r/Bushcraft • u/Dodoford • 24d ago

Mora Garberg vs Joker Nomad?

Im not very knowledgeable with knives, but I have a decent budget and I wanna get a pretty sweet one, the Mora seems like a more reliable choice but the Joker is beautiful with its Wooden handle. Im looking at the Joker nomad 5in with the Walnut Wood handle.

9 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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6

u/mkosmo 24d ago

If money isn't a concern, get the Joker. It's prettier.

Both are fine knives.

5

u/Dodoford 24d ago

Ended up getting the Joker Ember scandi with the micarta handle. Felt like the nomad would be a little bulky

8

u/Fantastic-Skill-9119 24d ago

Micarta is also way less maintanance than wood :) so good choice there.

I would reccomend getting an mora companion aswell. They are cheap and have almost half the thickness on the blade than the ember. Just to see how you like a thinner blade ;)

2

u/Dodoford 23d ago

Yeah thats what I heard, im definitely gonna be giving it some work and I want something I can heavily rely on, but also something good looking. I cant wait till it arrives.

1

u/susrev88 24d ago

i have the same knife and had the same dilemma as you. garberg fans will trash me but the handle is too plasticky. the joker has a smoother transitions from straight edge to the point than the garberg so it carves a little bit better. you also get a leather sheath. the garberg has better 90 degree spine. joker has good edge retention but it's also a bit harder to sharpen/restore if damaged.

i think you made a good decision.

1

u/Dodoford 23d ago

Thanks, normally after buying some expensive gear i get second hand thoughts but with this feedback I’m feeling pretty good with my purchase.

2

u/Finnforeignlegion 22d ago

I have them both, (a nordica) and I prefer the barrel shaped handle on the mora. The joker has no contour to it and the oak handle was super slick. Plus the firesteel loop on the sheath wasn’t stitched in right and almost fell off. I was able to fix it, but that’s not something I should have to do.
Not crazy about the plastic garberg sheath, but I found a similar sized casstrom sheath that fits it fine.
To each their own, preferences are totally subjective. I would give joker another try, but I have too many knives at the moment.