One of the most versatile and arguably most important items in any survival loadout is a good fixed-blade knife. That's why these tools are a frequent subject of discussion in our publications. Most knives will easily withstand cutting cordage or opening packages, but such menial tasks aren't appropriate representations of the challenges they'd face in a real survival situation. For example, you might need to shave tinder, skin and section animals, spear fish, chop through saplings or small trees, defend against predators, and so much more. These tasks range from delicate precision to pure brute force, and must be accomplished reliably in a variety of conditions. The knife is central to every one of these needs.
While a good knife is essential, it's not the only tool you need. What about a fire-starter? That's just as valuable, if not more important in some settings. What about a way to keep your knife nice and sharp? A diamond sharpening stone will allow you to maintain its edge in the field, and preserve its effectiveness. Now pack that all into a concise package and you've got yourself a very handy survival kit. That's exactly what Mora created with its Bushcraft Survival Knife, which the company calls its “ultimate survival knife.”
The municipality of Mora, Sweden, has been a hub for cutlery manufacturing for over 400 years. Over the centuries, the knives of Mora have become world-renowned for their simplicity and durability. Morakniv is one of several companies with a rich knife making history that call Mora home. You may know Morakniv for its survival tools, but since 1891, the company has made knives for everything from cooking to industrial utility. They have taken what they learned over the past 128 years to ensure the knives they produce are the highest quality, and worthy of the Morakniv name and lifetime warranty.
We've tested various Morakniv blades over the years, from the inexpensive 511 Basic to the top-of-the-line Garberg Black Carbon. Most recently, we picked up a knife with a name that clearly conveys its purpose — the Mora Bushcraft Survival. Specifically, we chose the high-visibility orange model, which will be easy to spot in any outdoor setting. This package is billed as the ultimate bushcraft knife, however, is it comprised of more than a simple bladed tool.
The knife itself is made from robust 3.2mm-thick stainless steel, ground to a modified clip point shape. The blade is 4.25 inches long, with the handle being right at 5 inches long. The knife itself weighs 4.2 ounces, or 7.5 ounces with the sheath and accessories.
The thick spine of the blade is specifically designed with 90-degree edges to be used with a ferro rod, magnesium block, or other fire-starter. In fact, this Bushcraft package includes a ferro rod that attaches directly to the sheath, and is said to be good for 7,000 strikes. The sheath design locks it firmly in place to prevent it from falling out during intense physical activity.
The handle of the knife is made of a soft, grippy polymer. While the texture is subtle and feels good in the hand, it can be a bit slick when wet. A nice index finger guard, or quillion, helps keep the knife centered during use and helps to prevent finger damage during push cuts. The hidden tang extends through the handle and terminates at a hard polymer lug in the pommel. This is useful as an improvised crushing or smashing tool, and even though it's not solid steel, it's extremely sturdy.
The handle of this Morakniv is comfortable, even after long periods of use.
This knife comes with a hard sheath comprised of two-tone orange and black polymer. Incorporated into the sheath is a diamond sharpening stone. This ensures that you always have a sharp knife in hand. Knife retention in the sheath is solid, but does rely on tension as opposed to any type of secondary clip or strap that might be more secure for a survival knife.
A diamond stone built into the sheath ensures you have the opportunity to sharpen the blade at any time.
The high-vis orange colored knife handle and sheath allow the Bushcraft Survival knife it to be quickly located in your bag, around the campsite, or anywhere else you may need it. The sheath also features two different styles of clips: a standard molded tension-style pocket/belt clip and a one-piece belt loop. No matter what your loadout includes, there's almost always a spot for this knife.
Scraping the sharp edges of the spine on the included ferro rod produced large sparks with ease.
During use in the woods, the knife felt good in our hands. The soft polymer allowed for extended periods of use with little fatigue. Even with its sturdy blade and light handle, the knife balances well. Out of the package, it had a fine edge supported by the classic Scandi grind that Mora is known for.
The flat bevel is finished with a barely-visible deburring grind at the edge.
Cutting paper, various types of cordage, and cloth was almost effortless with the Bushcraft Survival knife. The same went for cardboard, straps, and thicker fabrics. However, where this Morakniv Bushcraft knife really showed its worth was in cutting branches and even small trees. The simple Scandi grind allows it to hold an edge well, and makes it easy to re-sharpen with a few passes on the diamond stone. The point was sharp enough to smoothly pierce hard wood. With the blade's grind extending all the way to the handle, making precise cuts was a lot easier.
We were very pleased with the Morakniv Bushcraft Survival knife. The quality of the product is apparent during use, and you can tell the Swedes put considerable thought into its design and features. It's especially important to note than this knife has an MSRP of $70 as well as a lifetime warranty. If you're looking for a reliable tool that can take a beating without emptying your wallet, this is a difficult knife to beat.
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For more information on this knife and the many others that Mora produces, visit them at MoraknivUSA.com.
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Written by Maxwell Matthewson
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