Morakniv Classic 2/0

The mora knife is a beautiful cultural legacy that us Swedes should be very proud of. The Classic series is one of my favorites with it's roots from the 1800's. The clean design and high capability of the knives is hard to beat when it comes to everyday use both in the woods and inside the city. If you'd like to read more about the Morakniv history I'd like to recommend you to take a look at one of my earlier magazine articles by clicking HERE.

The Little Guy
The 2/0 is the smallest of the Classic knives (this article was written 2016). Basically it's a miniature of the regular Classic 1. The Classic 2/0's 75 mm long carbon blade is delivered with a black plastic sheath perfect for neck carrying, just add a piece of para cord and hang the knife around your neck. Usually though I carry my Classic 2/0 in the leather sheath that comes with the Morakniv Original 1. The 2/0 is a small knife but you can do big stuff with it. Sometimes I miss the bigger sized handle of the older 2/0 knives delivered from KJ Eriksson up until 2005. These older handles were more compatible to the slöjdknivar offered by Morakniv today. Below you also can see some pics of one of these older more chubby knives I've restored and made a leather sheath to. It's a KJ No.1241 Electricians Knife with a more clip point shaped blade.

A modern 2/0 with the plastic sheath it comes with.

A modern 2/0 in the leather sheath that comes with the model Original 1.

Older No.1241(top) and modern 2/0 (bottom).

A older No.1241 I've restored and made my own leather sheath to.

Small Knife, Big Tasks
I like proving to myself that a small knife absolutely also can do a big knives job. I'm of the believe that the most important feature of a knife is the hand holding it. And with that philosophy the Classic 2/0 is the perfect example. The humble specs of this knife doesn't seem much but the tasks you can execute with it is impressive. Combine this knife with a good axe and you got a perfect bushcraft set. Therefore the Morakniv Classic 2/0 has become one of my most used mora knives.

Specs
Manufacturer: Morakniv AB, production in Mora Dalarna Sweden
Model: Classic 2/0
Blade material: Carbon steel C100, 58-60 HRC
Blade thickness: 2,5 mm
Blade length: 75 mm
Blade width: 15,7 mm
Edge profile: Scandi Grind with a 23° angle
Knife length: 168 mm
Handle material: Birch colored red
Handle thickness: 19,4 mm
Sheath: Black plastic. I use the leather sheath that comes with the Classic Original 1
Knife weight: 43 g
Total weight (knife and sheath): 52 g (plastic), 67 g (leather)
Price: 150 SEK (Sweden 2016)

Welcome to visit Jonas Vildmark Bushcraftcenter's bushcraft boutique by clicking HERE.

Other post I've published about Morakniv's products you can find by clicking HERE.

Welcome to Jonas Vildmark Bushcraftcenter, we offer classes in  Bushcraft - Survival - Jägarexamen and Motorsågskörkort.


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Morakniv Classic Original 1

History
The history of the mora knife goes back to the iron age and the era of the Vikings. Archaeological findings indicates processing of iron in the area of Ovansiljan around this time. Since then the craftsmanship and skills of the tool smiths has been carried on from generation to generation. The knife culture grow strong around the village of Östnor in Mora Dalarna Sweden. Here Frost-Erik Ernström founded the Frost Knife Factory in 1891. This got to be the foundation of what we today know as Morakniv AB. Around that time several manufacturers in the area produced mora knives. In 1912 Eriksson & Mattsson's Knife Factory was founded by Krång-Johan Eriksson and Lok-Anders Mattsson. This company later turned into the brand KJ Eriksson AB. By the 1920's the handle of the popular mora knife got it's red color and during the second half of the 1900's plastic revolutionized the industries enabling new design possibilities. As a result of this we also got the well known mora knives of the 80's using rubber and plastic in the handles. In 2005 KJ Eriksson and Frosts Knivfabrik merged and created the brand Mora of Sweden. Today the company offer cutting products via the two brands; Morakniv and Frosts where Morakniv is handling the crafting tools and outdoor products and Frosts deliver tools designed for the food industry. This year (2016) Morakniv celibates their 125th anniversary by changing their company name into Morakniv AB.

