The average person doesn’t need a “survival knife” but rather, a durable bushcraft/woodcraft knife. And that’s what these are. AND affordable! I thought was one of the most balanced, objective reviews of these knives!!! Excellent!!
Nobody needs a thick crowbar if they know how to correctly use a knife. The Mora 2000 and now the Kansbol is the standard issue knife for the Swedish army, including elite ranger units. The mora 2000 has been the best selling and most popular outdoor knife in Sweden for a long time. If you go on an outdoor forum (not with knife nerds) the Mora 2000 or now Kansbol is always the main recommendation.
The übertough full width tang survival knife is totally overrated. If you know what to do with a knife, the Mora Kansbol or Companion is plenty. When you want to go bigger, or need bigger. Get a machete, or an axe. Those tools are more functional than a big survival knife.
@@tor2919 Good mentioning the knife nerds. They have this fetish, where expensive knives, with latest new expensive steels are the only good options. At least CPM 3V or magnacut or other blabla.
I have the Kansbol, and, I must say it is an outstanding knife used as intended. The different grinds/thicknesses on the blade actually gives each half of the blade different uses. Of course, the full blade is razor sharp. I think the handle feels really good, with excellent ergonomics to it. After hearing so much about Mora, I decided to get one about 3 months ago. My first Mora was the Robust -Companion HD Carbon combo. I must say, the Companion HD is an outstanding knife. Blade is razor sharp, and, it's handle feels like it was custom made for my large size hands. Wish I hadn't waited so long to try Mora. I have some much more expensive knives that could've been replaced by Moras, giving me 2 or 3 great knives for the price of one. Sorry for so many words. My main point; the Kansbol is a great knife.
Ronnie Morris thanks for your input. I’m actually trying to decide between the robust and the kansbol for general bushcraft/camping. What are the main differences in your opinion?
Much agreed brother. If only they made a knife similar to lt wrights gen 5. I need the 5-6 inch option. Mora has the bushcraft in 6.5" but that is not full tang and is just to long for me to be useful in good quality carving abilities. Mora has def been the go to woods knife. High quality at a reasonable price. Not everyone can spend 250 on a bhk or lt wright etc. Sorry bark river im tired of just top notch steels with only convex grinds!!!!
Kansbol is an amazing knife. Actually my favourite knife of all time at any price. Cuts way better than the Garberg. A knife really shouldn’t be thicker than 2.5mm to cut well. I really hope we get away from increasingly thicker blades with thick edges. All we get is bad knives made for people that hit on their knives rather than cut with them.
nooo rambo knife is uselesss. even a filet knife would make AN EXTREMELY LETHAL SPEAR, extremely pointy, rambobowieknife is just so heavy bro and big, filet knife weights a few ounces, light as hell and is razor sharp and pointy as a needle. my 2 cents. thats what they use in the UK to kill eachother 2. filet knives. you can slash like a sword 2, its a razor so it works.
I've been practicing bushcraft/wilderness survival for 50 plus years and with all due respect if you need a knife bigger or stronger than a Garberg you're doing something wrong.
Wonderful review! The Kansbol would also make a great hunting knife. If you had it, a good axe, and saw you could do most anything in the woods , camp, hunting camp, fishing camp that you need to do. I enjoy Mora knives and they deserve a spot, in their ablity range, in every outdoors persons rotation of knives. Thanks for you honest reviews! Keep up the good content.
FYI you can use the Mora knife sheath to extending your leverage/reach by sliding the handle -tang end first into the sheath. Also my Garber has the plastic sheath with multi-mount. I prefer the beefy full tang garberg with multi mount. Both knives are great.
I have several Moras and they will take almost anything you can throw at them, but for chopping and heavy tasks, I use a 12 inch Ontario Machete. It's 1095, not too thick but strong. It costs $25.00, so if it breaks, no problem.
I have the Kansbol, Black, and Companion... I still want the Garberg. I do agree that they're all good... Just speaking for myself with very little knife experience in reality I want to spend the money just to have it. I have a lot of virtual reality outdoors, survival experience. I consider myself an expert in fantasy.
One of the best Mora reviews I've seen! You put to rest once and for all that one can baton without a full tang, in really tough frozen wood. I own two Mora's...the LMF and the Companion HD. Love em both!! And I agree....I did not buy then to baton with, I have much heavier and bigger blades for that. But still....you proved that if one had to, one certainly can. Well done!
The Mora Kansbol is a nice knife and all you need for camping and cutting chores, That and a axe and folding saw and maybe a Victorinox pocket knife and you are good to go. You do not need these super steels like cpm 3v , s30V etc. it is all marketing hype ,it makes the knives expensive and they are difficult to sharpen they always introduce new steels to keep people buying more knives I think there is a cpm 4V now ? it never ends . And I am tired of this survival knife hype , As if we really are going to survive . That is just fear on people to buy these big blades that can do it all , Survival is very rare most people go camping and hiking on marked trails with no problems , camping and fishing and we go home. I never in my life of 58 years had to survive and I bet neither have you . The Mora Kansbol is a excellent knife for your camping needs at a good price.
What you are saying makes a lot of sense. While i had to spend unplanned nights in the woods, it was never a "survival" situation. A simple knife was always enough. And i'm not exactly young anymore either.
Nonsense, if you are a capable sharpener, it is no more difficult to sharpen 3v or s30v in the field. If you maintain your edge and are not trying to sharpen a dull knife, a simple ceramic rod is adequate for keeping those steels razor sharp. Even if the edge dulls, or even worse chips significantly, a worksharp field sharpener which weights only a couple ounces and is $25 can sharpen just about any steel on the market easily. That said, the steel mora uses is perfectly adequate for the task, and the designs are excellent and the price is fair. Personally I prefer an enzo trapper in elmax, which is only a bit more expensive but the steel is basically superior in every metric. Plus you can get blade blanks and make the handle perfect for you. The mora isnt bad by any measure, but I do think its silly to disregard better steels or more expensive knives for lack of sharpening experience.
Surviving situation? Easy. Some time ago I had a trip from Magadan to Cape Town(yes it's longest trip you can get on Earth). 2 Mora knives always been helping me on the trip. Once I had to pull my 250cc Honda bike on a tree, from a fast approaching river. And that was surviving situation
Nice review. I dont get why people want a bigger blade for bushcraft? If you really are in to bushcraft and know your stuff, you always have a axe and saw with you. So No need for bigger blade, a 4 inch Mora will do anything, you will need it to do, in combo with a axe and saw
Why? Dont you think people that want a bigger knife do so because they find it better suited for what they intend to use it for? To some of us the concept of a "bushcraft knife" or even a "survival knife" is strange thing. To us its a knife and beyond that its a good knife or a bad knife depending how well suited it is for the task you intend to use it for. The activity defines the knife not the other way around and "bushcraft" is to vague to be concidered an activity since it basically just means you are "doing stuff outdoors" These type of consumerism orient channels has people believing bushcraft is all about batoning wood, making feathersticks, putting points on a few sticks and striking a fire steel before you go home. Some us actually do other things. For example today 11" knife and a folding chisel was part of my kit because I knew they were good tools for what I had in mind.
Without a saw or an axe you have few choices to survive in the forest, no matter how big or thick is your knife. A knife is intended for cutting and the Kansbol is better at this task, despite the lesser steel used. Basically your needs are to process food and wood, I don't see the point using a knife that make harder this tasks.
Because axes and folding saws take up space and, most importantly, weight. If you can remove that weight from your pack by using a knife that can handle those tasks, then why not? Small weight savings become even more valuable when you're hiking long distances. Ounces are pounds and pounds are pain.
+Mr450pro. I think if you really know your stuff about bushcraft you don't need a saw or an axe. Just the opposite of what you are telling. Or maybe you think that bushcraft is just about woodlands and even more the boreal forest you are used to? For that there is another term invented called woodcraft. Bush means wilderness and not just woodland. So maybe get your facts straight?
If you don't need a fulltang and want to save money, you don't need Kansbol. :) Mora 2000 works EXACTLY the same for a half of the price, and you can even take Mora Companion or something from the Pro-series for quarter (or even less) the price of the Kansbol. And I've found that Companion even has the better made blade and the cutting edge. Even 511/546 works similar and have the same steel/sharpness, with the price almost ten times less than the Kansbol. Kansbol (and most of the new models like Eldris and others) is just a Mora's marketologists job, to sell new models and earn money.
I have both. got both same day. They are the same exact handles...I guess?! They feel different though. I think it might be either different chems or the dye changes the garberg's to a more, plastic, hard feel. no tacky grab at all. I suppose it could be due to the full tang, but I strongly doubt it, as it doesn't make sense. The Kansbol feels rubberized and grabby. Here'e what I did to my Garberg. I hit it with 2 grits of sand paper, by hand, then Beeswax'd it to take off the fur feel. Seems to work. Doesn't melt in my hand because I didn't leave any shiny wax spots. I used a lighter and thumbed them all in well. Long story short, now it feels like a rubber mallet handle. Grits used; 200 and I think 800. If I do it again, I'd finish with maybe 1500.
