Bill Moran FeatherWeight - which to choose

[edzag]

Hi All,
I'm thingking about Bill Moran FeatherWeight as a general purpose/camping knife but don't know which of them to choose.
What is your experience with those.
Thanks a lot.
Ed

[JDEE]

Both the Upswept and the Drop Point are excellent knives. The choice comes down to your own personal likes and dislikes unless you are into hunting and have little experience with Upswept blades then go for the drop point definately. Me? I have the Upswept point. Why? Because I think there is something magic about the shape - it has character whereas the drop point is more Utilitarian. I have used my Moran for just about everything and it has never let me down.

[edzag]

Thanks,
I like the shape of Upsweep more and I don't go for hunting so I think this one is better for me.
But what about sheath? What is better (correctly-useful): leather or Kydex?
Thanks again.
Ed

[JDEE]

I have the leather crossdraw sheath which is great but then I am a leather nut. The Kydex sheath gives you more carry positions and overall would probably be better for camping.

[vampyrewolf]

I've got the FB01 clip point, leather cross draw sheath and custom kydex for it.

I personally prefer clip point over drop point, but thats only because I like to place a finger or thumb along the spine when I use a knife.

[samosaurus]

Hi Ed, and welcome aboard! Both the Moran Fixed-blade - FB01 and FB02 are purpose-built. If you want a good camp knife to prepare food, there's the upswept FB-01 which is a helluva slicer-dicer! It's sharp, holds an edge and has excellent ergonomics. Many "tough" guys with knives have been fooled by this little fella! Now, the drop-point FB-02 is a more robust cousin of the FB-01. If you cut more than rope, prepare food and set-up camp, well, lets say, looking for a small knife to whittle out a ladle or spoon, this is the one for you.. :D Stick around and you'll learn plenty from our friendly :spyder: aficonados.. :cool:

Samo's stash for the wilderness...

Sam

[edzag]

Thanks a lot, Sam!
I personally prefer a look of FB01 so it seems that I'm going in this direction.
What could you say about an ergonomics of it's handle? It seems too thick, how it's in work? :confused:
Thanking you in advance.
Ed

[JDEE]

The handle is great - I have a smallish hand and have no problems with it. The kraton inserts on the side provide a non slip grip and there is a little kraton insert for your thumb which is a well thought out addition.

[samosaurus]

Hey Ed,

Its that pear-shaped handle and the krayton insert that does the job! Excellent handling and well, you can't ask for more! :D The Moran is my all-time favourite field knife! There's nothing like it.. :cool: :spyder: :cool:

Sam

[edzag]

Lot of thanks to everybody, especially to Sam (great pics :spyder: )!
I'm going to order it on BestKnives.
Thanks again,
Ed

[Ted]

Get the old mirror polished one, it's beautifull! ( I photographed this one from Jurphaas )

[ken]

Aw yes the Moran FB01, this is the knife I have. My good friend AET sent me this jewel.

Don't let the size fool ya this thing is a slicer / dicer.

I've butchered two goats and four turkeys with this knife and when it gets dull a couple of passes on the sharpmaker bringes it back to new.

One thing about the kydex sheath though, if you get any dirt or sand in the sheath it will scratch the blade, but I got this knife to use so not a problem...

ken

[jaxon]

I agree with Ted. The early Moran polished blade with convex edge grind is a true work of art. I'm still working with the leather sheath.

Jaxon

[samosaurus]

As usual, nice photo Ted! :D

Sam

[Ted]

Hi Samo - Jurphaas suspected that you would reply to a photo of a mirror polished Moran! :p

Ted

[Franco G]

I am interested in the old mirror polished Moran, with an upswept blade hardened to 60-62 Rc.
How could I recognize the old one?
The full flat complex grind vs. full flat with v-edge (new version)?
Do only the old ones have a leather sheath?
Any other recognizable difference?

Franco