My first bushcraft knife

[darrenleroy]

I know this thread may be better off in the 'edged tools' section but I didn't want to post there due to the embarrassingly uncool, unknowing nature of my message, but...

I've just purchased my first knife!!!!

I went for the obvious but after lots of reading it seemed an obvious place to start:

Mora Bushcraft Training Knife - High Carbon Clipper

It only cost £12 inclusive of post and packing. I bought it from Greenman Bushcraft. Seemed pretty straightforward.

I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. Can't wait for it to turn up. I'll have to sort out a sharpening regime. I might use the cheap sharpening kit for under a fiver thread from the 'edged tool' forums.

Wahey! Is this a good purchase in the opinion of others and what was the first knife you bought?

 

[JonathanD]

Excellent purchase, it'll do everything you ask of it for a long time.

 

[BarryG]

Nowt wrong with a Mora clipper mate. Does the job.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Good choice chap can't go wrong with a mora, good solid knife.

 

[Ph34r]

The moras are good as a first knife, and to get to grips with, but after a while I found the 2mm thickness a bit disconcerting.

 

[EddBamber]

I got mine from the same place as you!! Mines worked out great so far, I batoned through logs with it too! I've been sharpening it with an ancient oil stone my dad lent to me IMO its great the handle gets a little wierd after long use, it was also my first fixed blade

 

[Man of Tanith]

Good knife i still take mine out in preferance of some of my more expensive knives if i get the urge, and i recommend them to any of my mates when they want to start getting kit.
Good store too.
i bought a lot of my starting kit from there always friendly service always fast and the mystery boxes are a great way of getting a kit fix and suprise at the same time (usual disclaimer no connection with them apart from them getting too much of my wages)

 

[naefearjustbeer]

Mine clipper arrived today and I must say I have been impressed with it so far.

 

[Barn Owl]

Great knives.

I must have 5-6 lying about the hut-house-jeep.

 

[darrenleroy]

It arrived today. Nice olive green handle. Sharp. I might get a leather sheaf to replace the plastic one, just because it looks and feels nicer. I've seen a guy who makes them called Kepis Leather. Looks nice. Anyone else recommend a manufacturer.

I'll have to get some practise in with the sharpening. Will use the five pound sharpening post as a guide. God, I love this stuff.

 

[bushwacker bob]

The moras are good as a first knife, and to get to grips with, but after a while I found the 2mm thickness a bit disconcerting.

Why? Its a knife, designed to cut, which it does very efficiently.
If you need a knife to do anything other than cut, your using the wrong tool for the job.

 

[OhCanada]

If you need a knife to do anything other than cut, your using the wrong tool for the job.

I keep harping on that point to my fellow Canadians when they go on and on about battoning as a regular way to chop wood. It is only for emergencies but I have done it with a Mora.

I prefer the KJ Eriksson models because they have longer tangs. I even bought a new Frosts of Sweden red wood handle Mora before I noticed that you can no longer see the end of the rat tail tang. I'll be you two maple leafs (the leaves, not the silver coins ) that they went with a shorter tang.

 

[bushwacker bob]

I keep harping on that point to my fellow Canadians when they go on and on about battoning as a regular way to chop wood. It is only for emergencies but I have done it with a Mora

You are absolutely correct, but I have seen idiots battoning over here, when the weather is dry an sunny and they had to sort through lots of dry deadwood to find something to batton!!!
I sometimes think its the reason that the inexperienced 'woodsman' buy knives that are 4 or 5mm thick. There is no need to carry all that spare steel.

 

[darrenleroy]

Nooooooo!!!!!!

My Mora Bushcraft Training Knife - High Carbon Clipper has started to tarnish. How can this be? Advice please.

 

[Retired Member southey]

It's ok chap, just keep it clean, dry and a wipe of oil once in a while, carbon steel will tarnish with use, as long as it's not rusty your ok,imo.

 

[darrenleroy]

Phew, was starting to lose it there. So it's okay for a bit of tarnish to occur. A pleasing patina.

 

[bushwacker bob]

It shows your using it. The patina will prevent it from rusting. wash it and wipe it lightly with a drop of oil when your not going use it for a while.

 

[dazcon]

Great first time knife! Holds a good edge and does most tasks with ease.I made a firesteel and torch rig for mine using an old belt and i still like and use it.

Dazcon.

 

[darrenleroy]

What do you mean Dazcon? How do you do such things and what do they look like?

 

[naefearjustbeer]

I gave mine a good strop and now have a bald spot on the back of my hand from testing how sharp it was! Delighted with it, a great tool and nice for whittling with too!