I have a kansbol, and have had the chance to use it in a variety of situations, and have a friend with a garberg, and I have had the chance to try it in a few situations. I agree with a lot of your comments and overall assessment. I found the kansbol very easy to use, and really functional in a camp situation. I really prefer my BoB for a primary field knife, and would really want to have it or one of my Beckers in a survival or long term situation. I was teaching my friend how to make figure 4 traps using the kansbol, and over the course of 3-4 hours, making numerous notches, and carving flats and points it remained very comfortable in my hands.
*The "Survival" knife* - this term for the hiker & camper has always made me uneasy. After a while I figured it out. The full-tang "Survival" knife is really a term marketers & knife makers use to sell more knives for $$$. I say this for two (2) reasons: 1. *A regular knife,* even a folding knife can do most things in survival situations to save you (the hiker/camper). In survival it is more about the man than the tool. 2. If you leave your house & need a survival knife to survive OR you keep getting into survival situations (more than one that is) you are a danger to yourself & those with you and should stay out of the woods & inside your home. I have both knives above & my favorite fixed blade *Mora* knife is the Mora Kansbol. My favorite knife if I lived in the woods would be the Helle Temagami Knife. I love the Helle Temigami not because it is "full-tang" but because it's steel is laminated tough stainless & the scandi edge is easy to sharpen. Also, the Helle's handle is so comfortable to use. Anyway, stay frosty
+sweetcostarica. I agree with you on the terms 'survival' knives and 'bushcraft' knives. Every knife I have is a survival knife. What do people do if they go out with their bushcraft knife and get into a survival situation. They just sit and die because they did not bring the survival knife?
Maybe it's for people who are interesting in practicing/learning survivalism. It's not that they're hoping for shit to hit the fan or deliberate go putting themselves and others in actual risk, but that they're drawn to learning how to survive outdoors (because for people who have lived in cities and suburbs their whole lives, it does seem like survival) and that's how they get into camping, bushcraft, hunting, etc. These people probably want to start with a versatile tool simply labeled "survival knife." It serves to draw people in, which is good for this community. Source: I was personally drawn into bushcraft because I was interested in learning survivalism.
they should call it "DURABLE OUTDOORS KNIFE" lol not survival knife, a folding knife is not durable, i broke mine batonning the 1st time lol blade broke in 2 as well XD
I'm sure the Garberg fan boys are going to jump all over me for this but I'm going to say it anyway.....my Companion does everything that my Garberg does with a more comfortable handle at less than one fourth the cost. The Garberg isn't a bad knife but it isn't nearly as good as it has been hyped up to be. So, would you rather buy a Mora Garberg for $85 ora Mora Kansbol, Companion and a Pro C together for $60?
Here come the broke companion fans trying to justify their knife. Not everyone is broke and buying 15$ knives. Let people buy what they want. Personally if I got lost hiking or canoeing I'd rather have a garberg than a 15$ knife I've seen many people break. Not to mention the garberg has a better steel
@@JordanMac79 🤣😂😉 If people want to pay more knife makers will provide you that option. Are you going to be better off in any measurable way? Not much. Sure some people can and will break any knife. Some joker was on line wanting to know which knife he could drive into a stump like a nail using a rock and not damage it. The answer is non of them.
I bought my garberg for 60$. What's the point of buying three worse steel knives when you can buy Mora's (almost, because of carbon one) high-end knife?
Eurotrash4367 You can buy a cheap knife anywhere. These quality knives can had from Walmart for $2-6. The ceramic fishing knife i got for $6 at Walmart is comparable to these over price bull chips blades people buy after listening to these salesmen. When I was a kid 60 yrs ago. There were Schrade/Walden, Western, Case, Buck Imperial. That was it. Buck was the high end. Never could afford one. You leaned knives break if you do dumb stuff. Like these guys demonstrate in there tests. Tips broke of if you used them as screw drivers, pliers or wood pliers/splitters. You use the right tool for the job! Dah! You saw or chop wood with axes, wedges, malls but never use a knife. A knife has these functions butchering & preparing a deer or fish, food preparation. Whittling or wood carving utility object and art. Primarily what retailers tell the are not for! SELFDEFENSE! As CIA-Military Self Defense training taught us the pen is mightier than the sword if writes in bd. I can buy nice tactical pens for $6. Any $2 box cutter will do the job. Just look the 19 did in flight. I always carried a 4” blade called a Pilot’s Knife, it was legal on airplanes. I knee how very hateful & insane these people are. I lived around them for 5 years in college. They threatened to cut me up if I even talked to their women. If you buy the horse shit they tell the media they are peaceful? I know other wise. They brag about how they beat their wives and children. I knew it was not if they would figure this out? It was just when. They are not very smart. Rod Serling, of twilight zone; wrote screen play that was televised with this idea. Arafat saw it and said we can do that. Then Nick Cage did the movie “Con Air!” Crashing a plane into Dunes Casino! Like I said. Stupid! We told and showed them how! Person used box cutter in a in a case in Connecticut that led of a jealous woman named Chastity West in July 1998. Wonder if these fools read this story? Probably?
My experience with knives is very limited. Just grew up with using them for backpacking and camping is all. I now intend to use the Mora Kansbool on my Continental Divide Trail hike starting this April 2023. I am confident this knife will meet all my needs. Unfortunately, in the hiking community on trails such as this someone with a knife like a Kansbool on the belt are considered strange if not pariahs. So in the that the friendships formed on the trail are important I will carry it mostly in my pack. Still use it whenever I wish and need but carry it in this way. Perhaps I may make some converts along the way to the importance of carrying a good knife on a hike. Thanks for the good reviews and video.
Kansbol is the perfect big knife for long hikes. I’ve used the Kansbol and before that the 2000 on many long hikes. If you want a friendlier looking knife I would recommend the new Mora Classic no 1/0, the smallest one. Non knife people react to it similar to a Opinel
All the Mora knives are good. Good for what they are designed for. If you want to chop wood then get a wood chopping blade. The Swedish make the best axes too. (Not a criticism of your video just the whole concept of bashing your way through a log with a knife in the first place). Very fair and reasonable comparison of the two options. Nice video.
Got my garberg for $60 USD stainless model with leather sheath I use it when I’m canoeing fishing trip type stuff. I carry a traditional kephart most of the time but my mora classic #2 is still my absolute favorite and always goes in the pack.
*Camping/Hiking Questions* - Why would you baton with a knife? Why not use a small axe? - Better yet, why do you need to baton with all the big & small deadfall/deadwood in the woods? - Why would you abuse your main survival tool? Good thing this video is just for testing & not real life use. *Opinion* The Mora Kansbol wins as it is the best all round choice. *Remember -* If you need a survival knife to survive outdoors you should stay at home because you are dangerous. Survival is not about the tools you have, it is 90% about how much *knowledge* you possess. *Edit:* Happy Independence Day America!
I kind of think that the most important thing about a 'survival' tool, is that you have it with you, *when you need it* ! A knife that is light enough to carry at all times is a knife that you *will* have with you...'survival' is most often an issue when you don't expect to be marooned /airplane crashed / caught in extreme weather ;-)
you dont have to be nervous batonning smaller wood with the kansbol. Sandvik 12c27 it's heat treated to be tough, not brittle. ..the steel rolls/flexes, not chips.
Nice review man, sounds like you dont really know why the tip is thinner on the kansbol, it is made to make it easier for hunters to butcher / skinning, aswell when you have downed your pray to cut open the belly, cheers!
Great video brother. Im really leaning towards a kansbol. Are you sure the kan is 14c28n? I thought it was 12c27n or 13c. The garberg is 14c28n for sure. You really speak well and i appreciate your review.
I agree. In fact, the kansbol is a better survival knife than garberg at a half price. Better grip, better cutting profile and only less brute force resistance when batoning o something like that. Hidden tang was used hundreds of years before, without any problem than bad use. I suspect garberg is designed for american market, because thick blades are preferred there. For example, another overpriced knife, the Fallkniven F1, is pretty useless for fine tasks like peeling oranges. Normally i peel oranges at 2.500m., no bears to kill here I guess. When you relies entirely on wood, like I, for cooking and warming the cold winter nights, you realize the need for a sharp, precise and light knife in combo with a folding saw. This combo is no more weight than some overkill terminator blades and can do their tasks much, much better. In the tropics I presume a machete and a little knife is the combo needed. Additionally Mora presented the Eldris, you can find videos of this little blade performing very well in cut tasks. For me a bit short, but is the actual size of traditional blades intended for wood carving. Sorry i repeated the same words in another video, but I guess is important to share our experiences.
