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How to Add Retention to Your Mora Sheath

By on August 20, 2018 in EDC, Knives, Preparedness, Survival

Mora knives are great. I think we all know that by now. Most of them cost between $9 and $15 but they offer performance and quality well beyond their price point. I like them… a lot. I like them enough that, while I own several expensive knives (even customs of my own design), I carry and use Mora knives most of the time. They are so lightweight, so inexpensive, and so capable that it is hard to justify the pack weight of other knives.

But… There is always a catch. The sheaths that come with Mora knives are actually mostly functional but don’t always offer enough retention for use during very vigorous activity or for carrying lose in your pack. This problem can result in a lost knife, ruined gear from a loose knife flopping around in your pack, or even injury. I highly recommend addressing the issue somehow, especially if you are going to carry a knife in your pack. Fortunately, it can be fixed easily and inexpensively.

In my experience, there are two easy ways to fix the retention issue. One is VERY inexpensive and one generally costs more than the Mora itself but still offers a good value. I’ll start with the more expensive way.

The Expensive Way – Replace the Sheath

There are a ton of kydex benders out there who would be more than happy to fold a sheath for you. The benefits of buying a kydex sheath are numerous. The most important benefit is that, if the sheath maker is worth their salt, the retention should be improved enough that you can carry the Mora without fear that it will come out of the sheath on its own. Additionally, you can choose your own belt attachment method (or no belt hardware at all), features, and color.

If you can, consider supporting a kydex bender that is local to you. If not…

You can spend a lot on a sheath but you don’t have to. Armory Plastics makes a great sheath for the Mora Companion (one of my favorite and most common Moras in the line right now) for around $20. It is made in the USA – the great state of Idaho to be specific. It comes with a very stout rotating belt clip that I like a lot, offers great retention, drains well thanks to a molded drain hole, and is available in orange or black (mine is orange): Armory Plastics Mora Companion Sheath on Amazon (affiliate link).

The Cheap Way – Ranger Bands

If you don’t want to drop the coin on an aftermarket sheath, you’re in luck. Most Mora sheaths can be rigged with a ranger band in order to retain the knife. The sheaths with a drop hook belt attachment can generally except a thin band near the top of the belt hook to create a retention strap (see image below). This includes models like the Pro (C, S, Robust), Craftline, and Companion series. You simply pull the band up and over the butt of the knife to release it and the band stays attached to the sheath.

I like to use Gearward Ranger Bands for this because they are the perfect size for this task and are very robust. You can make your own too.

The sheaths with more of a bucket-like design, like the venerable 510, require a wider band. Simply cut a band that is around 1.5 – 2″ wide and fit it around the top of the sheath so that it extends above the top of the opening. It will grip the Mora’s handle and add just a bit more retention. You will eventually cut it when inserting the knife back into the sheath, but it should continue gripping the knife even when cut.

As a bonus, ranger bands make a great firestarter in a pinch. They can be lit with a lighter and will burn long enough to buy you some time to ignite less than ideal tinder. You can probably cut a 2″ wide band into 4 smaller fire starters or just use the whole band to light especially poor tinder.

The EDC Tool Roll: SLIP-N-SNIP Folding Scissors

By on August 14, 2018 in EDC, The EDC Tool Roll

The EDC Tool Roll is a feature on Jerking the Trigger in which we profile various every day carry worthy tools. The tools shown aren’t multi-tools but rather real tools, that by virtue of their compact size, light weight, usefulness, or unique functionality, can find a place in any range kit, emergency kit, or every day carry bag.

Feel free to comment on the tools that you carry so we can all learn! The discussion on these posts has been very valuable so far.

You probably read the title and rolled your eyes because folding scissors are always junk. I would submit that only MOST folding scissors are junk. The original SLIP-N-SNIP folding scissors are far from junk and are worthy of a spot The EDC Tool Roll.

Most people’s experience with folding scissors is with cheaply made imports with plastic handles that break, thin stamped blades that flex and don’t mate correctly, weak pivots, and cutting performance that might eventually mash through whatever you are trying to cut. None of those things are true of SLIP-N-SNIP Folding Scissors which are still made in the USA and I have been using for years.

SLIP-N-SNIP Folding Scissors have cast zinc handles – not plastic. The handles are small enough to be very compact, large enough for my fingers with room to spare, and very nicely rounded for comfort. The metal handles make them heavier than plastic handled folding scissors but the step up in quality is well worth it.

The blades are stamped steel which is thicker than the steep found on cheap folding scissors. They are very nicely ground and mate perfectly on the pair I have owned. They are very sharp and cut cleanly without mashing – even on items like para-cord inner strands or fine threads.

The SLIP-N-SNIP Folding Scissors are only about 3″ long when folded and weigh less than an ounce. They unfold into scissors that are almost 4″ long with a cutting surface of about 1.25″. This makes them a great size for with first aid kits, EDC, or on the trail. Scissors are just better than a knife for some cutting tasks and I am often glad I have these with me. I’ve used mine to cut masking tape when pasting targets, gauze and tape for dressing wounds, moleskin for covering blisters, and the list goes on.

SLIP-N-SNIP Folding Scissors usually cost less than $8. They cost more than cheap folding scissors but I still find them to be very reasonable consider the quality and the fact that they are made in the USA. They even offer a version with a non-reflective, rust resistant black coating (which I wish I knew about when I bought my SLIP-N-SNIP scissors)!

Where and How to Buy:

You can find SLIP-N-SNIP Folding Scissors at some sewing shops where they are well known for their quality. However, sewing shops often carry a finer tipped version (SLS3) that may or may not be desirable for EDC. I have only used the SLS1 version which is a more general purpose scissor. If your local sewing shop doesn’t have them, several online retailers do.

