Suggestion for a Mora blade for project

J

jmflem

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Feb 1, 2014
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So, recently I've been inspired to make another handle for a Mora blank. I need to get me a blade, but I'm not sure which one to go with (carbon, stainless, laminated, etc.). Also, I possibly might put a secondary bevel on it (I know, this might sound like a sin to some, but for me personally it'd work best. I don't have any nice hand sharpening stones, and don't want to spend the money on them. I have a Spyderco sharpmaker, and giving the knife a secondary bevel would allow me to sharpen it with that).

This is the plan:

10384734_480701442076290_7409289500528149268_n.jpg




That shows a Heavy Duty blade, though the Companion has the same shape just thinner spine. I could buy a Companion in either stainless or carbon (or Heavy Duty with a thicker spine in carbon), but would have to rip the blade out of from the handle. I could also just buy a laminated blank, which doesn't have a handle at all, and it also has a similar blade shape.

So, which would you recommend. I like the idea of the stainless since I'd like to keep it more of a pretty knife rather than a real user. Also, what are the advantages of the laminated blade?

Thanks guys :thumbup:
 
The classic blade is the laminated 110
They are becoming rare
Holds a very fine edge for longer than regular carbon

5302 Mora L 110
Blade length: 110 mm
Blade width: 20 mm
Blade thickness: 2,5 mm
Total: 217 mm
 
neeman said:
The classic blade is the laminated 110
They are becoming rare
Holds a very fine edge for longer than regular carbon

5302 Mora L 110
Blade length: 110 mm
Blade width: 20 mm
Blade thickness: 2,5 mm
Total: 217 mm
Click to expand...


Well I don't thinks links are allowed but I found one on eBay labeled as a No2 Laminated Blade (a Morakniv)
 
If only the #3 came in laminated or stainless.

I think the #3 would make for long graceful knife with the right handle.
 
jmflem said:
So, which would you recommend. I like the idea of the stainless since I'd like to keep it more of a pretty knife rather than a real user. Also, what are the advantages of the laminated blade?

Thanks guys :thumbup:
Click to expand...

All Mora stees are of good quality and are suitable for rehandling projects, like the one You show.

I have used both stainless and laminated on my builds and I like them.
The stainless gives a more glossy finish and is easier to maintain.

The laminated has more toughness and can be bent without breaking.
The core is harder, around Rc 60-61 and holds an edge longer than the stainless.

The pic's show a 12c27 Bushcraft Force blade in stacked leather and a laminated #311 blade in Sambar Stag.

wufn.jpg


fa9w.jpg


Regards
Mikael
 
No 1 carbon steel would be my choice. I would be tempted to get the laminated classic blade, but they are harder to find and significantly more expensive. I do not have any experience with the classic, but I know the carbon #1 cuts like lightning.

If I had any carpentry skills I would love to handle my own blanks from Morakniv. Moras are definitely my favorite knife. I am curious to see what you come up with, please post the results when you are done.
 
The last (and only one) I did was in stainless, as seen here. What's the rust resistance like on the laminated? Also, I own a Heavy Duty and quite like the blade on that (I especially like the extra heft). It's more of a beater though so its nit the nicest looking :p . Rust probably wouldn't be a problem though as long as I take care of it, so maybe I'll go with that...

1560693_402710749875360_44084108_n.jpg
 
jmflem said:
Is that a blade replacement on an old handle or did you make the handle from scratch? Cuz that looks very nice :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I made that handle out of scrapped parts from a worn-out Holmberg knife and the leatherstack from a Fällkniven Idun.
The guard and front spacers were made new.
The tang was lengthened with a treaded rod from a turnbuckle.
The rod is attached to the tang with two peened pins and I made the pinholes with a carbidetip drillbit.

If You go with the HD blade, I'm sure it will work very well!
I'm very fond of the Robust, wich is the same blade without the squared spine.


Regards
Mikael
 
Last edited:
Lamintate, high carbon and stainless blades are available in a wide range or prices and configurations from quite a few Scandinavian companies like Kankaanpaa, Helle, Lauri, Karesuando, Brusletto, Enzo and Rosselli as well as Frosts (Mora). Mora are meerly the most common - not necessarily the best choice. If you shop around there are lots of really nice blades well below $20. All feature excellent steel.

Given the way the Mora tangs are ground, some of the other choices with non-beveled tangs may be much easier to fit the guard to.


I wouldn't grind away a perfectly good edge before you use it. And all you need to re-sharpen a scandi grind is abrasive paper. Stropping is another great way to keep these sharp, and will very lightly convex the edge over time.

Here's Helle with an atypical finish:
DSC00873_zps007f4e7c.jpg
 
Mikael W said:
I made that handle out of scrapped parts from a worn-out Holmberg knife and the leatherstack from a Fällkniven Idun.
The guard and front spacers were made new.
The tang was lengthened with a treaded rod from a turnbuckle.
The rod is attached to the tang with two peened pins and I made the pinholes with a carbidetip drillbit.
Click to expand...

Very cool. Looks great :thumbup:

Mikael W said:
If You go with the HD blade, I'm sure it will work very well!
I'm very fond of the Robust, wich is the same blade without the squared spine.
Click to expand...

I have a Heavy Duty, and it doesn't have a squared spine (it's actually quite rounded). Nonetheless, I as well am quite fond of the blade, so I may go with that. Though some of Helle's offers are tempting...
 
RX-79G said:
Lamintate, high carbon and stainless blades are available in a wide range or prices and configurations from quite a few Scandinavian companies like Kankaanpaa, Helle, Lauri, Karesuando, Brusletto, Enzo and Rosselli as well as Frosts (Mora). Mora are meerly the most common - not necessarily the best choice. If you shop around there are lots of really nice blades well below $20. All feature excellent steel.
Click to expand...

Ahh, you've reminded me of Helle. I've wanted one of those in the past. I may want to get a Harding blank;it's a bit pricier than a Mora but I think it'd be worth it. Thanks for the reminder.

BTW, nice knife :D
 
Also, do you guys have any recommendations on what type of material to use for the bolster? I was thinking copper, but now I think I'd quite like something more like stainless steel. Also, it will have to be soft enough to cut with a dremel. I'm very limited on tools....I actually don't even have a dremel, but will definitely get my hands on one before beginning this project :p

Thanks for all the help
 
jmflem said:
Also, do you guys have any recommendations on what type of material to use for the bolster? I was thinking copper, but now I think I'd quite like something more like stainless steel. Also, it will have to be soft enough to cut with a dremel. I'm very limited on tools....I actually don't even have a dremel, but will definitely get my hands on one before beginning this project :p

Thanks for all the help
Click to expand...

This is where a square tang becomes more important, because filing stainless to fit the Mora tang is going to be tough. But you can drill and cut stainless for a square tang with the cut off wheel.

Otherwise, epoxy or solder layers of brass and copper for a nice look, or make a little piece of micarta. If you do a metal sandwich, do all the fitting on the outer piece and just drill holes on the inner, then assemble. The epoxy will make it all strong.

Tape the exposed blade and the outside of the guard. The epoxy that leaks between them will break right off why you peel the tape.
 
Helle also sell matching hardware, the brass knobs for the butt & washer/guards for the front. Makes life easy.
 
It is gorgeous, cannot resistant. Will try to find the tutorials for making custom hidden tang handle. thanks mate.
 
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