+Axland Gamer. The Eldris is about the same length as the short carving blades, but in no way a carver due to the blade shape. A slicer yes but no carver. The hidden tang was used for many years. Horse and wagon was used for many years. What's your point? You don't have a car or travel by one? I do agree that what you need depends on where you are or are going and what the intended use is. As far as the F1 goes it's a pilot survival knife. It needed to be small and that means compromise. It needed to be able to do all kind of stuff ok and that's again a compromise. I'm in no way a huge fan of Fallkniven but they do make good knives for certain jobs. Any knife you carry will always be a compromise. Unless you go car camping in your own backyard maybe. ;)
En realidad los dos cuchillos son excelentes. Cada uno tiene sus puntos fuertes y débiles cada uno. El precio... Sí es diferencia. Geniales por el solo hecho de ser Morakniv. No olvidar al ingenioso Eldris y mi fiel Spark y Companion. Excelente comparativa. 💪
I like two knives. One for survival and one for gutting animals. Generally its a buck 110 and a USMC knife. Both have been doing the job forever. I am interested in these moraknivs for the skinning and gut work. Thanks for the review.
Do you really split wood a lot with your knife? I never do. I always suspect that it is a gimmic that video makers thought up to make their knife videos more action packed. Knives are for cutting, or you could just sharpen up your axe to a knife edge and use that. It doesn't work very well, though. You need a thinner knife to maybe clean some fish or game and cut some shavings for tinder, and a hatchet or axe to split the big stuff. I just use a folder myself. I don't do much hand-to-hand combat or jump on the backs of grizzlies and slit their necks. A big thick knife is kind of clumsy, although it may seem more manly, or however it is you want to imagine yourself. The right tool for the right job.
I am no outdoorsman, but I imagine for long hikes with camping then there will be people who want a lighter load. Then carrying knives, an axe and a saw might be too heavy for some people.
People often use it for agressieve woodworking. For example cutting branches or smaller trees down bij hitting the knife with a wood to cut into the tree. I recently splitted a piece of wood to carve a spoon out of. Often when you only have big logs you can split the wood to start the fire. A sturdy knife is better for this, especially long term and for reliability.
I probably missed some other video you may have done about survival knives. But in my opinion, the Garberg can be considered to be a fine survival knife. In some circles, people wax poetic about needing a five inch blade--as if there is something magical about that particular length. What does a five inch blade do that a four inch plus blade can't. The Garberg is rugged and is good for processing food, skinning game, craving wood and processing wood for emergency fires. What more could one ask for? And it is also big enough to slice a very large piece of meat off a late night intruder.
I have both of these knives. For me, I find the Garberg handle uncomfortable in anything but a deliberate "fist" grip. Other grips, like bringing my thumb up on handle (like you did when you were slicing the apples) and the back of my palm rubs on the surprisingly sharp pummel.
Hello good, a question. When sharpening the Garberg you do it according to the scandi angle or you do it by the microbevel that comes from the factory. Thank you!!
Very interesting! But I think the Kansbol does not feature the 14C28N steel (like the Garberg) but the 12C27; Do you have any long-term experience if the 14C28N is noticeable better than the usual Mora steel 12C27? I myself like the latter a lot, never had any problems with it.
The 14C28N steel is far superior to the 12C. It's derived from razor blade steel, and takes a wicked edge. It also has superior corrosion-resistance. Comparing the Garberg to lower-grade stainless [and carbon steels] is like comparing Corvettes to Chevettes. Both Chevrolets with four wheels, but the comparison ends there.
It's a relatively new formula [coming from an old guy], and I believe it was Kershaw who developed it originally, and can be found on some of their older folders. Maybe they still use it, not sure.
Thanks! Did not know that. Now I am quite curious how the 14C performs.. As I said, already the 12C is quite ok imho, though of course there are quite a few way better steels.
Dont listen to this guy. He basically pulled all this info out of his ass. Its called "Sandvik 14c28N" because its made by Sandvik, as in sandvik Sweden who makes both steels. Its almost the same thing as 12c27 but with the added kick of nitrogen added. Low levels of N increases the steels potential for hardness. Much like carbon but wihout the negative effect of decreased rust resistance. So its basically 12c27 with a slightly higher potential for hardness. It does not have "superior corrosion" resistance (he made that up aswell). In fact 14c28 has a slightly higher carbon content and a slightly lower chromium content over 12c27 which would indicate the opposite. It is not a "far superior steel" thats just more bs lies. Its a similiar steel with slightly higher potential for hardness, which, as usual, comes at a cost. The fact they are using this steel doesnt have anything to do with the pricing of the knives. Its a pretty cheap steel used in many very affordable knives by Kershaw among others.. Who again did not invent this steel as they are a knife manufacturer . I have no idea where he got that razor blade story from. The effect of the compenents in these alloys are well documented so no one "invents" a new steel from a similiar steel. They simply balance them out to get the desired effect qualities for the application. Sandvik 13cr26 is commonly used in razor blades .
Thanks for the review Tim, very comprehensive and food for thought. I think as a general use companion knife the Kansbol has the win. If the Garberg was maybe 2" longer for the same price then that's a different story.
The plastic sheath has two holes which allow you to run a cord through it and hang it as a neck knife or whatever. I think I'd use something with a longer blade like a buck compadre froe knife on that block of wood. It's made for that sort of work.
I have the Carbon Garberg, the Kansbol, and the Bushcraft Black. Out of the three, I like the Bushcraft Black best..enough that I have 2 of them. I do like the added confidence of the Garberg, and were I doing an extended trip or deep into the woods, I'd choose it for that full tang, but general bushcrafting, the Blacks handle is more comfortable. The Kansbol is best for food prep, and it's a pretty good carver, but The thinner blade isn't as good for batoning. All three have their place in my kit..just depends where I'm going and what I plan on doing as to which I strap onto my belt.
billy Thompson I’d say batoning is a choice and a preference more than a necessity, so “having to” baton with a knife would only happen in a survival situation where nothing else is available.
Here in Canada, what they want for these knives is a bit crazy. Put it this way, the Bushcraft Black with the bit of kit goes for $115 here. That stubby Kansbol? $40! That is crazy when the Companion HD can be had for a great price of $26. I chose the Terrava puukko with a leather sheath for $80...$35 cheaper than the Bushcraft Black and it has a full tang with a great sheath. Too bad, I kinda liked that stubby one, would make a great carver but for that much forget it.
A fine video. However, given the hype about full tang knives being required for reliable battoning and the apparent lengths to which the Mora folks went to create a line of full tang knives, I'm sure they would pull their hair out over your doubts about the Mora Garberg being a good survival knife. Outside of a survival situation, I can't imagine many folks batoning their knives. Consequently,I believe the company intends for it to qualify, not only for camp chores and handcrafting, but also as a survival knife.
You got the steel wrong on the Kansbol 14C, its the normal 12C, the Garberg is 14C. I just ordered the Garberg the other day for $56 shipped, can't wait to try it out. I believe that handle was made to be thumped on for batoning and hitting the pummel, It is weird but does make sense. Just like Becker does with their handles using the grivory scales, at least that's my best guess. Thanks for sharing these blades Tim, try checking out "Dutch Bushcraft Knives" DBK channel. They also did a review and that Garberg 14c Sandvic really holds a good edge compared to the 12C I was shocked and pulled the lever on buying mine after watching it.
I bought a Garberg to replace my Cold Steel SRK because it is lighter and more versatile. It will not baton as well with the shorter blade but is tough enough. I will just baton smaller branches or off-center. I also have a Shrade Frontier 52 for serious batonning but it weighs a ton (I backpack). The Garberg is a compromise. I have a Lightmyfire for light work.
Interesting how different your philosophy on what a survival knife is very different from the video I just watched on the Gray Bearded Green Beret. He picked the Mora Garber as the knife he would bring if he could only bring one knife in a survival situation or survival kit. The philosophy difference is what a survival knife should be. You are in the more one cutting tool has to do everything because it might be the only cutting tool on you so it has to be bigger to do some of the functions of a hatchet. In the other philosophy you want the knife to be the best knife it can be and not be an axe, machete, or hatchet because it isn’t your only cutting tool. The knife will be a knife and you use other cutting tools more suited to splitting wood like an small axe. I’m not saying either approach is wrong just different. In Sweden where Moras are made you would also see the philosophy of the knife being the best knife it can be and you just wouldn’t want a larger knife to substitute for an axe because then it can’t be a good knife or a good axe, but just s compromise of both.
For batoning with a Mora, I would have to make a wedge from a 11/2" to 2" log instead of beating the blade through a piece of wood, especially if it has knots. I am not a big Mora fan because they are so light it doesn't feel like a good tool to me. Great for slicing, but I just am not confident using a Mora for anything else. Just my opinion.
I agree 100% with you regarding knives and batoning, let a knife be a knife, for heavier tasks as splitting wood there are other stuff like an axe. For me personally a knife has to be able to cut or making feathersticks for example.
