Anything similar to a Mora that's NOT a Scandi grind?

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glocker199

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Wanting to start my 8 year old son out on a general purpose fixed blade. He's had a Victorinox Classic and a small Case lock back for a couple years and has done very well with them.

For a beginner's fixed blade the Mora has many attractive qualities: CHEAP, decent steel, comfortable grip, and a low maintenance, secure sheath.

The one thing I don't like is the scandi grind. I wish they'd offer a FFG or saber grind with traditional bevel but alas they don't.

Is there anything similar out there that's not a scandi?
 
I see only one rightaway : ENZO makes a necker in scandi or FFG. I have the FFG Enzo necker and it's a very nice knife. I use it all around : kitchen, hikes, garden and so on...
 
I wish they'd just make a FFG Mora already. Their culinary knives are FFG so it's not like they can't do it. Just start with a Pro Robus blade and put a different grind on there.
 
Mora does make a FFG knife, the Mora Craftline Flex Trade Knife, a 611 variant. I keep one handy at my desk.

Then there are the Ontario Old Hickory knives and the Dexter-Russell Green River knives. It has occurred to me that these could be considered American Moras. Usually thought of as kitchen knives, but they derive from old patterns used for more general outdoor purposec. Lots of patterns, cheap, use 1095 steel. I particularly like the Dexter Russell 5-inch fish knife.

The OH 7-inch knife is often used as the basis for a homemade Kephart.

Inexpensive Ka-Bar sheaths work well for both.

E4C8C94D-531A-4DA9-921B-7F79561FD0EA.jpeg
 
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Take a look at the SOG Field Pup. They aren't expensive and would make a fine starting out blade for a young person. I wouldn't feel under knifed if that was all I had in the woods.

I just did a google search and you can get them for under $20. I personally would carry the Field Pup over a Mora.
 
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I looked at a lot of inexpensive options for knives for my seven year old daughter over the past year or so. I wanted something usable, easily replaceable ($30 or less), and easy to maintain. I carried a number of knives myself for a week or so each, and let both kids handle them in the kitchen to see how the ergonomics worked. I ended up giving my daughter a My First Victorinox for her birthday a couple months back.
View media item 3612Of the fixed blades I considered, my favorites were the A.G. Russell Woodswalker and the War Eagle Blades Pocket Skinner. Last week, while camping, I let my daughter use a Woodswalker a bit, and really liked it. It was comfortable in her hands, small enough for her to use, but big enough to do a fair bit with.
Here is the Woodswalker with a Mora and an opinel for comparison:
View media item 3426She has not really used the Pocket Skinner, but it has a home in the "kitchen essentials" camp box.

I've also been working with my 5 year old son on knife safety and usage, and he used the A.G. Russell Hunter Scalpel to whittle down a few sticks at the campsite (with very close supervision). The size worked really well for his hands. My wife likes the lock on the sheath.

The steel in these blades is good enough to get a lot done, and can lead to lots of sharpening practice, which is a good thing. :~)

I wish you luck in your search. I'm sure he'll love whatever you get him.
Enjoy
 
I mean, Mora offers the craftline flex series which is FFG, cheap (~$16), stainless, and has a sheath. Any reason you're not considering that one already?

mora_craftline_topq_flex_11902_03.jpg

81mR2vhCOyL._SL1500_.jpg


Also, the Victorinox Rabbit knife is pretty similar, just doesn't have a sheath (would have to make one).

And I like the idea of the Woodswalker. Its got a full sized handle, and a useful sized blade. Would be great for a smaller kid.

Good luck with your search :).
 
ocnLogan said:
I mean, Mora offers the craftline flex series which is FFG, cheap (~$16), stainless, and has a sheath. Any reason you're not considering that one already?

mora_craftline_topq_flex_11902_03.jpg

81mR2vhCOyL._SL1500_.jpg


Also, the Victorinox Rabbit knife is pretty similar, just doesn't have a sheath (would have to make one).

And I like the idea of the Woodswalker. Its got a full sized handle, and a useful sized blade. Would be great for a smaller kid.

Good luck with your search :).
Click to expand...

The Pro Flex is a great knife, and my go-to Mora. But I can understand it's a bit thin in the spine for a lot of folks' preferences. An FFG Pro Robust would be pretty awesome.
 
I understand 42. From the sound of the post though, it didn't sound like the OP was aware of the flex models even existing. Which, to be fair, is pretty common. Mora isn't exactly known for this model.

I've never handled one, so I can't really comment on it personally. I have read though that they are a bit thin. Also, from what I understand, even though the name is "flex", as they are slightly flexible, but its not flexible like a fillet knife.
 
Got to go with Buck knives, many styles. In particular, a 102. Or a Cold Steel Mini Pendleton hunter.
 
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