Mora 120

Are you looking to learn how to whittle? This seemingly ancient art form can feel incredibly rewarding once you have a grasp on it. As you'll soon discover, the Mora 120, a world-renowned Swedish knife, is the perfect tool to get you started. In this article, we will walk through everything you need to know, from selecting the right kind of wood to different whittling techniques, common issues and much more.

Choosing Your Mora 120

The Swedish company, Morakniv, has a long-standing reputation for producing some of the best carving knives in the world, with the Mora 120 taking center stage in the whittling scene. The Mora 120 is a short woodcarving knife with a thin, tapered blade of laminated steel. Its ergonomically designed handle provides a comfortable grip that allows you to control your cuts with precision.

A few things to remember when choosing your Mora 120 include:

  • Blade Length: A blade length of around 2-3 inches is optimal for whittling. The Mora 120 comes with a 2.3-inch blade, making it ideal.
  • Sharpness: It goes without saying, but ensure that your knife is sharp before you start. The Mora 120 arrives sharp straight out of the box.

Note: Remember to treat your Mora 120 with care. Store and clean the knife properly to ensure it remains in excellent condition.

Selecting Your Wood

When it comes to whittling, the type of wood you choose is key. The ideal wood should be soft, straight-grained, and free of knots. Here are some types of wood that fulfill these criteria:

  • Basswood: This light, easy-to-carve wood is the favorite of most whittlers. It carves easily, allows for high detail, and takes paint and stain excellently.
  • Pine: While slightly harder than basswood, Pine is still comfortable for beginners to work with. It's easy to find and relatively cheap.
  • Cedar: Cedar is also soft, allows for good detail, and boasts delightful aroma when carved.
  • Balsa: It's the softest and easiest to carve, but due to its softness, it's tougher to get detail into.

Fundamental Whittling Techniques

Here are three essential cuts every beginner whittler should learn to make:

  • Paring Cut – Hold the wood with your left hand and the knife firmly in your right hand. Push the blade away from you, along the piece of wood.
  • Push Cut – Similar to the paring cut, but here the blade isn't moved. Instead, the wood is pushed into the static blade. This method provides precision.
  • Stop Cut – A stop cut is when a mark is carved into the wood where you want your cuts to stop. This prevents over-cutting.

Remember, whittling should be a relaxing, leisure exercise, so don't rush. Enjoy the process!

Whittling Tips

Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind while whittling:

  • Always work away from yourself: While carving, make sure the knife cuts away from you for safety reasons.
  • Keep the knife secure: Use a non-slip grip and maintain control over the blade at all times.
  • Practice patience: Good whittling takes time. Don't rush it.

What about the Mora 106?

The Mora 106 is largely the same as the 120, although with a longer blade. Most beginners and detailed woodcarvers would opt for the 120 however for longer cuts the extra length of the Mora 106 allows the knife to make a single continuous sweeping cut without running out of blade length. Many of the fundamentals & tips still apply to the 106 so really it depends what you're looking to carve. 

Commonly Asked Questions

  • Is the Mora 120 good for beginners? Yes. It is comfortable to hold, offers great control and is excellent for learning the ropes of whittling.

  • How often should I sharpen my Mora 120? Depends on usage, but a good rule of thumb is to sharpen it when you feel the cuts are no longer easy and smooth.

  • What if my wood keeps tearing? This could be due to a dull blade or the wrong type of cut. Ensure your blade is sharp and you’re using the appropriate whittling technique.

Whittling is a journey, and it's much more about the process than the quickness of the result. So take your time, start with simple projects and you'll notice your skills improving over time. Always respect your tools and stay safe. Happy whittling!