17:20 Tim - Not to sound rude or anything (and you’re absolutely entitled to your opinion), BUT... I think Creek Stewart would disagree with you about the SK-5 not being a “survival” knife. And I’m not saying that because I like the SK-5 either; personally, I hate all slab-handled knives. Slab-handled knives simply have terrible ergonomics and do nothing more than make it apparently clear that they manufacturer’s goal is cutting costs in production, not designing an ergonomically superior knife. I think when you speak to a knife’s ability to be called a “survival” knife, you are immediately drawing conclusions as to what tasks you require the knife to do... After studying survival for quite some time, I personally discovered that instead, I needed to reevaluate my perspective on what a knife ACTUALLY needs to do in a real world survival scenario. And believe it or not, battening is NOT one of them. My last survival instructor didn’t even believe in battening at all, and helped me understand that knives are not designed (from an engineering standpoint) for battening. Furthermore, every single instance I could think up where I thought resorting to battening my knife would be necessary, I was shown that battening was either not needed at all, or there were other simple ways around accomplishing the goal without having to smash my knife with a club! I discovered that it was much more important for a knife to slice and cut well, than it was for a knife to be thick, heavy, and indestructible (like a BK2)... It really just comes down to knowledge. People like Cody Lundin, Creek Stewart, and Mors Kochanski have proven that you don’t know a “beast” knife for survival... A simple fixed blade, or in most cases a comfortable folding knife, that cuts well is perfectly adequate. As I said before Tim, I’m right down in MA and I’d love to come up to NH and hang out with you some time! =)
Dan Schwemin Jr No man, totally serious. We’ve talked back-and-forth before in the comments and I know that I prefer blocky but that you don’t. You’re a faithful viewer and commentor - I do really appreciate that.
Sorry Tim, I only ask because I know I have a terrible habit of not sugar-coating what I’m thinking when I say it. I guess that comes from my time spent as a police officer. So sorry if I come across as rude or forward, I’m not trying to be, plus as you know, a lot gets lost in translation when it comes to text as opposed to spoken word! ;-) Anyways, just wanted to apologize. And like I said, if you’re ever up for it, I’d love to hang out some time and talk knives and get out there and do some bushcrafting! Cheers brother. =)
All good Dan - no harm done. Yeah man - let's connect sometime to get into the woods. Busy season for me with work but sometime we will make it happen.
Typically like your reviews... HOWEVER several things missed: A.) Not MORA full-tang first! (only a 'first' in 'outdoor segment') B.) 14C28N Steel on Garberg you got correct, but the Kansbol is 12C27. The rest of the vid is good w/ the real world outdoor struggles of winter when everything is frozen.... and the fact that these are not optimal food preparation blades. High value All-arounders and good general task outdoor knives.
Alaska Raft Connection - Alaska-BushRafter And let me add it that for sure Garberg can make a quite decent compact survival knife. Survival knife is not supposed to be a chopper necessarily. Furthermore, it has plastic sheath option.
Thanks for the video, I found that the Garberg model is available in non-stainless. Can you, or is there somewhere I can find the series steel that is used. I have some of the real low budget knives: they suck (for 10 bucks, it's fine for the glove box, or tackle box), but I don't want to upgrade only to find out that the higher priced knives have the same crap steel.
I like your videos but I have to burst your bubble a bit because the Garberg isn't Moras first full tang knife. There is one called the Mora Lapplander 95 Hunting Knife, with a full tang that they have been making for quite a while. You can even by it as a blank if you want to make your own scales. Thanks for this comparison though.
Interesting to say the least, Dave Canterbury went on at length about how the Garberg was a special undertaking--something new that required a lot of re-tooling. Well...............your assertion calls his story into question.
+Dane DeMano. You are right. I remember them having two models even. One I think was more a drop point model. I never did buy them because they were the more expensive Mora's back than already but I did see them often in the shops.
+Kayakwinds. The assertion of Dano DeMano is absolutely true. There were 3 models I know of and two of them I actually did see in shops. The Forest Lapplander model 90 and 95. There is also a model Forest Lapplander 115 I never did see in real. Dave Canterbury has a way of making things that already excisted 'his own' or to come up with stuff as 'his own'. I give Dave one thing and that's being a smart business man. He does know how to find idiots that will buy his stories, claims and gear. ;)
I feel it is a bit of a weird one. Overall it feels more like a sturdier bushcraft knife, which is fine I guess but I don't really see why I should get this one over, lets say, the Bushcraft Black instead which costs less than half of the Garberg and also from what I can tell comes with a better handle. For the Garberg maybe another cm in length, maybe another mm in thickness and a better handle and it would become much more interesting and could maybe battle something like the Tops BOB. As it is it will compete with all their other knifes and eventually lose because of the high price and that a full tang isn't going to really benefit you in that category.
My overall take on this is: I own 6 Mora knives, inc the kansbol, and 3 companions. Being a , 2ea Basic 511, betting man, I would bet that 95% of people who buy these types of knives, would need nothing but a Companion in SS.
I’ve them all. What I really need is a full flat Kansbol. If they produce I will get half a dozen each colour and I will retire all my fancy arsenal forever.
Say Heah Tim, Good review, But, Puh-lease do a vs with the Konsbul vs Mora 2000, Oh , The steel are different, I thought both were the same. Yeah, I'm thinking of teaming the Konsbul and the Eldris, What do you think. ,, .
I have a Garberg and i love it, but i really wish it had the rubberized handle. I feel like my hand will slip a little if wet or sweaty. The handle on my Gerber Gator is the best gripping handle ive owned and the one i compare all other knives to.
Hey brother, do me a favor and see if the kansbul will fit nicely in the garburg sheath as I think they'd be almost equal if you has the same sheath minus the full tang issue....
Hi, I wanted to know from your experience whether this 14C28N steel is really great as it is said for knives to use in nature? Is better than 440C or VG10? Let me know what you think, a greetings Michele
The average person doesn’t need a “survival knife” but rather, a durable bushcraft/woodcraft knife. And that’s what these are. AND affordable! I thought was one of the most balanced, objective reviews of these knives!!! Excellent!!
Nobody needs a thick crowbar if they know how to correctly use a knife. The Mora 2000 and now the Kansbol is the standard issue knife for the Swedish army, including elite ranger units. The mora 2000 has been the best selling and most popular outdoor knife in Sweden for a long time. If you go on an outdoor forum (not with knife nerds) the Mora 2000 or now Kansbol is always the main recommendation.
The übertough full width tang survival knife is totally overrated.
If you know what to do with a knife, the Mora Kansbol or Companion is plenty.
When you want to go bigger, or need bigger. Get a machete, or an axe. Those tools are more functional than a big survival knife.
@@tor2919
Good mentioning the knife nerds.
They have this fetish, where expensive knives, with latest new expensive steels are the only good options.
At least CPM 3V or magnacut or other blabla.
I have the Kansbol, and, I must say it is an outstanding knife used as intended. The different grinds/thicknesses on the blade actually gives each half of the blade different uses. Of course, the full blade is razor sharp. I think the handle feels really good, with excellent ergonomics to it. After hearing so much about Mora, I decided to get one about 3 months ago. My first Mora was the Robust -Companion HD Carbon combo. I must say, the Companion HD is an outstanding knife. Blade is razor sharp, and, it's handle feels like it was custom made for my large size hands. Wish I hadn't waited so long to try Mora. I have some much more expensive knives that could've been replaced by Moras, giving me 2 or 3 great knives for the price of one. Sorry for so many words. My main point; the Kansbol is a great knife.
Ronnie Morris thanks for your input. I’m actually trying to decide between the robust and the kansbol for general bushcraft/camping. What are the main differences in your opinion?
Much agreed brother. If only they made a knife similar to lt wrights gen 5. I need the 5-6 inch option. Mora has the bushcraft in 6.5" but that is not full tang and is just to long for me to be useful in good quality carving abilities. Mora has def been the go to woods knife. High quality at a reasonable price. Not everyone can spend 250 on a bhk or lt wright etc. Sorry bark river im tired of just top notch steels with only convex grinds!!!!
Mora 731 5"+.
Kansbol is an amazing knife. Actually my favourite knife of all time at any price. Cuts way better than the Garberg. A knife really shouldn’t be thicker than 2.5mm to cut well. I really hope we get away from increasingly thicker blades with thick edges. All we get is bad knives made for people that hit on their knives rather than cut with them.
It's a Swedish knife, in Europe the Garberg is a fine survival knife. In America, obviously you need a Rambo knife and an assault rifle to survive.
nooo rambo knife is uselesss. even a filet knife would make AN EXTREMELY LETHAL SPEAR, extremely pointy, rambobowieknife is just so heavy bro and big, filet knife weights a few ounces, light as hell and is razor sharp and pointy as a needle. my 2 cents. thats what they use in the UK to kill eachother 2. filet knives. you can slash like a sword 2, its a razor so it works.
Yeah, so...
Rambo knives are for want a be tough guys, give me a Russell or any other knife and turn me loose on something
merica!!!!!
@@sstein49 alcohol will thin your blood
I've been practicing bushcraft/wilderness survival for 50 plus years and with all due respect if you need a knife bigger or stronger than a Garberg you're doing something wrong.
Ok Rambo
I feel this way too. It is nice if you have a heavy duty, but maybe not needed.
