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FMM N. 650 & KJE N.1700

The model was first introduced in 1955 by FMM (The first time it appeared in a catalog was in the 1959 FMM catalog)


FMM Catalog 1959


The design of the knife is not original, it was very popular in the EUA, by the name of "Original Buffalo Skinner" with many variants made by multiple companies:  Solingen Cutlers such as Puma, Othello (A. Wingen Jr.) Linder, F.A Bower, C Schlieper (and many, many more) but I cannot verify who was the initial maker of this style of knife. Most probably, FMM saw an opportunity to do business in EUA and copied the popular model.

When FMM closed the knife business, the model is transferred to Hallin&Co. We can see it in the unpublished catalog of the company from 1962. 

ABMorakniar unpublished catalog from 1961

The 650 finally ends up in the KJE catalog where it gets renumbered to 1700 with some modifications


On the bottom the FMM N. 650 and on top  KJE N.1700 


KJE 1975 Catalogue. 


The final production of this model was around 1985.

Length: 245mm | 9 5/8in

Blade: 140mm | 5 1/2in

Weight: 260gr | 0.573lbs


Curious knife: it used a FMM blade but with the handle of a KJE. Possible explications:  maybe some initial "oficial" product batch by KJE or maybe some KJE employ made it,  using the FMM blade (there are still production left overs in the Morakniv basement) with KJE handle


Blade

40mm long blade. 

There is some question regarding FMM blade if they were laminated or not. Link

Handle

Initially, it had a leather stacked handle, with brass fittings.

All FMM stamped versions of these knives have leather stacked handles.

When KJE took over the model from FM Mattsson they redesigned it slightly, changing the grip from leather washers to jacaranda wood.


Sheath

Heavy-duty vegetable tanned leather was used with no dye, with a hunting scene of a dog chasing a fox. There is a small 55 inscribed in the drawing, indicated the year that it was introduced to the market. 

Stamps

FMM - 1950's - 1962





KJ Mora Sweden with a lemon style around 1962 - 1968s


KJ Mora Sweden laminated?  1970s ????



KJ Mora Sweden with a rectangular box around 1968 - the 1970s



KJ Mora Sweden Stamped - 1970s - 1985s




KJ Mora Sweden etched- 1970s - 1985s


KJ Mora Sweden etched- 1985

This stamp was only used in the special version for Moraboden, see bellow



Special versions

Vasaloppet



Moraboden

There was a special version made for Moraboden, a local souvenir shop in Mora city center that was sold with a fancy wood box. Around 1985






Husqvarna 

In 1989 a commemorative knife was made for Husqvarna for the celebration of the 300 years.


Domnarvets Järnverk 

Domnarvets Jernverk is a steel mill in Borlänge that has been part of SSAB since 1978 . Domnarvets Jernverk, which was built in 1872–78, was formerly part of Stora Kopparbergs Bergslags AB . In 1988, SSAB Tunnplåt AB was formed through a merger of Domnarvet's and also SSAB-owned Norrbottens Järnverk 's operations. In connection with this, the old name (Domnarvets Jernverk) disappeared, and the production unit in Borlänge is today called SSAB Tunnplåt Borlänge and belongs to SSAB EMEA AB.

https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domnarvets_Jernverk

Made by FMM pre 1960s



Special thanks


Chad Spies for the pictures
Thomas Morakniv for all the knowledge shared
Gal Jones for the proof-reader


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