Which Mora killer is the best?

I've been seeking the best cheap bushcraft/survival knife. Something you could leave in your vehicle. And not care that much if it got ripped off. But would provide enough function to do basic tasks.

I love my Mora. But I don't like that it's not fulltang. And I don't like the price on the Mora's that are fulltang. But with the exception of the fulltang issue. Mora's do fit this bill. Very sharp, great safe rubber handles, good steel, they come with a sheath, and they are cheap.

So here's the criteria:

1) Must be below $25.

2) Must be fulltang.

3) Must come with a sheath. Or an available, cheap aftermarket sheath, that does not exceed the $25 mark for knife and sheath.

4) Bonus points for things like ergonomics, blade safety (non slip handle, blade guard etc), ability to easily keep it sharp, accesories (ferro rod, sharpening stone etc. but I will say I prefer to use my own better accessories.).

5) Preferable blade length of 5 inches or less. But exceptions can be made. I could see the utility of a short machete in specific environments.

I came across this knife this morning. The Cold Steel Peace Maker III looks like a Mora Garberg. Has a nice thick rubber handle with a nice blade guard. I feel like a blade guard adds a huge amount of safety to a knife that may be used to stab things.

Cold Steel Peace Maker III $24.99 at various retailers:

https://smkw.com/cold-steel-peace-maker-iii

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There is also the version ll. It's $26.99. Just a bit thicker. .1 vs .12. And instead of a 4 inch blade it has a 5.5 inch blade. This does break the $25 barrier. But I thought I should share itas itsthe same knife as the version. But only $2 more.

https://smkw.com/cold-steel-peace-maker-ii

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I have others to share. Perhaps we'll do a poll?

https://www.amazon.com/BPS-Knives-Bushcraft-Survival-Lightweight/dp/B07T915LQG/ref=sr_1_5_pp?crid=2JI4UGKAIOXGX&keywords=bps%2Bknives&qid=1700353683&sprefix=BPS%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-5&th=1

BPS Knives BS1FT CSH - Full-Tang Fixed-Blade Knife - 

https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-20PCZ-Finn-Bear/dp/B07BN222LD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AD47U6B5M8NO&keywords=cold%2Bsteel%2Bfinn%2Bbear&qid=1700353876&sprefix=COLD%2BSTEEL%2BFIN%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1&th=1

Cold Steel Finn Hawk




https://www.amazon.com/USA-MT-20-70C-Titanium-10-Inch-Overall/dp/B01416WSBM/ref=sr_1_20?crid=GTHKJ2PH9Y5U&keywords=mtech+knife&qid=1700354242&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=MTE%2Csporting%2C143&sr=1-20

MT-20-70C

Came to post BPS.

For $45-Ish you can get an Ontario Spec Plus pilot's knife or Marine combat knife, which is probably what I'd do for a burner.

Quote from: Lodewijk on November 18, 2023, 07:27:36 PMCame to post BPS.

For $45-Ish you can get an Ontario Spec Plus pilot's knife or Marine combat knife, which is probably what I'd do for a burner.

If your gonna spend that much you might as well get one of those varasluka(sp?) Puukkos I posted. Those look bulletproof. Will have to lookfor some reviews.

Gideon Tactical did a "would not recommend" review on the BPS. The blade bent and chipped. During his albeit "torture" test. But it didn't garner to much faith in the knife either way. Seems more like a cheap kitchen utensil.

I wish I could remember the name of that one survival knife I found a few years ago. It was like the cold steel. But thicker. And a guy did a really thorough torture test in it. It was cheap too. SS and rubber handle.

There's also these recent hardware store knives Milwaukie etc.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/utility-and-hobby-knives/2811677

https://youtu.be/YGP6Vke2Jlo?si=-hv5pZK8rTddVuzV

This is onsale for $23.99. But still.Schrade Exertion DP Fixed Blade Knife 4" Drop Point AUS-10 Satin Blade Kraton Handle Black with sheath. 