The following links are affiliate links:

Original SLIP-N-SNIP Folding Scissors on Amazon

Non-Reflective Black SLIP-N-SNIP Folding Scissors on Amazon

Alternatives:

Klein Tools Electrician’s Scissors (to be reviewed on The EDC Tool Roll)

Victorinox SwissCard Scissors (previously review on The EDC Tool Roll)

See all the reviews for previous tools: The EDC Tool Roll

Do you have scissors that you prefer or another tool recommendation that fits The EDC Tool Roll? Tell us about it in the comments below or drop us a line on the Contact page.

Greg Moffatt Knives Can Opener Pikal

By on August 10, 2018 in EDC, Knives

Greg Moffatt Knives’ new Can Opener Pikal is about as simple and straight forward as you will find when it comes to reverse edge knives. The straight handled design is a compact 6″ in overall length terminating in a 2″ sharpened edge. The Can Opener is made from 1095 steel with a Cerakote finish and cord-wrapped handle. It comes with a kydex sheath set up for static line carry.

Given the clever simplicity of the design, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is one of the most affordable pikal knives available, custom or production. This is especially true when you consider that it comes ready to static line to your belt and go. Greg Moffatt Knives sells these for $110. The initial run sold out quickly but there is a new batch on the way soon.

Keep your eyes on GregMoffattKnives.com.

Torsion IWB Holster for the S&W M&P Shield – New from Bravo Concealment

By on August 9, 2018 in EDC, Guns

The Torsion IWB Holster is now available for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield. Bravo Concealment recently added the well-known concealment firearm to their most popular IWB holster line up. The Tosion IWB gets its name from its canted belt clips that turn the butt of the gun in toward the wearer for better concealment.

BravoConcealment.com

Review: Gearward HemiSERE Titanium Lapel Knife

By on August 8, 2018 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

Gearward’s HemiSERE Titanium Lapel Knife is a throwback to the OSS Lapel Knife… at least in terms of function and intended use. It is thoroughly modern in material, a titanium-ceramic composite, which makes it feather light and gives it aggressive cutting properties. This knife is designed to be immanently concealable. Its size and the materials chosen for its construction are in keeping with that design goal.

Overview

The HemiSERE is a diminutive 3.375″ in overall length. It is ground from 0.05″ thick non-ferrous titanium/ceramic composite material that is most commonly found in high end kitchen knives. That small size, wafer-thinness, and material mean that this little knife weighs in at just 4 grams.

The wharncliffe blade shape is chisel ground. It has a full height flat primary grind with a secondary bevel on only one side. The tip is very slightly ground off, sort of like a micro reverse tanto, to render a still very acute but slightly stronger tip.

It ships already stuck to dummy credit card and with 12 3M Glue Dots.

Observations from Use

I’ll start first by saying this knife is VERY small and that means that the handle design has to be on point or it just won’t work. Fortunately, Gearward did their homework. The handle has a bead blast finish and a deeply dished choil that locks the knife into the users hand. Without the choil, this knife would probably be nearly impossible to use and retain. Handle design is exceedingly important on knives this small and thin.

The HemiSERE is so light and concealable that it can be stuck just about anywhere with the included (and easily replaceable) Glue Dots. Gearward shows the HemiSERE stuck, without a sheath, under the collar of a shirt which caused a bit of an uproar when the knife was announced here on JTT. I tested this and found that it actually seems safer than you might think with a stiff collared dress shirt and the edge turned down but I likely would not carry it that way. This knife was designed by a world traveler for world travelers… and I don’t mean Sandals resort. If you are already the type of person who is taking risks with the places you travel, under collar carry might make more sense.

The carry methods are only limited by your imagination. It can be stuck inside a phone case, inside your wallet, on a credit card (replace the dummy with a real card that you don’t use anymore), in an out of the way place inside a bag or briefcase, inside an Altoids tin, or anywhere else you can safely carry a razor sharp knife. Your carry options could be expanded if you fashion some kind of a small sheath for it. My favorite way to carry it is on the back of a credit card though that might not be the most accessible in an emergency.

There are a number of thoughtful touches in this knife, many of which I think are unique to the HemiSERE. I have already mentioned the well designed handle and bead-blasted finish that promotes grip. The material itself is interesting. The titanium/ceramic composite is extremely lightweight. It cuts better than titanium alone and is more durable than ceramic alone while retaining the non-ferrous, lightweight properties of both which are desirable for a knife like this. Gearward grinds the tip off very slightly. It still penetrates quite well but the needle like point that would likely break off anyway is gone. Finally, the choice of a wharncliffe blade shape puts the point forward and gives plenty of straight cutting edge to lever through cuts.

Speaking of cuts, this is an aggressive cutter… I mean very aggressive. It cuts like a paring knife! It is wafer thin which helps and comes sharp with a somewhat toothy edge. It bites deeply into soft materials, slicing cleanly thanks to the full height flat grind. Sharpening is a little tricky but not impossible – definitely easier than sharpening all ceramic blades.

I would like to see Gearward make a small, non-metallic sheath available for this knife. I would pay extra for some kind of minimalist blade cover just to have some expanded carry options.

Wrap Up

Gearward went all in on concealment with this knife and it shows. It is purpose built. The design, the material, even the philosophy of use baked in with the included credit card and glue dots speak to the extent to which this knife is to be concealed. This knife is meant to disappear and it does so readily.

HemiSERE on Gearward.com

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