THE MORAKNIV MÖRKRET, THE NEW SWEDISH FIXED-BLADE OUTDOOR KNIFE.

By: Henk ”The Knife” Kraaijvanger.

INTRO.

As a former soldier, former editor of a bladed weapons magazine, former Scout leader, outdoor enthusiast, bushcrafter & reviewer, I have considerable experience with knives in general, and with using and testing MORAKNIV fixed-blade knives in particular. For those who enjoy my older MORAKNIV reviews, please use the search function on this blog's homepage. Enjoy browsing and reading!

THE LONG HISTORY LEADING TO MORAKNIV OF SWEDEN.

SINCE 1891, SWEDISH KNIFEMAKERS IN ÖSTNOR NEAR MORA.

1891 – Morakniv is born in Östnor, Sweden. Frost-Erik Erson returns from North America and establishes a wagon-making workshop in Östnor. Sledges, carts and knives are produced here; initially, the knives are only used within the workshop itself. Knife production soon takes off, and the knives become sought-after trading goods distributed throughout Sweden by travelling pedlars.

1904 – Morakniv conquers the world. Around the turn of the century, Morakniv is well known among craftspeople and woodworkers; distribution in Sweden is handled by Böhlmark & Co. The knives are also exported to wholesalers, gunpowder merchants and hardware shops throughout Europe. With ten employees, Frosts produces 19.000 knives annually in 1904.

1912 – KJ Eriksson starts a factory. Krång-Johan "KJ" Eriksson leaves Frosts following a dispute with management. Together with Lok-Anders Mattsson, he establishes 'Eriksson & Mattssons Knivfabrik' in Östnor – a company that would become part of Morakniv much later. In 1918, Lok-Anders leaves and KJ continues under the name KJ Erikssons Knivfabrik.

THE 20s – Icons and innovations. "Sweden" is stamped into the steel as a mark of quality, and the red handle becomes the trademark of knives from Mora. In 1927, the KJ Eriksson knife factory begins producing a new ski binding designed and patented by Vasaloppet winner Anders Ström (son of Rombo-Anders Andersson-Ström). KJ Eriksson acquires the patent, and the binding becomes an important source of income during the Depression.

THE 30s – A knife for the world. KJ Eriksson launches the Sports Knife – originally intended as a child's first knife, but later better known as the Scout knife. It quickly becomes popular in Sweden and Norway, remaining a faithful companion on adventures large and small. The Mora scissors are also introduced, and in 1938 the newspaper *Mora Tidning* reports that Östnor produces a million knives annually. Morakniv is now known worldwide.

THE 40s – The difficult war years. During the Second World War, material shortages cause major problems and exports to Norway come to a halt. Despite the challenges, production continues, with the Scout knife an important product. In 1947, the Frosts factory burns down completely, but is soon rebuilt.

THE 50s – Plastic and the ice auger. Following the move to Bjäkenbacken in Mora in 1948 – where the Morakniv factory is still located – production exceeds two million knives per year. The "Mora Drill" ice auger is introduced in 1955 and soon gains international fame. By the end of the 50s, plastic begins replacing rubber and wood on many models, while colourful Scout knives and kitchen knives become popular additions to the range.

THE 60s – Acquisitions and internationalisation. KJ Erikssons Knife Factory takes over Bud-Carl's workshop and invests in modern machinery to improve efficiency.

At the same time, exports grow, with Frosts and KJ Eriksson driving development as the two leading factories.

THE 70s – From wood to plastic. Plastic increasingly replaces wooden and leather handles, making knives easier and cheaper to produce. The 'Jägaren' hunting knife is launched in 1975, followed by model 510 in 1976; this model quickly becomes one of Morakniv's bestselling knives.

THE 80s – Expansion and exports. In 1980, KJ Erikssons Knife Factory merges with AB Moraindustri to form KJ Eriksson AB. The decade sees strong growth, with new ergonomic knives developed for the food industry, particularly the American market. In 1988, KJ Eriksson AB acquires a stake in Frosts Knife Factory, setting a consolidation process in motion.

