It might be a little strange for you to see a post from me comparing two knives by the same manufacturer.
It might be even stranger for you to see me compare two knives that are designed for two different things.
First, the Morakniv Bushcraft Forest being an example of an all-round bushcraft knife designed for survival outdoors, and second, the Morakniv Kansbol being Morakniv’s first full tang knife designed to be the perfect hunting companion.
Still, these are two great outdoor knives that are big right now, and either one would serve you well for bushcraft, hunting, and any other outdoor task.
But which one is better?
Well, stick around for today’s post as I compare the pros and cons of these two heavyweights in the outdoor knife world, to see which one comes out on top.
Morakniv Bushcraft Forest: Pros & Cons
This all-round bushcraft knife is an amazing option for anyone heading outdoors. It’s the perfect companion if you bushcraft, hike, camp, or find yourself in a survival situation.
Yes, it’s that good. But that’s not to say it’s perfect. Below, I’ll take a look at the pros and cons of the Morakniv Bushcraft Forest to tell you everything there is to know about this knife.
Just so you’re aware, Morakniv Bushcraft knives are highly customizable, depending on whether you opt for the stainless steel or the high carbon blade, or if you choose the regular version over the survival version and vice versa.
In the interest of being clear, this post is only concerned with the Morakniv Bushcraft Forest as it comes right out of the box when you buy this standard version of the knife. Now that’s cleared up, let’s get to it.
Pros
- Hidden tang (not full tang, as with the Kansbol) that’s highly durable and protected under warranty should it tear from the handle
- 109mm x 2.5mm steel blade
- Perfect for fishing, hunting, bushcraft, craft, and survival situations
- Can cut, chop, clean, and filet thanks to Mora’s unique blades
- Razor sharp cold-rolled steel
- Scandi grind blade (meaning it remains one thickness, making it a more durable knife)
- Ergonomic rubber handle that’s incredibly comfortable to hold
- Plastic, the protective sheath that fits comfortably on belt loops
Cons
- Doesn’t have a 90-degree spine on the blade, making it less well-suited to bushcraft than the name suggests
- Relatively heavy knife for an outdoor knife
Round-Up
Really, there are not a lot of negatives with the Morakniv Bushcraft Forest, but for me, the biggest negative is the angle of the spine.
I can’t understand why it isn’t 90 degrees, especially when it’s designed for bushcraft and bushcraft is in the title, when everybody knows that you can’t strike a Ferro Rod to start a fire without a knife that’s got a 90-degree spine.
But that peculiar point aside, there’s not much to dislike about the Bushcraft Forest, and I actually think it’s a strong all-rounder for anybody – whether you’re new to outdoor knives or an old hand at it.
As with most things in the camping and outdoor niche, it’ll come down to personal preference and what you use your knives for.
Morakniv Kansbol: Pros & Cons
The Morakniv Kansbol is another fine example of an all-round knife that’s suited to multiple outdoor activities.
As with all Mora blades, it’s strong, durable, and incredibly sharp. That’s why Morakniv is one of the leading outdoor knife brands on the market.
But, as with all knives in general, there are pros and cons to it, and I’ll cover them all below so you can decide which points matter most to you.
Pros
- Full tang, making it the strongest blade Morakniv offer, since it’s their first full tang knife
- 109mm x 2.5mm steel blade (same as the Bushcraft Forest)
- Ideal for hunting, hiking, camping, and survival as the blade is optimized to handle every task you can imagine
- Flexibility of a lightweight knife
- Compound grind blade (meaning it’s best for precision and sharpness)
- Barrel handle with plastic in middle and rubber on the side, improving your grip to prevent slipping and rotating
- Snug sheath that allows the knife to be attached to belts, backpacks, and almost any other outdoor equipment
- 90-degree blade spine
Cons
- The compound grind blade is less strong than the scandi grind blade of the Bushcraft (but I think the full tang makes up for this)
Round-Up
The biggest problem I see with the Kansbol is the compound grind blade instead of the scandi grind blade.
Yes, it’s sharper and allows for more precise tasks to be done more effectively, but there’s no denying the tapering of the blade to a point does make it fundamentally weaker than a slab of metal that’s all one size.
Still, for me the Kansbol makes up for it with a full tang instead of a hidden tang.
Having the blade go through the handle makes it much stronger, and I think that saves the Kansbol from being weaker than it is, because this blade can handle a lot.
Still, it’s worth noting that the Bushcraft Forest is stronger in design… But which do I prefer?
Morakniv Bushcraft Forest VS Morakniv Kansbol: My Verdict
Remember, this is only my opinion. Both the Bushcraft Forest and the Kansbol are excellent knives, and most of us would do just fine with either of them.
But there’s a sticking point for me, and it’s something I can’t seem to get past: the angle of the blades.
For me, a survival/outdoor/camping knife should do everything I need it to. If ever I’m in a jam, it should be able to get me out of it, and that includes starting a fire with a Ferra Rod.
Only a 90 degree blade can do that. So, for me, the better knife is the Kansbol.
Don’t get me wrong, the Morakniv Bushcraft Forest is amazing. It’s strong and precise and it can do almost anything.
Honestly, if the Morakniv Kansbol wasn’t full tang like it is, I might have swayed towards the Bushcraft Forest simply because it’d be a much stronger blade.
But given that the Bushcraft wouldn’t help me start a fire with a Ferra Rod, and that the Kansbol is full tang and still incredibly strong, the Bushcraft is my second place today.
Still, I understand why some prefer one over the other, but ultimately it comes down to what you need your knives for, and how useful each of these would be to you.
For me, it’s the Kansbol, for you, it might be the Bushcraft Forest. That’s OK, because both are excellent choices and shining examples of what outdoor knives ought to be!