About 8 years ago I was reading an article on this site
about fixed blade knives. I know it was about 8 years ago because
it was just before Y2K :-) Anyway, a good, inexpensive fixed blade
was recommended as a good bargain. I bought one and I liked it
a lot. I think it was in the $20 range -- a very good deal.

The problem is that I lost it and don't remember the brand or
where to buy another one. I think it was Swiss (country of origin,
not the brand) or from somewhere in Europe. The one I bought
had a bright orange plastic handle and plastic scabbard.
It had a stainless straight blade, nothing fancy.

I would really like to replace it with something similar.
Any recommendations or does anyone remember this far back?

Sounds like a mora.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mora_%28knife%29


Good fixed blades for not a lot of money. They aren't "sharpened prybars", but they cut very well.

www.ragweedforge.com buy two this time.

Mora! yes, that's it -- from the Swedes, not the Swiss.
Yes, you can bet I'll buy two this time.

Simple Mora knives are good. Except for their high-end line your unlikely to impress anyone but survival is not a beauty contest. Simple and sturdy is good enough.

I used to be impressed by the latest blade du jour. Often going for $400 and up. I have seen my share of high dollar gear fail, get stolen or lost. I watched a grown man just about cry when he realized his $1200 knife had fallen out into the river during a canoe trip. Luckily someone in a following group spotted it under water, retrieved it and returned it to him. This took considerable amount of effort and risk. The man barely even thanked the guy who returned it. IMHO a lot of people who are gear snobs are pricks and generally not good company.

One of the nicest camping couples I knew used shower curtains for a rain capes, a tarp for a tent, blankets for sleeping bags and tennis shoes and USGI jungle boots for footwear. They stayed warm, dry, well fed, happy and covered more miles than just about anyone else. They were also very good company and were always helping people out.

I have heard mixed reviews about Mora's, mostly that they are good knives, but some that they are "only for beginners", and that they break easily. Should I be reluctant? Can I expect them to handle hard use, or should they be treated more like fillet knives? Will someone please tell me what the appeal is other than price? Like I said, I have heard mixed reviews concerning durability.

Put it this way, I've got the stainless 'clipper' and if it breaks or bends it'll be because I'm doing something that shouldn't be done with a knife. Always have a backup but I'd have no problem being out with only a mora. Here's a pretty in-depth review that takes a silimar mora through its paces.

http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/mora_2000.html

I just got my first set of Moras. I ordered a 760CAMO for my daughter ($20), a 760MG for my wife ($10) and a 780 Triflex for myself ($10 or $11). I'm impressed with their simplicity and obvious usefullness. They arrived razor *sharp*...each of them. I don;t care much for guards but, for some reason, maybe because the handles fit my hand so well, they seem allright on these knives. Next year, I plan on ordering a #911 and a #2000.

At the same time I got those Moras, I also ordered an EKA H8. THis knife is $85, substantially more than the Moras, but it's a more well-made knife. Bubinga wood scales, full-tang 1/8" 12C27 stainless (flat primary grind with v-grind edge), and a fairly nice leather sheath.

I prefer fixed blades from Benchmade, Bark River, etc. I think if I didn;t have the experience of owning some very nice fixed blades, I probably wouldn;t be able to appreciate these little Mora knives. I know that sounds backwards, but I think it's right.

Someone already gave the link for Ragnars, but here it is again:
http://www.ragweedforge.com

I had never seen that review, though I've read others by Cliff Stamp. He's very technical, but he had me almost laughing at the way he broke off-topic and branched into fire building and rekindling!

I have several Moras and I think they are great. Simple, cheap and effective knives. I own the Clipper, a KJ Ericsson one in stainles steel and a laminated carbon S-2, and I like them all. However, the stainless steel one seems to be the nicest for food prep because the blade stays nice and shiny. Carbon knives develop what they call a patina, which is basically some corrosion that "stains" the knife. Nothing toxic however...

I have been hearing a lot of good comments on a different forum regarding the Cold Steel Mini-Pendleton. It really looks like a mini Fallkniven F1. It can be found at about half the MSRP price of $49.99.



PENDLETON MINI HUNTER

Specifications:
Weight: 2.4 oz.
Blade Thick: 1/8"
Blade Length: 3
Handle: 3 1/4" long. Kraton
Steel: VG-1 Stainless Steel
Overall Length: 6 1/4"
Sheath: Secure-Ex Sheath