I dont know if many on this forum think about this but when ever I head out into the woods, besides making firesticks, building shelter, or food prep I always think of my knife as backup defense against all of the mangy creatures that would seek to do me or my wife and children harm
whether 2 or 4 legged. I have decided to get a Mora (meaning the plastic handled variety
Craftsman, Clipper, etc.) because of all of the opinions on this forum but I was a little concerned if this thin bladed knife would be of any value in this defensive capacity. Now I know that any sharp pointy object can serve in a defensive role but this doesnt mean that you would stake your life on it. I am worried that if faced with a mountain lion attack or any other threat that the Mora blade would break too easily and thus be worthless. I am just looking for honest outdoorsy type opinions of the Mora in this backup role not advice on tactical knives to carry in the woods. I have plenty of knives that would serve that purpose, ie Crewman, AFSK, Recon Tanto, etc. but I am really interested in what you all think about something like the Clipper or Craftsman.
Let's take one step at a time. The Mora's are good for cutting sausage so, they are good for cutting through meat. I would find it very interesting if either a Craftsman or a Clipper was to break due to the fact that they were used for stadding or cutting up a person. So, for human beings, I believe you are on the safe side with either model PROVIDED you have the knowledge and the will to use them properly, i.e. you have received adequate training plus you have reached the mental stage at which you won't have a problem using a knife on human beings.
With mountain lions I would say forget it. Why? First of all you won't know the mountain lion is there until its teeth are deep in your neck / throat and by then you will be already on your way to heaven. But, let's just say that you see it and you are cornerned. I am telling you that there is no way under this sun you will stop it with such a knife. I would say that the absolute minimum you will need will ba a Ka-bar. If you ever use a knife on anything living you will see that even in case you cut it really deep the reaction remains for quite some time to be able to harm you or even kill you. A mountain lion possesses strength that goes far and beyond what we humans know. Even if you either cut it or stab it, unless you use a large bowie knife and the hit is very well placed, it will cut you up before you know it. The speed at which a mountain lion will perform its attack is such that you won't even see it coming and while even if it is hurt it will fight you back, if you are cut by its claws you will most likely pass out due to severe bleeding.
As for brown bear, I think it's better if we just skip this issue since I really believe your chances are absolutely
ZERO if you are armed with any Mora against them.
In case you cannot carry a firearm, I suggest you go with either a quality bowie knife properly made to be used even for backslashing or with a through hardened SWAMP RAT BATTLE RAT. I asked a knife maker to make me a bowie knife in its simplest original form and provided him with its characteristics. Now, I think that if you hit any animal (at least up to 400 lbs.) be it either 2 or 4-legged with this beauty even once, it will die before it knows it. BUT, this means that you will be given the time to acurately perform the hit. I also have three SWAMP RAT BATTLE RAT's that are equipped with the Penetrator Tip. Very fast in the hand, extremely sharp and capable of going through the thickest hide as if it's not there.
Then again about 2 years ago I read, I think in Knives Illustrated magazine, a story about someone who managed to kill a black bear with his Buck 110. The guy, in his 60's, was out deer hunting and when he hit the deer wanted to skin it. So, he put down his rifle, took out his folder and reached for the dead animal. This is when he realized he had a "company" and his only weapon at hand was his Buck 110. In the battle that followed the bear mangled him really ugly but he managed to hit it in the throat and sever the carotid artery. Now, would you say that a Buck 110 is a knife suitable for bear defence?