Especially if you have a light axe
Wonderful review! The Kansbol would also make a great hunting knife. If you had it, a good axe, and saw you could do most anything in the woods , camp, hunting camp, fishing camp that you need to do. I enjoy Mora knives and they deserve a spot, in their ablity range, in every outdoors persons rotation of knives.
Thanks for you honest reviews! Keep up the good content.
FYI you can use the Mora knife sheath to extending your leverage/reach by sliding the handle -tang end first into the sheath. Also my Garber has the plastic sheath with multi-mount. I prefer the beefy full tang garberg with multi mount. Both knives are great.
That Kansbol seems to be good for fishing with that swedge.
I have several Moras and they will take almost anything you can throw at them, but for chopping and heavy tasks, I use a 12 inch Ontario Machete. It's 1095, not too thick but strong. It costs $25.00, so if it breaks, no problem.
I have the Kansbol, Black, and Companion... I still want the Garberg. I do agree that they're all good... Just speaking for myself with very little knife experience in reality I want to spend the money just to have it. I have a lot of virtual reality outdoors, survival experience. I consider myself an expert in fantasy.
Scored an Amazon Deal of the Day last week...a $56 Mora Garberg...using Amazon points! Double score! High five!
nice - that is a good deal!
Im jealous!
Lucky man Indeed
🖖
Amazon points?@@EverydayTacticalVids
I couldn't decide between the both. So I've bought them both. I like them equally for slightly different tasks.
Hi what is the actual difference? Thanks
By any mean Garberg is one of the bests survival knives. I think you misunderstood a chopper/machete as survival knife.
maybe more of a bushcraft knife? survival can also fit the bill too though i guess.. :)
One of the best Mora reviews I've seen! You put to rest once and for all that one can baton without a full tang, in really tough frozen wood. I own two Mora's...the LMF and the Companion HD. Love em both!! And I agree....I did not buy then to baton with, I have much heavier and bigger blades for that. But still....you proved that if one had to, one certainly can. Well done!
*Steel Correction*
Garberg has 14C28N Steel
The Kansbol is 12C27 (the video is wrong here).
The Mora Kansbol is a nice knife and all you need for camping and cutting chores, That and a axe and folding saw and maybe a Victorinox pocket knife and you are good to go. You do not need these super steels like cpm 3v , s30V etc. it is all marketing hype ,it makes the knives expensive and they are difficult to sharpen they always introduce new steels to keep people buying more knives I think there is a cpm 4V now ? it never ends . And I am tired of this survival knife hype , As if we really are going to survive . That is just fear on people to buy these big blades that can do it all , Survival is very rare most people go camping and hiking on marked trails with no problems , camping and fishing and we go home. I never in my life of 58 years had to survive and I bet neither have you . The Mora Kansbol is a excellent knife for your camping needs at a good price.
What you are saying makes a lot of sense. While i had to spend unplanned nights in the woods, it was never a "survival" situation. A simple knife was always enough. And i'm not exactly young anymore either.
No batoning here, I use a small Gransfors bruks Forrest axe instead👍🏻
Nonsense, if you are a capable sharpener, it is no more difficult to sharpen 3v or s30v in the field. If you maintain your edge and are not trying to sharpen a dull knife, a simple ceramic rod is adequate for keeping those steels razor sharp. Even if the edge dulls, or even worse chips significantly, a worksharp field sharpener which weights only a couple ounces and is $25 can sharpen just about any steel on the market easily. That said, the steel mora uses is perfectly adequate for the task, and the designs are excellent and the price is fair. Personally I prefer an enzo trapper in elmax, which is only a bit more expensive but the steel is basically superior in every metric. Plus you can get blade blanks and make the handle perfect for you. The mora isnt bad by any measure, but I do think its silly to disregard better steels or more expensive knives for lack of sharpening experience.
My Kansbol is just absolutely perfect for me as an avid camper and hiker! Mora at it's finest!... Craig
Surviving situation? Easy. Some time ago I had a trip from Magadan to Cape Town(yes it's longest trip you can get on Earth). 2 Mora knives always been helping me on the trip. Once I had to pull my 250cc Honda bike on a tree, from a fast approaching river. And that was surviving situation
I personally don't understand why people want longer or heavier knives for survival. Imho it just makes them unwieldy for finer tasks.
Nice review. I dont get why people want a bigger blade for bushcraft? If you really are in to bushcraft and know your stuff, you always have a axe and saw with you. So No need for bigger blade, a 4 inch Mora will do anything, you will need it to do, in combo with a axe and saw
Why? Dont you think people that want a bigger knife do so because they find it better suited for what they intend to use it for? To some of us the concept of a "bushcraft knife" or even a "survival knife" is strange thing. To us its a knife and beyond that its a good knife or a bad knife depending how well suited it is for the task you intend to use it for. The activity defines the knife not the other way around and "bushcraft" is to vague to be concidered an activity since it basically just means you are "doing stuff outdoors"
These type of consumerism orient channels has people believing bushcraft is all about batoning wood, making feathersticks, putting points on a few sticks and striking a fire steel before you go home. Some us actually do other things. For example today 11" knife and a folding chisel was part of my kit because I knew they were good tools for what I had in mind.
Without a saw or an axe you have few choices to survive in the forest, no matter how big or thick is your knife. A knife is intended for cutting and the Kansbol is better at this task, despite the lesser steel used. Basically your needs are to process food and wood, I don't see the point using a knife that make harder this tasks.
Mr450pro i agree
Because axes and folding saws take up space and, most importantly, weight. If you can remove that weight from your pack by using a knife that can handle those tasks, then why not? Small weight savings become even more valuable when you're hiking long distances. Ounces are pounds and pounds are pain.
+Mr450pro. I think if you really know your stuff about bushcraft you don't need a saw or an axe. Just the opposite of what you are telling. Or maybe you think that bushcraft is just about woodlands and even more the boreal forest you are used to? For that there is another term invented called woodcraft. Bush means wilderness and not just woodland. So maybe get your facts straight?
If you don't need a fulltang and want to save money, you don't need Kansbol. :) Mora 2000 works EXACTLY the same for a half of the price, and you can even take Mora Companion or something from the Pro-series for quarter (or even less) the price of the Kansbol. And I've found that Companion even has the better made blade and the cutting edge. Even 511/546 works similar and have the same steel/sharpness, with the price almost ten times less than the Kansbol. Kansbol (and most of the new models like Eldris and others) is just a Mora's marketologists job, to sell new models and earn money.
I have the Garberg and it is great for processing small wood for a twig stove. Thanks Tim for an informative video.
I have both. got both same day. They are the same exact handles...I guess?! They feel different though. I think it might be either different chems or the dye changes the garberg's to a more, plastic, hard feel. no tacky grab at all. I suppose it could be due to the full tang, but I strongly doubt it, as it doesn't make sense. The Kansbol feels rubberized and grabby.
Here'e what I did to my Garberg. I hit it with 2 grits of sand paper, by hand, then Beeswax'd it to take off the fur feel. Seems to work. Doesn't melt in my hand because I didn't leave any shiny wax spots. I used a lighter and thumbed them all in well.
Long story short, now it feels like a rubber mallet handle.
Grits used; 200 and I think 800. If I do it again, I'd finish with maybe 1500.
I have a kansbol, and have had the chance to use it in a variety of situations, and have a friend with a garberg, and I have had the chance to try it in a few situations. I agree with a lot of your comments and overall assessment. I found the kansbol very easy to use, and really functional in a camp situation. I really prefer my BoB for a primary field knife, and would really want to have it or one of my Beckers in a survival or long term situation. I was teaching my friend how to make figure 4 traps using the kansbol, and over the course of 3-4 hours, making numerous notches, and carving flats and points it remained very comfortable in my hands.
Kansbol looks similar to the Mora 2000.
Had my 2000 since 1992 and used it a lot, still working fine👍🏻
The 2000 is a great knife - I agree.
The 2000 is the best knife ever made. Had mine since around 1995!
*The "Survival" knife* - this term for the hiker & camper has always made me uneasy. After a while I figured it out. The full-tang "Survival" knife is really a term marketers & knife makers use to sell more knives for $$$.
I say this for two (2) reasons:
1. *A regular knife,* even a folding knife can do most things in survival situations to save you (the hiker/camper). In survival it is more about the man than the tool.
2. If you leave your house & need a survival knife to survive
OR
you keep getting into survival situations (more than one that is) you are a danger to yourself & those with you and should stay out of the woods & inside your home.
I have both knives above & my favorite fixed blade *Mora* knife is the Mora Kansbol. My favorite knife if I lived in the woods would be the Helle Temagami Knife. I love the Helle Temigami not because it is "full-tang" but because it's steel is laminated tough stainless & the scandi edge is easy to sharpen. Also, the Helle's handle is so comfortable to use.
Anyway, stay frosty
+sweetcostarica. I agree with you on the terms 'survival' knives and 'bushcraft' knives. Every knife I have is a survival knife. What do people do if they go out with their bushcraft knife and get into a survival situation. They just sit and die because they did not bring the survival knife?
