Mercator K55K

crom

crom

Joined
Mar 29, 2007
Messages
3,219
Can anybody comment on this classic? Been wanting one forever, they just look slim and handy. I know the lockup is supposed to be really good, is there any wiggle in the pivot? At the price these are going for it's almost hard to say no.
Thanks,
Kevin
 
there are quite a few reviews on them. It seems that the quality can vary. Check out Dagon's video review. It's really good.

God Bless
 
I know many people who have them as tool box knives and beaters, as said before quality varies but there must be somethin' to 'em 'cause a lot of people do carry or own one.

I had one as a kid was recently given one by a friend, I don't carry it though, I just like my other EDCs more.
 
I had one of those when I was akid. In the post war years, they sold for .99 cents at the surplus store. They have a history that goes way back, and there must be a reason they have a very loyal following.

The company in Germany has changed hands, but they are still being made the old way. Somewhere on the 'net is a short video I saw, taken at the factory, and it lookedlike there were quite a few old guys still on the line, that looked like they'd been there for a very ling time.

I think the Mercator is in the same class as the Opinel, and the Douk-Douk; that of a good bargin in the cutlery world for a working class knife that gets the job done.
 
I had one that I gave to a member here, that I had carried for years in my toolbox. It was at least 20-30 years old when I got it. Good user, held an edge well, and was very easy to maintain.

thx - cpr
 
The one I was fortunate enough to get with the help of a very good person here is as tight as a drum no wiggle, locks like fort knox, and the steel is great too.
 
Thanks everybody. My bro-in-law is going to EU and will be in Germany for a few days, I may put him on the track. That way he can handle one for me and hopefully get a tight one.
Thanks,
K
 
Expect it to have some side-to-side play. You can squish it a little bit in a vise, though.
 
This knife is on my list of "knives-to-get-due-to-historic-significance", along with the Douk Douk and Higonokami. Maybe some others, mind seems to be a bit blank at the moment.
 
I bought a Mercator to replace one I had as a kid. The plain carbon steel has to be in the RC53-56 range. It sharpens about as easy as any knife I've ever had, and I was actually able to hear the burr snap off when I was sharpening it. I brought it up to #8000 grit and can shave with it. It doesn't have much wear resistance compared to the steels I'm used to, but it's fun, and does what it's supposed to.

If you want to teach someone how to freehand sharpen this and the Douk Douk would be my recommendation due to the steel, blade shape, and cost.

I recall from when I was a kid they will rust, but mine has been great, no problems with just a wipe off.

It's a good steel to practice things like mirror polishing, convexing etc too.

The lock actually works ok as well.
 
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