Classic Original 1
As a natural tribute to the old school mora knives Morakniv today offer the model named Original 1. This knife is a part of the Classic series and the difference compared to the other knives in the classic lineup is the Original 1's non colored birch handle and the 2,8 mm thick laminated carbon blade steel. The knife has a long tang fixed inside the cylindrical handle by friction and a tube pin seen on the back of the handle. The Scani Grind edge profile has an angle of 23 degrees.

The Sheaths
For this knife two different sheaths are offered from the factory. One Vulcan fiber sheath offered in the package Classic Original 1 (Art.No.11011), and the leather sheath offered under the name Morakniv Original 1 (Art.No.11934). I have both sheaths and I choose the Vulcan version when carrying the Original 1. The leather sheath I think are more appropriate when carrying the smaller Classic 2/0. The reason I do this is that I've seen a tendency of the Original 1's long and sharp blade cutting through the leather sheath not using a plastic inlay. I love both sheaths and they are perfect for two of my favorite mora knives.

Well Tested Original
The Classic Original 1 is one of the Morakniv knife models I use most frequently. It's perfect for hiking the woods or just sitting carving by the cabin fire. The Original 1 is well balanced, however if I could wish for it; I'd like a thicker and a bit longer handle (like the handle on the Morakniv Slöjdkniv 120). The knive's capacity, design and history is very appealing. The mora knife has passed the test of time through history and the humble knife from Dalarna Sweden is today loved all over the world. Morakniv is a part of us and this is something we Swedes should be very proud of.

If you'd like to read more about the Morakniv history I'd like to recommend you to take a look at one of my earlier magazine articles by clicking HERE. Other post I've published about Morakniv's products you can find by clicking HERE.

Specs
Manufacturer: Morakniv AB, Swedish company with production in Mora Dalarna Sweden
Model: Classic Original 1, Art.No.11011
Blade material: Laminated carbon steel, AISI O1, 1% carbon in the core, 58-60 HRC
Blade thickness: 2,8 mm
Blade length: 99 mm
Blade width: 17,6 mm
Edge profile: Scandi Grind with an 23° angle
Knife length: 199 mm
Handle material: Birch
Handle thickness: 20 mm
Sheath: Vulcan fiber or leather
Knife weight: 64 g
Total weight (knife and sheath): 84 g (Vulcan fiber), 84 g (leather)
Price: 439 SEK (Sweden 2016)

Welcome to Jonas Vildmark Bushcraftcenter, we offer classes in  Bushcraft - Survival - Jägarexamen and Motorsågskörkort.

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Morakniv Craftline HighQ Allround

From Wood to Plastic - Living Culture
The mora knife is a Swedish cultural treasure. I love the Classic series with their heritage from the 1800's. The clean and functional design offers a outstanding knife and a peace of art. The Classic models feature a wooden handle offering a good grip, but when in very wet and greasy conditions the more resent mora knife models with rubber handles is the way to go. One of my favorites in the plastic category is the Morakniv Craftline HighQ Allround. This knife is together with the Companion the successor of the Clipper model. Although the "Clipper/Craftline/Companion handle" isn't symmetric shaped it offers a very comfortable carving knife as well ast the good grip and hygiene offers a great hunting knife. The biggest difference within the "Clipper/Craftline/Companion family" is the shape of the tang and the thickness of the blades. Craftline and Companion feature a long tang and the Clipper used a short tang.

Top down; Clipper 840, Craftline HighQ Allround, Companion and Companion Heavy Duty.

Craftline HighQ Allround
Unfortunately this great knife is being discontinued as we speak. If you're lucky you still can find the Craftline in some stores. Instead the Companion, the Basic and the Pro has entered the stage.
Craftline HighQ Allround Knife feature a extra thin, short and narrow blade offering great handling. I  also like the grey and red rubber and plastic handle. The black and blue stainless steel version Craftline TopQ Allround feature a longer and wider blade. These knives was designed first hand with the carpenter and the plummer in mind. But the Craftline series and especially the HighQ has become the favorite of many bushcrafters all over the world.