THE 90s – Five million knives a year. The versatile Mora 2000 outdoor knife is launched in 1991 and soon becomes a favourite among hunters, outdoor enthusiasts and military personnel. Meanwhile, production becomes increasingly automated and reaches five million knives per year. The range expands to include professional knives, hunting knives and specialised models.

MY PERSONALLY CUSTOMISED KJ ERIKSSON 731 CARBON, FOR MY OWN MILITARY USE.

THE 2000s – Mora of Sweden. The merger is completed in 2005: Frosts becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of KJ Eriksson AB and the company changes its name to Mora of Sweden. In 2009, Morakniv is registered as an official brand – the beginning of a new era.

THE 2010s – Morakniv AB takes shape. The final step in the merger comes when all production activities are concentrated at Bjäkenbacken, in the same premises where KJ Eriksson once started. The Morakniv factory is still based here, and the company has been called Morakniv AB since 2016.

TODAY – Made in Mora since 1891. Every Morakniv knife carries a 135-year tradition of knifemaking, combining craftsmanship with modern production. All our knives are still made in the village of Östnor, near Mora – just as they have been since 1891. Morakniv is now certified to ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment). This certification covers quality, sales, communication, knife design and production.

PURVEYOR TO THE ROYAL COURT.
Morakniv is a purveyor to His Majesty the King of Sweden. This distinction is shared by approximately 130 Swedish companies and is awarded when products are recognised for their high quality. As a royal purveyor, Morakniv belongs to a select group also representing Scandinavian design and Swedish craftsmanship of the highest standard.

And we will put that to the test at the bushcraft blog www.bushcraft.nl, where we have always carried out lengthy tests since 2014. I also think this new Morakniv Mörkret in Uddeholm Elmax SuperClean powder steel will give another Swedish brand some serious competition.

THE MORAKNIV MÖRKRET.

The Morakniv Mörkret is named after the Swedish village of Mörkret, which is said to have been hit hard by the worst snowstorm in Swedish history. As mentioned above, this fixed-blade knife is made specifically for survival "when nature is at its worst". It was therefore developed for situations where reliability is essential, including survival, bushcraft and tactical & military use. The Morakniv Mörkret suits a wide range of tasks: batoning kindling, woodworking and cutting; building shelters and lighting a lifesaving fire for warmth or a cooking fire for comfort, using the sharp 90-degree blade spine or the striking & firesteel-scraping extension protruding from the handle, which is very suitable for use with a firesteel.

And, as it should, it does so even in wet and cold conditions. All materials have been laboratory-tested for friction and impact to ensure a secure grip and durability in harsh conditions.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MORAKNIV MÖRKRET.

THE BLADE:
The Morakniv Mörkret is a robust fixed-blade survival and outdoor knife with a strong full-tang blade and a striking & firesteel-scraping extension protruding beyond the handle. The blade deliberately has no finger choil, allowing you to apply all your cutting force to the edge directly behind the single guard. All this provides maximum cutting power, strength and balance; combined with premium Swedish stainless Uddeholm Elmax® SuperClean powder steel, it delivers superior edge retention and corrosion resistance in the field. The very sharp clip-point blade with its faceted swedge has a high flat grind and a tall, robust secondary V-edge, leaving more steel behind the edge and greatly increasing strength during heavy outdoor and military cutting work. After all, blade deformation is something we cannot afford. The sharp 90-degree spine is suitable for starting a fire with a firesteel.

THE HANDLE:
The MORAKNIV Mörkret features Power Touch Grip, a glass-fibre-reinforced polypropylene handle combining a soft, pleasant surface with high impact resistance. A functional striking & firesteel-scraping extension protrudes from the back of this non-slip handle. The back of the handle has traction ribs for increased grip when wearing gloves, while the coarse texture provides extra purchase in cold and damp conditions. The lanyard hole makes it easy to attach a retention cord or paracord wrist strap. Both sides also have recesses for the sheath's retention "hooks".

