Interesting Knives on Offer

gajinoz

gajinoz

Joined
Sep 2, 2003
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In the mail the other day was the renewal form for my Australian Knife Collector Club membership. OK, so what, I hear you say. Well, included was some info about some other stuff I can buy.

First, they are selling some folders from a German made knife from a company called Mercator. They look interesting, anyone heard of them?

Next were some fixed blade knives from a Spanish company called Aitor. These looked very interesting and reasonably priced. Once again, anyone heard of them?

Last, but not least, is a knife I'm definitely going to buy. It's an AKC anniversary knife. A Barlow folder made by A. Wright and Son in Sheffield, England. It's called a Bunny knife and this particular knife style has been a traditional pocket knife style in Australia since Europeans, (including my ancestors), arrived here on the First Fleet. A one blade slipjoint, it has a 6.5 Cm mirror polished high carbon blade, Rosewood scales and polished nickel silver and brass bolsters and pins. It comes with a leather pouch and sharpening steel for a very good price of $130.

Pics when it arrives.

Brightened up an otherwise dull weekend. Can't wait for it to arrive.
 
I have a Mercator I got off JDee some time ago. Interesting design that has been in production for like forever - wouldn't be surprised if the original machinery is still in use. Very simple in concept and manufacture. Only things that puts me off are the thin handle and that everytime I see one I think "Hitler Youth". Not familiar with the Aitor but handled a couple of Sicuts when I was in Brisbane and was impressed with the Klewang in particular.

Good to see your continual support of AKC - they have had some very nasty emails sent to them in recent times as well as derogatory posts on a couple of forums by people who are unaware of just how much they have done to help knife collectors in Oz, and/or misinformed on the reasons for some of their recent decisions which were taken in the interest of its members
 
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Years back I picked up a Mercator (K55K) from Cheaper Than Dirt or some such magazine.
Definitely thin.
1095 steel blade.
Here's a relatively short vid of production.

[youtube]rgiCOg08F7s[/youtube]

Doug
 
I carried a K55 "Cat" back in the 60's. They have a smaller version now also, without the lock. The original is similar to the build of a Douk-Douk, all great knives, let alone for the price. There is nothing Hitler Youth about them.

Aitor seems to have gone through hard times recently, but looks like it's back. I don't know if the quality is back. I need to pick up a big multitool from them again to see. :) Those used to be nice, bigger than Swiss Army Knives, but just about as reliable. Their fixed blades were cool, too. Spanish company, of course, but I don't know how much of their production is contracted out now.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Aitor seems to have gone through hard times recently, but looks like it's back. I don't know if the quality is back. I need to pick up a big multitool from them again to see. :) Those used to be nice, bigger than Swiss Army Knives, but just about as reliable. Their fixed blades were cool, too. Spanish company, of course, but I don't know how much of their production is contracted out now.
Click to expand...

Aitor are now part of Grupo Pielcu, but are still manufactured 100% in Spain. Most at the old Aitor factory in Ermua (Vizcaya), other parts at Pielcu factory in Albacete.
 
The AKC Anniversary Knife sounds like a steal. Heck, I'd buy one!

Don't know about Mercator, but have seen pics of some knife Aitor designs. Be a bit careful, as I am aware of a slew of inferior tools from Spain ... made with poor quality steel. I've no idea, whatsoever, if such problems extend to any Spanish knife-makers such as Aitor, however.

EDIT: I should add that the Aitor designs I've seen were from the old days, as mentioned by Esav above.
 
I have 3 Aitors from the mid 80's to early 90's, A 7" Aitor Negro recurved bowie with serrations on the top of the blade ( based on a Spanish army issue bayonet), a 9" blade Montero (Mountain?) similar design except saw back back edge and a 5" blade clip point Gaulise knife designed as a cross country race survival knife. Unlike the best survival knives which seemed to be made of carbon steel these 3 are all stainless steel, 440B I think with moly and vanadium added. Quality seems very good, the 2 larger knives havig a Rockwell hardness testing mark on their blades. The recurves chop well. cut well and are easy to sharpen. If the newer ones are as good I highly recommend them for the price.
 
Thanks for the comments and info guys. There is certainly some strange and interesting stuff out there. :)
 
mercator & aitor have been around for some time . i never owned any but the brands were not called duds.
dennis
 
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tabeeb762 said:
Can you clarify further? It is the first time I am hearing this.
Click to expand...

It has been awhile ... maybe 15 years since I first heard, and about 5 years since I last heard.

Some of my west coast relatives bought Spanish tools (through Harbor Freight, I think) and were very disappointed (socket sets, hammers, wrenches). I'm also aware of some inexpensive but large lots purchased by DoD that were less than stellar.

I imagine there must be some trace of this unpleasantness out there on the Internet.:)

Remember, please -- I am unaware of any steel quality problems with any brand of Spanish knives, production or custom. We should always be skeptical and careful when we purchase ... but not completely cynical.;)
 
OldPhysics said:
It has been awhile ... maybe 15 years since I first heard, and about 5 years since I last heard.

Some of my west coast relatives bought Spanish tools (through Harbor Freight, I think) and were very disappointed (socket sets, hammers, wrenches). I'm also aware of some inexpensive but large lots purchased by DoD that were less than stellar.

I imagine there must be some trace of this unpleasantness out there on the Internet.:)

Remember, please -- I am unaware of any steel quality problems with any brand of Spanish knives, production or custom. We should always be skeptical and careful when we purchase ... but not completely cynical.;)
Click to expand...
Thought you were referring to a particular brand. Cheap crap can come from anywhere I guess.

Being sceptical when buying new tools is good advice, especially since 98% of stuff you find at hardware stores is made from melted down bicycles and compressed cardboard. Once I bought a pair of pliers for $5, Stanley brand. Jaws were die cast and broke at the first sign of real use.

The best set of sockets and wrenches I own came off a Bedford truck from the mid 60's. Decades of use and not one bit of wear.
 
I first visited New Zealand in the early 1970s and the Mercators could be found in just about every gunshop and sports store. They were about the only lockback knife generally available there. I noticed when I was there last year that there were still a few shops carrying them but they have been overwhelmed by other brands. There is one Australian ebay seller that still lists them regularly. As said above, they are basic but functional knives - pretty rugged and take a good edge.

A Wright knives are variable in quality of fit and finish. They all do what a working knife is meant to do but can be a bit rough and usually need a good sharpening. They have their own website and will send freight free to Australia. The prices are pretty reasonable. I currently have 2 of them and they are at oppositie ends of the spectrum in terms of fit and finish.
 
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