A new (or old) cheap but good contender?

[Henry Beige]

My only gripe with the Mercator is that compared to the opinel, it gets really uncomfortable if you're cutting with any force or for a prolonged period of time. That said, you can totally stab people with the Mercator. Lots of people in New York have been stabbed with Mercator's. Opie's have too fine of a tip in that regard, but their little convex is a beautiful thing.

Not as comfortable as an Opinel, but more comfortable than a douk douk.

 

[Henry Beige]

I have only ever had one and the thing was a horror to open and close. The pivot was way too tight. Maybe the former owner did something to it. Maybe I should try it again.

What time of year was it? I have a No.8 that used to fall open in the wintertime, but required a knock on a tabletop after the wood had swelled in the summer humidity. Volumes have been written here about some of the strategies for tuning their action, from peening the pivot, crimping/spreading the lock ring, to sealing the handle against moisture. Loads of crafty fun if you are into it, but if the experience palls, you might to decide to put your Opinels aside for months, or even years.

Even so:
“Opinel and Mora; all else is vanity”.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

I think I'm mostly with Tsujigiri here. Mercator, Opinel and such are completely fine. They're functional, totally usable for almost anything you need to do and they're inexpensive.

That said, I'm basically never gonna reach for one for any of my cutting tasks because I have so many options that are also inexpensive and they're more convenient to use.

I have, however, been very tempted to put together a glass display case with a Mercator, Opinel, Douk Douk, Higonokami and maybe some others to both appreciate the aesthetics of those beautiful, old knives and to remind myself that many others have done much more with much less than I ever will.

 

[AgentSteel]

I still don't understand why Opinel does not offer regular models with a synthetic handle.

Yes we have the "Explore" model but it's not as inexpensive. Also the "DIY" model but the blade is much different. Same with the "Outdoor".

The only one which approaches this is the "Outdoor junior" aka kid's n°7 (with a rounded tip)

 

[The Zieg]

Appreciate the affirmation. Have you ever had one fail?

Nope, never. I have also never accidentally depressed the back lock. There is even a small divot on the distal end of the back lock for your thumb to rest for hard use, but it still does not release the lock. The Mercator is plenty robust and so sharp that I never question cutting with it. Heavy rope would be a challenge as it lacks a thick grip, but horses for courses.

Zieg

 

[eveled]

I am a fan of the Mercator knives, but I find them to be expensive for what they are.

The Buck 110 is a lot more knife for only a little more $$

Most useful knife for the least money is a Stanley utility knife. I prefer the fixed blade versions.

 

[JPD1998]

I bought a Mercator K55K a few years back strictly for nostalgia. Back in the 70's they were always advertised in the back of magazines as "Black Cat Knives" and were cheap.
They have quite a long history too and have been in production since the late 19th century.

I carry mine in my front pocket, next to my wallet, it's so thin that you don't even know it's there.
The lever to unlock the knife is shaped so that your thumb naturally rests in the depression while using it.
The blade stock is also very thin so it's a good slicer. I bought the stainless version.

 

[chevyrulez1]

I like the Mercator K55K, and think it is a great knife as well as some of the other suggestions. I would like to throw out there the Buck 285 Bantam.
I bought one years ago, since then I have literally spent thousands $$ on knives of all kinds, and I still find myself carrying the Buck 285 regularly and enjoying it (or you may perfer the 284 if you want something a little smaller and a pocket clip is not important to you)
I have literally thought several times I could have stopped with that knife and been perfectly happy, but I like to experiment and try new stuff too much
Solid lockback, nice hollow grind, Buck's 420HC with a Bos heat treat, fits the hand good, about $25 out of pocket.
Nothing fancy but it just works, and in my experience it works well.

 

[Triton]

What time of year was it? I have a No.8 that used to fall open in the wintertime, but required a knock on a tabletop after the wood had swelled in the summer humidity. Volumes have been written here about some of the strategies for tuning their action, from peening the pivot, crimping/spreading the lock ring, to sealing the handle against moisture. Loads of crafty fun if you are into it, but if the experience palls, you might to decide to put your Opinels aside for months, or even years.

