Mora knives in Malaysia

Mora Knives at Gadgetworld2u at Subang Square

My previous post on Bushcraft in Malaysia reminded me of Mora knives and parangs. This post will be about Mora knives. It is one of the most iconic knives in the camping and bushcraft world. They are cheap, practical and no nonsense tools you can rely on. They get the job done. I had my first Mora when I was a small kid growing up in Kedah. I remember one of the small shops was having a closing down sale. I begged and begged mom for money. Came back with a blue handle Mora knive, a Hudson bay hatchet and a Coleman ice box. Over the years, the first two got misplaced. Thankfully today, we can get them locally (not the Hudson though). 

Note: The following writing is based on what I know and may not represent the entirety and accuracy of what/ how/ when things actually happen.

Mora knives during OGM days

OGM old place in SS15, opposite Restoran Darussalam 

Back when we started OGM, Mora knives had to be imported from our suppliers in USA. There wasn't a 'Malaysian' distributor or agent. This caused the prices to be higher than they were actually listed. I remember some customers puzzled to as why we would bring in a knife with plastic handle and sheath. But eventually they would understand why. 

About a year (or so) after, Nadir of Outdoor Dynamics started bring the Moras in bulk. He made them more accessible to local resellers and end users as well. He had price tiers for resellers and his entry to the scene came at a good timing. People were starting to get into bushcraft (Mora is like a synonym to nushcraft) and again, for a Swedish knife, Mora is seriously affordable. 

Then some years later, another outdoor gear retailer called Explorers made the announcement that they are the Mora knives distributor in Malaysia. I really did not know Explorers very well except they have a business partner that I had some (unpleasant) work dealing with in the past. All I knew was  they claim to be the distributor, prices were steep and they seem to be only interested in having the knives in their store!

Mora knives in Malaysia today

Some of the Mora knives that I own

There is chap by the name of Steven/ Stephen who emailed me through one of the blogs I had. He introduced himself as the Mora representative for Asia Pacific. He wanted to meet and talk. He wanted to get some ideas and suggestions. He also had a set of Mora samples he would like me to see. Of course I agreed. This happened many years back. Can't remember exactly when. I remember we chatted for a bit but at the end of the chat, he wanted my opinion who I think would be an ideal Mora knive distributor in Malaysia (he knew of Explorers...he did not care). I had only one answer for him. Dannie of Gadgetworld2u.

Gadgetworld2u is Malaysia's most active and credible Mora knife distributor IMHO. I have known Dannie for years. A humble, honest and hardworking lad that always made sure he had no hatchet to bury. If Mora needed someone that can grow their brand and product widely in Malaysia, this would be the guy. Dannie's outfit is small but sometimes that can be a good thing. Overheads are lower, focus is more and customer support is more personalized. And as always, Dannie had the right mindset as a distributor (to distribute and not keep for oneself!).

Where to buy?

I would buy my Mora knives from Dannie at Gadgetworld2u. However, Mora knives in Malaysia has leveled up a lot. Many resellers (retail and online) now carry Mora knives. I dare to say most local sellers would get their stock from Dannie's. If they are, then you are in good hands because I know Dannie will not sell/ distribute fake Mora (yes, there are Mora copies). It is really mind blowing that for such an affordable knife, there still are people out there willing to go out of the way to make fakes. Just goes to show how credible and popular Mora knives are worldwide!

I use my Mora everyday. It is my kitchen knife. In many aspects, to me a knife is a knife. But having a Mora just means you have an affordable knife, that will be super sharp and reliable. It is the go to knife for camping (pair with a parang of course) and in many ways the perfect knife as a gift if you ever visit a grassroots craftsman (like the fire piston maker- I did give him a carbon steel mora). Mora knives are simply money worth spending.