Why does Mora gat all the Scandi love but not so much Marttiini?

B

bladerique

Joined
Aug 31, 2010
Messages
977
I'm no expert, but both companies make very similar knives to my eyes, but I don't see many (if any) Marttiini topics on the boards. Is Marttiini a smaller manufacturer w/a lower profile or are Moras just better?
 
Marttiinis are usually atleast triple in price, so I guess that could be one factor
 
When comparing their budget models I personally prefer the Moras. Their higher end models I have no experience with but they certainly look OK

iirc Marttiini have been bought by Rapala.
 
Just about every fisherman in North American owns the ubiquitous Martiini filet knife sold at every bait shop, sporting goods, and big box store. Granted the package is branded Rapala but the knife and the sheath are branded Martiini.

Martiini makes a pretty decent knife. As noted above, competing with Mora who uses "better" steel (Sandvik 12c27 often) and sells for less, Mora has the edge on them...pun absolutely intended.
 
I have a J. Martiini 5" hunter w/rubber handle that I bought a couple of years ago for something like $30. It's not what I would call a very stout knife (flimsy blade, not full tang, plastic front guard, etc.), but it did come very sharp out of the box and has stayed relatively sharp under soft use. I wouldn't call it a very good "hunting" knife, but it works fine for light duties. I'd be willing to give their fillet knives a chance, but I wouldn't buy another one of these.
 
Why is Mora of Sweden more popular than Marttiini? Better marketing perhaps? I don't know how it is in Scandinavia, but in North America I can find more Mora models available than I can Marttiini models. The Frosts and KJ Eriksson merger may have further boosted their popularity, but the Classic Mora series has always been one of the best "cheapies" you can find and the Clipper and Bushcraft series seem to do very well too.

That said, the Martiini M571 with it's simple red plastic handle and forged carbon steel blade is hands down my favourite Scandinavian "cheapie". Amazing knife for $10 bucks.

JMART001-Bait-2.jpg
 
Last edited:
I was in rovaniemi, Finland, just a couple of weeks ago visiting the marttiini premium shop, the factory is also located there.
Very nice knives, unfortunately, the one I wanted to have is not available until somewhere around april/may.

I havent' seen that many moras, but was impressed by the marttini blades. A fine quality and lots of utilitarian knives, made for use by the saami, a people that still use knvies :)
Lots of birch wood used for handles (since there is lots of birch wood over there, a little less since I was there though :)) and ok steels.
 
Other than the 571, all of the Martiini stainless blades are 420 stainless RC 54/55, from what I understand. I've had a couple of the rubber handled/cast metal guard hunting knives and wasn't impressed with their edge holding at all.

Stainless Mora's (12C27) take a much nicer edge and hold it much longer, in my experience. I like the carbon ones even better.

Matter of fact, one of the Normark Hunting knives is one of the two blades I've broken while batoning wood. It broke on the first log, 3" thick. Whereas I've BEAT on my Mora Clippers and I've never had one fail in any way.
 
Yeah, most of the Marttiini models I've seen in the States are "stainless" models, except for the M571 and one of the Lynx puukkos. In fact, Kellam Knives carries the Marttiini Lynx with a forged carbon steel blade. I suppose we may have to consider the fact that not all Marttiini models may be available on this side of the pond whereas more Moras models can be easily found here.
 
I've handled quite a few different moras and Marttiinis and I've come to the conclusion that Moras have much better blade steel ( Marttiinis use Inox steel which is found in SAK's) while not a bad steel I'd rather have 12c27 or 1095 however the ergos on the Marttiinis aren't bad at all and for the price I don't think you could go wrong with either.
 
When in the field hiking or backpacking I usually carry either a Mora and Marttiini as a neck knife with no issues. I will say from experience that I have to give the edge to Marttiini when it comes to fit and finish as well overall strengh and also edge retention. Their SS Inox line that's based on the SAK steel, like the 132 is just as good if not better than any Mora SL version.

They do offer several models with carbon steel blades like the Arctic Circle or the Lumberjack, from their Lynx line each with 3 1/2" carbon steel blades that are wickedly sharp and can be brought back quickly after a few strops.

Pickup a Marttiini and upgrade it to a JRE sheath for neck carry and you'll be good to go.

Cheers,
Serge
 
A few years ago I was able to handle some higher end Marttiini models at AG Russell's showroom. I have no idea about the blade suitability for particular tasks, but the fit and finish, and quality of materials were far beyond the standard Mora models. These Marttiini were more in line with Helle or Karesuando, and of course they were priced accordingly.

Sadly, I never bought one of those nice Marttiini knives when they were available. But the Marttiini Lynx is on my shopping list.
 
Marttiini is much higher standard knives back in Finland - different story altogether. I would not compare them to Mora - different market segment.
The knives sold under Rapala trademark are another kind of animal. The Marttiini equivalent of Rapala hunter's knife with shiny SS blade sold here in Canadian Tyre for 40 buck has carbon blade with black coating, green hard plastic handle and is sold back in Finland for 60 Euro - and is worth every cent from my point of view. Unfortunately real Marttiini knife would be difficult to obtain here...
 
Here are my two Marttini puukkos, the Lumberjack and the Inox # 132. The sheaths were made by JRE Industries, that I took the liberty to darken up the leather as well as form fit them for each knife so they each now have a very distinctive look.



Cheers,
Serge
 
I have two Marttiinis, both off eBay (eBay pix):

5" Condor Big Game Hunter, $26.36 including shipping:

marttiini5inch.jpg


3.5" Little Condor Classic, $20.85 including shipping:

marttiini35inch.jpg


Haven't yet used them, but just lovely finished knives, came actually sharper than any of my Moras, sheaths are excellent, grip feels marvelous. Pretty much full tang (stops just short of the "knob"). I'm really really impressed with them.

- OS
 
I used the Marttiini Little Classic to field dress a deer. Edge remained razor sharp and the steel does not chip easily if at all. Better fit and finish than Mora Clippers but I like both knives. I believe Marttiini uses cold rolled steel. In spite of its softness, it holds an edge as well as the 12C27 in the Clipper and better than SAK. Sheaths are also much better than Mora. These knives can be found for $20 shipped and are worth every penny, as are Moras.

Joe
 
I have the red handle knife like the one in Cosmic Superchunk's picture. Carbon steel blade, I like it better than my two Moras. Holds an edge better than the Moras and the red handle makes it easier to find in my work truck. And at $10 if I lose it or it walks away, it won't hurt too much.
 
I like both, but I do feel Marttiini are neglected in the US. Here in Finland,it's a different matter of course! But pricing would surprise Americans, both Mora and Marttiini cost more than they do in the US.

No doubt about it, the traditional red wooden handled carbon Mora is a fine everyday knife, but don't forget the carbon Marttiini either. Costs a little more but its traditional birch handle is fatter and more grippy than the Mora's. other Marttiini knives I have in stainless have been well made/finished and provide good service. The rubber handled models are particularly useful.

Then there's the sheath: Up end any Marttiini or most other Finnish puukkot for that matter and give the sheath a good shake, almost certainly the knife will stay in as they have a snug secure fit. Try THAT with a red Mora, out it will come.Not much chance of dropping your knife and the dangler style of most puukko sheathes mean you a sit down in the car,or having a rest without getting a nasty poke in the ribs from a knife handle.

Both these knives should be in knife collections everywhere!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top