AB-Carl Andersson, popularly known as "CA Mora", was one of the earliest Mora knife producers.
In 1857, Bud-Carl Andersson was born. Bud Carl Andersson's father was a well-known veterinarian, and he soon took over his father's profession. Bud Bud-Carl gradually began to choose a different route when his father died.
He had been producing autos in his hometown of na since the 1870s. The knife smithy must have arrived in na in the 1850s with a blacksmith named Liberg from Eskilstuna (reference: "Hantverk Som Blev Industri"). Initially, the company was known as "Mora Åkdonsfabrik"
Bud-Carl Andersson started producing knives after learning he could repurpose the leftover birch wood from the production of timber sleds (the sleds were used to gather timber of the wood during the winter) and adapt them into knife handles. He used to buy knife blades from Erik Frost and hardware from Erik Jönsson.
Photos from the 1920s Source: Mora bygdearkiv
Bud-Carl Andersson was mentioned in the Swedish Trade Directory as "knife makers" in 1890.
C. ANDERSSON received a patent for a "Resilient shackle bracket" for his carriage business in 1894.
They finish constructing the brick building at Badstubacksbron bridge in 1896, which would initially house the production of wood sleds and riding equipment, then one year later, in 1897 (Ref "Hantverk Som Blev Industri"), the knife forge.
1920s
Bud-Jannes, one of Bud-Carl's three sons, was a sports enthusiast who worked as a sports coach at the University of Southern California (emigrated to the United States in 1919). Jannes also worked in Hollywood film circles as a stunt trainer and physical advisor. He shared the screen alongside Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo.
The photograph was taken in 1929 at the University of Southern California. Bud-Jannes is pictured behind Greta.. Source
Many people are unaware that at the time, Jannes was contracted by film director Sam Goldwyn to create a moving prosthesis. In a workplace accident, silent cinema star Harold Lloyd lost both his thumb and index finger. Jannes contacted a man named Halvars Anders Eriksson, also known as "Mäkern," who lived in Stnor and was noted for his craftsmanship and mechanical inventiveness.
Casts of the hand were created, as well as a wooden model of the hand. He then created a prosthesis in his water-powered forge and workshop. Metal skeletons and joints were used, with the skeleton incorporated into carved wooden fingers. The prosthesis fit and functioned flawlessly. Harold Lloyd then used his prosthetic climbing up facades and hanging from double-decker buses in a number of films.
Invoice from 1900 of the company Carl Andersson Åkdonsfabrik (Vehicle factory)
AB-Carl Andersson continued to service carriage wheels (replacing the wooden spoke wheels with new steel rings) throughout the 1920s or perhaps the 1930s.
Bud-Carl's organizing talents and abilities earned him some respect in the community. He is a member of both the municipal and building committees. and Mora Folkbank board member for many years.
Carl Andersson was the first car owner in Mora, according to legend.Bud-Carl Andersson died on February 27, 1925 (Thursday) of a heart attack at 6 p.m. He was enjoying a walk around town but had to beg a passing vehicle to transport him home.
He was 68 years old when his sons took over the company's administration.
Carl Andersson Jr.
Carl Andersson obtained a patent for an aluminum knife sheath in 1926. The sheath was constructed from a single aluminum tube.
Patent Number No 61216
"WAY TO MAKE KNIFE SLIDES, Swedish patent application no. 3148/1924 Patent No.61216.
We have hereby sent the Swedish Patent no. 61216. The patent runs for 15 years from October 22, 1924, and is maintained by payment of prescribed annual fees. By October 22, annually. Second and third annual fees become due within 22 October 1 year.
At the same time, we hereby allow us to attach a note on the extra costs associated with the implementation of the application, amounting to Kr. 60: -, which amount we gratefully receive.
When we apply for recognition on the receipt of the patent letter, we sign"
Technical details of how the sheath of patent Number No 61216 was made
Diploma and medal from a 1927 exhibit in Falun
Carl Andersson had roughly 60 different knife styles in 1930 and created 144,000 knives in 1937 alone.
Carl Andersson purchased some of the machinery from the Jannes Knagg knife manufacture after it closed.