Maybe it's for people who are interesting in practicing/learning survivalism. It's not that they're hoping for shit to hit the fan or deliberate go putting themselves and others in actual risk, but that they're drawn to learning how to survive outdoors (because for people who have lived in cities and suburbs their whole lives, it does seem like survival) and that's how they get into camping, bushcraft, hunting, etc. These people probably want to start with a versatile tool simply labeled "survival knife." It serves to draw people in, which is good for this community.
Source: I was personally drawn into bushcraft because I was interested in learning survivalism.
XD the part where you say they should stay inside their home lmao killed me
they should call it "DURABLE OUTDOORS KNIFE" lol not survival knife, a folding knife is not durable, i broke mine batonning the 1st time lol blade broke in 2 as well XD
Crazy review batoning is for idiots,
My Kansbol snapped. A great knife for bushcraft, does the job. I kinda abused it a bit. For the price it's awesome. The Kansbol is really comfortable.
I'm sure the Garberg fan boys are going to jump all over me for this but I'm going to say it anyway.....my Companion does everything that my Garberg does with a more comfortable handle at less than one fourth the cost. The Garberg isn't a bad knife but it isn't nearly as good as it has been hyped up to be. So, would you rather buy a Mora Garberg for $85 ora Mora Kansbol, Companion and a Pro C together for $60?
Here come the broke companion fans trying to justify their knife. Not everyone is broke and buying 15$ knives. Let people buy what they want. Personally if I got lost hiking or canoeing I'd rather have a garberg than a 15$ knife I've seen many people break. Not to mention the garberg has a better steel
@@JordanMac79 🤣😂😉 If people want to pay more knife makers will provide you that option. Are you going to be better off in any measurable way? Not much. Sure some people can and will break any knife. Some joker was on line wanting to know which knife he could drive into a stump like a nail using a rock and not damage it. The answer is non of them.
Hell ya. I got mine for 12 bucks and free shipping. I can put the rest of my money into the stock market. lol
I bought my garberg for 60$. What's the point of buying three worse steel knives when you can buy Mora's (almost, because of carbon one) high-end knife?
Eurotrash4367 You can buy a cheap knife anywhere. These quality knives can had from Walmart for $2-6. The ceramic fishing knife i got for $6 at Walmart is comparable to these over price bull chips blades people buy after listening to these salesmen. When I was a kid 60 yrs ago. There were Schrade/Walden, Western, Case, Buck Imperial. That was it. Buck was the high end. Never could afford one. You leaned knives break if you do dumb stuff. Like these guys demonstrate in there tests. Tips broke of if you used them as screw drivers, pliers or wood pliers/splitters. You use the right tool for the job! Dah! You saw or chop wood with axes, wedges, malls but never use a knife. A knife has these functions butchering & preparing a deer or fish, food preparation. Whittling or wood carving utility object and art. Primarily what retailers tell the are not for! SELFDEFENSE! As CIA-Military Self Defense training taught us the pen is mightier than the sword if writes in bd. I can buy nice tactical pens for $6. Any $2 box cutter will do the job. Just look the 19 did in flight. I always carried a 4” blade called a Pilot’s Knife, it was legal on airplanes.
I knee how very hateful & insane these people are. I lived around them for 5 years in college. They threatened to cut me up if I even talked to their women. If you buy the horse shit they tell the media they are peaceful? I know other wise. They brag about how they beat their wives and children.
I knew it was not if they would figure this out? It was just when. They are not very smart. Rod Serling, of twilight zone; wrote screen play that was televised with this idea. Arafat saw it and said we can do that. Then Nick Cage did the movie “Con Air!” Crashing a plane into Dunes Casino! Like I said. Stupid! We told and showed them how!
Person used box cutter in a in a case in Connecticut that led of a jealous woman named Chastity West in July 1998. Wonder if these fools read this story? Probably?
My experience with knives is very limited. Just grew up with using them for backpacking and camping is all. I now intend to use the Mora Kansbool on my Continental Divide Trail hike starting this April 2023. I am confident this knife will meet all my needs. Unfortunately, in the hiking community on trails such as this someone with a knife like a Kansbool on the belt are considered strange if not pariahs. So in the that the friendships formed on the trail are important I will carry it mostly in my pack. Still use it whenever I wish and need but carry it in this way. Perhaps I may make some converts along the way to the importance of carrying a good knife on a hike. Thanks for the good reviews and video.
Kansbol is the perfect big knife for long hikes. I’ve used the Kansbol and before that the 2000 on many long hikes. If you want a friendlier looking knife I would recommend the new Mora Classic no 1/0, the smallest one. Non knife people react to it similar to a Opinel
All the Mora knives are good. Good for what they are designed for. If you want to chop wood then get a wood chopping blade. The Swedish make the best axes too. (Not a criticism of your video just the whole concept of bashing your way through a log with a knife in the first place). Very fair and reasonable comparison of the two options. Nice video.
Got my garberg for $60 USD stainless model with leather sheath I use it when I’m canoeing fishing trip type stuff. I carry a traditional kephart most of the time but my mora classic #2 is still my absolute favorite and always goes in the pack.
Nice - and I agree - Mora Classic 2 is sweet!
I waited till I found a deal too. My edc is a companion I've had for years. Garberg is my hiking knife and doesn't see much abuse...yet.
Great vid!
To me survival = knowledge (and some practice) - not the shape of a tool, but to each, his own.
Exactly a bushcraft knife is better than a "survival knife"
*Camping/Hiking Questions*
- Why would you baton with a knife? Why not use a small axe?
- Better yet, why do you need to baton with all the big & small deadfall/deadwood in the woods?
- Why would you abuse your main survival tool?
Good thing this video is just for testing & not real life use.
*Opinion*
The Mora Kansbol wins as it is the best all round choice.
*Remember -* If you need a survival knife to survive outdoors you should stay at home because you are dangerous.
Survival is not about the tools you have, it is 90% about how much *knowledge* you possess.
*Edit:* Happy Independence Day America!
I kind of think that the most important thing about a 'survival' tool, is that you have it with you, *when you need it* ! A knife that is light enough to carry at all times is a knife that you *will* have with you...'survival' is most often an issue when you don't expect to be marooned /airplane crashed / caught in extreme weather ;-)
Idk what you are talking about i carry 3 knifes on me on daily basis...
My buck110, my morakniv kansbol and my small but handy morakniv eldris
you dont have to be nervous batonning smaller wood with the kansbol. Sandvik 12c27 it's heat treated to be tough, not brittle. ..the steel rolls/flexes, not chips.
Dragan Matekalo
People have broken the tip of their Kansbol’s from batoning, so people should be careful indeed.
Nice review man, sounds like you dont really know why the tip is thinner on the kansbol, it is made to make it easier for hunters to butcher / skinning, aswell when you have downed your pray to cut open the belly, cheers!
Yeah - that is the purpose. I should have mentioned that. Thanks for the comment and for checking out the video.
Great video brother. Im really leaning towards a kansbol. Are you sure the kan is 14c28n? I thought it was 12c27n or 13c. The garberg is 14c28n for sure. You really speak well and i appreciate your review.
The steels are different, as you stated.
Thank you I've been wanting somebody to do a head-to-head on these two knives.
Hope it helped out.
I agree. In fact, the kansbol is a better survival knife than garberg at a half price. Better grip, better cutting profile and only less brute force resistance when batoning o something like that. Hidden tang was used hundreds of years before, without any problem than bad use. I suspect garberg is designed for american market, because thick blades are preferred there.
For example, another overpriced knife, the Fallkniven F1, is pretty useless for fine tasks like peeling oranges. Normally i peel oranges at 2.500m., no bears to kill here I guess. When you relies entirely on wood, like I, for cooking and warming the cold winter nights, you realize the need for a sharp, precise and light knife in combo with a folding saw. This combo is no more weight than some overkill terminator blades and can do their tasks much, much better. In the tropics I presume a machete and a little knife is the combo needed.
Additionally Mora presented the Eldris, you can find videos of this little blade performing very well in cut tasks. For me a bit short, but is the actual size of traditional blades intended for wood carving.
Sorry i repeated the same words in another video, but I guess is important to share our experiences.
+Axland Gamer. The Eldris is about the same length as the short carving blades, but in no way a carver due to the blade shape. A slicer yes but no carver. The hidden tang was used for many years. Horse and wagon was used for many years. What's your point? You don't have a car or travel by one?
I do agree that what you need depends on where you are or are going and what the intended use is. As far as the F1 goes it's a pilot survival knife. It needed to be small and that means compromise. It needed to be able to do all kind of stuff ok and that's again a compromise. I'm in no way a huge fan of Fallkniven but they do make good knives for certain jobs. Any knife you carry will always be a compromise. Unless you go car camping in your own backyard maybe. ;)
Dutch Bushcraft
His point, obviously, is that a “horse and wagon” is just as reliable.
