(This site is reader-supported. When you buy something using retail links on our articles, we may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
It is common for most beginners to have a mentality of spending as much less as possible while buying their first or second wood carving knife. They do not like spending much on carving tools, not even around $40. It is rational to have this mentality as there are many carved items available at the dollar stores.
For carving a spoon or bowl, a roadside log might be sufficient for making 10 cooking spoons or 6 bowls. To grab this opportunity, you usually need three basic hand tools.
These are: An axe for discarding the material bulk or splitting the blanks, a carving knife for removing the material for a rustic creation, and a hook knife for finishing. For the latter two functions, the Mora 164 hook knife can be the most affordable tool.
It is a handy wood carving knife in the hook style for creating a detailed hollowed item. It can easily carve a cup, dish, or spoon for you due to its U-shape blade, which ensures optimal gouging of concave and rounded shapes.
Features of Morakniv Wood Carving 164 Hook
The Blade
The Mora 164 knife features a deep curve, a single-edged blade, and a pointed tip. With carbon steel construction, this hook knife blade comes sharp and ready for carving any hollowed item.
The carbon steel delivers durability, hardness, and strength; while the single edge or bevel makes it perfect for a push cut with the left hand and a pull cut with the right hand. Such an edge also allows you to push to the blade just from one side.
The deep curve of the blade gives the desired U-shape. This is essential to have a precise cut in the least time and with more ease than a standard straight blade. Such a shape eliminates the main drawback of a straight cutting edge, which is of exerting more effort that ultimately gets wasted while pushing the blade into the item.
The blade is made up of Swedish carbon steel, which does not have chromium, unlike stainless steel. The plus point of this Swedish steel is that it has the perfect balance of hardness and strength.
This is exactly responsible for maximum sharpness as well as edge retention in the long run. It also facilitates less maintenance and better performance for a longer period. On the con side, it is somewhat resistant to corrosion and rust, as it is soft due to lack of chromium.
Due to the hardness of this tempered steel, the blade is also truly hard due to which it is versatile and durable enough to handle a myriad of diverse jobs without losing its integrity.
Adding robustness and more strength to the knife is the full tang of this hook knife. It extends throughout the handle, which fortifies the blade optimizes its sturdiness.
The Handle
The handle, bearing a shape of the spindle, resides comfortably in the palms to deliver better control, steadiness, and safe performance. The credit goes to the oiled birch wood, which renders a natural look as well as increases the likelihood of forming an optimal shape.
Birch is known for its closed pore finish as well as a uniform and fine texture. As a result, the handle gains a smooth texture to deliver maximum comfort as well as grip. Moreover, the tapering of the handles at the ends also contributes to a grip that is firmer.
Why not become an advanced carver and carve some notches in the handle as per your preferences? Yes, this is possible!
Specifications
- Origin: Sweden
- Type: Fixed, utility
- Style: Hooked
- Overall Length: 6.3 inches
- Weight: 2.1 ounces
- Blade Length: 2 inches
- Blade Shape: U-shaped
- Full Tang: Yes
- Blade Thickness: 0.1 inches
- Blade Color: Black
- Internal Radius: 0.5 inches
- Edge Type: Plain, single
- Blade Grind: Chisel
- Blade Steel Type: Tempered carbon
- Hardness: 59-60 RC
- Finish: Satin
- Handle Color: Brown, light wood
- Handle Material: Oiled birch wood
- Handle Shape: Spindle
- Handle Length: 4.3 inches
- Handle Thickness: 0.92 inches
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Sharp
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Easy to resharpen
- No wiggling
Cons
- Need of polishing to keep corrosion away
Click Here to Find Out The Pricing and Reviews on Amazon
Conclusion
This Mora wood carving 164 knife is ideal for crafting curved items. Many enthusiasts are right in tagging it as ‘the spoon carving knife for the beginners’.
Hi, I am Jay. I am the creator of Knife Guides, your one-stop site for everything related to knives. I am a computer engineer by profession, knife aficionado by passion. Here I work with a group of people who’ve always had a passion for knives and blades. Over the years we’ve kind of become experts and decided to share our knowledge and ideas. I am also an avid hiker and enjoy offshore gamefishing.