Whenever I think about morakniv, I immediately imagine a fixed
blade knife with red handle, no guard, simple blade with a scandi grind,
razor sharp, simple sheath and affordable. This is the resume of the current
evolution of a knife that as evolved for hundreds of years. In many cases
if you ask a Swedish to imagine a knife, he will think on a morakniv
It's designed to be a multi-purpose knife for the everyday task, outdoor
activities and crafting activities alike.
In the old catalogs, this type of knife is also called
"slidkniv" that translate to sheath knife or "täljkniv"
when is sold without a sheath.
Origins
The Morakniv is based on that Scandinavian knife that as evolved
for hundreds of years, later part of the Middle Ages or even older, here
some link the design back to the iron age and the era of the Vikings.
Archaeological findings indicate processing of iron in the area of Ovansiljan
around this time.
Stefan Westberg, from Morakniv Fans page brought a few more details regarding the origins of the Morakniv "The northen areas of lake Siljan, Ovansiljan, have been the center of iron productions in Sweden since the iron-age. In Olofs Saga, from around 1100, the area is called Järnbäraland, 'the land bearing iron' and was at that time still heathen and somewhat independent from the kings of Svithiod. In Sollerön, in Lake Siljan, there is a rich burial site from Viking age with, amongst other artifacts, remainings of knives from Viking age with a resemblance to the first Mora knives"
The birthplace is Östnor in Mora Municipality, Dalarna County.
One of the first makers to produce a knife with Morakniv style as we know it, was Sol-Nils Olsson. He later joined forces with (1877) Finn-Anders Andersson (FA Andersson) that was also one of the first makers.
Finn-Anders Andersson is the first knifemakers of Mora knives and the first to make a large-scale knife production business in around 1870.
Industrialized production started in 1891 by the hand of Frost-Erik
Ersson.
One other maker, Katrin-Jöns Persson, is thought to be responsible for
the name Mora knife. We started making knife around 1875 and took long trips to
sell them, as far as Sundsvall in the North more then 200km distance (in
today's world that is very little, but imagines that journey by horse and sled,
in the winter) It was his clients from those distant towns, that started
calling them Mora knifes, a reference where the knives and the seller came from.
More about the history and the difference makers here
Very old example of a knife marked Sol N.O.S. aka Sol Nils Olsson Source
Detail of the tang that was bent to one side and not pinned as most of
the knifes we see
In 1904 Erik Frost produced 19.000 knives. In 1913 Rombo-Anders Ström (the a company that back in the day, made all the sheath for all the knife manufacturers)
made 48.000 sheaths (I assume that amount would cover one year of production of
all the makers). In the present day, the MORAKNIV factory produces 7.000 blades an
hour.
The blade
The original model, N.1, continuously curving edge of around 10 cm
and scandi grind edge (no secondary edge), offers superior razor-sharp cutting
power.
The point of the blade is what is normally called "Drop
Point", meaning that the point drops below the spine, close to the centerline of the blade. This type of point is very versatile in all tasks.
The handle
Initially, the handle was only varnished marbled birch. The
recognizable red color handle only appeared on the 20, first with stain and
varnish and after dip dye in paint as we see today.
Birchwood is used on regular models, but some special models may also
offer birch burl or rosewood wood.
The handle with an oval shape and smooth walls, minimize hot spots in
prolonged use and allow easy index of the blade, you always know where the
sharp edge is pointed. It is also tapered front and back preventing slippage. The
absence of a guard allows an array of grips what in another way would be
impossible, especially useful in woodcarving. though, special models for
children with guards are available.
One interesting curiosity, some of the current models have the GPS
coordinates of where the birch tree was cut.
The Sizes
Find out more about the different sizes of the dedicated post here.
The sheath
The initial sheath was made of leather. Some earlier examples had metal
fittings.
In 1920, duo to the lack of leather, a sheath made out vulcanized
cellulose fiber was introduced by Rombo-Anders Ström. It was called Unica. A
sheath made of this material would cost half the price of leather equivalent.
Until the 1930's Rombo-Anders Ström produced the sheaths for all the
maker in Mora.
The plastic version was developed on the 50/60 (still trying to confirm
this dates)
The sheath has decorative geometric motives, based on local native
costumes and is originally from woven ribbons.
References
Thomas Morakniv, personal communication
Morakniv Sedan 1891, ISBN-13: 978-9163391088
Thank you very much
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