Otter Fixed Blades?

Wurrwulf

Wurrwulf

Joined
Dec 3, 2015
Messages
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I know we have a fair number of members who own Otter Ankermessers, Mercators, and I recall someone ( A.L. A.L. ?) who had a "Boat Knife" from Otter. I'm curious about the Otter 25E "Bushcrafter". I think the Otter website calls it the Otter Jagdmesser 25. Unfortunately, I can only find one American retailer of this knife so far, and one of the specs is missing from the listing: blade thickness.

Does anyone have experience with Otter Fixed Blades? How is the grind? Fit and finish? How's the 440C? Frank (@knarfeng), what's your opinion on 440C run at 58HRC?

25otter.png


Blade length: 3"
OAL: 6.25"
440C @ 58HRC
Bog Oak handles

It's listed at 7oz, but that has to be shipping weight. For reference: my 8.5" OAL 5/32" S35VN Fiddleback Forge Production Bushfinger (aka A Meaty Knife) weighs ~6.5oz, and my ~6.5" OAL 5/64" 1095 Rosewood handled knife from @AF weighs 2.2oz.

So, what's the consensus on these Solignen fixed blades? Thanks, everyone! Have a great weekend.
 
The only Otter knife I own is a folder, a Webermesser, but that's a useful-looking knife :thumbsup:
 
Yeah, JB, I really like the amount of belly it has for a relatively short blade. I found a video of it on YouTube, and it looks like the steel is probably 1/8". A little thicker than I'd like, honestly. The handles are nice and thick, though, which could be fun to sand down for a perfect fit in hand.
 
I indeed have the sailor's knife (boat knife I think it is called) but no experience on their other fixed blades. The boat knife is listed at their website in industrial knives, so I would assume it's one of their "nothing fancy/user" knives.

My general opinion on otter is that they have very solid knives but you have to keep realistic expectations on the fit and finish. They might have slight hand finished deviations in symmetry and such.. but nothing that little tweaking can't fix!

The boat knife came with bit dull edge, but it's sharpened quickly. Their stainless holds edge well imo!

Their knives seem to be popular with "hipster" (wallets and such) clothes and accessory manufacturers. :D
 
Wurrwulf said:
Yeah, JB, I really like the amount of belly it has for a relatively short blade. I found a video of it on YouTube, and it looks like the steel is probably 1/8". A little thicker than I'd like, honestly. The handles are nice and thick, though, which could be fun to sand down for a perfect fit in hand.
Click to expand...

Yes Shawn, you can see it's designed by someone who knows knives, no fat on it at all :thumbsup:
 
Otter Knives Germany fixed blade knife 25 E Made in Solingen, Germany 80 mm (3.1 inches) long, flat grind, 3.2 mm thick, 440C stainless steel blade
 
A.L. said:
I indeed have the sailor's knife (boat knife I think it is called) but no experience on their other fixed blades. The boat knife is listed at their website in industrial knives, so I would assume it's one of their "nothing fancy/user" knives.

My general opinion on otter is that they have very solid knives but you have to keep realistic expectations on the fit and finish. They might have slight hand finished deviations in symmetry and such.. but nothing that little tweaking can't fix!

The boat knife came with bit dull edge, but it's sharpened quickly. Their stainless holds edge well imo!

Their knives seem to be popular with "hipster" (wallets and such) clothes and accessory manufacturers. :D
Click to expand...

Sorry for missing this! Thank you kindly for the notes from first-hand experience! I can deal with a little dullness from the factory or not-perfect handles, but I do expect a knife in the ~$60 price range to be competent in its fit and finish. Re: the hipsters- I haven't seen that particular marketing, but I did think the package deal with the Ankermesser, Ballistol, sheath, and sharpening stone was a little goofy.
 
Wurrwulf said:
Sorry for missing this! Thank you kindly for the notes from first-hand experience! I can deal with a little dullness from the factory or not-perfect handles, but I do expect a knife in the ~$60 price range to be competent in its fit and finish. Re: the hipsters- I haven't seen that particular marketing, but I did think the package deal with the Ankermesser, Ballistol, sheath, and sharpening stone was a little goofy.
Click to expand...

The knife in picture you posted looks nice, so it could be worth checking out. Like I said - the boot knife is from their industrial "workhorse" knife line so they probably are intentionally left a little rough around the edges.
 
I just bought this same little Otter a few days ago from a tool store in downtown Kansas City and I'm quite pleased with it. The fit and finish is fine for my standards, especially for the price. My knife is a little different than the picture, the sheath is a friction fit with no retention strap and the only printing on the blade is "Otter" with their logo. I, for one, prefer the minimal blade etch to the English (oder Denglish) that is so common on German knives. I haven't used it enough to speak about the steel, but I can report later, because I intend to carry and use this Otter--never mind the Hipsters.
 
Reitwagen said:
I just bought this same little Otter a few days ago from a tool store in downtown Kansas City and I'm quite pleased with it. The fit and finish is fine for my standards, especially for the price. My knife is a little different than the picture, the sheath is a friction fit with no retention strap and the only printing on the blade is "Otter" with their logo. I, for one, prefer the minimal blade etch to the English (oder Denglish) that is so common on German knives. I haven't used it enough to speak about the steel, but I can report later, because I intend to carry and use this Otter--never mind the Hipsters.
Click to expand...

Please give us an update after a bit of use! Everyone loves pictures, too! ;):D

I'm wondering if the change in blade stamping indicates a difference in production time or a difference in blade steel. Does the knife have any indication that it's 440C?
 
It reminds me of the Ontario Rat 3 hunter, they put out every year, a special in quotes, edition. In D2 though.
Thanks, Neal
 
Wurrwulf, you make a good point, I don't know for certain that the blade is 440C. The Otter Messer website and the dealer's site say that's what it is, so I took them at their word. In regards to your other questions, I measured the blade at 0.147 inches at the tang and approximately 0.030 inches just behind the edge. The distal taper keeps the thickness at the edge consistent. The handle is compact. I can get all four fingers in place, but with no room to spare.
 
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