Mercator K55K Disappointment

[Mitch Taldison]

Guys I got in a new Mercator K55K Katze Black Cat Kaiser Wilhelm Messer carbon steel knife but sadly the cat motif, painted in gold, is very faint:

It looks much brighter in this photo than in real life due to reflection, there are parts of the cat silhouette and lettering that don’t even have any gold paint.

I’ve seen many other photos of the K55K and they all seem to show a rich definition. I feel as if I received one that didn’t get the correct amount of paint. Should I return it? Or does the gold paint wear off with time anyway? How long does that take?

Thank you for helping me. Nobody wants there new knife to have a flaw and I was deeply saddened to find this on my Mercator.

Thoughts?

 

[cbach8tw]

The gold eventually wears so expect some discoloration or removal, as long as the blade lock is firm and is sharp, use it. Mine is from a few years ago and it had worn away from pocket carry and just playing with it.

 

[A.L.]

The gold eventually wears so expect some discoloration or removal, as long as the blade lock is firm and is sharp, use it. Mine is from a few years ago and it had worn away from pocket carry and just playing with it.

Yes, this. If you end up using it it's going to be very soon gone anyways.

 

[Steely_Gunz]

For what they cost, the gold and even some of the black scuffs and chips, but it remains a solid cost effective user.

I am more bothered more about the slight crack in the plastic back spacer of mine...even though it hasn't gone anywhere in over the decade.

 

[b00n]

Get some gold paint from hobby store and throw a fresh layer on there. It's a budget user knife.

 

[BladeScout]

Its a cheapo, just use the snot out of it.

 

[jbmonkey]

not a great collector as the fit and finish on these isnt great, but they are good users. use it and enjoy 'er.......

 

[marcinek]

Send it to me, and I will dispose of this hideous abomination appropriately.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It wears off pretty quickly. But as others have mentioned, you could always re-paint it. Probably some model paint would be a good option since metallics are readily available in small quantities in that format and it'll probably adhere to the enamel well as long as you de-grease it before application.

 

[JPD1998]

My Mercator was the same. I touched it up with a Pentel gold metallic gel pen from Staples.

 

[Hackenslash]

As others have said, it’s an inexpensive user. You could go through a bunch and never find one with bright gold fill. Enjoy your knife!

Besides, as the gold wears away and the black cat gets “blacker”, the drag coefficient of the knife decreases while the speed notches up.

 

[katanas]

I hope this is the biggest problem you ever have with a knife (or in life).

 

[Mitch Taldison]

Thank you, gentleman.

My heart soars like a hawk, to know that this isn’t an exclusive issue to my knife, and that the cat will fade anyway.

 

[Henry Beige]

Thank you, gentleman.

My heart soars like a hawk, to know that this isn’t an exclusive issue to my knife, and that the cat will fade anyway.

Well you are easily amused. ;-{>

 

[marcinek]

Thank you, gentleman.

My heart soars like a hawk, to know that this isn’t an exclusive issue to my knife, and that the cat will fade anyway.

Cool. Though I think you are missing the subtle point that the gang is making, i.e., "Even if the logos on all other new Mercators were pristine, and that no other logo on a Mercator has ever faded....who cares? They are inexpensive (but great) users."

 

[BladeScout]

Besides, as the gold wears away and the black cat gets “blacker”, the drag coefficient of the knife decreases while the speed notches up.

Dude, you are invoking filtrum with that kind of talk!

 

[b00n]

Dude, you are invoking filtrum with that kind of talk!

It's said if you look in a mirror and say "Tactical" three times filtrum appears and complains that it's still not black enough.

 

[BladeScout]

I thought it was '''tactical Vantablack' three times but I might be mistaken.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vantablack-20-color-black_n_58dd2df3e4b0e6ac7092edd7

 

[Lapedog]

It wears off pretty quickly. But as others have mentioned, you could always re-paint it. Probably some model paint would be a good option since metallics are readily available in small quantities in that format and it'll probably adhere to the enamel well as long as you de-grease it before application.

Are there any clear coats the OP could potentially put over the gold paint should he decide to go that route? Maybe if he is super anal about the gold being there lol.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Any sort of clear coat should do the trick, I'd figure. I'm not a pro with that stuff, though.