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Comparison and Test: Morakniv Bushcraft Survival vs Hultafors OK4

I compare two outdoor knives for you: The Hultafors OK4 for about 25 Euros and the Morakniv Bushcraft Survival for about 65 Euros. Which is better?

from Martin Gebhardt | Gear | no comment yet | reading time 3 Min
Updated on 14 March 2024 19.472 views 90% found this guide helpful
Comparison and Test: Morakniv Bushcraft Survival vs Hultafors OK4

Martin Gebhardt

From Martin Gebhardt. Check out my “About me” page.


👉 The key facts from this guide

  • Hultafors OK4: A lightweight outdoor knife with a carbon steel blade, available for about €25. It has a Scandi grind and is 9.5 cm long. The handle is rubberized and comfortable to hold. The sheath is made of durable plastic and can be attached to a belt with a belt clip or nylon loop.
  • Morakniv Bushcraft Survival: A belt knife made of carbon steel, available for about €65. It has a blade length of 10.8 cm and weighs 230 grams. The handle is rubberized and ergonomically shaped. The sheath is equipped with a small diamond knife sharpener and a fire steel.
  • Cutting test: Both knives perform similarly when carving hardwood and softwood. However, the Morakniv is more efficient for delimbing due to its higher weight.
  • Conclusion: Both knives are great in their price range. The Hultafors OK4 is an affordable and safe choice, especially for beginners. The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival offers better handling and higher cutting quality, but it is pricier.

Do you want to buy a solid outdoor knife?

You are unsure in which price range you should buy, but at the same time you would rather not spend more than 70 euros?

Then you've come to the right place. I have compared two typical outdoor knives for you and will tell you where the strengths and weaknesses of both products are.

Competing are:

For about 25 euros, the Hultafors OK4 against the Morakniv Bushcraft Survival for about 65 euros.

With the Hultafors OK, you get a lightweight outdoor knife with a carbon steel blade

The blade has a Scandinavian grind and is 9.5 cm long. The blade thickness is approximately 3 mm. The total weight is just 100g.

It should be clear that this is not a full tang knife. So, the knife is not intended for prying.

The Hultafors OK4 is a solid workhorse and also very affordable
The Hultafors OK4 is a solid workhorse and also very affordable

The handle is rubberized and feels comfortable in the hand. However, people with large hands may find the knife a bit lost. The handle is practical, but not noticeably ergonomically shaped.

The sheath is made of sturdy plastic and can be attached to a belt with both a belt clip and a nylon loop. The large nylon textile loop is particularly practical, as it can easily accommodate larger belts or harnesses.

Thus processed in the textile is a small eyelet for a fire steel. This is not included in the delivery, which is not surprising given the price of about 25 euros. However, Hultafors scores with foresight.

The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival is a carbon steel belt knife

The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival, like its competitor, is a belt knife made of carbon steel and also does not have a full tang blade.

The total length of the knife is 23.7 cm, with a blade length of 10.8 cm. The blade thickness is 3.2 mm and the knife weighs 230 grams.

The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival is longer than the Hultaforce OK4
The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival is longer than the Hultaforce OK4

The handle is rubberized, ergonomically shaped, and feels significantly more grippy in comparison. Especially people with larger hands are likely to feel more comfortable with the Morakniv Bushcraft Survival.

The sheath is similar to the OK4 from Hultafors, made of black matte plastic and appears to be solidly constructed. There is no rattling or wobbling here either.

The sheath of the Morakniv, however, is equipped with a few extras. A small diamond knife sharpener is integrated into the sheath. Of course, this does not replace a large sharpening stone, but it is sufficient for quickly sharpening the blade.

In addition, the Mora comes with a fire steel. This is integrated into the sheath through a plastic holder.

The Firesteel appears solid and sits securely in the holder. If necessary, the Firesteel can be additionally secured with paracord.

The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival has a fire steel - the Hultafors OK4 can be equipped with a fire steel
The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival has a fire steel - the Hultafors OK4 can be equipped with a fire steel

The included fire steel, however, is only partially worthy of its name. The initial ignitions are hot and create a decent shower of sparks. I was able to ignite my first two or three tinders with it.

Unfortunately, the quality noticeably deteriorates after only 30 to 50 ignitions, or the production of sparks almost completely ceases. I recommend replacing the Firesteel.

The entire knife can be attached to the belt with two different belt loops. Both are made of plastic and they also have their pitfalls.

The first loop is actually a narrow plastic loop. Large belts can be difficult to thread through. However, the sheath then fits tightly on the thigh. This means that there are no revealing noises when walking briskly.

