Benchmade vs. Mora

The Mora Sport and Clipper look good… I have an EKA W11 that I like a lot, but it's remarkably heavy (5.5oz, 8oz w/sheath!). I looked at the Bark River NorthStar for a while, but it has a blade configuration that seems to be popular, although it confuses me. (The Moras don't seem to have it.) Basically, the blade edge seems to sweep upwards closer to the handle. Is there a reason that so many blades don't just have a straight cutting edge? Is it purely cosmetic? (If that NorthStar blade was actually straight, I'd probably have to add that to the collection someday.)

Knowing that knife weight here is somewhat relative, what do the Moras weigh? It would be nice to get a ~4" blade around 2 or 3 ounces…

My Mora (bushcraft model with wood handle and full tang) is 4" and weighs just under 3 oz.

Most models weigh around 3.5 ounces with sheath.
I think a lot a blades are purely cosmetic. But there are a lot that are designed for specialty uses Like butchering game, cleaning fish ect. Moras are a traditional very old design- straight forward and practical. Will cut a lot of stuff nicely but comes from northern peoples who lived off the land and needed to do a lot of wood working.

Seattle marine supply, thats where I bought mine. Maybe I should go buy one for old times sake, take it out to the woods and play with it. Lord knows they're cheap enough.

I used to hve one with a pink handle, it was hilarious seeing another fishermans reaction when I pulled that out.

Josh,

I bet that knife never got mixed up with anyone elses gear "by accident" I find pink climbing gear works the same, esp for SAR. It's amazing what lengths some guys will go to to avoid taking in on the 'pink' rope. It's always the red rope, or the crimson rope, never pink.

Cracks me up every time!!

Rod

Pink Knives are cool.

It doesn't even have to be a Mora.

Requirements:
-can take a batton (splitting firewood)
-lightish
-very low price

edit:
http://www.frosts-scandia.com was quick to respond. They recommended the Mora 780 Triflex

I just ordered from http://www.bensbackwoods.com shipped for $14.97

Ragnar's site was definitely worth a look.

I have bought Moras from this place in the past:

http://www.ragweedforge.com/

Give Ragnar a call and he will set you up with whatever you need. Top notch customer service.

Cut and paste from the other knife thread…
Good news for Aussies in Melbourne, Mora knives have arrived . Frank O"Reillys, 869-871 High
Street, Thornbury.
No I have not been there yet.
The Swedish agents replied to my enquiry in about 10 minutes, that was weeks ago ( I forgot all about it)
info@dahlgrentrading.com
Franco

"Give Ragnar a call and he will set you up…"

A guy named Ragnar selling Swedish knives? That's perfect.

Translation….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragnar_Lodbrok

Ragnar is the Godfather of moras, but I think that is an SCA name. He has moras, Helle's and other knives.

There is a seller on eBay called Ben's Backwoods who always has a selection of moras. I have had several good transactions with him. http://stores.ebay.com/BENS-BACKWOODS

I'm reading Bernard Cornwell's fantastic Saxon Chronicles series which recounts the Norse invasion of Britain, so my head is full of Ragnars at the present!

Franco,

I called past really quickly today between the ballet drop off and cricket pick-up. Ahh Frank O'Reilleys…..A true throw back to the 70s. I hadn't been in for years (decades?). The only difference is that the boys were eating wedges with their cigarettes and beer in coffee cups, instead of fish and chips. That and the O probably now goes on the end of the surname instead of the front.

They did indeed have a box of blue plastic handled Moras thrown into a display case, along with a couple of wooden (Cheap beech?) handled ones, and a few skinning knives and butcher sets. The wooden handled ones were priced at $28, and the plastic ones I was told were "about 25 bucks" They also had a couple of green/khaki handled ones that definitely looked heavier.

If you're not familiar with Frank O'Reilly's, it is generally open, even when the steel shutters are down. It's a long time since they opened their display windows like they did back in the eighties. (Before Port Arthur?) Look for the small steel door to the north of the shutters. If that's open, they're trading.

I didn't pick one up, since I have custody of one given to my young bloke by his uncle, but if anyone in Oz want's one posted, let me know. They also had a pretty nice selection of folding Opinels, from about a 35mm blade, up to 100mm, priced from $10-18.

Rod
Cut and paste from the other knife thread…
Good news for Aussies in Melbourne, Mora knives have arrived . Frank O"Reillys, 869-871 High
Street, Thornbury.
No I have not been there yet.
The Swedish agents replied to my enquiry in about 10 minutes, that was weeks ago ( I forgot all about it)
info@dahlgrentrading.com
Franco

Thanks Rod
Not exactly close to me, I don't drive, but I might pop in one of these days.
Franco