Mercator

[joeradza]

Its been a long time since I owned one so I'd like to hear comments and poll numbers.

 

[BrotherJim]

I only have one and it's a K55K Black Cat Stainless Lockback. I'm happy with that and probably won't get another any time soon
However, there's an OTTER-Messer Mercator Lockback in Walnut with Satin Stainless that sure does appeal to me for some reason

 

[joeradza]

I forgot to include the old reliable "black cat."

 

[A.L.]

Brass one is really nice but brass is always softer than steel. I guess it doesn’t matter if you don’t abuse your knives. I find myself often pondering of re-acquiring one but I guess I just like ”meatier” knives. Really nice to carry in a slip though!

 

[jmarston]

I have the black cat model. Great knife. Very useful blade shape and must be less than .250 thick. Really great knife.

 

[Marlingspike12]

I only have the all stainless lockback at the moment and I like it a lot. If I have to get another, I think I'd get the brass one.

 

[Barbababa]

I only have one and it's a K55K Black Cat Stainless Lockback. I'm happy with that and probably won't get another any time soon
However, there's an OTTER-Messer Mercator Lockback in Walnut with Satin Stainless that sure does appeal to me for some reason

I got a news-mail from them that the models with wood scales will be taken out of production due to problems with scales that comes loose or crack... They did not know when or if it will be back in production

 

[Barbababa]

I voted Brass and lockback. I have the smaller without lockback in carbon steel, quite old, and quite possible a design copy. And I have the Brass with carbon steel blade. I like the lockback for safety and the brass have gotten a nice patina along with the blade.

https://imgur.com/MDRR5Rg

 

[Just Tom.]

I have the classic “Black Cat” in carbon.

It is pretty comfortable in the hand considering how thin it is, rides well in the pocket, and the thin blade cuts well. It is also easy to open and close one-handed if you need to. The blade tip raps a plastic spacer when you close it, though, so in general you would want to close it gently.

The only thing that kept me from carrying it much when I got it was the fact that it looks just a little bit too much like a weapon. I realize that seems a little silly coming from the guy who carries an Okapi ratchet knife every day - it’s just something about the almost stiletto-shaped blade I guess. If that doesn’t bother you, then I highly recommend it.

 

[Will Power]

At the beginning of the year I ordered this Copper lockback in stainless. The F&F are excellent, the copper looks beautiful in my view and unlike brass it doesn't stink....I think this is a very credible version of a knife that's been around since the 1860s.

Couple of observations about practicalities and possible detractions:

Bails are something I generally dislike as they get in the way of blade closing and are a nuisance in the pocket. HOWEVER on the Mercator the bail is small and tight, doesn't flop about, it is useful for lashing on a belt or on a pack during a trek. The corner of the tang is protected by the shape of the frame, so unlike on Laguioles...you don't get that sharp corner ripping stuff up. Very lightweight knife for its size, very tight lockup, no play GEC style..at all. It is thin in the hand and some might not care for this on heavy work, the lock is stiff to disengage-good in my book not in others'- Very sharp practical blade that offers a lot of uses. Worth having!

 

[Henry Beige]

I prefer the Black Cat in carbon, but I went to some lengths to get the brass Otter when they first came out. I find the Mercator much more comfortable than the Douk-Douk, with its similar steel handle which feels so completely different in hand.

Neither one gets much carry these days. As slim as they are, they are much longer than the knives I prefer to carry.

 

[comis]

I owned them both, but whenever I think of this pattern, the black cat Mercator is what I associate it with.

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

I voted copper even though I don't own any~yet~,I just like how copper ages.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Mercator, small, brass.

 

[Brent F]

Even though I voted for the copper, I'm going to grab one of the stainless steel lockbacks to be a dedicated tackle box knife, ( after I edc it for a week or two).

 

[JoKr]

 

[brownshoe]

I have a brass one, it’s nice. To me it’s not a Mecator if it’s not carbin steel with a lock.

 

[A.L.]

I got a news-mail from them that the models with wood scales will be taken out of production due to problems with scales that comes loose or crack... They did not know when or if it will be back in production

I definitely saw that coming. Just too thin slabs for something organic.