Morakniv Classic Craftsmen 601 Utility Knife with Carbon Steel Blade and Double Finger Guard, 3.9-Inch

The blade is sharp and seems to be well anchored into the handle. While the blade does look like a steak knife, it is a bit thicker than most steak knives and is very rigid. The spine is a bit rough. The rest of the blade is nicely polished.The handle fills the hand pretty well. The handle is too smooth for me to want to use the knife without a guard. The guard also makes the thing look a little less like a steak knife. I can understand why some might think that the handle isn't wood. It feels like wood to me, but it is extremely light.The sheath is quite functional. The knife is held securely. The top of the sheath comes halfway up the handle. There is no way to get a full grip before drawing the knife out. The easiest way seems to be to pull up on the guard and grab the handle as it comes out of the sheath. The worst thing is that the belt slot won't easily fit over a thick leather belt.Any negatives are outweighed by the excellent value. It's also nice to have a knife that isn't trying to look tacticool.

5 Stars for the value of this knife, even knockoff china knives cost around this much, although if your thinking about getting it you should look at the 612 model that is nearly identical but has a single finger guard on the front. That version is probably more manageable to handle and would probably perform the all mighty batoning that everyone is so concerned about better. The double finger guard on this on may cause complications in thumb placement and choking up.The double finger guard on my 601 is a little off center, idk if this is for a reason like to fit in the sheath better or anything but it's a minor looks issue. This knife has all the benefits listing in it's reviews and makes a nice carry, backup carry, or yardwork utility knife with a little more style than the simple 511. Yeah carbon steel is more maintenance than stainless but i like oiling my knifes and watching them shine so thats not an issue and as long as you can avoid rust, stains and patina show a well used knifes character.After receiving my 601 i was so pleased with the quality that i ordered the Mora Companion in the military green as well and am very happy with both knives. Mora sheaths and handles are functional if not attractive but the blades and grinds are great, neither of mine were what i would call shaving sharp but arrived sharper than most knives i have ordered.

I owned a Mora knife very similar to this many years ago but lost it. I've never been able to find a worthy replacement that was reasonably priced, until now. By chance I ran across a discussion of outdoor knives, and the reviewer concluded that Mora knives were the best value for the money. Ironically, this was the same conclusion as a review I had read many years before, which convinced me to buy my first Mora. The quality and utility of Mora knives is still excellent, and what was true over 25 years ago is still true today. I agree with the majority of Amazon reviewers - VERY sharp out of the box and holds its edge for a remarkably long time. As with most others, I'm disappointed with the sheath. I assume that it was a cost saving decision to go to plastic. Yes, it is difficult to slip onto a belt and it doesn't look very traditional. All that said, it DOES hold the knife safely and securely, and that's a good thing. You don't want a knife this sharp getting loose at the wrong time. So if you want a traditional leather sheath, make one or buy one. I'm also glad that I got the model with the double sided hand guard. The handle is comfortable to hold and sized for adults, but just barely. I find that I am pushing right up against the guard when using the knife. The extra safety and leverage it provides is comforting. It would also help if there was a hole for attaching a safety lanyard. I use the knife on my boat most of the time, and would HATE to lose it overboard. Mora may have been thinking of this, because at the end of the handle there is what appears to be a starter hole for a screw eye. I inserted a small one there and it does the job. As a reviewer wrote many years ago, Mora puts their money into the blade of the knife, not into appearance or fancy handles and accessories. Don't let the sheath issue keep you from buying what I consider to be the best low cost knife on the market, bar none!

I reviewed another Mora and this is basically the same, but with the wooden handle - fantastic knives, especially for the price - looks cheap but works hard. Aggressive grind makes it easy to sharpen by hand... really, really sharp. Wood handle is nice, but a little slippery - but since it's wood you can hack it for your needs. I cut a hole for a lanyard and filed some diamonds into the grip and it's great. Like that my fingers won't slip onto the blade because of the guard. Scabbard is a pain to put on a belt and other Mora scabbards are better but it works and holds the knife securely. This is now my go-to house knife and I keep my plastic-handled one in the truck for emergency duty. Wickedly sharp. I also ground the back a bit for a fire steel - the beauty of these knives is they are so cheap you have no fear of hacking and modifying it for your needs because if you screw it up, no worries - but they perform like much more expensive blades. The Swedes know how to make stuff that works. I dipped the blade in boiling vinegar to put a rust protective, black patina on it and it looks great.