Why Mora Knives Are Popular in Bushcraft
Mora knives have been used by outdoor enthusiasts for decades. Many bushcraft instructors and survival experts recommend them because they offer excellent performance without costing a lot of money.
Some of the main reasons Mora knives are so popular include:
Scandinavian grind blades that are great for carving wood
simple designs that are easy to sharpen
lightweight but capable outdoor tools
affordable price compared to many bushcraft knives
For beginners learning bushcraft skills like feather sticks, fire preparation, and wood carving, Mora knives are often the perfect starting point.
Best Mora Bushcraft Knives for Beginners
If you’re getting started with bushcraft, one of the first pieces of gear you’ll need is a reliable knife. A good bushcraft knife should be strong, easy to maintain, and capable of handling real outdoor tasks such as carving wood, preparing firewood, making feather sticks, and general camp use.
Morakniv is one of the most trusted knife manufacturers in the bushcraft world. These Swedish knives are known for their simple design, strong performance, and affordable price, which makes them ideal for beginners learning outdoor skills.
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best Mora bushcraft knives for beginners, including knives I personally use and test in the woods.
Mora Companion – The Best Beginner Bushcraft Knife
The Mora Companion is widely considered one of the best bushcraft knives for beginners.
It is affordable, lightweight, and extremely capable for learning bushcraft skills. Many people buy a Mora Companion as their first outdoor knife because it performs well without costing a lot of money.
The knife features a comfortable rubber handle that provides excellent grip even in wet conditions. The Scandi grind blade is ideal for carving wood and making feather sticks.
Typical tasks the Mora Companion handles well include:
carving wood
making feather sticks
preparing tinder for fire lighting
general camp and outdoor tasks
Because the knife is inexpensive and easy to sharpen, it is often recommended as the perfect first bushcraft knife.
Mora Garberg – A Stronger Bushcraft Knife
The Mora Garberg is one of Mora’s toughest knives and is designed for heavier outdoor use.
Unlike the Companion, the Garberg has a full tang construction, meaning the blade steel runs through the entire handle. This makes the knife stronger and better suited for tougher tasks such as batoning wood.
The Garberg also features a thicker blade and a sharp spine that works well with ferro rods for fire lighting.
Many bushcrafters choose the Garberg when they want a knife that can handle more demanding outdoor work.
Mora Amberg – A New Mora Bushcraft Knife
The Mora Amberg is a newer addition to the Mora lineup and is designed as a practical outdoor knife suitable for bushcraft and camping.
I recently tested the Mora Amberg in the woods to see how it performs in real bushcraft tasks.
During testing I used the knife for:
feather sticks
edge testing
wood carving
food preparation
The knife performed well and felt comfortable in the hand. Like many Mora knives, it features a Scandi grind blade which makes it excellent for wood carving and bushcraft work.
If you’d like to see how the knife performed during testing, you can watch my full review below.
How to Choose a Bushcraft Knife
If you’re new to bushcraft, there are a few things to consider when choosing your first knife.
Blade length
Most bushcraft knives work best with blades between 3.5 and 4.5 inches, which gives good control for carving and camp tasks.
Blade grind
Many bushcraft knives use a Scandinavian grind, which is excellent for woodworking and very easy to sharpen.
Comfortable handle
A good bushcraft knife should feel comfortable in the hand during long periods of carving or camp work.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need an expensive knife to start learning bushcraft skills. In fact, many experienced bushcrafters still carry Mora knives because they are simple, reliable tools that perform well in the woods.
The Mora Companion is one of the best knives for beginners, while the Garberg and Amberg offer stronger options for heavier outdoor tasks.
If you’re looking for a practical bushcraft knife that performs well without breaking the bank, Mora knives are an excellent place to start.
Watch My Mora Amberg Knife Test
Bushcraft Gear I Use
You can see more of the gear I use for bushcraft and outdoor trips here: