Mors Kochanski's SECRET Knife Modifications (2023)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ต.ค. 2024
- The legendary Mors Kochanski is considered by many to be the father of modern “bushcraft”. He has devoted his entire life to studying and teaching bushcraft and survival skills.
At least since the 1990s, Mors Kochanski mostly used knives made in Mora Sweden. Most of these were low-cost, plastic-handled knives made by KJ Eriksson and Frost.
Link for the Mors books
Bushcraft - amzn.to/3QZ9YRQ
Basic Safe Travel and Boreal Survival Handbook - amzn.to/47RCThq
Grand Syllabus: Instructor Trainee Program - amzn.to/411cdsr
One of the most famous models is probably the KJ Eriksson model 511.
More info on the knives he used here oldmora.blogsp...
In the words of Mors, the knife is the balance point for survival in the bush. Without it, you have to stay on the move. With it, you create the opportunity to rest.”
Mors always made 4 changes to better match his needs:
• The finger guard was sawn off
• The spine was sharpened to allow to scrape the firesteel
• Hole at the end of the handle to attach a string to help in case the knife gets dropped on the snow
• Hole in the middle of the handle for a wrist lanyard
NOTE: Although I was using relative slow speed with the drill and using anti-cut gloves because of the knife grab and start spinning, I should have clamped it down to reduce even more the risk of that happening.
🎥 This video is a treasure trove of knowledge for those interested in knife customization, bushcraft, and outdoor skills. Immerse yourself in the world of Mors Kochanski as we unveil the secrets behind his legendary knife modifications.
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The 511 is a fine knife.
And Mors was a humble but very knowledgeable man.
It was one of the greatest's that for sure!
@@Oldmora
Yup.
I always enjoy myself to tell those smartass-kids(those who belittle lower priced knives) with their overly expensive knives, that Mors spoke about a Mora is all you need. If you're paying more than 10 bucks for a knife than you'wasting your money.
You don't need a 300 euro Tops etc.(they are not better anyway)
We all have preferences .
But the 511 is good enough. No doubt about that.
I see so many times people in the woods, with 300 knifes on their belt and a mora in their hands :) makes me smile every time
@@Oldmora
True.
It works like that.
Mora's are working knives.
They are light weight, comfortable in hand, and no guilt feelings when they get damaged.
Those more expensive knives are to be seen as a fetish, a talisman, amulet, something to cherish.
😋😁
For knife tasks, the Mora will do really well.
@@Ve-suviusmora 510 carbon, no guard.
Thanks for sharing this information. It was good to think of Mors again. I only knew him from videos he was on, but he made a good impression on me. Respect.
Is was one of the titans and influenced the Bushcraft scene in a way that no one else did. A true legend
Obrigado por compartilhar irmão! Belo vídeo!
Grande abraço Humberto
The Mora 510 already has this handle shape with a little longer blade and handle.
Indeed, but the 511 was more readily available. and that was why he used the 511 and not the 510. oldmora.blogspot.com/2021/08/KJE-510-511.html
He bought what was available in big batches for his students.
Great job and history of great Mors, great video and modifications to that great KJ Ericksson, big Hug João 😉👌🤩🇵🇹
Grande Hugo
Mors was a great person! And this mora is also a great knife!
indeed Mauricio!
Obrigado por mais um excelente vídeo, principalmente por mostrar na prática, aquilo que para o grande Mestre, era a ferramenta essencial de "sobrevivência". Eu sou um grande adepto da 510, e também lhe faço pequenas alterações, como a mudança na bainha para usar ao pescoço, e colocar uns ângulos rectos na espinha para usar a lâmina como raspador... Grande ferramenta.
Muito obrigado Dominique. 👊
Can't go wrong with that knife!!!
indeed.
Did you put that metal paste on a block of wood or was that some leather attached to wood?
There is a thin but very hard layer of leather on top.
great work !
Thanks 💪
They sure use good plastic on mora knives.
Indeed
Could you explain the utility of making two holes for lanyard in the handle because I didn't quite understand it.
Thank you
The hole in the middle, is for the wrist lanyard, in Mors view, this is the correct way to use a wrist lanyard, not in the end of the handle like we normally see. the knife will hang in a way that you can reach it without much trouble.
The hole in the end of the handle, he attaches a piece of cord about 50cm long and to that a florescent ribbon, making the think probably 1 meter long, if the knife is dropped in deep snow the ribbon will sticking out so it allow you to recover it. This is only important if you are in a deep snow environment like Mors was in parts of the year
You’ve just turned a 511 into a 510. I’ve still got a K J Errikson 511, they came with a lanyard hole at the end of the handle already. I’m sure the reason for the conversion from the 511’s was because of the lack of 510’s available, the addition of the finger guard made them a bit safer to use.
After the introduction of the 511, the sales took off and became the best selling model. For what I been told, in Canada the 511 was readily available and that’s why he use this models and not the 510
@@Oldmora Mors was a legend, he was always one for sharing the knowledge. He taught everyone, from absolute beginners to more experienced “Bushcrafters”. He was never about the money and he knew a good deal when he saw one, the 511 is a fantastic knife for a beginner and rather than sell you a new knife as your experience grew he just showed people how to improve the knife you already had. I do remember a time when it was really difficult to find a 510 for sale anywhere, other than the finger guard the sheath was slightly different.
@cujomojo2007 Mors was part of the Titans generation. He and hand full of others, were in this space because they loved the subject and not because of views or subscribers.
They not only studied a hide range of subjected but made those subjacent evolved with their research.
There are still a group of people that is is developing the craft but we don’t see them on TH-cam doing “party tricks” very often
What is point of removing guard?
For a very long time, Morakniv made knives without guards, in keeping with the Nordic tradition. However, it will all depend on the situation. You will undoubtedly need a guard if you plan to perform stabbing motions or even wield the knife while oil is in your hands. In the craft context, the guard blocks some grits.
Looks like what he was aiming for handle shape wise was a Puukko. I can see why he might reshape a plastic handle knife, instead of getting one with the traditional wooden scales. Not a fan of his lanyard, the Lofty Wiseman thumb loop is much better (because the knife drops toward the outside of your body resulting in less chance to cut yourself) especially for larger knives like machete's.
The plastic ones where more readily available and cheap then the classic wood handle. The original model of this knife didn’t had the guard( model n510) but in the 1980 onwards this model with guard (model n511) became more “then norm”.
Have to check that lanyard that Lofty used.
but that lanyard limits the movement of your hand quite much. Though I don't really get Mors' lanyard, I never see him use one
I have and use a Lofty B model, John’s recommendation for using the lanyard definitely works, but it’s a lot of knife to drop. I use a very slight variation on John’s method, I just wind a couple of turns with my thumb through the lanyard, if you want a demo I’m more than happy to show it.
The best way to get an 90 degree edge to the knife spine is by draw filing it.
Indeed. I have a video on that method. It worked great on carbon steel knives th-cam.com/video/G_P19OhM8uw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=XPM7lob5BVi7Tmzr
i'd order this from you! SO cool
thanks! Maybe i can get some of this old ones and do some to sell
Muito bem feito! Bem haja!
Muito obrigado
When you reached the point of stropping, did you strop at the angle of the scandi grind or at the angle of the microbevel?
Thanks!
I normally make a micro bevel in the finest stone and then strop to that angle.
@@Oldmora Thank you!👍🏻
I just wish Mora would put out their knives with a factory fitted lanyard hole. If they can do it for the Garberg and Kansbol, why can't they do it on all their knives ?
I think a question of requirement. The basic knives are design not for outdoor but the craftsman and handyman(not for outdoor). Maybe things change in the future.
@@Oldmora I hear what you are saying , but lots of folk cross over with their Mora knives. If a lanyard hole was fitted then folk would have option of using it , or not. Without a lanyard hole being a standard feature many people drill/burn their own , with various degrees of success. A factory made lanyard hole would be a great bonus on the Campanion/Heavy Duty/Bushcraft Black , for example.
@clivedunning4317 check this out morakniv.se/en/morakniv-duty/
@@Oldmora Thank you, now all they need to do is to introduce this to all their models. Many thanks for bringing it to my attention.
How did you create a sharpening choil on this knife ?
I don’t remember if I did a sharpening choil on this one or not. But is something I do in many knife with a small diamond file, normally I start with a triangular one to get it started and then go the round one.
@@Oldmora I only have a triangular file available, do you think that having a sharpening choil on this knife and creating it only with a triangular file could create weak points, breakages in the steel?
@michelemerico2329 i confess I don’t know. I never had problem with breaks in the choil but on the other hand I don’t batton that much, specially with such a small blade
@@Oldmora Ok thanks
To be fair, Mors also believed that stropping the knife had an effect because if the heat produced from the friction. So don't just assume his word, or philosophy is law.
Of course not. Regarding the strop I heard him saying that the heat would burn the burr wish I always thought was sketchy as well.
But in regard to the sharping process, this is more than adequate to get a workable edge for the woods if do not have anything else or are in a tight budget
Do you know where i could 1 of those knives ?
Only on the auction sides. But you can still find the 510 shape but with a 2mm thick blade instead of the 2,5mm of the old one, here morakniv.se/en/product/no-510-c-black/
You don't need to find exact same knife. Mors couldn't care less about brand and colour. The more you know, the less you need, was his words. You can hardly get better knife for bushcraft than Mora 510. Light, carbon, excellent at woodcarving, but strong enough. Mors had test for the knife - try stick.
So true ..i have 2 w black handle . Want red handle 2 pass on 2 gr. Kids. I have more expensive knives that r covered n dust ..my moras dont c dust there always busy .
Why did you cut the guard?
This is part of the customizations Mors would do on his knives. According to him the guard would get away in some of the grips he used.
Why remove the finger guard?
There is no stabbing in bushcraft. No need for a guard.
Besides, you can use a lanyard to wrap around your wrist to keep the hand from sliding forward.
in Mors own words: "they are in the way". Guard get in the way with some grips.
@@RustyGunn7
Depends on where you live and the creatures being dangerous.
I read an article where Gene Moe stabbed the hack out of a 750lbs grizzly.
With a Buck 110, the one with the finger grooves.
He had a rifle/gun, but it was just out of reach when the bear was noticed and approaching.
Self defense can be a part of bushcraft too. Hopefully it never happens.
Mors also spoke about making a big wooden bat , and to hit the bear on the nose or something like that.
Shit happens.
Not long ago, even in Italy a man was killed by a bear . He was a runner. This ofcourse triggers the hunting instinct of predators.
As certain behavior triggers evil desires in human predators.
@@Ve-suvius
Thank you for your comments. I've read the Buck knife story.
My "no stabbing" comment is repeating what Kochanski says of no-guard knives. No one goes to do bushcraft intending to defend themselves against bears. Crap happens, regardless of 'bushcraft' or not.
Again, there is no stabbing in bushcraft.
@@RustyGunn7
Normally, there is no stabbing , that's true.
I like a little guard myself.
I have great respect for Mors.
But I do not worship him or anyobdy else on the planet.
No religion either.
We all have to walk our own path. Many times I appreciate his thoughts though.
😁👍
Why have you removed the finger guard ? This IS a safety issue
For ages, Morakniv followed the Nordic tradition, of making knives without guards. But it will all depend on the context, If you are going to do stabbing movements or maybe use the knife with oil in your hands, for sure you will need a guard. In the context of crafting, the guard impedes certain grits
That lanyard idea is pretty dumb in my opinion. All that cord hanging about.
Best not to use a file for metal on plastic, you can see that he's clogged the teeth. (3:45)
Use a file for wood on plastic.
True. i am still missing one of those in my tool box!!!
A eso le llamo yo estropear el cabo del cuchillo,una pena
A eso lo llamo y joder un cuchillo,ke mania tiene la gente de torturar los filos
🤦♂️
I can turn most basic kitchen knives into what you call this. the end
Is not I called it that, was Mors that called it that in an article from the 1990s.
IStill today many tribes in Africa and Asia use kitchen knives as their only knife to survives.
With the propor knowledge you don’t need any special knife to do what I want.
I am just showing what he used for more then 30 years teaching outdoor living skills and survival.
Kitchen knives are too flimsy. Makes a poor bushcraft knife.
I do and always will. I pick thicker knives to start 12 inch knife runs into 7" with handle and thick. So please Don't hate the end meets the need.
Linda's correct I can make about 25 for 25 dollars picked out at garage sales then perfect them, too me at home.all that spark from a stone and your carbon blade just get two stones save your blade. I'm not knocking survival nerd but look test learn. Your idea today may not be that way tomorrow. Be cool everyone don't cut yourselfs.
@Survivalnerd I'd like to know how and what you baton? I would only baton green wood. For a heavier baton then whittle wedges too utilize a baton for splitting larger pieces. Usually no batoning needed. Use your brain before your blade.