Plenty of outdoor knives try to do everything. The Morakniv Companion keeps it simple: a fixed stainless blade, a grippy handle, a plastic sheath and nothing else. That plain recipe is exactly why it shows up in so many packs, tackle boxes and glove compartments.
Here is what the Companion (S) is, what makes it good and where to buy one.
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What it is
The Morakniv Companion (S) is a fixed-blade outdoor knife made of Swedish stainless steel. Morakniv pitches it as an all-round knife for outdoor life, camping and hunting, able to handle tasks in the wilderness from food preparation to building shelters, in all kinds of weather. The (S) in the name stands for the stainless version, as opposed to the carbon steel Companion (C).
It comes with a molded polymer sheath, and that is the whole package. There is no folding mechanism, no lock and nothing to break. You pull it out, use it and put it back.
Who makes it
Morakniv makes its knives in Mora, Sweden. According to the company, every component of the Companion is developed and manufactured in its knife factory there, drawing on more than 130 years of knifemaking tradition. The steel comes from Sandviken in Sweden, and the polymer for the handle and sheath comes from suppliers in Genk, Belgium, and Åmål, Sweden.
The blade
The blade is 104 millimeters long, a little over 4 inches, and 2.5 millimeters thick. It is made from 12C27 stainless steel produced by Alleima in Sweden, a steel Morakniv says has a recycling rate above 80 percent. The steel is hardened to 56.5 on the Rockwell C hardness scale (HRC).
Morakniv gives it a Scandi grind, which the company describes as a profile-ground blade with excellent sharpness that is easy to maintain. The total grind angle is 22 to 24 degrees and the edge angle is 37 to 39 degrees. The tang is what Morakniv calls its standard tang, and the company rates the blade's flex as stiff.
The handle and sheath
The handle is molded polymer with a patterned friction surface made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) rubber, plus a finger guard between the handle and the blade. Morakniv designed it for a secure and comfortable grip.
The sheath is polypropylene and ambidextrous, so it works for right-handed and left-handed users, and it has a belt clip for carrying. The Hi-Vis Orange version pairs a black grip with a bright orange sheath, which is useful if you tend to set knives down in the grass and forget where.
The details
- Blade length: 104 millimeters (4.1 inches)
- Blade thickness: 2.5 millimeters
- Knife length: 219 millimeters (8.6 inches)
- Length with sheath: 233 millimeters (9.17 inches)
- Weight: 118.4 grams (4.18 ounces)
- Steel: 12C27 stainless, 56.5 HRC, Scandi grind
- Country of origin: Sweden
Why it is worth buying
- It does the basics well. A sharp, stiff, easy-to-maintain blade covers most of what a camp or utility knife needs to do.
- It is a true all-rounder. Morakniv built it for outdoor activities, hunting and camping alike, rather than one narrow job.
- It is light. At about 118 grams, it disappears on a belt or in a pack.
- It is made in one place. Morakniv builds every part in its own factory in Mora.
- It comes in lots of colors. Morakniv lists Hi-Vis Orange, Black, Desert, Dala Red, Burnt Orange and Olive Green, among others.
Which Companion to pick
Companion is a whole series of knives in stainless or carbon steel. Beyond the all-round Companion (S), Morakniv makes Spark versions with an integrated ferro rod for bushcraft and prepping, HeavyDuty models with thicker blades for more demanding work, and fishing knives. For most people, the plain stainless Companion (S) is the one to start with. Step up to the HeavyDuty if you want the thicker blade Morakniv offers for more demanding tasks.
If you prefer a folding knife, compare it with the Opinel No. 08 or the bigger Buck 110 Folding Hunter. For more tools in one, see our best multitools, and to finish the camp kit, our camp coffee gear guide.
Where to buy
Morakniv sells the Companion (S) directly through its own store, and it is also sold through other retailers.
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