The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival on the body in the knife sheath
The Morakniv Bushcraft Survival on the body in the knife sheath

The second loop is a plastic clip. This can be attached to the belt much faster, but it can also quickly detach from the belt, especially in escape situations or in the car. I once lost the entire sheath in this way. So, it is necessary to check if the sheath is still securely attached.

Also read

What are the common knife grinds for outdoor knives? (How to choose the right outdoor knife) – Learn everything about the most important knife grinds for your outdoor knife. This way, you will find the optimal grind for each activity such as carving.

Enough theory, how good are the knives in the cutting test?

Both knives were not sharpened by me and tested in their original condition.

The Hultafors OK4 appears somewhat unspectacular upon delivery. The blade doesn't seem particularly sharp at first glance, but it can convince when carving.

The Morakniv, on the other hand, immediately makes a very sharp impression and delivers this sharpness already with the first cut. Both knives can cut a loose sheet of paper, but here the Mora is already ahead. The cut of the Mora is overall more precise.

When carving hard and soft wood, I actually couldn't notice any significant difference. Both the Hultafors and the Morakniv showed almost the same result.

I actually couldn't find a significant difference when carving hard and soft wood.
I actually couldn't find a significant difference when carving hard and soft wood.

The debarking, on the other hand, was easier with the Mora. Here, the Mora scores points with its higher own weight.

For testing purposes, I also used both knives for Batoning. I emphasize this because both the Hultafors and the Morakniv are not specifically designed for extensive Batoning work. However, both knives are capable of splitting smaller logs.

Both knives are great in their price range

What can be said in conclusion?

We have two knives and two price ranges.

Both knives are worth their money.

If you want to drive as cheaply and safely as possible, you can confidently choose the Hultafors OK4.

The marginal difference in cutting quality is absolutely bearable at this price. The knife is ideal for everyday use or the average Bushcrafter and a good companion.

Especially beginners receive a very safe and above all, beautiful knife here.

So, does David win against Goliath once again?

The Morakniv is easier to carry and work with - the Hultaforce OK4, however, is much cheaper
The Morakniv is easier to carry and work with - the Hultaforce OK4, however, is much cheaper

No, because the Morakniv feels better overall.

Especially users with large hands will probably be happier with the Morakniv. The cutting quality is excellent, as Morakniv comes already very sharp from the factory.

Only the Firesteel tears down the Mora and pushes the positive impression.

If the Mora were without the Firesteel, maybe it would be even cheaper? If that were the case, I would clearly prefer the Morakniv over the Hultafors.

The race is close.

Savvy savers and newcomers opt for the Hultafors OK4

The price-performance ratio is sensational, and the quality is excellent.

Experienced users, however, get the slightly better Morakniv Bushcraft Survival knife with a good price-performance ratio.

Whether the minimal difference in quality justifies the price increase of 150%, is solely up to your wallet.

Here you can buy the knives:


How did you like the review and comparison? Write it in the comments. Which outdoor knives should be compared next?

Take care, Martin
Martin Gebhardt

Author of the guide


Martin Gebhardt

Hey, I'm Martin. On my blog, you will learn the basics and numerous details about living in the wild. I think survival, bushcraft and the good life in nature are the keys to happiness. Find me here on Instagram or on YouTube. You can find more about my mission on the About Me page.

Since this is a gear guide, here ...


🤝8 reasons to trust my recommendation

  1. Practical Experience: I have tested most of the products I recommend under extreme conditions myself.

  2. Independence: As a wilderness mentor, I am not tied to any specific brands - this means my recommendations are unbiased.

  3. Expertise: My many years of experience allow me to understand the intricacies and details of various products that a layperson might overlook.

  4. Target group understanding: I understand the needs and challenges of outdoor enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned experts.

  5. Quality focus: I attach great importance to quality and longevity. These are characteristics that are crucial in the wild.

  6. Clear communication: I try to explain the pros and cons of each product clearly and understandably so that you can make an informed decision.

  7. Currentness: I always keep my guides up to date and adapt them to new findings or products.

  8. Community Feedback: I work in wilderness schools, teach courses myself, attend courses and am active in various outdoor and survival communities and therefore integrate the feedback and experiences of others into my recommendations.

So when I introduce the best survival knives or flashlights, you can be sure that every recommendation is based on solid experience and extensive knowledge.

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Free 35 Survival Hacks you'll love!

You will get 35 easy-to-implement survival hacks so that you don't have to stand aimlessly in the forest from tomorrow when things get tough. Take your skills to the next level!

DOWNLOAD HERE FOR FREE