife for your needs. Here are some factors that help you select the best Mora knife:
Size
The size of the Mora knife is a vital consideration you need to check. Most times, the size of a Mora knife determines its use. If you are doing heavy-duty tasks during camping or other activities, you need a big Mora knife.
On the other hand, you can get a small Mora knife if you will not be doing strenuous and heavy-duty tasks. It is imperative to state that the size of a Mora knife determines its portability. Hence, if you don’t want something heavy, you can get a small-sized Mora knife that can conveniently fit into your camping gear.
Design and Build
There are various designs and builds of Mora knives, and anyone you select depends on your discretion. Some people are concerned about aesthetics, and if you fall into this category, you can get something stylish for yourself.
As touching its build, one feature you should remember to check is its handle. How does the knife feel when you hold it? Can you quickly lose your grip when you hold it? All these and more are questions that will guide you when buying a Mora knife.
Purpose
You have to know your knife’s purpose. Will you be splitting or carving wood? Will you be using it to skin animals or just regular kitchen tasks? It is necessary to mention that not all tasks can be used for the same task. Hence, you have to be sure about this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What Steel Is Used in Mora Knives?
A: There isn’t only one particular type of steel that the Morakniv company uses. They use 12C27 stainless steel, but also some carbon steel. Some of their knives also have tough carbon steel set between softer alloy steel. Moreover, they also use Triflex steel.
Q: Where Are Mora Knives Made?
A: Morakniv knives are traditionally made in Mora, Sweden. More specifically, they’re made in a village named Östnor.
Final Thoughts
That’s it! You should have quite a good idea of what you’re looking for now. You should also have a keen sense of the kind of value and features you can expect at different price points and across different Mora knives.
All that’s left to do is to write down 3-5 features you need in your next knife. So use that list as a foundation, along with everything you’ve learned in this guide – and you’ll be well on the path to getting the best Mora knife for you!