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- Jun 3, 2010
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- 1,516
For some inconceivable reason Mora decided to discontinue a few of their best (IMHO) knives. Fine inexpensive blades like the 510 and 911 disappeared. The 511 replaced the 510 then was replaced with a new 511. Now the 510 is back however there are some changes. Are these changes good or bad? As this is an initial impressions hard to say. LOL! The sheath and overall package like the original 510 is very streamlined. Old 511 on top all black 510 on the bottom. The paracord, duct tape and firesteel are additions to the 511. I am not sure if the all black color is something new or a return to something done in the past. Mora has made rebranded 510's in all black years ago. Also own one of those.
Overall size of the knife is the same as the 511 with the notable absence of the large finder guard. The same guard which made the 511 sheath more bulky. I think the 511 is ugly with the 510 looking more refined. Does the finger guard to it's job? Sure but at times it has gotten in my way. Not enough to stop using it but enough for me to buy the new 510. Yea I could have cut it off then guessing fool around with the sheath if the lack of a guard messed up retention (don't know) but never got around to doing that.
There are more differences between the new 510 and old 511, guessing old 510 as well. First notice the grind of the newer 510 compared to the older 511.
See how the new 510 has less of a pronounced scandi grind compared to the old 511. That looks nearly the same as the Carbon Clipper or High Q. The old 511's grind is more like the Mora number 2. I always liked the Mora Clipper/HighQ scandi as it seems to me there is less stock to remove hence they're easier to me to sharpen. Maybe some people prefer the other style? In any case I like it on the new 510. Not sure if the new 511 also sports that grind.
As stated the new Mora 510 is thinner than the older 510 or 511 but is the same thickness as the new 511 which is .079. The older 510/511 was .098 thick. The difference in the below pic is a bit exaggerated because the old 511's spine has been filed flat for easier firesteel sparks. I will file the 510's spine flat soon. Despite rumors to the contrary Mora doesn't leave the spine rough on some of their knives to strike sparks better. The fact their LMF knife's spine is square should be a good indicator as to which is better. Not sure how that rumor ever got started. Speaking of better which is better? A thin scandi blade or an even thinner scandi? Based on my short testing and longer use of other Mora knives from .125 down to .079 IMHO all will get the job done. This knife like the Carbon Clipper easily goes through wood. So maybe I prefer a thinner scandi?
Short bit of testing.
As stated it ate through wood as expected for a Mora. Also came shaving sharp. I have purchased knives, some from respected custom makers that did NOT come shaving sharp. Yea, I know, "Do that yourself". But if a sub 13 dollar knife shipped can be shaving sharp why not the customs or semi customs costing much more that have let me a bit down in this regard? Right? Not saying these are better just pointing out a sad fact of life. Also people have gotten Mora knives which aren't shaving sharp but the disappointment is less when the knife costs less or at least it's that way with me.
Didn't include batoning in the video because for me that isn't really the job I intend for this knife. Yea, it can easily baton smaller stuff which I might on occasion do. This birch was a little much given the orientation of the grain and size. I needed to use a wooden wedge to free it. On the flip side it was still shaving sharp, suffering no harm during the beating before I backed off.
Conclusion:
Going to forgo the usual pros and cons part of this review as all of the general Mora pros and cons apply here IMHO. Like all of my Mora knives I will probably like this one as well. As stated this is an initial impressions review but the knife's basic Mora form factor is so familiar I felt like it has been owned for years.
Here is a video review of the NEW Mora 510. Thanks for looking.
[video=youtube;TXFp_xac_mg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXFp_xac_mg[/video]
Overall size of the knife is the same as the 511 with the notable absence of the large finder guard. The same guard which made the 511 sheath more bulky. I think the 511 is ugly with the 510 looking more refined. Does the finger guard to it's job? Sure but at times it has gotten in my way. Not enough to stop using it but enough for me to buy the new 510. Yea I could have cut it off then guessing fool around with the sheath if the lack of a guard messed up retention (don't know) but never got around to doing that.
There are more differences between the new 510 and old 511, guessing old 510 as well. First notice the grind of the newer 510 compared to the older 511.
See how the new 510 has less of a pronounced scandi grind compared to the old 511. That looks nearly the same as the Carbon Clipper or High Q. The old 511's grind is more like the Mora number 2. I always liked the Mora Clipper/HighQ scandi as it seems to me there is less stock to remove hence they're easier to me to sharpen. Maybe some people prefer the other style? In any case I like it on the new 510. Not sure if the new 511 also sports that grind.
As stated the new Mora 510 is thinner than the older 510 or 511 but is the same thickness as the new 511 which is .079. The older 510/511 was .098 thick. The difference in the below pic is a bit exaggerated because the old 511's spine has been filed flat for easier firesteel sparks. I will file the 510's spine flat soon. Despite rumors to the contrary Mora doesn't leave the spine rough on some of their knives to strike sparks better. The fact their LMF knife's spine is square should be a good indicator as to which is better. Not sure how that rumor ever got started. Speaking of better which is better? A thin scandi blade or an even thinner scandi? Based on my short testing and longer use of other Mora knives from .125 down to .079 IMHO all will get the job done. This knife like the Carbon Clipper easily goes through wood. So maybe I prefer a thinner scandi?
Short bit of testing.
As stated it ate through wood as expected for a Mora. Also came shaving sharp. I have purchased knives, some from respected custom makers that did NOT come shaving sharp. Yea, I know, "Do that yourself". But if a sub 13 dollar knife shipped can be shaving sharp why not the customs or semi customs costing much more that have let me a bit down in this regard? Right? Not saying these are better just pointing out a sad fact of life. Also people have gotten Mora knives which aren't shaving sharp but the disappointment is less when the knife costs less or at least it's that way with me.
Didn't include batoning in the video because for me that isn't really the job I intend for this knife. Yea, it can easily baton smaller stuff which I might on occasion do. This birch was a little much given the orientation of the grain and size. I needed to use a wooden wedge to free it. On the flip side it was still shaving sharp, suffering no harm during the beating before I backed off.
Conclusion:
Going to forgo the usual pros and cons part of this review as all of the general Mora pros and cons apply here IMHO. Like all of my Mora knives I will probably like this one as well. As stated this is an initial impressions review but the knife's basic Mora form factor is so familiar I felt like it has been owned for years.
Here is a video review of the NEW Mora 510. Thanks for looking.
[video=youtube;TXFp_xac_mg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXFp_xac_mg[/video]