THE SHEATH:
The ambidextrous polypropylene Click-On sheath, plastic adapter, flexible LIBA Smart® plastic belt/duty-belt loop and flexible plastic retention strap are supplied loose in the box from the factory. This Click-On sheath, with a thumb rest to assist drawing the knife, can be mounted facing left or right in the plastic belt/duty-belt adapter for either left-handed or right-handed users.

For this purpose, the plastic adapter has a spring tab to secure the flexible plastic belt/duty-belt loop. Each side of the Click-On sheath has two short raised ribs that click into the recesses in the sheath adapter, holding the Click-On sheath firmly in place once fitted, while allowing it to be removed and reversed. You can also attach the separately supplied flexible plastic retention strap with press-stud fastening to the adapter's flexible belt/duty-belt loop to suit left-handed or right-handed use. The recesses on both sides of the knife handle engage securely with the retention "hooks" at the mouth of the Click-On sheath. The flexible retention strap with press-stud fastening provides additional security against losing the knife from the sheath or losing the sheath from the adapter itself. The flexible LIBA Smart® plastic belt/duty-belt loop also acts as a dangler and fits belts/duty belts up to 63 mm wide. This LIBA Smart® plastic belt/duty-belt loop has an additional locking piece that can easily be fastened and released. The pattern of holes and slots in the plastic sheath adapter accommodates TEK-LOK accessories and MOLLE-compatible rails, providing flexible attachment options. I think this is also a must-have for military use. For those working in the rain, this sheath has another essential feature: not one but two drainage slots, through which a leg cord can also be threaded. To assemble the sheath, adapter and retention strap to your preference, please follow the MORAKNIV instructions.

SHEATH MAINTENANCE:
Naturally, the inside of this polypropylene composite sheath must be kept free of sand and dirt. Rinse it after field use and regularly thereafter with tap water or other water. This prevents abrasive sand and dirt from remaining in the sheath and causing annoying scratches on the blade.

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE MORAKNIV MÖRKRET.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND TEST CONDITIONS.

- -- At my request, and without any conditions or editorial instructions, the CEO of the genuine Swedish knife factory MORAKNIV arranged for the new Mörkret fixed-blade knife to be sent to me for this new MORAKNIV review. The findings and statements are entirely my own, and this review was sent directly to the webmaster without involvement from the knife company mentioned. Nor do I receive editorial instructions or pay/a salary from him or any other interested parties.

- If any part of the blade or supporting handle fails or breaks off, the field test is stopped immediately for safety, and I/we automatically rate the test sample as inadequate! Nor do I sharpen or dismantle the knives during my lengthy field tests! I do usually attach a braided "Snake Dot" finger/thumb lanyard and/or grease the leather sheath.

RATING SCALE:

FINDINGS & SCORES FOR THE MORAKNIV MÖRKRET BEFORE THE E.D.C. AND FIELD TESTS.

FINDINGS & SCORES FOR THE MORAKNIV MÖRKRET DURING THE E.D.C. AND FIELD TESTS.

I HAVE ALREADY ASSEMBLED THE BELT/DUTY-BELT ADAPTER FOR THE MORAKNIV MÖRKRET.

THE ROPE-CUTTING TEST ON TOUGH COIR CORD: Outstanding/.

CUTTING THROUGH THE WIDE, TOUGH NYLON LIFTING STRAP: Outstanding/.

THE CARDBOARD-CUTTING TEST THROUGH TWO LAYERS: Outstanding/. CUTTING THROUGH THE TOUGH RUBBER GARDEN HOSE: Outstanding/.

SLICING A TOMATO: Outstanding/.

SLICING THE DELICIOUS FUET SAUSAGE: Outstanding/.

CHOPPING WITH THE MÖRKRET IN THE "LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD WOODS": Outstanding/.

NOW CHOPPING THROUGH A DEAD TREE APPROXIMATELY 9 CM THICK: Outstanding/.

