The Blade

The Blade

Steel

The Blade

The Blade

With its quality, design and sharpness, the knife blade itself has become one of the most distinctive details of a Mora knife. For more than 130 years we’ve refined our methods and constantly worked to improve our products. How we treat, harden, and polish our knives is a vital part of our quality work, and the recipe is a well-kept company secret. The outcome is knives that consistently deliver at the highest level.

The blade of a Morakniv can be made of three different kinds of steel: recycled Swedish stainless steel, carbon steel or laminated carbon steel. Each steel type has its unique properties that determine which model is matched with which steel.

With its quality, design and sharpness, the knife blade itself has become one of the most distinctive details of a Mora knife. For more than 130 years we’ve refined our methods and constantly worked to improve our products. How we treat, harden, and polish our knives is a vital part of our quality work, and the recipe is a well-kept company secret. The outcome is knives that consistently deliver at the highest level.

The blade of a Morakniv can be made of three different kinds of steel: recycled Swedish stainless steel, carbon steel or laminated carbon steel. Each steel type has its unique properties that determine which model is matched with which steel.

The blade of steel means a lot, but certainly not everything. We want to warn knife users that perhaps the perfect steel type on paper is not in itself the only thing that dictates how a knife performs. In fact, steel analysis has become somewhat scientific that it is easy to get caught up in the maze of statistics. Just because a blade is made from premium or high-end steels does not automatically mean it is better than other blades.

We also want to point out the importance of the heat treatment techniques used by the manufacturer as well as the design of the blade itself which plays a huge role in the ultimate result of the knife performance. Many times the heat treatment is even the underlying key in order to maximize the steel’s conditions.

All modern steels will perform well enough for most users so consider spending more time on other aspects of the knife such as the handle, size or style.

The blade of steel means a lot, but certainly not everything. We want to warn knife users that perhaps the perfect steel type on paper is not in itself the only thing that dictates how a knife performs. In fact, steel analysis has become somewhat scientific that it is easy to get caught up in the maze of statistics. Just because a blade is made from premium or high-end steels does not automatically mean it is better than other blades.

We also want to point out the importance of the heat treatment techniques used by the manufacturer as well as the design of the blade itself which plays a huge role in the ultimate result of the knife performance. Many times the heat treatment is even the underlying key in order to maximize the steel’s conditions.

All modern steels will perform well enough for most users so consider spending more time on other aspects of the knife such as the handle, size or style.

Austenitic steel

Austenitic steel

Austenitic steel contains high amounts of nickel, around 8%, which makes it non-magnetic and soft, making it more or less undesirable for knife making. However, the benefits of this type of steel are its toughness and superior corrosion resistance from high levels of chromium, making it perfect for everyday items like forks, spoons and even kitchen sinks.

Austenitic steel contains high amounts of nickel, around 8%, which makes it non-magnetic and soft, making it more or less undesirable for knife making. However, the benefits of this type of steel are its toughness and superior corrosion resistance from high levels of chromium, making it perfect for everyday items like forks, spoons and even kitchen sinks.

Martensitic steel

Martensitic steel

Martensitic steel contains less chromium while still meeting the criteria for stainless steel but very small amounts of nickel thus making the steel magnetic. What really sets martensitic steels apart is higher levels of carbon which allows for the formation of martensite, an extremely hard structure, making it ideal for knifemaking. Steel manufacturers can transform austenite into martensite through rapid quenching.

Martensitic steel contains less chromium while still meeting the criteria for stainless steel but very small amounts of nickel thus making the steel magnetic. What really sets martensitic steels apart is higher levels of carbon which allows for the formation of martensite, an extremely hard structure, making it ideal for knifemaking. Steel manufacturers can transform austenite into martensite through rapid quenching.

Steel Grade Mora (SGM®)

Steel Grade Mora (SGM®)

Would you like to know more about the steel we use?
Steel Grade Mora (SGM®) is the standard we use to describe the type of steel, the country of steel manufacture, the steel’s basic alloy from the manufacturer, and the type of heat treatment it undergoes in the knife factory.

Would you like to know more about the steel we use?
Steel Grade Mora (SGM®) is the standard we use to describe the type of steel, the country of steel manufacture, the steel’s basic alloy from the manufacturer, and the type of heat treatment it undergoes in the knife factory.

Read more

What does the spine of your knife look like?

What does the spine of your knife look like?

Our knives have one of three different spine types, depending on the model and its intended area of use. If you think the spine of your knife seems to be unfinished or just want to learn more about the spine of your knife – keep on reading!

Our knives have one of three different spine types, depending on the model and its intended area of use. If you think the spine of your knife seems to be unfinished or just want to learn more about the spine of your knife – keep on reading!

Not Grinded but Polished Spine
The Blade 1
Grinded and polished spine
The Blade 2
Grinded but not Polished Spine
The Blade 3
IMG 4990 L scaled

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