There is quite a bit of information on the specs and details of Mora knives, but finding out whether a knife is full or partial tang can be tricky. The information is much harder to find than it should be, so I took the time to look at all of the popular Mora knives on the market today and find out whether they have a full tang or partial tang.
Below are the most popular Mora knives, their steel type, and whether they have a full or partial tang:
| Knife Name | Steel Type | Full Tang | Partial Tang |
| Morakniv Basic 511 | Carbon Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Basic 546 | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Bushcraft | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Bushcraft Forest | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Bushcraft Survival | Carbon Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Classic No. 1/0 | Carbon Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Classic No. 2 | Carbon Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Classic No. 3 | Carbon Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Companion | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Companion Heavy Duty | Carbon Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Companion Spark | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Companion Fishing Fillet 155 | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Eldris | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Eldris Light Duty | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Floating Knife | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Garberg | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Pro | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Pro Robust | Carbon Steel | X | |
| Morakniv Kansbol | Stainless Steel | X | |
| Morakniv 2000 | Stainless Steel | X |
As you can see, there are a variety of different Mora knives for nearly any task you could possibly imagine.
Table of Contents
Which Mora Knives are Full Tang?
Morakniv is the most well-known Mora knife maker and made the original Mora knife based on traditional Scandinavian blade design. Since its success, many other companies have begun producing Mora style knives and knives inspired by the simplistic, practical design.
However, Morakniv knives are still some of the best Mora knives you can possibly get your hands on today.
Out of all the Morakniv branded Mora knives I looked at (I basically looked at their most popular models, excluding cooking and woodworking knives), there was only a single full tang Mora knife: the Morakniv Garberg.
Let’s examine why there might be only a single full tang knife in Morakniv’s entire outdoor knife lineup in the next section. For a full breakdown of the differences between full and partial tang knives, make sure to check out my article here.
Why Are There So Few Full Tang Mora Knives?
The reason for so few full tang Mora knives is likely quite complicated and intricate, but I’ve identified three key things that are probably factors. Below are likely some of the reasons why there aren’t many full tang Mora knives:
- The weight of the knife
- Production and material costs
- It simply isn’t necessary
Alright, let’s take a quick look at all three of these factors.
Mora knives are famed for being very light and maneuverable blades that you can take anywhere and use for anything. It’s sort of their claim to fame, and any added weight from a full tang would impact that.
Having a partial tang on most Mora knives also likely cuts down on production and material costs. It might not seem like much, but if you’re making thousands of knives, every small amount of metal used adds up.
And in all honesty, most Mora knives simply don’t need to be full tang. Mora knives, especially those produced by Morakniv, are so durable that a partial tang is more than sufficient.
There likely isn’t a single answer for why so few Mora knives are full tang, but the above-mentioned reasons definitely play a role at some level. Check out my article on why Mora knives are so popular and famous for a more in-depth look at some of the best qualities of Mora knives.
Are Full Tang Mora Knives Better than Partial Tang Mora Knives?
The debate of whether a full tang is better than a partial tang is a very nuanced discussion that has many variables and factors depending on your particular situation. However, there are some overarching characteristics of the two types of knives that can indicate which is better.
Full tang knives are generally more durable and can take a bit more of a beating than a partial tang knife. Since the blade metal extends to the butt of the knife on a full tang knife, it adds extra stability and makes the knife overall more structurally sound.
On the flip side, partial tang knives are still very durable and robust while also cutting down on the amount of metal used in the blade, effectively reducing the knife’s weight.
There are pros and cons to both full tang knives and partial tang ones, but objectively speaking, full tang knives are usually slightly better. However, as I’ll discuss in the next section, simply because full tang knives are marginally better than partial tang ones doesn’t mean you need one.
Do You Need a Full Tang Mora Knife?
Mora knives, especially the ones made by Morakniv, have a reputation of being SUPER durable, hardy, and robust. Even though most Mora knives are partial tang, they can still tackle intensive tasks and hold up through extensive, daily use.
I have had my Morakniv Companion for many years at this point, and it hasn’t let me down or broke a single time. I’ve used it for some pretty intense tasks, and even though it’s a partial tang knife, it’s handled them very well.
So while full tang knives are technically more durable and better than partial tang knives, by no means do you need a full tang knife.
Whether they are full tang or not, Mora knives are super reliable and durable. It really comes down to what you plan to use your knife for and your personal preferences.
For instance, if you plan to use your Mora for simple tasks around the house, to do some casual carving, or to take with you while camping, a partial tang Mora will serve you just fine. Only in super extreme cases (think survival trips or intense bushcraft skills practice) will you genuinely benefit from a full tang Mora.
Most people will be just fine with a partial tang Mora knife, and it’ll cost you less and make your blade more lightweight!
How Long is the Tang on a Partial Tang Mora Knife?
Typically, partial tang Mora knives made by Morakniv have a 3/4 rat-tail tang. The tang of a knife extends 3/4s of the way down the handle and tapers off towards the end. There is some variation between knife models, but most Moras follow this design.
While rat-tailed tang is sometimes considered one of the weaker tang designs, Morakniv pulls it off pretty well. At least in my experience, all of their knives have exceeded expectations and are super durable and robust.
Some partial tang Moras, such as the Morakniv 2000, have a partial tang that doesn’t taper off near the end. This design can result in a slightly more durable knife, but the difference wouldn’t be noticeable in everyday use.
What Blade Steel are Mora Knives Made Of?
Mora knives made by Morakniv (which is the primary and most famous maker of Mora knives) are typically partial tang and have a blade made of either carbon steel or stainless steel. Some people may wonder what type of steel “carbon steel” and “stainless steel” refer to, so let’s take a look.
Carbon Steel: Morakniv knives that are said to be made of carbon steel are usually UHB-20C carbon steel.
Stainless Steel: Morakniv knives that are said to be made of stainless steel are usually Sandvik 12C27 or 14C28N stainless steel hardened to around HRC 56-58.
Make sure to check with your retailer or the official Morakniv website for precise information on what blade steel your particular knife has. Mora knife manufacturers other than Morakniv likely use similar blade steels for their knives, but make sure to check with the seller or company website for specifics.
Whether you should go for a carbon steel or stainless steel blade largely depends on your needs and environment. For people in wetter climates, having a stainless steel blade is a good choice because it is more resistant to rust. However, you may opt for a carbon steel blade for its ability to strike ferro rods, sharpen easily, and hold an edge well.
There are pros and cons to each, so it really comes down to your personal preferences and needs.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Mora knives are super reliable and well-made knives that, no matter their tang type, perform very well for nearly every task that you will encounter.
Before writing this article, I had suspected that there were other more full tang knives in Morakniv’s outdoor knife lineup, so I was a little surprised when it turns out the Garberg is the only one. However, Moras have always been super tough, so the fact that many of them are partial tang doesn’t make a huge difference in day-to-day performance.
There are a ton of different Mora knives out on the market, and the sheer number of options can be quite daunting. Check out my absolute favorite Mora knives below!