CHOPPING JOB ON THE FALLEN DEAD TREE DONE. HARVESTING BIRCH BARK TINDER: Outstanding/.

BATONING/SPLITTING A DRY BRANCH: Outstanding/.

STARTING TO MAKE A FEATHER STICK: Outstanding/.

CARRYING THE MÖRKRET ON THE LEATHER BELT: Very good/.

MEDIUM-DUTY BATONING OF A THICK, DRY BRANCH: Outstanding/.

CARVING TINDER: Outstanding/.

SHAVING TINDER: Outstanding/.

A CARVED "WOODEN FLOWER" IN THE BEAUTIFUL, QUIET WOODS.

DRILLING A HOLE IN WOOD WITH THE BLADE TIP: Very good/.

MAKING ANOTHER FEATHER STICK: Outstanding/. MORE TINDER READY FOR THE HOBO STOVE.

LIGHTING A FIRE WITH THE BLADE SPINE & FIRESTEEL: Outstanding/.

THE HOBO STOVE FIRE IS BURNING VERY WELL IN THE GARDEN (AVOIDING ANY RISK OF FOREST FIRES).

REMAINING SHARPNESS & EDGE RETENTION AFTER ALL CUTTING TESTS: Outstanding/.

FINDINGS & SCORES FOR THE MORAKNIV MÖRKRET AFTER ALL E.D.C. AND FIELD TESTS.

SUMMARY.

- - With the MÖRKRET, MORAKNIV has brought another outstanding full-size fixed-blade survival & outdoor knife to the market, and like the other Morakniv knives, it is entirely Made in Mora of Sweden! I believe the Morakniv Mörkret, in either this version or the subdued black version, will also appeal to professional military users who often operate in woodland. That choice is justified by its outstanding practical design, outstandingly sharp premium stainless blade and outstanding edge retention = how long it stays sharp! All this without deformation of the blade edge, even during heavy use such as batoning and chopping.

- Thanks to the plastic handle moulded around the full tang, this very comfortable, non-slip handle also absorbs the vibrations and forces generated by chopping and batoning, among other tasks. It also insulates against the cold in winter or Arctic conditions. In practice, I felt no pressure points or hot spots from the handle.

- The versatility of the secure plastic sheath, which can be adapted to personal preferences and even carried upside down using the slots in the plastic adapter, is quite unique. Naturally, it also fits my handmade HKD leather belt very well.

You can also order individual replacement sheath parts later if they become damaged or worn through heavy use. With the knife in the sheath and the retention strap closed, both the knife and the entire sheath are protected against loss, and the Mörkret is also almost "rattle-free" in this sheath.

Taken as a whole, this MORAKNIV fixed-blade knife completes the positive impression of this truly Swedish "powerhouse".

TIPS from a former soldier:

If I were still a "lean, mean soldier operating in the woods", for my own "remote military use" I would:

1. Choose the version with the black carbon-steel blade to prevent unwanted light reflections.

2. Stretch a tight-fitting piece of rubber bicycle inner tube around the lower outside of the plastic sheath to prevent operational contact noises in the dark, such as tapping against trees and other objects during "Sneaky Pete Operations". If they cannot see, smell or hear you, they cannot take an aimed shot at you or, nowadays, drop a drone onto your neck! As my old green British military survival manual says, "Survival A Dying Art".

But I stand by my assessment that the Morakniv Mörkret is an outstanding civilian survival and outdoor knife, and will also be outstanding for military field/woodland use.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

My thanks to Morakniv Sweden's CEO, Mr R. Jägrud, and his TEAM for providing the test model. Without it, this new Morakniv Mörkret review would not have been possible. Mr Jägrud, thank you once again! See their products on their extensive website at: https://www.morakniv.com/en-eu/collections/knife-shop. If you also produce Morakniv knives with a NATO stock inspection number stamped/engraved on the blade, I would of course be interested in a military example.

ANOTHER QUALITY SWEDISH PRODUCT FOR THE "OUTDOORS", THE SAAB JAS 39 GRIPEN.