En realidad los dos cuchillos son excelentes. Cada uno tiene sus puntos fuertes y débiles cada uno. El precio... Sí es diferencia. Geniales por el solo hecho de ser Morakniv. No olvidar al ingenioso Eldris y mi fiel Spark y Companion. Excelente comparativa. 💪
I bought the kansbol but it didn't have the multi-mount attachment. need to get that separate if possible. Good knife thou.
i like the Kansbol sheath better. very functional, and easy to use.
Augustus McRae but....it’s the same just different color
Why Baton?...cant you find any twigs or small branches?
I like two knives. One for survival and one for gutting animals. Generally its a buck 110 and a USMC knife. Both have been doing the job forever. I am interested in these moraknivs for the skinning and gut work. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for watching.
Do you really split wood a lot with your knife? I never do. I always suspect that it is a gimmic that video makers thought up to make their knife videos more action packed. Knives are for cutting, or you could just sharpen up your axe to a knife edge and use that. It doesn't work very well, though. You need a thinner knife to maybe clean some fish or game and cut some shavings for tinder, and a hatchet or axe to split the big stuff. I just use a folder myself. I don't do much hand-to-hand combat or jump on the backs of grizzlies and slit their necks. A big thick knife is kind of clumsy, although it may seem more manly, or however it is you want to imagine yourself. The right tool for the right job.
I am no outdoorsman, but I imagine for long hikes with camping then there will be people who want a lighter load. Then carrying knives, an axe and a saw might be too heavy for some people.
People often use it for agressieve woodworking. For example cutting branches or smaller trees down bij hitting the knife with a wood to cut into the tree. I recently splitted a piece of wood to carve a spoon out of. Often when you only have big logs you can split the wood to start the fire. A sturdy knife is better for this, especially long term and for reliability.
I probably missed some other video you may have done about survival knives. But in my opinion, the Garberg can be considered to be a fine survival knife. In some circles, people wax poetic about needing a five inch blade--as if there is something magical about that particular length. What does a five inch blade do that a four inch plus blade can't. The Garberg is rugged and is good for processing food, skinning game, craving wood and processing wood for emergency fires. What more could one ask for? And it is also big enough to slice a very large piece of meat off a late night intruder.
I have both of these knives. For me, I find the Garberg handle uncomfortable in anything but a deliberate "fist" grip. Other grips, like bringing my thumb up on handle (like you did when you were slicing the apples) and the back of my palm rubs on the surprisingly sharp pummel.
I think the two knives complement each other well. It would be good if the sheaths could be piggy backed like the 511’s.
Hello good, a question. When sharpening the Garberg you do it according to the scandi angle or you do it by the microbevel that comes from the factory. Thank you!!
Very interesting! But I think the Kansbol does not feature the 14C28N steel (like the Garberg) but the 12C27; Do you have any long-term experience if the 14C28N is noticeable better than the usual Mora steel 12C27? I myself like the latter a lot, never had any problems with it.
The 14C28N steel is far superior to the 12C. It's derived from razor blade steel, and takes a wicked edge. It also has superior corrosion-resistance. Comparing the Garberg to lower-grade stainless [and carbon steels] is like comparing Corvettes to Chevettes. Both Chevrolets with four wheels, but the comparison ends there.
Thanks for the reply! Do you know if there is any other knife out there featuring the 14c steel? Or is this steel a relatively new one in knifemaking?
It's a relatively new formula [coming from an old guy], and I believe it was Kershaw who developed it originally, and can be found on some of their older folders. Maybe they still use it, not sure.
Thanks! Did not know that. Now I am quite curious how the 14C performs.. As I said, already the 12C is quite ok imho, though of course there are quite a few way better steels.
Dont listen to this guy. He basically pulled all this info out of his ass. Its called "Sandvik 14c28N" because its made by Sandvik, as in sandvik Sweden who makes both steels. Its almost the same thing as 12c27 but with the added kick of nitrogen added. Low levels of N increases the steels potential for hardness. Much like carbon but wihout the negative effect of decreased rust resistance. So its basically 12c27 with a slightly higher potential for hardness.
It does not have "superior corrosion" resistance (he made that up aswell). In fact 14c28 has a slightly higher carbon content and a slightly lower chromium content over 12c27 which would indicate the opposite.
It is not a "far superior steel" thats just more bs lies. Its a similiar steel with slightly higher potential for hardness, which, as usual, comes at a cost. The fact they are using this steel doesnt have anything to do with the pricing of the knives. Its a pretty cheap steel used in many very affordable knives by Kershaw among others.. Who again did not invent this steel as they are a knife manufacturer .
I have no idea where he got that razor blade story from. The effect of the compenents in these alloys are well documented so no one "invents" a new steel from a similiar steel. They simply balance them out to get the desired effect qualities for the application. Sandvik 13cr26 is commonly used in razor blades .
Thanks for the review Tim, very comprehensive and food for thought. I think as a general use companion knife the Kansbol has the win. If the Garberg was maybe 2" longer for the same price then that's a different story.
Exactly - a longer blade and I think the Garberg would have some major points.
Buy the pathfinder
The plastic sheath has two holes which allow you to run a cord through it and hang it as a neck knife or whatever. I think I'd use something with a longer blade like a buck compadre froe knife on that block of wood. It's made for that sort of work.
the Kansbol is very adaptable.
I have the Carbon Garberg, the Kansbol, and the Bushcraft Black. Out of the three, I like the Bushcraft Black best..enough that I have 2 of them. I do like the added confidence of the Garberg, and were I doing an extended trip or deep into the woods, I'd choose it for that full tang, but general bushcrafting, the Blacks handle is more comfortable. The Kansbol is best for food prep, and it's a pretty good carver, but The thinner blade isn't as good for batoning. All three have their place in my kit..just depends where I'm going and what I plan on doing as to which I strap onto my belt.
I really wish all Mora's would come with the kansbol sheath.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods and never had to baton Any,ever
billy Thompson
I’d say batoning is a choice and a preference more than a necessity, so “having to” baton with a knife would only happen in a survival situation where nothing else is available.
Great vid Bud. But horses for courses. Or , which screwdriver is the best frying pan?
Here in Canada, what they want for these knives is a bit crazy. Put it this way, the Bushcraft Black with the bit of kit goes for $115 here. That stubby Kansbol? $40!
That is crazy when the Companion HD can be had for a great price of $26.
I chose the Terrava puukko with a leather sheath for $80...$35 cheaper than the Bushcraft Black and it has a full tang with a great sheath.
Too bad, I kinda liked that stubby one, would make a great carver but for that much forget it.
A suggestion with cutting zip ties. Synch them around something. I cut lots of zip ties and they are never free hand and loose
A fine video. However, given the hype about full tang knives being required for reliable battoning and the apparent lengths to which the Mora folks went to create a line of full tang knives, I'm sure they would pull their hair out over your doubts about the Mora Garberg being a good survival knife. Outside of a survival situation, I can't imagine many folks batoning their knives. Consequently,I believe the company intends for it to qualify, not only for camp chores and handcrafting, but also as a survival knife.
You got the steel wrong on the Kansbol 14C, its the normal 12C, the Garberg is 14C. I just ordered the Garberg the other day for $56 shipped, can't wait to try it out. I believe that handle was made to be thumped on for batoning and hitting the pummel, It is weird but does make sense. Just like Becker does with their handles using the grivory scales, at least that's my best guess. Thanks for sharing these blades Tim, try checking out "Dutch Bushcraft Knives" DBK channel. They also did a review and that Garberg 14c Sandvic really holds a good edge compared to the 12C I was shocked and pulled the lever on buying mine after watching it.
Hy my frend what is the best and solude and sharpnes . Garberg carbon steel or garberg stailess steel for cooking in forest and camping and bushcraft
Is that hat a condor?
I bought a Garberg to replace my Cold Steel SRK because it is lighter and more versatile. It will not baton as well with the shorter blade but is tough enough. I will just baton smaller branches or off-center. I also have a Shrade Frontier 52 for serious batonning but it weighs a ton (I backpack). The Garberg is a compromise. I have a Lightmyfire for light work.
Interesting how different your philosophy on what a survival knife is very different from the video I just watched on the Gray Bearded Green Beret. He picked the Mora Garber as the knife he would bring if he could only bring one knife in a survival situation or survival kit. The philosophy difference is what a survival knife should be. You are in the more one cutting tool has to do everything because it might be the only cutting tool on you so it has to be bigger to do some of the functions of a hatchet. In the other philosophy you want the knife to be the best knife it can be and not be an axe, machete, or hatchet because it isn’t your only cutting tool. The knife will be a knife and you use other cutting tools more suited to splitting wood like an small axe. I’m not saying either approach is wrong just different. In Sweden where Moras are made you would also see the philosophy of the knife being the best knife it can be and you just wouldn’t want a larger knife to substitute for an axe because then it can’t be a good knife or a good axe, but just s compromise of both.
the squish thats why i like moras. thats why i liked the kansbol way more. love the squish.
