Morakniv Wood Carving 120 Carbon Steel Knife

The Morakniv Wood Carving 120 is a short-bladed carbon steel carving knife made in Sweden, sized for detail work and beginner-friendly enough to sharpen with basic equipment. The 60 mm high carbon steel blade runs on a full rat tang through a barrel-shaped oiled Scandinavian birch handle, and a black polymer sheath is included.

A Short Blade Built for Detail

The Wood Carving 120's 60 mm blade is deliberately compact, giving a carver close control over tight curves, relief cuts, and fine surface work where a longer blade would be hard to steer. At 165 mm closed-handle length and 73 g, the knife stays light in hand through long sessions without fatiguing the wrist. The tapered blade geometry lets the edge reach into concave cuts that a wider blade would bridge over.

Carbon Steel That Sharpens Easily

High carbon steel holds a keen edge and responds quickly to a strop or sharpening stone, which matters when a carver needs to refresh the edge mid-project rather than stopping to work through a long sharpening sequence. The trade-off is that carbon steel will rust if left wet or oily with residue: wiping the blade dry and applying a light coat of oil after each use keeps it in working condition. For a beginner building sharpening habits alongside carving skills, that maintenance loop is straightforward to learn.

Full Rat Tang Construction

The tang runs the full length of the birch handle rather than stopping partway through. That continuous steel-to-handle connection resists the lateral flex and handle loosening that can develop in a partial-tang knife under repeated prying or levering cuts. The barrel-shaped handle profile fits naturally in a closed grip and allows the knife to be rotated in hand without a sharp edge or corner digging in.

Features

• High carbon steel blade: 60 mm tapered blade, 2.5 mm thick, sharpens readily on standard equipment
• Full rat tang: tang extends through the entire handle for strength and stability
• Oiled Scandinavian birch handle: barrel-shaped natural birch, pre-oiled at the factory
• Black polymer sheath: included for safe storage and transport
• Made in Sweden: manufactured at Morakniv's facility in Mora

Specifications

Who This Is For and Isn't

The Wood Carving 120 suits beginners learning to carve wood and anyone who wants a compact, lightweight detail knife that sharpens quickly on basic equipment. The short blade is well matched to spoon carving, chip carving, and small figurative work where control matters more than reach.

The Wood Carving 120 is not a general-purpose camp or field knife. The 60 mm blade is sized for carving tasks, not food prep or heavy camp chores. Because the blade is carbon steel, it is not suited to buyers who will not maintain a regular wipe-and-oil routine; a stainless steel Morakniv would be a better fit in wet or high-humidity conditions where consistent blade care is unlikely.

Common Questions

How long is the blade on the Wood Carving 120?

The Morakniv Wood Carving 120 has a 60 mm blade, making it one of the shorter knives in the Wood Carving line. That compact length is intentional: it keeps the tip close to the hand for precise control on detail cuts and tight curves.

Why does this knife use carbon steel instead of stainless?

High carbon steel sharpens faster and more easily than stainless on a basic stone or strop, which is useful when refreshing the edge mid-session. The trade-off is that carbon steel is prone to rust if left wet or unprotected. Wiping the blade clean and applying a light coat of oil after each use prevents corrosion and keeps the edge in good condition.

What does full rat tang mean, and why does it matter?

A full rat tang means the steel extends the entire length of the handle rather than ending partway through. On the Wood Carving 120, this construction keeps the blade and handle from loosening or flexing under the lateral stress of carving cuts, giving the knife more long-term stability than a partial-tang design.

Does the Wood Carving 120 come with a sheath?

Yes. The Morakniv Wood Carving 120 includes a black polymer sheath for safe storage and transport when the knife is not in use.