Mora Companion: Heavy duty or Regular?

Centurian22 · Jun 29, 2014

Hey all! I'm looking at the Morakniv Companion, high carbon, regular (0.10" wide blade) or heavy duty (0.125" wide blade) both 4.1" long. Mostly will be used for skinning / processing deer but also will be my fire starting, emergency, woods knife as well. Thoughts?

Regular: Morakniv Companion Fixed Blade Outdoor Knife with Sandvik Carbon Steel Blade, Military Green, 4.1-Inch by Morakniv http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TNWD40/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_cPeStb08JF9GX

Heavy duty: Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty Knife with Sandvik Carbon Steel Blade, 0.125/4.1-Inch by Morakniv http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NZVZ3E/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_RPeStb0YDHNKY

At 4.1" I don't expect to baton this knife, I like things tough and overbuilt even though I am very cautious with my gear. Will there be any major downfall to the heavy duty blade in terms of cutting, edge, skinning or processing deer?

Thanks!

Sam Cade · Jun 29, 2014

Centurian22 said:
. Will there be any major downfall to the heavy duty blade in terms of cutting, edge, skinning or processing deer?

Yes and no. For general utility use there isn't much difference.

When making deep cuts or slices the added thickness is going to have a pretty serious negative effect on cutting efficiency.

Brief thoughts on the Mora HD/Robust with lots of pictures comparing the two here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=747127&highlight=mora

Me said:
A HD/Robust Mora doesn't so much slice an apple as beat it into submission, despite being hair-poppin', mono-molecular edge sharp.

jerkface11 · Jun 29, 2014

At that price point you could get both and still come in under $30.

Centurian22 · Jun 29, 2014

Awesome pictures and review, Thanks! Were it only up to me, at that price I would certainly purchase both. However as it is I will probably catch 'flack' from the wife for spending money on 'another knife I don't need' but these just seem too good to pass up. I just want to make the right call the first time so I don't have to explain why I need yet another.

I guess I need to narrow down what I am more likely to need / appreciate: the thicker durability of the HD or the better cutting / slicing of the standard. I believe it will likely be the standard. I can always go thick on a longer blade for batoning.

Thanks again

Yo Mama · Jun 29, 2014

You'll love the Mora. It's my go to outdoors thrash on and don't care blade. I'd recommend going with the Companion. It is stainless instead of the carbon, but Mora does stainless so perfectly.

I got it for my kid, her first blade, but I've been using it so much more than her:

Mp7 · Jun 30, 2014

I keep a stainless Companion in the car at all times.

Could not be happier. Serves as the don't-care-cut-shizzle knife,
and also comes into play, when outdoor BBQs take place and other
people have what i call "edged spoons" in their toolbox.

..... on the other hand:
The cold steel pocket Bushman is a good choice, too

(I keep at least a dozen blades in my Campervan at all times. Half of them
are Scandi style blades

)

Centurian22 · Jun 30, 2014

The companion and companion heavy duty are available in both stainless and carbon/high carbon blades. I have stainless knives and really want to try a high carbon. Glad to hear so many people are so happy with theirs.

GLOOB · Jun 30, 2014

A lot of the drawbacks with the scandi grind happen in the first few tenths of an inch, already. To slice cardboard or thick plastic, you gotta hold a scandi grind a little more diagonal than a thinner edged knife. The thicker version is going to be similar, assuming same edge angle. Unless it's really thick plastic/cardboard, the difference won't be too much.

For skinning the HD should be pretty similar. For splitting/batonning wood, it might be significantly better. For whittling/shaving wood, it should be the same. For processing cold or frozen meat, I think the HD would be pretty darn bad. But that's just a guess, and that shouldn't be a concern.

OTOH, the only major advantage of a scandi grind is for shaving wood and maybe for splitting wood with a baton. If there's any other great thing about it, I'm unaware. Well, I suppose you can add ease of sharpening for some folks. I generally prefer my hair popping, mono-molecular, super sharp edges to have less meat behind them.

Deltaboy1984 · Jul 4, 2014

I got 2 of the regular ones with red handles and the are in my cars and in my work Pac. I am going to get some stainless ones to use in the Kitchen.

Dirty Bob · Jul 11, 2014

I'd go with a stainless Companion. Great knives: I have a few.

