Moran Knives: I'm considering one: Thoughts?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I am considering getting a Spyderco Moran fixed blade, either upswept or drop point. What should I expect from one of these? How could I go wrong? Designed by Spyderco and Bill Moran, the best materials: VG10 and Kraton etc. Would you all recommend this?

[clovisc]

I definitely would recommend it. One of the best EDC fixed blades out there. As you point out, Spyderco + Moran + VG10 = all the right stuff. Great sheath, too, which positions the knife right where you need it.

[swigert]

Looking through old catalogs this one has been around a looooooong time but never gets much talk. Must sell well though.

[Brock O Lee]

I wanted a Moran a few years ago, but was disappointed to see how short the handle was when I saw it in person.

[rodloos]

I really like my Moran's. I feel they are a solid value for the price. Good slicer, though not really a knife you want to "abuse" or try to baton through bricks with. Some people are bothered that it isn't full tang, but that just doesn't bother me. The handle feels comfortable to me. Are there other Spyderco fixed blades I like even more? Sure, but they cost more too.

*Most* of my use of fixed blades is whittling wood, fire prep etc., I don't do a whole lot of food prep or cooking.

[roger-roger]

IIRC and please correct me if I'm wrong, the "upswept" was the original Spyderco Moran introduced somewhere around 1995. As soon as I saw it I bought two as primary hunting knives, one of which has served me in the field in outstanding fashion.

I'd normally have passed it by due to how high the point is positioned, but its pointy enough overall and the blade thin enough to ameliorate that characteristic in a general purpose hunting knife. Of course its an excellent skinner.

After searching and studying my options, I plan to eventually pick up the drop point as a lightish pack knife for hiking.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Thank you all for your views on this. A second question: I like the upswept shape but I also like the drop point. The stats on the Spyderco catalog show both to be three millimeters thick, so they are equally thick in cross-section. Which do you think has the stronger overall profile, as long as it is not abused or stressed beyond reasonable use?

[Doc Dan]

If you do not do a lot of skinning, get the drop point.
This knife was tested favorably by the military. I do not think you could go wrong in this choice. Mora knives, so loved by the bushcrafting crowd, have a partial tang like the Moran does. Plus, this is a perfect hiking/back packing knife as it is so light in weight.

[Mad Mac]

This explains why I bought the drop point.

My cousin, an avid hunter, used it to process a deer and was impressed.

Mine stays in a soft case with my rifle.

[Doc Dan]

Duplicate post.

[Doc Dan]

This explains why I bought the drop point.

My cousin, an avid hunter, used it to process a deer and was impressed.

Mine stays in a soft case with my rifle.

Nice grade II. What caliber is it?

How has that Moran held up for you? It looks almost new, but that might have been the original photo from before.

[Mad Mac]

30-06, the only caliber available when they first came out in 1965. The Moran was photographed when it was new, has only been used one time and still looks good.

[roger-roger]

This explains why I bought the drop point.

My cousin, an avid hunter, used it to process a deer and was impressed.

Mine stays in a soft case with my rifle.

Always wanted a BAR, never got around to acquiring one. 30-06 otoh...every bolt action hunting rifle I've owned from first to last has been in 30-06, and not always as first choice.

Sorry but the non-functional Spydie hole in a working fixed blade just doesn't make sense, and really sucks from a users POV. I love Spyderco, but then again I'm not going to pull a red hot brand out of the fire and burn Spyderco on my butt. Its a gimmick on a knife that doesn't need gimmicks. I hope Spyderco eventually rethinks this.

[JD Spydo]

I've owned and used both the Spyderco "Moran" fixed blades but my all time favorite is the TEMPERANCE 1 model that I've used for years. The TEMP 1 was also available in full Spyderedge and as far as I know they never made the Moran available in full SE

Also I find that the handle on the Moran is not as ergonomic as the one on the TEMP 1 model. But even with that being said you can't go wrong with any of Spyderco's fine fixed blades IMO. I would go for the Moran with the orange handle If I were in the market for one.

[Mad Mac]

Paracord could be laced through the Spyder hole to securely lash a Moran to a staff
and make a spear for the Zombie Apocalypse to come.

[Skidoosh]

The moran is one knife I would like to see in different steels. It seems to be a great seller and Moran wanted to use top tier steels, which VG10 was at the time. Why not bring it out in an S90V or even K390 variety?

[bearfacedkiller]

I have mentioned before that I would be interested in a version of this with an upgraded steel. I already have a handful of fixed blades for processing game and if I bought the Moran that would be it's purpose. The drop point looks ideal for field dressing deer for me. A HAP40 drop point Moran with an orange handle would be an easy purchase for me.