The sheath comes with sharpener and ferro rod. And the AUS10 steel blade is 0.156 Inches thick.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1025111078

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Quote from: flybynight on November 18, 2023, 10:17:43 PM
https://youtu.be/YGP6Vke2Jlo?si=-hv5pZK8rTddVuzV

I can't find it. But I watched a video of his in the last 2 days. He hung a 2lb weight off the BPS blade and it bent. But it was from 3yrs ago iirc. So maybe they have changed.

Theres only 8ne that is $25. And its thickness is .08 inches. Maybe thats the one that bent? Idk. Wish I had saved it.

https://www.amazon.com/BPS-Knives-Bushcraft-Survival-Lightweight/dp/B07T915LQG?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

Here's the Gideon Tactical review I was talking about. Just posted 8 days ago. Knife bends. To bad. I love the looks of it.


https://youtu.be/ruzwv_clH6M?si=ljcbWzYyfuhWxSng

Quote from: Moab on November 18, 2023, 09:55:37 PM

Quote from: Lodewijk on November 18, 2023, 07:27:36 PMCame to post BPS.

For $45-Ish you can get an Ontario Spec Plus pilot's knife or Marine combat knife, which is probably what I'd do for a burner.

If your gonna spend that much you might as well get one of those varasluka(sp?) Puukkos I posted. Those look bulletproof. Will have to lookfor some reviews.

Gideon Tactical did a "would not recommend" review on the BPS. The blade bent and chipped. During his albeit "torture" test. But it didn't garner to much faith in the knife either way. Seems more like a cheap kitchen utensil.

I wish I could remember the name of that one survival knife I found a few years ago. It was like the cold steel. But thicker. And a guy did a really thorough torture test in it. It was cheap too. SS and rubber handle.

There's also these recent hardware store knives Milwaukie etc.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/utility-and-hobby-knives/2811677

Varusteleka's 110 / 140 are much better knives and are made by a better company than Ontario, totally agree. I would NEVER take Ontario for even money, except maybe an RTAK II and that's really pushing it.

The system cost is where you get bit... a 110/140 is around $80 with a sheath, and you generally want their sheath because it's outstanding. For $45 on a Spec Plus you get a decent knife with something cheap for a sheath that's functional... but for $45 on just the Jääkäripuukko itself you get a knife and literally nothing else, requiring further investment if you want to carry it.

Said another way, your total cost on the JP 110/140 isn't $45, it's probably higher. Assuming you want to carry your knife.

Again, though, I'm looking at this as a burner option. I'd be royally pissed if my JP140 got stolen. I wouldn't really care if I had to replace an SP2 or something.

Lodewijk:

Why not the Terävä Jääkäripuukko 85? Its only $54.99 with a very good sheath and belt clip. I think $64.99 with a leather sheath.

https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/terava-jaakaripuukko-85-carbon-steel/61161

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Thats the leather sheath in the last pic. This is the plastic ones. The knife with the plastic sheath and no clip is even cheaper. I think $44.99. more pics to follow. 

Looks like the plastic sheaths metal clip is made of wire. Not sure what reviews say about that. So its $39.99 with no sheath. Or $64.99 with the leather sheath.

Another option would be to have a cheap kydex sheath made. I think ebay makers charge $29.99. But you'd have to send them the knife. I'm sure they don't have a template for it.

But for $64.99 with the leather sheath. I like this knife as much as my $130(?) ESEE 4HM. I wonder if there are any aftermarket sheaths that would work better than the leather one?

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So thats the plastic sheath with wire belt clip. The cheaper option is this same plastic sheath without the wire clip. Which is $42.99.

This is the 4 inch blade model. Slightly bigger. $46.99 without sheath. And $86.99 with a kydex like sheath. But with a budget of $40 for a sheath. A custom made one is not out of the question.

https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/terava-jaakaripuukko-110-carbon-steel/63681

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If you're good with a small blade and the plastic cover for a car knife, then nothing's wrong with it really. The leather sheath is excellent and a larger blade will get you a more traditionally-sized bush knife, that's all.