A True All Rounder
The Craftline knives absolutely live up to their name; they are truly all rounders. Although the modern trend of thicker blades and wider tangs I'd like to underline the efficiency of the HighQ's slim specs. But if you don't trust the Craftline knives for batoning perhaps you should look more to the
Companion Heavy Duty or the Morakniv Bushcraft Black. So far I've put the Craftline HighQ Allround through most tasks without having the knife failing me once.

If you'd like to read more about the Morakniv history I'd like to recommend you to take a look at one of my earlier magazine articles by clicking HERE. Other post I've published about Morakniv's products you can find by clicking HERE.

Specs
Manufacturer: Morakniv AB, Production in Mora Dalarna Sweden
Model: Craftline HighQ Allround Knife
Blade material: Carbon C100, 58-60 HRC
Blade thickness: 2 mm
Blade length: 93 mm
Blade width: 17,7 mm
Edge profile: Scandi Grind with a 23° angle
Knife length: 212 mm
Handle material: Red plastic and grey rubber
Handle thickness: 20,6 mm
Sheath: Gray plastic
Knife weight: 73 g
Total weight (knife and sheath): 107 g
Price: 60 SEK (Sweden 2015)

Welcome to Jonas Vildmark Bushcraftcenter, we offer classes in  Bushcraft - Survival - Jägarexamen and Motorsågskörkort.

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Morakniv Basic - Modified

Always a challenge for the human mind when a old knife line needs to make way for a new one. When I've gotten used to a particular knife model it's easy to get a bit grumpy when the favorite needs to leave the center stage. Like when the Morakniv Craftline HighQ Allround was replaced by the Morakniv Basic 511 in 2015. But after stashing up on my old Craftline favorite I trowed myself at the new models for some curious field testing. And behold; I turned out to find a new favorite.

From the top; Basic 511, Basic 546, Pro C, Pro S and Robust

The Basic/Pro Series
The knives I call the Basic/Pro Series are; Basic 511 (carbon), Basic 546 (stainless), Pro C (carbon), Pro S (stainless), Robust (thick carbon), Rope (serrated stainless) together with four other crafting knife models. The new plastic handle fits my hand very nice and the Pro version also includes rubber inlays for higher friction. I truly appreciate that Morakniv based the new handle's design on the traditional symmetric cylindrical shape as it's that exact feature together with a slim Scandi grind blade that makes the mora knife an outstanding carver. I also want to thank Morakniv for beefing up the handle specs. To the cylindrical shaped new handle a finger guard and a pommel are added. This original handle is truly nice and safe to handle. But personally I prefer the hardcore cylinder shape without any asymmetric additional shapes. Therefore I've modified my Morakniv Basic 511 by carving away the protruding shapes in an attempt to create a high tec old school inspired mora knife.

An old favorite carving a new one.

In the pic above you can see the nice handle size of my modified Basic, compared to a old school mora knife.

As the original plastic sheath doesn't fit after the modification I made my own leather sheath.

So with simple means I now have a very competent and personal new favorite. I'm looking forward having the pleasure of wearing out this 40 SEK custom knife in good times and in bad times... For many years to come.

To see my other posts on Morakniven; please click HERE.

Specs
Manufacturer: Morakniv AB, with production in Mora Sweden
Model: Basic 511 (carbon) and Basic 546 (stainless)
Blade material: Carbon C100, HRC 58-60 (511) or Stainless 12C27 Sandvik, HRC 56-58 (546)
Blade length: 89 mm (511), 91 mm (546)
Blade thickness: 2,1 mm (511), 2 mm (546)
Blade width: 19 mm
Edge profile: Scandi grind, 23°
Handle material: Red plastic (511), Blue plastic (546)
Handle thickness: 21,9 mm
Knife length: 206 mm (511), 208 mm (546)
Knife weight: 78 g (511), 77 g (546), 75 g (Jonas modification)
Sheath: Gry plastic (original), Leather (Jonas modification)
Total weight (knife and sheath): 111 g (511 original), 108 g (546), 146 g (Jonas modification)
Price: 40 SEK (511), 50 SEK (546) (Sweden 2016)

Welcome to Jonas Vildmark Bushcraftcenter, we offer classes in  Bushcraft - Survival - Jägarexamen and Motorsågskörkort.

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