Morakniv Woodcarving 106 Carbon: Classic Sloyd Woodcarving Knife with C100S Steel
The Morakniv Woodcarving 106 Carbon woodcarving knife is a traditional Scandinavian sloyd knife, designed for both novice woodcarvers and experienced woodworkers. The design, originally created by Erik Frost, has been the industry standard for decades in traditional woodworking, spoon carving, and fine modeling. The Model 106 is the extended version of the well-known Mora 120 and, with its 7.9 cm-long blade, offers extra cutting reach for removing longer shavings.
With a total weight of just 71 grams and a total length of 19.0 cm, the knife is lightweight and well-balanced. The blade is made of C100S carbon steel with a hardness of 56 HRC and features a pure Scandi grind without a secondary edge. The beechwood handle fits comfortably in the palm and comes with a sturdy polypropylene (PP) protective sheath.
Key Specifications
- Blade length: 7.9 cm
- Handle length: 11.1 cm
- Overall length: 19.0 cm
- Steel type: C100S carbon steel
- Hardness: 56 HRC
- Blade profile: Sloyd with Scandi grind
- Handle material: Oiled beech wood (barrel-shaped profile)
- Sheath: Polypropylene (PP) plastic sheath
- Weight: 71 grams
- Design: Erik Frost / Morakniv
- Packaging: Recyclable cardboard hanging box
Benefits for woodworkers and craftspeople
- Exceptional sharpness and cutting control: The Scandi grind extends directly to the very edge without a secondary bevel. As a result, the blade bites into wood fibers with minimal back pressure and glides smoothly along the wood’s surface without snagging or veering off course.
- Easy to maintain razor-sharp: C100S carbon steel is known for its homogeneous grain structure. The steel can be polished significantly faster and to a finer edge than stainless steel equivalents. Using a flat whetstone or a leather strop with polishing paste, the factory sharpness can be restored in just a few minutes.
- Ergonomic barrel-shaped beech wood: The 11.1 cm handle has a full, rounded shape that prevents pressure points in the palm. This allows the user to apply force for extended periods without cramping or blistering. The handle offers excellent control for a variety of cutting techniques, such as pushing, pulling, or levering from the chest.
- Expanded working range thanks to the 7.9 cm blade: Compared to more compact modeling knives, the 7.9 cm blade offers sufficient length for planing larger wooden surfaces, pre-cutting spoon handles, or rounding off contours.
- Safe and practical sheath: The included plastic sheath fits snugly around the knife, protects the delicate cutting edge from impacts during transport, and can be securely attached to a work belt or tool bag.
Proper cutting technique and regular maintenance are essential for safe handling and a long service life:
- Cutting technique: Always cut away from your body or use controlled leverage techniques in which the thumb of your free hand serves as a fulcrum on the back of the blade. Thanks to the Scandi bevel, the blade itself acts as a guide across the wood’s surface.
- Cleaning after use: After finishing work, immediately wipe wood sap, tree sap, and wood dust from the blade. Carbon steel is not rust-resistant and reacts quickly to moisture and tannins in wood.
- Corrosion prevention: After each use, apply a thin layer of mineral oil, camellia oil, or acid-free weapon oil to the blade. When used for cutlery or food preparation, we recommend a food-safe oil, such as paraffin or flaxseed oil. Over time, the steel will develop a natural gray patina; this is normal and provides natural basic protection against oxidation.
- Maintaining Sharpness: When sharpening, lay the entire Scandi flank flat on the whetstone to precisely maintain the original bevel angle. Finish on a strop to remove burrs.
This woodcarving knife is designed for a wide range of woodworkers:
- Spoon carvers and “green woodworkers”: Artisans who shape freshly cut wood into spoons, bowls, shrink tubes, or utensils and need a blade that cuts long, smooth shavings.
- Beginner and advanced woodcarvers: Because the Scandi grind intuitively indicates the correct cutting angle, it’s an ideal learning knife for beginners, while professionals appreciate the steel’s purity and control.
- Bushcrafters and campers: Outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy spending time on functional woodcarving around the campsite during their trips.
In practice, the Morakniv Woodcarving 106 Carbon proves why it is regarded worldwide as a benchmark knife in woodworking. The blade’s geometry is uncompromisingly focused on functionality. It comes out of the box razor-sharp and glides effortlessly through both soft woods (such as linden and alder) and harder varieties (such as birch and beech).
The beechwood handle fits naturally in the hand and provides a secure grip at various angles. While the C100S carbon steel does require discipline when it comes to drying and oiling, it more than makes up for this with a cutting quality and ease of sharpening that stainless steel at this price point cannot match. The Morakniv 106 Carbon is a durable, practical, and high-quality tool for anyone who takes woodworking seriously.