Could I also suggest at least looking at the Svord Peasant Knife? It's just about my favorite utility folder. That broad, thin, flat-ground blade slices like crazy. I've travelled all over Europe with one in my checked luggage. Light, non-threatening, inexpensive and useful. It's also easy to take completely apart for cleaning after it's covered with blood, fish guts, etc.

Back to the Moras: the thinner blades -- carbon or stainless -- are a solid choice in a hunting/outdoors blade. I carry a lightweight saw for bigger jobs. If I need to chop, I bring an ax or hatchet with me. I also like compact pry bars, so I'm not tempted to abuse my knives.

All my best,
Dirty Bob

dullone · Jul 11, 2014

I'd suggest you also look at Hultafors knives. They come from a 130 year old Swedish company. Hard to find (if neigh on impossible) here in the states. I buy on flea bay from an English source. $11 to $16 depending on style/blade material w/free shipping.
I much prefer Hultafors sheaths to Mora's. YMMV

Sam Cade · Jul 11, 2014

dullone said:
Hard to find (if neigh on impossible) here in the states.

A vendor on Amazon has them.

$13 and free shipping from the UK.

http://www.amazon.com/Hultafors-380020-GK-Handle-Sheath/dp/B004O9MIE4

dullone · Jul 11, 2014

A vendor on Amazon has them.

Same company I buy from on flea bay, slightly less on flea bay.

Centurian22 · Jul 12, 2014

Awesome suggestions thanks! I'll look into those other knives before placing an order. Heck at the price I may just sneak in an order for all of them, then give away the ones that don't make the top cuts as stocking stuffers or something.

Deltaboy1984 · Jul 14, 2014

I got all mine off Amazon.

joneb · Jul 16, 2014

I think the thicker blade would be good for splitting, I am thinking of this for a back up dive knife http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Bush...UTF8&qid=1405471676&sr=8-21&keywords=morakniv or this http://www.amazon.com/Morakniv-Comp...UTF8&qid=1405488113&sr=8-45&keywords=morakniv not sure how well they will hold up to salt water?

Sam Cade · Jul 16, 2014

joneb said:
not sure how well they will hold up to salt water?

12C27 rust resistance is very good..but it will rust eventually if not maintained.

I think the retention on the might leave something to be desired for dive knife.

hso · Jul 16, 2014

Wonder how that would perform with a full height convex grind applied? Hmmmmmm.

Sam Cade · Jul 16, 2014

hso said:
Wonder how that would perform with a full height convex grind applied? Hmmmmmm.

The Hultafors GK? Much better no doubt.

Note that it isn't scandi ground. It is a low saber with secondary bevel.

joneb · Jul 16, 2014

I don't mind the Scandi grind for a utility knife, for the money these Swedish knives are worth it. The problem is they are like rabbits, it's hard tellin how many you will have.

joneb · Jul 16, 2014

I have stainless knives and really want to try a high carbon.

This carbon steel Mora scout is a good knife,

it seems sharper than their stainless knives and holds a edge better.

GLOOB · Jul 16, 2014

Wonder how that would perform with a full height convex grind applied? Hmmmmmm.

Even the HD is kinda light for a very thick convex grind. Convex is great for chopping.

I have 7 or 8 moras, and all but the carving knives now sport a thin convex. Works great.

Centurian22 · Jul 16, 2014

Ok who wants to send me a link to school me on knife grinds? I feel like I'm being left out of a conversation in a different language lol.

joneb · Jul 16, 2014

At that price point you could get both and still come in under $30.

I agree,
I doubt these knives will get any cheaper.

Centurian22 · Jul 25, 2014

So after checking out the other knives mentioned, I ended up buying both the companion and the heavy duty companion. Just couldn't say no for the prices. I HAD planned on either giving one to a friend, or using it as my knife to practice sharpening, or something..... Well they arrived today along with my smiths 8" diamond tri-hone sharpening stone.

I.... Am...... Speachless...... These are both by far the sharpest edges I have ever felt on anything other than a fillet knife, and the reg companion rivals and out performs some fillets I've used! I can't bring myself to go anywhere near these edges with a stone. I could do nothing but destroy them! The regular companion did have a pretty rough unfinished spine. That gave me something to play with on the stones and a way to break them in. Should have taken before and after pics but I didn't. Its nice and finished / polished now.

Next up is exploring some of the natural patina ideas. I know I'll never be able to go back to stainless steel again.... What have I done, what have I done? Lol

Thanks for all the help.

Mora Companion: Heavy duty or Regular?

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