Every Morakniv carries more than 130 years of knife-making tradition. Just as in 1891, every knife is produced in our factory in Mora, using steel from Europe’s leading suppliers. Here you can explore our different steel types and coatings, and how their unique properties make each knife optimized for its intended use.

Grinding_Lifestyle_4.jpg

Swedish stainless steel (S)

Alleima in Sandviken, Sweden, has been our stainless steel supplier for nearly a century. The material is made from 80–90% recycled Swedish stainless steel, smelted in an electric arc furnace powered by fossil-free electricity, resulting in low CO₂ emissions.

Alleima12C27.jpg

Alleima® 12C27

A martensitic chromium steel with an optimal balance of carbon and chromium, developed for high-quality knives. It offers a unique combination of hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and is used in hunting and fishing knives, pocket knives, as well as skate blades and ice auger blades.

Properties of stainless steel (12C27):

  • Very high hardness after heat treatment
  • Excellent resistance to corrosion – ideal in wet and salty environments
  • Tough, long-lasting edge retention, withstands demanding use
  • Easy to resharpen in the field with a whetstone
  • Produced with up to 90% recycled steel

Alleima14C28N.jpg

Alleima® 14C28N

The latest development in Alleima’s knife steel portfolio. Its optimized chemistry achieves the highest possible hardness without compromising the steel structure, which makes it easy to resharpen. The combination of sharp edge, wear resistance and corrosion protection makes it ideal for knives used frequently and in demanding conditions.

Characteristics of stainless steel (14C28N):

  • Very high hardness and long-lasting sharpness
  • Good resistance to small edge damage, even under hard use
  • Corrosion resistant and easy to maintain
  • Slightly harder and more brittle than 12C27 – requires more effort to resharpen

Alleima10C28Mo2.jpg

Alleima® 10C28Mo2

Developed for knives with very high demands on corrosion resistance, such as kitchen and butcher’s knives, as well as razor blades and medical blades. Its fine microstructure combines high hardness, wear resistance and toughness, while still being easy to resharpen.

Properties of stainless steel (10C28Mo2):

  • Excellent resistance to corrosion
  • High hardness and strong wear resistance
  • Good toughness – withstands impact and bending
  • Easy to maintain and resharpen

German_Kolstal.jpg

German carbon steel (C) - C.D. Wälzholz C100S

This carbon steel from D. Wälzholz in Germany contains 1% carbon for maximum sharpness. It is easier to resharpen than stainless steel, but requires more maintenance since it is more prone to rust in humid environments. Over time, it develops a natural patina that protects against corrosion.

Properties of carbon steel C100S:

  • Extremely sharp and easy to resharpen
  • Long-lasting edge retention
  • Natural patina provides extra protection and a unique look
  • Requires careful drying and oiling after use to prevent rust

Garberg_Grand_BB_Knife_Blade

Coatings that protect the steel


DLC coating (Black Blade)

Our DLC coating (Diamond-Like Carbon) is used on our BlackBlade models. It covers the entire blade with an extra-thin layer that preserves sharpness, precision and hardness, while also providing corrosion protection. The black surface reduces reflections and glare, making the knife more discreet in the field – an advantage for hunting and tactical use.

ED coating

ED coating (Electrophoretic Deposition) is a protective surface treatment used on our lightweight axe in boron steel. It prevents scratches and wear, giving the tool a longer service life even under tough use.

PVD coating

PVD coating (Physical Vapor Deposition) gives the knife a black, durable surface that both protects the blade and makes it easier to keep clean. On the models in the Ash Wood Outdoor Collection, the dark blade contrasts beautifully with the light ash wood handle, creating a stylish and striking design.

Carving knife_105_LC_Knife_Blade

French laminated carbon steel (LC) - Bonpertuis S235 + 100CR6

The laminated carbon steel is a unique steel produced by Bonpertuis in France for Morakniv. The blade consists of a hard 1% carbon steel core (100CR6), surrounded by a softer 0.2% carbon steel (S235). This gives the steel extra toughness and resistance to impact and bending - perfect for carving. The knife also has a sharp and durable edge, while the outer steel absorbs shocks and reduces the risk of cracking.

Properties of French laminated carbon steel:

  • Superior edge retention
  • High toughness – resists shock and bending
  • Exceptional sharpness over time
  • Long lifespan even under demanding use

Lightweight_Axe_Green

Swedish boron steel (B) - SSAB BORON 27Cr

From SSAB in Borlänge. A tough and impact-resistant steel used in Morakniv axes and other tools that must withstand heavy loads. SSAB Boron 27Cr is heat treated to achieve an optimal balance of hardness and toughness, making it resistant to both wear and shock. The result is products with a long service life, even under demanding conditions.

Properties of boron steel:

  • Excellent wear resistance
  • High toughness – withstands impact and bending without cracking
  • Long service life, even under hard use

Recommended content

How a Morakniv is made

How a Morakniv is made

A Morakniv is always made in our factory in Östnor outside Mora, as it has been since 1891. Here we combine 130 years of craftsmanship with modern technology. The fact that we have full control over every step of the process...
Our Grinds and Edge Angles

Our Grinds and Edge Angles