Moras: CS or SS?

[Kraken]

I'm looking to get a Mora, or two and I'm suffering from paralysis by analysis and having a hard time choosing between a carbon steel blade and a stainless steel blade. I've EDC'd a Victorinox in one model or another for years, so I'm used to the ease of care with the stainless blades. I know that some people say that the stainless blades don't hold an edge as well as carbon blades, but I've never had a problem getting the edge back on my Victorinox knives. I am a little hesitant on a carbon steel blade as I had a 3-bladed stockman in my younger days that started to develop rust spots on the blade, but then again I wasn't as meticulous in caring for it as I am about my SAKs now. I wanted to know what everyone's preference was for their Moras and why they chose that particular steel. Thanks!

[dks]

SS does not rust, Carbon steel does.
I have both and for cutting dry, non-oxidising stuff they both work well. I see no noticeable difference in performance. They both look ok (not rusty)

If you want to cut food or put sweat or blood on the blade then SS will be better. Even if your CS knife has patina on it, if you do not clean it it will rust.

Some believe that carbon steel has magical powers.....

[cody6268]

Sorry, no help. I have both, each has its disadvantages and advantages.

For me, CS is for my work/heavy use Moras due to the increased toughness.  Where I live, rust isn't an issue. Sure, they've gotten spots, but it cleared off. Super-easy to sharpen as well. Got my Military Green basic back to shaving sharp with a 1500 grit DMT stone and a scrap of cardboard.

SS is great for food prep, and cleaning of fish/game. My camp knife is a Companion, with an old Bahco-branded Clipper in my tacklebox.

[Kraken]

Thanks dks and Cody! I should clarify that I'm intending to use the new Mora as my main camping knife, so it will probably pull food prep duty on several occasions.

[Aloha]

I say go SS.  While most if not all my outdoor blades are carbon the ease of care of the SS gets the nod.  Any edge holding differences will be negligible.  Pull the trigger and never look back.      

[Kraken]

I say go SS.  While most if not all my outdoor blades are carbon the ease of care of the SS gets the nod.  Any edge holding differences will be negligible.  Pull the trigger and never look back.      

Thanks Aloha! That is sound advice for a lot of life's situations. 

[Aloha]

I can suffer from analysis paralysis. as well.  Its weird when it happens since I knowingly allow it to persist even when I know the right decision  . 

You cannot go wrong.   

[RF52]

Get one of each

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

[kirk13]

Get one of each

Sent fra min FRD-L09 via Tapatalk

If you're looking at the low priced models, they're cheap as chips. Get both,  try them and see

[enki_ck]

Another vote for the SS, they are easy enough to sharpen even in the field, take far more less maintenence and you won't look back once you get it.

I have both SS and CS Moras and carry the SS 99% of the time

[comis]

I have both, and am really use to using the CS for camping chores and how it could take on a keen edge quickly, so I am inclined to recommend that.  But I too agree with everyone that SS is probably more care free, especially if you live by the sea or the weather is really humid.

[39hotrod]

CS.. Then patina it with warm vinegar.. No rust issues after.. JMO!! 

[Vidar]

I have both. To me the carbon blade seems noticeably sharper. But it does get surface rust if left wet or dirty. Kind of forces me to dry, clean and oil.. I guess that might be construed as a good thing. The stainless is pretty much abuse and forget.

Of the two I've noticed that I grab for the carbon first. If I were to go use it on a boat or as the only knife for a long time the priority might be different.

[enki_ck]

I used to carry a piece of cloth soaked in mineral oil inside a film canister for cleaning and oiling CS blades in the field, but as I'm now trying to minimize the number of blades and stuff I carry with me, I usually go with just a SS Mora and a SAK. Never actually felt the need to go back to CS.

[Mechanickal]

It's the 21st century.
Get stainless, use it without thinking it might rust.
Especially when camping, you have other things to think of.

[Kraken]

Thanks to everyone for their insight and advice! I purchased a Morakniv Companion in orange for myself and a Rookie for my son, both in stainless steel. They should be arriving tomorrow and I can't wait to give them a go!

[cody6268]

Thanks to everyone for their insight and advice! I purchased a Morakniv Companion in orange for myself and a Rookie for my son, both in stainless steel. They should be arriving tomorrow and I can't wait to give them a go!

The Companion is a really good choice. I always go for it when I know I won't be using it too hard; but it was bought as a fishing knife. The rubber grip is great.

And the "High Vis Orange" is almost impossible to lose. That's what mine is.

[39hotrod]

Thanks to everyone for their insight and advice! I purchased a Morakniv Companion in orange for myself and a Rookie for my son, both in stainless steel. They should be arriving tomorrow and I can't wait to give them a go!

Congrats and enjoy.. I have a big pile of fixed blade knives and my Moras is what I seem to grab 80% of the time..

[Kraken]

They finally came in and I can see what all the hooplah is about. These knives are awesome! Both came sharp right out of the box, effortlessly slicing through copier paper and the thinner paper from an old phone book. I haven't taken them out in the field yet, but I found a scrap piece of wood in the workshop and made some decent feathers with both knives. I love how the Companion feels in my hand. Looking forward to how it feels with extended use. I took the spine to a coarse wet stone to make it more of a 90 deg. spine for use with a ferro rod. The Rookie is a nice little knife. The fit and finish are excellent and though the tip is rounded like a butter knife, the cutting edge is as sharp as the Companion. The wood handle fits his hand quite well and I like the guard on the bottom. I have feeling there are going to be a lot of tent pegs, spears and feather sticks made this weekend as he learns to use his first fixed blade. After finally getting my hands on a Mora and seeing what everyone else was talking about, I have a feeling I might be adding more to my collection in the near future. That Garberg sure is a pretty little thing....

[Mechanickal]

Good you like them!

Is the Garberg worth the extra money over the Companion?
No

Then again, compared to the Companion, nothing is!

I do have a Garberg and absolutely love it.
It's a not too large knife that has a serious tang. If you can spare the cash, it's well worth the pleasure of having it.

[39hotrod]

  Good to hear Kraken.. They are the cats meow..

[Aloha]

  Glad your initial impression are favorable.  Moras do have a great feel to them.  I have some pricier knives but a Mora just cannot be denied for comfort and how it performs.   

[39hotrod]

 

[Kraken]

We finally got a chance to field test our Moras! My son and I were both chomping at the bit to use them and we had several tasks for our backyard camping for them. While foraging for fire wood in the woods behind our house, we sharpened a few stick ends, marvelling at how smooth the blades went through the wood. My son commented on how comfortable the handle of his Rookie was to hold and he loves the sheath. When we got back to camp, we made shavings for a tinder bundle to start our camp fire. We had a good pile in no time. We then did some light batoning to split some fatwood down to smaller size.  I used the filed spine of my Companion to strike the ferro rod to light the tinder. Steak was on the menu and my wife looked at me like I was crazy for using my Companion to cut mine up, but I just couldn't help myself. I think it's safe to say that there are two new Mora fans now.

[39hotrod]

 

[Aloha]

Excellent way to give your new Moras a test drive  . They do eat wood very easily.  Glad your sons Rookie is feeling good to him.  I've used all sorts of knives for steak knives and not while at camp    .  My family now just rolls with it especially if I've gotten a new blade.