Mercator k55k questions

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Oct 1, 2002
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Just curious about this knife. From watching a few vids, it looks like it would be easy to disengage the lock by accident while using the knife. Also, does anyone carry this knife behind the wallet in the hip pocket? Input?
 
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This thread will do better in the traditional forum.

I don't own one, but I do own a Svord Peasant knife:
SV139.jpg


See the little loop protruding from the spine? It's in the same location as the lock on the Mercator. There is a natural cavity in your palm that accommodates the protrusion, so it is difficult to accidentally disengage the back lock. Also, I read the lock bar is fairly stiff.

Don't worry about this knife. It didn't pass the test of time on a fluke.
 
I got my first Mercator in the 60's. It is what it is. It's not finished to super fine standards. No super steels. No Demko lock advances to give it super strength and longevity. In fact, I used to see people regularly break their K55's by trying to throw them at Oak trees back when they were about as inexpensive as a lock back knife got.

The Lock is sufficiently difficult enough to disengage to where you need to do it on purpose. I've never seen one come unlocked except by choice. That doesn't mean it doesn't happen. It's just that I haven't seen it. If you use it for what it's designed for it should last you a long time. I recall seeing gun shows in the 60's, 70's and early 80's that had old GI returns from Europe from as far back as the 40's. Still working. Still, I have seen them break with one throw at a tree.

It is what it is. It's no longer in the $2-$3 range but it's still inexpensive enough to have a couple extras. I believe they make a stainless bladed model now too. They are hardened to, in my guess, the low to middle rc 50's. Like Douk Douks they sure do sharpen easy. The lock looks strange but it works and lasts but it sure will never have you mistaking it for a silky smooth Moki made lock back. I currently have around 4 maybe?

Joe
 
I carried this knife when I was a kid, 12 years old on through young adult. It used to be sold in Field and Stream as a "German Survival Kit" knife. I guess because of the thin profile. I carried it a lot because I thought it was cool to carry in my sock like a punk bad*ss. I ended up getting it whenever I needed a knife because it just cut better. No clue on steels and such at that stage of life.

Fast forward to 10 years or so ago (I'm in my 50's) and I pick up two Mercators for a trip down memory lane. I get them and the blades are a bit warped and other stuff... "boy they don't make them like they used to".

I took one to work and spent about two years trying to hurt it. I cut whatever, scraped, and did a lot of cutting plastic by hitting it with a heavy plastic deadfall hammer. I nicked and gouged the blade and sharpened it out and went on. I actually quite like the steel. I finally bent the backspring, took the knife apart, bent it back, and I still have it.

It's a lot worse for wear and the lock doesn't work at all now but it's still serviceable and the darn thing surprised me at how much it would take. The lock didn't hold up to real abuse and got worse with wear but you should never totally trust a lock anyway. I can't say if it's better or worse than any other lock. If you back pocket carry the knife it will prolly bend, I had that happen as a teenager. It'll also keep right on working I'm sure.

The one thing I do NOT like about a Mercator is that the tip hits a piece of plastic inside the handle to stop closure instead of the kick hitting the backspring. Thus the tip gets dulled. This is a pet peeve of mine and one I wish people spoke of more when they reviewed knives. Many otherwise great knives do this (EKA?).

Other than that, a Mercator is a great, workhorse of a knife.
 
Used to love ease of sharpening the 1095 equivalent blade steel, also the sharpness level that can be achieved.
As of 2013, the knife can be purchased with a stainless steel or carbon steel blade.

DC
 
Used to love ease of sharpening the 1095 equivalent blade steel, also the sharpness level that can be achieved.
As of 2013, the knife can be purchased with a stainless steel or carbon steel blade.

DC

I'm not real sure if it's me and I would love to hear feedback but...

It seems to me that a Mercator (10 years old anyway) has a better carbon steel than other cheaper knives like say, an Opinel or a Douk Douk.
 
Get one. Every knut needs a k55k.
I'd love to see one with a G10 handle.
rolf
 
The K55K is a very serviceable knife for the price. I haven't accidently disengaged mine, but I'm not saying it wont happen. The 1095 isn't overly hard, and I consider it equivalent to Case's CV, just softer than average 1095, that can get incredibly sharp. They're very thin unobtrusive knives. Very easy for me to carry. The blade profile is useable, and nothing crazy.
 
The immortal classic K55K Black Cat Knife.

[video=youtube;rgiCOg08F7s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgiCOg08F7s[/video]

DC
 
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