MoraknivCraftline Robust Fixed-Blade Knife with Carbon Steel Blade and Combi-Sheath, 3.6 Inch

After ruining the tip of my Morakniv Companion, I wanted my next Morakniv to be thicker. I decided to try the Craftline Robust over the Companion Heavy Duty because I thought the smaller knife would give me a smaller conceal profile and be better suited to the length laws where I live, but the sheath really doesn't do that well so I'm disappointed with that. The reason being is that the knife handle is at a slight angle away from the sheath wall, and the sheath has that connector tab, which I may cut off and file down. Plus the Companion's sheath is just overall way better feeling too. So the sheath was a bit of a let down coming from the Companion, but that's splitting hairs really as the sheath is still an excellent sheath for what it is. I was just not expecting that the Companion would conceal with a lower profile than the Craftline would. So I feel like I made the wrong choice here, but it's still a Morakniv so I can't complain.The handle is great, it's very comfortable and big hands would like it too. It feels weird to have no thumb grip though. This knife is made to have the thumb be able to rest on the spine for fine work, but I'm going to file the spine with some spaced indents to create a thumb grip because the smooth spine is too much slip for my liking. It was actually the gray color that initially attracted me to this knife. The only flaw I find is that the handle does not fully seal at the base of the knife as there is a 0.1mm gap on both sides of the blade.The Robust's blade is very nice, thick and sturdy, and Morakniv's reputation of having top tier heat treating and all. Sweden has some of the best steel ore in the world as well and they've been making knives for a long time, so don't let the low price make you think the quality is not here, it's just a phenomenal knife for the price. The only thing you don't get is a full tang, but whatever plastic Morakniv uses for the handle is also some mad strong plastic that's built to last. It is no ordinary plastic handle. I got the high carbon version but Morakniv's stainless steel is actually super good, making their high carbon knives a bit pointless actually because they're the same price and quality. I'm going to blue mine with some Birchwood Casey and seal it in some kind of oil.The factory edge is good too but I had to strop mine with some diamond powder polishing compound. It has a secondary micro bevel. I bought a Companion Heavy Duty for someone else and noticed that it too has a second micro bevel. I don't know when Morakniv started doing this as my first Companion was a full bevel like Scandi is supposed to be. Unless I'm wrong about this, but I'm not fond of the second bevel for my uses so I'm going to have to sharpen mine. The blade length actually feels weird compared to the Companion. I thought it wouldn't matter since I rarely make use of the full length anyways, and it's only half an inch reduced, but I already think I should've gone with a Companion Heavy Duty. The Craftline series is $5 cheaper than the Companion series, so it's an okay trade off in terms of price. This knife was on sale when I bought it, so being under $15 for a Robust is fine by me.In the end, I would suggest the Companion Heavy Duty over the Craftline Robust as you really get a lot more with that $5 and $5 isn't much of a difference, but both are very nice, top quality at a low price. I actually have a morapuukko knife from another brand that I like more which is like in the middle of the these two knives for handle shape and price, but this was on sale and I wanted to try it out. Mine came in plastic bag instead of a box or package, which I found strange, but it's still giftable either way. Morakniv knives make wonderful gifts for people, as they are useful and good quality plus low priced.

Sturdy little knife ! This knife came sharper than any knife I've ever bought. I use knives a lot in the restoration of our 100 yr. old house. It occurred to me that a small, stout belt knife might be the perfect blade instead of abusing my cherished, yet inexpensive, collection of Kershaw, CRKT and Sarenmu folders. This knife fits the bill perfectly. Immediately upon opening the package I tested it on some thick leather scraps left over from some knife strops I make and sell. This knife cut through it better than a utility knife with a fresh blade. It practically push cut this tough leather. The sheath is perfect for what I'll be using this knife for and retention is good to go. Holding the knife upside down and shaking the hell out of it will cause to knife to come out slightly but not fall out. These retention tests I see frequently on Youtube are pretty ridiculous. I can't imagine ever hanging upside down with this knife on my belt and being violently shaken enough to worry about my knife falling out of the sheath. The knife feels great in hand. If I were to nitpick.....I'd like to have a sharpening choil as I can see that it's gonna be impossible to sharpen the blade where it comes out of the handle. And the crest shaped plastic piece on the front of the sheath that allows this knife to piggyback another Morakniv is pretty useless to me as it's gonna get snagged on things (and I'll never use it). I'll be trimming this piece off. The blade is really thicker than I need, but I guess that's a good problem. Perfect for what I need at a crazy good price. The way I care for my knives, this knife will surely last the rest of my life. Thanks Morakniv and Amazon !

Some have difficulty reconciling this shorter knife w/other Moras i.e. the most popular Companion. I did at first. The new Mora Pro Robust is thicker than it and the little Mora 511. It's as thick as the Companion HD (for Heavy Duty) which is a 1/3rd price-increased, color-changed, slightly-wider-angled-edge version of the original Mora Robust High-Q. The "replacement" Craftline Pro Robust has a wider blade than all those other Moras. The blade also shares the HD's slightly wider cutting-edge angle for heavier-duty edge retention. One minor drawback is it's only about 1/2 tang vs 3/4 tang as many if not most Moras are. Still, this is a strong knife w/a secure, multi-purpose profiled, blade. Face it; none of these are meant to be pry bars.Moras are often described with the qualification of being great if not the best"for the money." They are inexpensive, yes, and I refer to them as repurposed steak knives, but they are quality for what they are. OK, I add a hair band to all my Moras' sheaths to help insure retention in the plastic sheath. The new Pro Robust costs proportionately less than the Companion HD. The Robust's short, sturdy blade and the handle with significant finger guard up front plus the exaggerated pommel are especially useful under hard use and for younger people afield in my opinion. It is arguably somewhat safer to use than the others as far as control. It has a nice rubbery grip. It is not threatening; its size, including blade length, and color-scheme are subdued and utilitarian vs. militaristic. Indeed this knife is designed for working men and it's my first choice now, my "dumb reach" when I know I'll need some kind a knife to do tasks. It's sharp out-of-the-box and an easily sharpened Scandinavian grind quality Swedish steel. I just gave one to a budding Eagle Scout with an earned Totin' Chip patch for his Summer excursions. This is a great, budget, introductory and/or basic fixed blade knife that is earning the respect of demanding bushcrafters (who also own a file to square the spine for striking fire rods).You really can't be disappointed with this knife -- it's impossible, they're so good and affordable for what they are.