HA - love the squish
For batoning with a Mora, I would have to make a wedge from a 11/2" to 2" log instead of beating the blade through a piece of wood, especially if it has knots. I am not a big Mora fan because they are so light it doesn't feel like a good tool to me. Great for slicing, but I just am not confident using a Mora for anything else. Just my opinion.
Agree! A big saber grind for my main blade with the kansbol as its compannion - easier to process game with the Kansbol vs the Garberg as well.
I agree 100% with you regarding knives and batoning, let a knife be a knife, for heavier tasks as splitting wood there are other stuff like an axe.
For me personally a knife has to be able to cut or making feathersticks for example.
+Claude Gobbo. Don't drive a car. Horse and wagon is fine. Go Amish. :)
17:20 Tim - Not to sound rude or anything (and you’re absolutely entitled to your opinion), BUT... I think Creek Stewart would disagree with you about the SK-5 not being a “survival” knife. And I’m not saying that because I like the SK-5 either; personally, I hate all slab-handled knives. Slab-handled knives simply have terrible ergonomics and do nothing more than make it apparently clear that they manufacturer’s goal is cutting costs in production, not designing an ergonomically superior knife. I think when you speak to a knife’s ability to be called a “survival” knife, you are immediately drawing conclusions as to what tasks you require the knife to do... After studying survival for quite some time, I personally discovered that instead, I needed to reevaluate my perspective on what a knife ACTUALLY needs to do in a real world survival scenario. And believe it or not, battening is NOT one of them. My last survival instructor didn’t even believe in battening at all, and helped me understand that knives are not designed (from an engineering standpoint) for battening. Furthermore, every single instance I could think up where I thought resorting to battening my knife would be necessary, I was shown that battening was either not needed at all, or there were other simple ways around accomplishing the goal without having to smash my knife with a club! I discovered that it was much more important for a knife to slice and cut well, than it was for a knife to be thick, heavy, and indestructible (like a BK2)... It really just comes down to knowledge. People like Cody Lundin, Creek Stewart, and Mors Kochanski have proven that you don’t know a “beast” knife for survival... A simple fixed blade, or in most cases a comfortable folding knife, that cuts well is perfectly adequate. As I said before Tim, I’m right down in MA and I’d love to come up to NH and hang out with you some time! =)
Yeah - I know you enough to know you are all about ergos :)
lol I don't not know if I should take that as a friendly response or a sarcastic one.
Dan Schwemin Jr No man, totally serious. We’ve talked back-and-forth before in the comments and I know that I prefer blocky but that you don’t.
You’re a faithful viewer and commentor - I do really appreciate that.
Sorry Tim, I only ask because I know I have a terrible habit of not sugar-coating what I’m thinking when I say it. I guess that comes from my time spent as a police officer. So sorry if I come across as rude or forward, I’m not trying to be, plus as you know, a lot gets lost in translation when it comes to text as opposed to spoken word! ;-) Anyways, just wanted to apologize. And like I said, if you’re ever up for it, I’d love to hang out some time and talk knives and get out there and do some bushcrafting! Cheers brother. =)
All good Dan - no harm done. Yeah man - let's connect sometime to get into the woods. Busy season for me with work but sometime we will make it happen.
I'm likeing that garberg myself! Just my opinion , good review sir!
Great honest review.
Did I see you drop the pieces that I saw you cut off the strips?
Hope you took them back home to your garbage 😁👍
Cool Video 👍
Thank U for the Info and the Links 👍
I'll order the Kansbol
Typically like your reviews... HOWEVER several things missed: A.) Not MORA full-tang first! (only a 'first' in 'outdoor segment') B.) 14C28N Steel on Garberg you got correct, but the Kansbol is 12C27. The rest of the vid is good w/ the real world outdoor struggles of winter when everything is frozen.... and the fact that these are not optimal food preparation blades. High value All-arounders and good general task outdoor knives.
Alaska Raft Connection - Alaska-BushRafter And let me add it that for sure Garberg can make a quite decent compact survival knife. Survival knife is not supposed to be a chopper necessarily. Furthermore, it has plastic sheath option.
It's rare to see mention of Mora 711 and 748. They have a bit of a finger guard, but lack the bolster at rear of handle. I like that.
i got both . love mora knives not bad for the $ point .
Thanks for the video, I found that the Garberg model is available in non-stainless. Can you, or is there somewhere I can find the series steel that is used. I have some of the real low budget knives: they suck (for 10 bucks, it's fine for the glove box, or tackle box), but I don't want to upgrade only to find out that the higher priced knives have the same crap steel.
I like your videos but I have to burst your bubble a bit because the Garberg isn't Moras first full tang knife. There is one called the Mora Lapplander 95 Hunting Knife, with a full tang that they have been making for quite a while. You can even by it as a blank if you want to make your own scales. Thanks for this comparison though.
Here's a link to the Mora page. Timeline for the Lapplander is circa 1983.
morakniv.se/en/varumarken-knivserier/historiska-klassiker/
Interesting to say the least, Dave Canterbury went on at length about how the Garberg was a special undertaking--something new that required a lot of re-tooling. Well...............your assertion calls his story into question.
Kayakwinds Dave Canterbury is a lying incompetent piece of shit.
+Dane DeMano. You are right. I remember them having two models even. One I think was more a drop point model. I never did buy them because they were the more expensive Mora's back than already but I did see them often in the shops.
+Kayakwinds. The assertion of Dano DeMano is absolutely true. There were 3 models I know of and two of them I actually did see in shops. The Forest Lapplander model 90 and 95. There is also a model Forest Lapplander 115 I never did see in real.
Dave Canterbury has a way of making things that already excisted 'his own' or to come up with stuff as 'his own'. I give Dave one thing and that's being a smart business man. He does know how to find idiots that will buy his stories, claims and gear. ;)
The Garberg and Blackbird are a good comparison.
The garberg are not really their first full tang knife, they have made full tang knife blanks way longer than the garberg knife.
The morakniv pathfinder is the largest knife in the mora knife catalog.
I wish they made a stainless version of this
So why isnt it what you thought? What were your thoughts before
Great video. I couldn't help but noticing your boot. I am looking for a good winter boot. Which boot is that?
You really curved on a rock?
I hope everyone knows not to do that
I own both. Great knifes. Love them so much! 👍👍
I feel it is a bit of a weird one.
Overall it feels more like a sturdier bushcraft knife, which is fine I guess but I don't really see why I should get this one over, lets say, the Bushcraft Black instead which costs less than half of the Garberg and also from what I can tell comes with a better handle.
For the Garberg maybe another cm in length, maybe another mm in thickness and a better handle and it would become much more interesting and could maybe battle something like the Tops BOB. As it is it will compete with all their other knifes and eventually lose because of the high price and that a full tang isn't going to really benefit you in that category.
My overall take on this is: I own 6 Mora knives, inc the kansbol, and 3 companions. Being a , 2ea Basic 511, betting man, I would bet that 95% of people who buy these types of knives, would need nothing but a Companion in SS.
I’ve them all. What I really need is a full flat Kansbol. If they produce I will get half a dozen each colour and I will retire all my fancy arsenal forever.
Got my first More this week. Love it. Except right hand only sheath. Wish they'd put that in the description. Garberg on the way now.
Mora*
I was told that the tip grind is for spreading butter in Norway.
Say Heah Tim, Good review, But, Puh-lease do a vs with the Konsbul vs Mora 2000, Oh , The steel are different, I thought both were the same. Yeah, I'm thinking of teaming the Konsbul and the Eldris, What do you think. ,, .
paulie 4x I've teamed the Eldris with the Garberg and it's a great combination.
"Its like feathersticking an apple" :-D... Awsome! :-)
Nice video, greetings from Germany.
I have a Garberg and i love it, but i really wish it had the rubberized handle. I feel like my hand will slip a little if wet or sweaty. The handle on my Gerber Gator is the best gripping handle ive owned and the one i compare all other knives to.
Not just the 2000, the mora forest also has the same blade n imho, a much better handle, soft grip with a solid feel.
Seeing this I just wonder who started all this batoning thing??!
Everyone these days thinks a knife is also a splitting maul.
Whoever started it is probably loved by knife companies
You never used the garberg to it’s full potential tbh.The pummel is great for scraping bark for tinder,for example.
I wonder if you would share the brand of the pants and belt you're wearing?
Both are great knives!
Agree 100%
Hey brother, do me a favor and see if the kansbul will fit nicely in the garburg sheath as I think they'd be almost equal if you has the same sheath minus the full tang issue....
thats the garbergs problem. mora gives u knifes for 20$ that can do everything the garberg does.
Nightwolf866 but they don't do everything the Garberg does.
Even a 5.11 basic will do all camp tasks yes. But there is a survival bike in the garberg. Kansbol is great I love it but the garberg is a beast.
I’m very glad to know about this knives 👍
Hi, I wanted to know from your experience whether this 14C28N steel is really great as it is said for knives to use in nature? Is better than 440C or VG10? Let me know what you think, a greetings Michele
@faultroy Words of wisdom
Is that blade hard to sharpen ?