Bud Carl Andersson created this door with fittings and handle/keyhole design. Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/894851640891369
Date: 1930s. Bud Erik is on the front row, in the middle. Bud Karl Bud Erik and Bud are third from the right in the same row. Bud Carl had two kids named Karl.
A pretty intriguing ax was discovered on the Tradera website. Carl Andersson never had any ax in his catalog, hence it's presumed the ax was forged for internal use exclusively. Probably from the years 1900-1920.
Carl Andersson is said to be the first company to use electric power in its production line, which is powered by a 7.5 horsepower motor.
CA produced several batches of the legendary knife "Norse King" for the US market in 1950. This model was also constructed for the same US client by E.Jonsson and KJE.
They began making industrial equipment including ice drills under the brand "Mora-borren" in the 1950s.
Bud-Erik Andersson passed away in 1950.
Catalog illustration of the ice drill "skopan" from the late 1960s.
The shares begin to change hands in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The widow and son of Erik Andersson (Bud-Carls' youngest son) sold their shares to Arthur Andersson. He later sold half of his stock to Jannes Hallin.
Carl Andersson had a local reputation for imitating the success of other local knife makers and was dubbed the "ape factory" because to their monkey business. Frosts even put a sticker on some blades to commemorate this (beware of imitations). One example is the N151/152 fish knife, which was a rip-off with Norwegian design rights: "retkniven" was the original name. Nils 3. Furuseth pattern protected the well-known Geilo Trout Knife, with pattern number N.M. 31910.
Arthur Andersson had worked with Bud-Erik as a factory manager.
Arthur Andersson, date unknown
Label (for cardboard end) found AB Moraknivar's premises in Färnäs
In 1961, one of the other siblings (Brother Bud, Mats Bud's father) approached Einar Eriksson (son of Krng-Johan Eriksson and CEO of KJE at the time) and inquired whether KJ would be interested in purchasing his shares. Einar Eriksson said no. A public auction was held for the entire corporation, but Hallin's bid could not be matched.
Following the auction, there was an immediate takeover/entry, and Einar made certain that the locks were changed. Einar also believed that the workshop should be guarded at night for the first time, and Nils Legranäs, who married KJ's daughter Lilly, was assigned as the first night watchman. A automobile was travelling at three o'clock in the evening. Jannes Hallin came in and tried to get in, but he couldn't since the locks had already been changed. Einar seems to have a sense of what to expect following the takeover. KJ Eriksson fully incorporated AB-Carl Andersson.
CA ice drills served provided the foundation for modern Morakniv ice drill manufacture.
Icedrill
Icedrill Production remained in its current location for at least another ten years until being totally (and unpopularly) relocated to Bjäkenbacken.
The last knives with the CA stamp were made between the late 1960s and 1971. (reference BO Eriksson)
Badstubacksbron, the old brick building that served as Bud-Carl's workshop, still stands today.
The ancient structure that once housed the plant is still standing and in operation. It is now used as a local pub and concert venue called Lilla Helfvetet.
Catalogs: 1942
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteEstou colocando a venda um jogo de 7 facas mora frost 1942 em excelente estado. Está no mercado livre.
ReplyDeleteVery informative. I inherited a Mora hunting knife from my uncle when he passed. While it looks very similar to the KJ Eriksson knife from the 1950s, it bears the "lemon stamp" from the 1920s. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteKnives with history are the best. If you need help trying to identify the model etc. send me a picture of the knife and I see what i can discover.
DeleteEnjoyed reading this interesting post as I live in Sweden, Dalarna. Found an old knife marked "moCAra" so I Googled it and that led me here. The knife I found at an auction site (Tradera) was made in metal both the handle & the cover and had a beautiful engraved pattern. https://www.tradera.com/item/342912/582887784/aldre-kniv-mocara-skaft-fodral-i-metall-made-in-sweden-
ReplyDeleteVery nice craftsmanship. This knive used a Carl Andersson blade (1940-1960s period) and the rest is custom made. Don't know you the craftsman is. I seen another very similar knife but with Erik Frost blade, from the same era
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