I intend to use my mini-skrama as more of a grab-and-go kit knife when it's done, and it won't get carried on a belt. So I can definitely see uses where a good sheath doesn't matter much.

Quote from: Lodewijk on November 19, 2023, 03:24:14 PMIf you're good with a small blade and the plastic cover for a car knife, then nothing's wrong with it really. The leather sheath is excellent and a larger blade will get you a more traditionally-sized bush knife, that's all.

I intend to use my mini-skrama as more of a grab-and-go kit knife when it's done, and it won't get carried on a belt. So I can definitely see uses where a good sheath doesn't matter much.

I was thinking the same thing. Just getting the 85 with the plastic sheath only for $42.99. And just carrying it in my pack or chestrig. 

https://www.amazon.com/COLDSTEEL-Cold-Steel-Secure-Ex-14-75in/dp/B00M3FOB2I/ref=sr_1_2?crid=38159LQXHK1D3&keywords=cold+steel+bushman&qid=1700438962&sprefix=coLD+STEEL+B%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-2

COLDSTEEL Cold Steel Bushman Knife With 7" Blade Secure-Ex Sheath

Just three dollars past your price point

https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-20PH-Outdoorsman-Lite/dp/B004MNAL4G/ref=sr_1_8?crid=38159LQXHK1D3&keywords=cold+steel+bushman&qid=1700440198&sprefix=coLD+STEEL+B%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-8

Quote from: flybynight on November 19, 2023, 06:11:33 PMhttps://www.amazon.com/COLDSTEEL-Cold-Steel-Secure-Ex-14-75in/dp/B00M3FOB2I/ref=sr_1_2?crid=38159LQXHK1D3&keywords=cold+steel+bushman&qid=1700438962&sprefix=coLD+STEEL+B%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-2

COLDSTEEL Cold Steel Bushman Knife With 7" Blade Secure-Ex Sheath

This is certainly versatile. I saw these a but ago too when searching. Was amazed at the price. Some grio tape around the handle would improve it greatly too. 

Quote from: flybynight on November 19, 2023, 06:36:16 PMJust three dollars past your price point

https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-20PH-Outdoorsman-Lite/dp/B004MNAL4G/ref=sr_1_8?crid=38159LQXHK1D3&keywords=cold+steel+bushman&qid=1700440198&sprefix=coLD+STEEL+B%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-8

This was recommended over the cold steel knife in my original post. By Gideon Tactical. Although I don't remember his reasons. He may have been comparing them as boot knifes. Rather than survival knives. But its a nice contender for sure.

I may do another thread for $35-$45 dollar knives for this purpose. It does seem like a huge jump in quality when you spend another $20 or so. I guess it just depends on if you can afford to lose $25 or $45. 

My original thought was something to leave in your car with your ghb. That has a high likelihood of being stolen. But as a "cache" knife or knives to have extras of or to give away or equip family members or whatever. I think the $25 mark still has some value. 

May not be scientific. But this guy is crazy. Severe torture tests. Watch the bottom video first. The guy is a maniac. First he stabs them into a car roof or hood, tares apart a tree, and then hits it into a huge brick and metal pole until it breaks! Lmao!  I think it would be safe to buy anything he recommends. Lol.

This is his top 15.


https://youtu.be/jArPJbAN_Ls?si=tYJlJJXV5Caloh71

I am impressed with this one. $71 delivered from Amazon Germany.


https://youtu.be/cS7NTHGAVTs?si=bB_cxS1lcYgQhULz

This might be it. Comes in orange and wolf grey. 

SOG Tellus FX Fixed Blade Knife. $24.99.

Weight 6.7 Ounce
Overall Length 9 Inches
Folding or Fixed Blade Fixed
Blade Length 4.2 Inches
Blade Finish Stonewashed
Blade Steel Cryo 440 Stainless Steel
Blade Shape Clip Point
Serration Type Plain
Handle Color Wolf Gray
Handle Material Glass Reinforced Nylon (GRN)
Sheath Included Yes
Sheath Material Nylon

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102442486?pid=213282

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