Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: Rich.H on July 22, 2011
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Was out the past two days for some wild camping and a mountain walk, however upon reaching the summit I took off my gear to relax and realised that foolishly I had my clipper hooked on my belt the hole way up with the original plastic sheath. So now it's residing in some moss filled bog anywhere between mountain top and a couple of kilometres near where I was camped out.
So now I need a replacement, I noticed the classic "Clipper" is now rebranded as the "Companion," and that they do both a 840MG carbon steel, which I had previously. Also an 860MG stainless version. Has anyone owned both of these to give a view on which one they prefer?
While frustrating it does remind me why I never spend money on super signed by god knifes that don't do anything apart from help reduce the heavy wallet to carry while walking, but if anyone is up Cark mountain way and fancies an ankle deep wade in the bog near the lough you might get lucky.
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I have the 860MG in stainless steel flavour and am happy enough with it. Truth told I don't know enough about knives, nor am I skilled enough at using one, to warranty spending any more money on one. If I recall correctly I went for stainless steel as there is a chance it might end up in my fishing tackle box, and as far as I know stainless steel is better if you are going to be near salt water (hope I've got that right!). After speaking to Celt_Ginger at the Bushcraft Skills Day I'm now going to buy a DC4 Whetstone (http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/cutting-tools/fallkniven-dc4-diamond-ceramic-whetstone.htm) to keep the edge good, so for around £20 for both the knife and whetstone you can't go far wrong. My only minor gripe is the back of the blade is rounded on the edges, so you can't use it for striking a firesteel, but some time spent with a file should sort that out :)
Greyfox also recently recommended the Hultafors knife (http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/cutting-tools/knives/hultafors-craftsman-bushcraft-knife.htm) which are usually a bit cheaper than the Mora and seem every bit as good. Seems like they are well worth a look!
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I bough the carbon steel Mora thinking it would be handy for using a firesteel. However, I never use it with the firesteel and the blade has gone super manky and even wire wool won't clean it.
I have the 860MG in stainless steel flavour and am happy enough with it. Truth told I don't know enough about knives, nor am I skilled enough at using one, to warranty spending any more money on one. If I recall correctly I went for stainless steel as there is a chance it might end up in my fishing tackle box, and as far as I know stainless steel is better if you are going to be near salt water (hope I've got that right!). After speaking to Celt_Ginger at the Bushcraft Skills Day I'm now going to buy a DC4 Whetstone (http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/cutting-tools/fallkniven-dc4-diamond-ceramic-whetstone.htm) to keep the edge good, so for around £20 for both the knife and whetstone you can't go far wrong. My only minor gripe is the back of the blade is rounded on the edges, so you can't use it for striking a firesteel, but some time spent with a file should sort that out :)
Greyfox also recently recommended the Hultafors knife (http://www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/cutting-tools/knives/hultafors-craftsman-bushcraft-knife.htm) which are usually a bit cheaper than the Mora and seem every bit as good. Seems like they are well worth a look!
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I bough the carbon steel Mora thinking it would be handy for using a firesteel. However, I never use it with the firesteel and the blade has gone super manky and even wire wool won't clean it.
I reckon theres probably half a leg of lamb left on that blade from our campfire cooking night in Donard Wood ;D
From what I've gathered the high carbon blades hold a better edge than the stainless equivalents, but they need a bit more maintenance and looking after. The NIBA guys would be much better placed to advise though :)
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Mines never even been sharpened from the day I bought it. Must get a stone one of these days...
I bough the carbon steel Mora thinking it would be handy for using a firesteel. However, I never use it with the firesteel and the blade has gone super manky and even wire wool won't clean it.
I reckon theres probably half a leg of lamb left on that blade from our campfire cooking night in Donard Wood ;D
From what I've gathered the high carbon blades hold a better edge than the stainless equivalents, but they need a bit more maintenance and looking after. The NIBA guys would be much better placed to advise though :)
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I bought my first Mora at Moira Game fair in May. Its the companion and im preety pleased with it so far. Its not done a lot of work but seems ok at most jobs. Yeah its a bit hit and miss with a firesteel, i thought it was just me! Im just unsure how long the tang is and how much abuse it will take but it was only £10. Ive been looking at the Dajo survival knife but it never seems to be in stock and seems to sell really quick. Its about £30 plus you get a firesteel, whistle and paracord with it too!!!
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considering the mora knives are cheap as chips you shouldnt be too scared to really give them dogs abuse, i use one everyday,in fact theres a little button on my snickers trousers to clip in a mora sheath
best type to get is the carbon steel one- easier to sharpen and keeps a good edge. just remember not to put it in your sheath if its wet, or rub some fat on the blade now and again if you aint got any oil.
handmade knives are nice to have , i know , i make a few..... but for general dossing about in the woods the mora clipper does very well indeed.