Even so:
“Opinel and Mora; all else is vanity”.

Truthfully I don't remember, but I live in the Southeast, so pretty much any time is humidity time!

 

[Triton]

I think I'm mostly with Tsujigiri here. Mercator, Opinel and such are completely fine. They're functional, totally usable for almost anything you need to do and they're inexpensive.

That said, I'm basically never gonna reach for one for any of my cutting tasks because I have so many options that are also inexpensive and they're more convenient to use.

I have, however, been very tempted to put together a glass display case with a Mercator, Opinel, Douk Douk, Higonokami and maybe some others to both appreciate the aesthetics of those beautiful, old knives and to remind myself that many others have done much more with much less than I ever will.

Man... That's kind of poetic.

 

[Triton]

Nope, never. I have also never accidentally depressed the back lock. There is even a small divot on the distal end of the back lock for your thumb to rest for hard use, but it still does not release the lock. The Mercator is plenty robust and so sharp that I never question cutting with it. Heavy rope would be a challenge as it lacks a thick grip, but horses for courses.

Zieg

Thanks for the real world report!

 

[Triton]

I am a fan of the Mercator knives, but I find them to be expensive for what they are.

The Buck 110 is a lot more knife for only a little more $$

Most useful knife for the least money is a Stanley utility knife. I prefer the fixed blade versions.

I agree that the buck is certainly a more robust carry option, but it's also much heavier and thicker, things I was enjoying ditching by using the Mercator.

 

[Triton]

I like the Mercator K55K, and think it is a great knife as well as some of the other suggestions. I would like to throw out there the Buck 285 Bantam.
I bought one years ago, since then I have literally spent thousands $$ on knives of all kinds, and I still find myself carrying the Buck 285 regularly and enjoying it (or you may perfer the 284 if you want something a little smaller and a pocket clip is not important to you)
I have literally thought several times I could have stopped with that knife and been perfectly happy, but I like to experiment and try new stuff too much
Solid lockback, nice hollow grind, Buck's 420HC with a Bos heat treat, fits the hand good, about $25 out of pocket.
Nothing fancy but it just works, and in my experience it works well.

I will look that one up also! I think I am going to try the locking version of the atlas folder. You guys are going to end up costing me money!

 

[Triton]

I bought a Mercator K55K a few years back strictly for nostalgia. Back in the 70's they were always advertised in the back of magazines as "Black Cat Knives" and were cheap.
They have quite a long history too and have been in production since the late 19th century.

I carry mine in my front pocket, next to my wallet, it's so thin that you don't even know it's there.
The lever to unlock the knife is shaped so that your thumb naturally rests in the depression while using it.
The blade stock is also very thin so it's a good slicer. I bought the stainless version.


View attachment 2566094

The same model I purchased!

 

[Boattale]

Kabar Dozier Design Folder. I checked one in my bags when we flew down to the Keys. It served quite well as the only sharp knife there for a full week. They're just a great value - light, easy carry, strong lock, tough, nice size, decent steel (AUS 8 or D2) and low priced. As you can tell a couple of these have been used fairly hard. They stood up to it well. Fully recommended in either size.

 

[DMG]

My only gripe with the Mercator is that compared to the opinel, it gets really uncomfortable if you're cutting with any force or for a prolonged period of time. That said, you can totally stab people with the Mercator. Lots of people in New York have been stabbed with Mercator's. Opie's have too fine of a tip in that regard, but their little convex is a beautiful thing.

I’m feeling pretty safe, not living in NY right now.

 

[Triton]

Kabar Dozier Design Folder. I checked one in my bags when we flew down to the Keys. It served quite well as the only sharp knife there for a full week. They're just a great value - light, easy carry, strong lock, tough, nice size, decent steel (AUS 8 or D2) and low priced. As you can tell a couple of these have been used fairly hard. They stood up to it well. Fully recommended in either size.
View attachment 2566626

I have often thought that those were the inspiration for the bugout.