Mora companion vs Mora 511

C

Chapp

Joined
Mar 28, 2018
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Which one do you prefer ? I've used the search function and from what I can grasp, the two have rarely been compared on the forum.
 
If I were to pick one up, I’d probably lean towards the 511. More of an aesthetic choice rather than function really. I’m already quite happy with my Kansbol, Eldris, and Bushcraft black haha. Heck, I kinda want a 511 Robust now.

Going by conventional wisdom, the Companion is the more camping-oriented of the two while the 511 is the more utility-oriented. Former is marketed towards outdoor guys while the latter is more for construction or crafting guys. The Companion has that nice rounded handle for bushcrafty activities while the 511 has that finger guard for extra safety. To be completely honest though, there’s plenty of overlap here that you can get away with using either knife for any reasonable cutting task.

Heck, get ‘em both lol.
 
I'd go for the companion, personally- I've got no experience with the 511, but I really do think they nailed ergonomics on the companion.
There's also a certain amount of bragging about the Companion's tang being a 3/4 tang that I don't hear about the 511, which leads me to believe that's a feature the 511 doesn't have.

I would guess that the practical differences between the knives are next to nothing, so follow your heart.
 
511 tang:
1648644890932.png

Companion HD tang:
1648644992213.png

Keep in mind they have changed tang styles over the years, presumably for ease in automated manufacturing. I don't care for the big notches in some of the more recent knives, as it adds stress points. No problem if you're not batoning.
 
USMCPOP said:
I don't care for the big notches in some of the more recent knives, as it adds stress points. No problem if you're not batoning.
Click to expand...
For the record, you'd be correct that the notches in a tang adds points of higher stress, but we're not talking about a free-standing steel piece.
The tang is supported by the injection molded handle.
If a Mora was to fail during batoning, I would be surprised to see it fail inside the integrated handle.
 
I think a lot of weight will go into whether you prefer 3.6" blade (511) or 4.1" (Companion). The handle of the 511 is more neutral, but the Companion's handle isn't that far off from neutral.

USMCPOP said:
511 tang:
View attachment 1779661

Companion HD tang:
View attachment 1779664

Keep in mind they have changed tang styles over the years, presumably for ease in automated manufacturing. I don't care for the big notches in some of the more recent knives, as it adds stress points. No problem if you're not batoning.
Click to expand...
I think the notches are to adjust the balance of the knife and add some mechanical "grip" to ensure the handle can't slip off. I also question whether you'd be able to tell if the the end of the tang cracked inside the molded handle, rather than closer to the blade.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
I think the notches are to adjust the balance of the knife and add some mechanical "grip" to ensure the handle can't slip off.
Click to expand...
100% they're there for tang-handle connection. I doubt Mora is fine-tuning the center of gravity of the knife by fractions of an ounce, particularly when blade length plays such a large role in that.
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
I also question whether you'd be able to tell if the the end of the tang cracked inside the molded handle, rather than closer to the blade.
Click to expand...
per my earlier post, I don't think a mora would ever break inside the handle. The steel tang is supported by the plastic.

Edited to add: here's a guy who broke a Mora, and it failed at the blade.
 
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EngrSorenson said:
100% they're there for tang-handle connection. I doubt Mora is fine-tuning the center of gravity of the knife by fractions of an ounce, particularly when blade length plays such a large role in that.

per my earlier post, I don't think a mora would ever break inside the handle. The steel tang is supported by the plastic.
Click to expand...
The design of the 511 tang looks more convoluted than necessary for just mechanical connection purposes, but it's speculation either way.
I agree that the failure would most likely be on the unsupported part of the blade. My point was that, even if you did manage to break the tang inside the handle, how would you know?
 
To be perfectly candid, we're talking about one of the best deals for the money in the knife world. You can order them right both right now for under $25 (minus whatever shipping would be from whoever of the Bladeforums supporting dealers you go with!) combined.

I'd buy 'em both and test them out, worst case, you throw the loser in a glovebox, or camping bag.
 
I prefer the companions handle shape and slightly longer blade personally. But I find both knives to be a fantastic deal for the price!
 
EngrSorenson said:
For the record, you'd be correct that the notches in a tang adds points of higher stress, but we're not talking about a free-standing steel piece.
The tang is supported by the injection molded handle.
If a Mora was to fail during batoning, I would be surprised to see it fail inside the integrated handle.
Click to expand...
The red one did fail, though I don't know what kind of abuse it took. Interesting break line.
1648656898172.png
 
USMCPOP said:
The red one did fail, though I don't know what kind of abuse it took. Interesting break line.
View attachment 1779859
Click to expand...
Interesting break for sure- I'm guessing the crack initiated at the top side, as that's where the stress would concentrate and ended at the bottom.
From the looks of it I'm guessing it was a torsional force that was being applied when that tang broke.

Was it broken during the removal of the handle? it looks like someone cut through the top side of the handle, then pounded a screwdriver in, marring the metal, and then twisted it to snap of the rest of the handle.
That twisting motion could have easily broken that tang like that.
 
Companion for comfort, 511 for price. I think the Bahco Carpenter’s knife comes in a little cheaper than the 511, while approaching the Companion for comfort. As pointed out above, the best handle is shared by Kansbøl/2000/Garberg/Eldris.

Somehow, I have an abiding fondness for the 510 Allround, which used to be the least expensive Mora, and is still the most basic.
 
I looked at the 511 and bought a Companion. I like the 4 inch blade. It is about the perfect length and there are many people who beat the snot out of their Companions without issue.
 
My take in Mora's lineup is that unless you choose two totally opossite knives (say a Companion VS Eldris, or jump from a laminated to stainless to carbon blade)... they all pretty much perform the same, as they share the scandi grind. I guess it comes to personal prefference about the handle.

Choose whichever you feel more comfortable with.

Mikel
 
I'd take the Companion over the 511, because it gives you a bit more blade, but for the price you might as well get both. For just a little more you can get the Heavy Duty Companion, which is as much or more knife than most people will actually ever need.
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
The design of the 511 tang looks more convoluted than necessary for just mechanical connection purposes, but it's speculation either way.
Click to expand...
Just figured I'd follow up- I wrote this email to the folks over at Mora:
Hello,

First, a sincere thank you for your great product- I wish you the greatest continued success.
Second, a question has come up on a knife forum, for which there was much speculation, but I was hoping you could answer definitively.
What is the purpose of the notches in the tang of the injection molded knives, such as the 511 basic or the Companion?

Thank you for your time,
Click to expand...

Mora took the time to respond, which I think is pretty great for a company pumping out sub 100 dollar knives:
Hi Daniel,

The notches on the tang are intended for indexing (position) and fixation in different tools and blade carriers in the production. They also help to fix the blade in the handle after moulding.

Vänliga hälsningar / Best regards,

Thomas Eriksson
Product Specialist Morakniv®
Click to expand...
 
Also, USMCPOP, any follow up on this? I really want to know more about this break.

USMCPOP said:
The red one did fail, though I don't know what kind of abuse it took. Interesting break line.
View attachment 1779859
Click to expand...

EngrSorenson said:
Interesting break for sure- I'm guessing the crack initiated at the top side, as that's where the stress would concentrate and ended at the bottom.
From the looks of it I'm guessing it was a torsional force that was being applied when that tang broke.

Was it broken during the removal of the handle? it looks like someone cut through the top side of the handle, then pounded a screwdriver in, marring the metal, and then twisted it to snap of the rest of the handle.
That twisting motion could have easily broken that tang like that.
Click to expand...
 
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