Mercator - minimalism pure

Humppa

Humppa

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
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Hi guys!

I own a Mercator knife with Carbon steel blades. A pretty nice knife. It´s so simple and minimalistic. Blackened Metal hanles with are tough as nail. The knife is up for 9,00 € here in Germany. Made in Solingen. And one of the traditionals in Germany. It´s since Kaiser Wilhelm (who was Kaiser til 1918) produced in the same shape. It´s said, that the knife is made since the early 1890s.

IMG_0955.jpg


I got mine by Otter Knives in Solingen, which produce that knife originally.

Here´s a pic of the carbonsteel blade:

IMG_0956.jpg


That´s no save queen, for sure. As my granny told me, grandpa used to carry such one during WWII. Not mine, he must have lost in during time, unfortunatelly.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Andi, thanks for sharing.
I have to say that, although I've read alot about these knives, I never saw one "live" and I'm glad you posted some more pictures. Is this knife a friction folder? What's the handle material on this? some blackened steel?
I always had a weak spot for simple working knives with a single blade: many Italian patterns are like that, as Opinel's, Sodbuster's and so on. They might not be eye candies, but they do their job fine, and at the end of the day, they never make me think that I could have carried a more "fancy" knife. The only thing I don't really dig in your knife is the bail, but that's very personal.
Thanks again

Fausto
.cool:
 
Hi Fausto,

the handle is of punched metal sheet. Pretty simple. Well, it´s a slipjoint folder. The handle material is with black color painted, so to say. The bail can be removed easily. But as I heard, in the early days they put a lanyard on it or just a little rope, so they can´t loose it.

The Carbon steel is also pretty simple, but it takes a hell of a razorsharp edge.

I´ll take some more photos and post them, at any time.

Kind regards
Andi
 
I've tried to find one of those knives past year but all sellers who actually mail in here with costs c omming up easily price of 2 or 3 those knives. I love the blade shape and simplicity. One day I will find a retailer who doesn't ask so high prices for shipping :D Till then, thanks for sharing!
 
Mercators used to be commonly imported into the US. They are still available here, but are much less common. I have one on my want list. It just hasn't made it to the top yet.

Great pictures and post about a traditional German knife!
 
Hi guys!

Thank you for the replies!

Where to get theese knives in Germany is directly at the production company. I got mine at http://www.otter-messer.de/ . Maybe they also ship to the US.

There you can also buy the Ankermesser, which is also a pretty traditional pattern in Germany. The Ankermesser (anchor-knife) was formaly produced by Lütters & Cie but they had to close down.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Hi Andi,
Thank yo for sharing your knife and posting the picture.I received one of these as a gift from a good friend. I have a great deal of respect for this design. People may not realize how slender it is from the pictures. Great knife.

Ed T
 
[video=youtube;rgiCOg08F7s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgiCOg08F7s[/video]Here is a video showing production of the k55.
 
We have many of them here in New Zealand, you will always see the slightly older ones on our local auction site.
I think they are quite a cool knife.
 
I had one those Mercator Cat knives when I was a teenager. I have no idea what happened to it but it spent some time in my pocket decades ago.

That was an interesting video. I'm wondering what OSHA might think of those stamping machines ....
 
I love those knives. You can order them in a variety of variations from here:
[Vendor link removed.]-frank r

This is a french outfit, but they ship to the US. I have ordered from them several times with no problems, and they respond to email inquiries.

My favorite is a carbon steel with no logo, just the plain black. Add a black NiteIze clip and you have a sleek black folder in your pocket that is very classy.
 
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I've been wanting to pick one of these up for a long time, and just havent. I need to soon I think.
 
I have 2 of the older versions....they have the cat and k55k on them...Its actually one of my favorite knives....super durable
 
I didn't know they made a slipjoint version all the ones I've seen/owned have been lockbacks.
 
Hi guys!

Yesterday was a breakdown of the Bladeforums, so I post a couple of more pics today.

Here we go... :)

IMG_0965.jpg


That´s a family portrait with some typical european knives. The Opinel is #8 in Carbonsteel and the other one is an Ankermesser, also made by Otter Messer, Solingen which is stainless.

IMG_0967.jpg


Mercator closed

IMG_0971.jpg


Size comparison with a peanut and a walnut :D

@ gary and DannyDiablo: You guys are right, there´s also a version available with a cat on the handle, but it´s the big version, I think.
@ Ed t: you´re completelly right, the knife is really pretty slim. I chose the small version. So you don´t feel the knife in the pocket or the jacket until you need it.

Hope you enjoyed the couple of pics more.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Andi, thanks for your pics (and for your friendship request too).
My German is nearly zero, so I don't understand what he's saying, but I believe that your Ankermesser is trying to tell me something... :rolleyes:
Thanks for sharing

Fausto
:cool:
 
Hi Fausto...

what do you think, is my Ankermesser telling you? I´m guessing, but you need one, right :confused: ? Thats pretty broad knife... really traditional german slippie...

Kind regards
Andi
 
I've actually got a green Mercator, stainless, locking version coming as a Christmas pressie! It's a "special" version (i.e. different colour) from Woodlore. As I had a sneak peek, it was love at first handle so have ordered the slip joint version for EDC, bl**dy silly UK law! :grumpy:
 
I have a large carbon example, it's a wonderful knife in terms of its simplistic nature. You get a nice sized blade made of quality steel in a durable, slim and lightweight package. Mine has loosened a bit, but only side to side. It also arrived with a slightly warped blade, at $20 who cares!? These things are crazy slicers, classy and so cheap if you break it or lose it you won't cry over it. Be warned, I've seen unbelievable copies (meaning they look perfect) with CHINA stamped on the tang.
 
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