Mercator folder / Cat folder question

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NewUser93

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Jan 20, 2018
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I am considering to buy this folder, it is an old design from what I can understand and made in Germany. But I am curious and would like to know if anyone has experience with this folder.

How is the lock on this knife? Is it uncomfortable?

Is the lock particularly strong or is kind of like a gentleman folder?

Thanks in advance =)
 
NewUser93 said:
I am considering to buy this folder, it is an old design from what I can understand and made in Germany. But I am curious and would like to know if anyone has experience with this folder.

How is the lock on this knife? Is it uncomfortable?

Is the lock particularly strong or is kind of like a gentleman folder?

Thanks in advance =)
Click to expand...

It is quite an old design and the lock could certainlu use an update. It sticks up from the back of the handle and could be accidentally depressed by gripping the knife in certain ways. That said the knife is often compared to the Douk Douk which has no lock but a very stiff backspring. It isn’t a hard use knife obviouslu and so as long as you are aware of the lockbar sticking up like that it is pretty easy to hold in a grip where you won’t unlock the knife by accident.

The great thing about the knife is that it is so super slim and thus a joy to carry. I think it is a good knife as long as you are aware of the lock and treat it with the caution it warrants.
 
Yes, at best, it's maybe a light to medium use knife. The selling points for it is that it's a very slim, decent sized folded at a good price. Also the grind of the blade makes it a really great cutter. The advice to treat it more like a spring back folder is a good one.
 
The lock is fine, and plenty sturdy for the overall strength of the knife. It's comfortable in use, but--as mentioned--does pose some slight risk of accidental depression if death-gripping it.
 
These are great, inexpensive, classic knives (first produced 151 years ago). If it appeals to you, absolutely get one.

The lock is probably not the strongest, but it's not a heavy-duty knife by any means.
The lock button falls in the hollow of my hand when holding the knife in a regular saber-grip,
and the handle is so slim it's not really conducive to the kind of hammer-grip that would accidentally actuate the lock.

The overall neutral shape makes it surprisingly nimble in use, but if you are using it for extended periods or with great force,
it will chew up and cramp your hand, again because it is so thin and narrow.
The thin grind makes it an excellent slicer, almost on par with Opinel.

Usually, my Mercator sits in a pencil jar on my desk, where it sees frequent light use.
Also makes a great folding steak knife: the carbon steel is easy to repair, so I don't mind if it slices against a ceramic plate.

A couple things to consider:

Blade play. Mine has plenty, and it can't be adjusted except by peening the pivot pin.
It wouldn't be acceptable on a modern folder but this is not that. Doesn't really affect use.

Don't expect the blade grind to be cosmetically perfect. These are mass-produced and not intensively QC'd. It'll cut.

The blade steel seems particularly corrosion-prone, even compared to other carbon steels I use.
Again, not a big problem if you know to expect it and maintain accordingly.

Finally: the knife has a freaked-out cat and "K55(backwards K)", in gold, upside-down on the handle!
It's easily the coolest branding on any knife, ever, and reason enough to own this weird beautiful thing.

Enjoy your cat.
 
Understand that its an absolute relic ( preWW1 )
that still functions pretty well.
It's an iconic knife
And Some things like this
are just adorable to have.
As a usin' knife, It boils down to one appreciating its design
And whatever shortcomings it might have.
So that When compared to the dozens of other neat
Folders available today,
It's more for the gent with a feel for the classic ...
 
Pericles said:
Blade play. Mine has plenty, and it can't be adjusted except by peening the pivot pin.
It wouldn't be acceptable on a modern folder but this is not that. Doesn't really affect use.
Click to expand...

In my experience, blade play is relatively uncommon on current production, but when present, peening the pivot is pretty simple. Just go slow so you don't overdo it.
 
I really like mine in copper and find it can take a good bit of abuse.

Zieg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
In my experience, blade play is relatively uncommon on current production, but when present, peening the pivot is pretty simple. Just go slow so you don't overdo it.
Click to expand...

Mine didn't play at first, but it did develop over time.
I actually like the Mercator a little loose, because I can close it one-handed.

True, peening is not difficult if you go slowly and use proper tools.
I had to peen my pivot after I pinched my Higo No Kami.
I was squeamish about adjusting my knife with a hammer for the first time, but I was able to adjust the pivot very precisely that way.
It's not a big deal, but it does feel a little unnatural if you're used to torx.
 
This knife is has a European cousin in the Douk Douk and a distant Japanese cousin in the Higonokami. All are great knives that are a joy to carry as they take up virtually no space in your pocket.
 
I like the Mercator quite a bit due to the aforementioned decent carbon steel with a FFG. They were sold in Field And Stream when I was a kid as "German survival kit knives". I suppose they had seen some use for that due to the slim design. I didn't know blade steel at the time and couldn't sharpen well, but I knew the Mercator cut better than my other knives. I also loved the cool factor of carrying it in my sock. ;)

It has a flaw though. The blade is stopped on closing not by the kick at the heel of the blade, but by the tip hitting a piece of plastic. Hate that.
 
Growing up in the 70's , it was common to see these knives advertised in the back pages of magazines for a dollar or two .
My original cat knife was lost long ago, but I bought a new one and it's still a great knife.

I don't have a problem with the lock, but with it's rivet construction , it's not a hard use knife.
The brass and copper versions are beautiful.
 
davek14 said:
I like the Mercator quite a bit due to the aforementioned decent carbon steel with a FFG. They were sold in Field And Stream when I was a kid as "German survival kit knives". I suppose they had seen some use for that due to the slim design. I didn't know blade steel at the time and couldn't sharpen well, but I knew the Mercator cut better than my other knives. I also loved the cool factor of carrying it in my sock. ;)

It has a flaw though. The blade is stopped on closing not by the kick at the heel of the blade, but by the tip hitting a piece of plastic. Hate that.
Click to expand...
I filed the plastic spacer down with sandpaper and now the kick of the blade stops it against the backspacer.

Zieg
 
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