Otter Messer Anchor knife & Mercator k55k knife starting to climb in price...

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

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Aug 4, 2013
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Most places that I had checked previously, had these knives at $20'ish and $30'ish (k55k & Anchor) price range. Now, these same sites have them generally in the $30'ish & $40'ish range. A $10 jump might not seem like much, but considering their previous low ranges, the jump is pretty considerable. The Mercator name and production belongs to the maker of the Anchor messer knife, Otter Messer... So, Otter and Mercator are one and the same. They were under priced, imo, and are still bargains at their current prices. I highly recommend owning these two knives, if you already do not. German manufacturing is, like most American manufacturing, going way of the DoDo... Get yours while the getting is still good... Fantastic items at still great prices :)

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Upper left is the Mercator k55k

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Otter Messer Anchor Knife on the bottom of this pic
 
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I have noticed this too.
I recently gave my k55 to a nephew and was shocked at the cost to replace it!
 
I am glad they have not gone DoDo Bird.
German knife making has really diminished quite a bit, it seems. I was at a store recently and caught a glimpse at a 7pc WMF knife kitchen set. The blades were marked with Germany, and most of the box outer markings seemed to just have Germany on it... But then I happened to peek at the bottom of the box.... "made in China". I did not buy the set, my feeling that I almost got duped.

I feel that the laws in Germany don't give any/much protection to the consumers on whether a product is German made, and many German companies seem to take much advantage of that fact, not marking their knives with country of origin. Lots of previously German made stuff is either gone, or outsourced out of country.

Some rise in cost of the Otter Messer/Mercator knives is most definitely fine by me if it means them staying in business and German made :)
 
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Jimmy, this partially not correct. In Germany we have strict laws against product piratry. But outsourcing is another animal. When a company want to get their products being made in Germany and getting manufactured there - then they have their prices - check out the Böker Kitchen Knife series. A lof of american companies to the same under their american name.

But back to topic about the K55K and the Anchor Knife : Otter has lifted their prices recently to a higher lever. I realized this when I checked out their HP some weeks ago. Their whole product line is getting in a higher price range. I will gladly pay the higher prices for a Germany made pocket knives by german labour. As well as with the america products.
 
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Thanks for setting me straight, Andi :)

Btw... the other two knives in the above pictures are both Linder of Germany products. Neither are marked with country of origin. I only caught on to them being made in Spain when I noticed some markings on one of the sheath's strap button :)

On a video that I recently seen about Linder and it's history, the owner mentions how much of German knife making has gone away because of high labor costs. I will try to find it, it was a good video :)
 
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Oops, I found that Linder video, but it was made for a online knife dealer that is not a sponser on this site. In any case, it is a great glimpse on Linder history and knife making in Germany overall.
If anyone is interested in watching it, just search you tube for "Linder knife factory video", and it is easily found. I recommend it for a little german knife history :)
 
How is the fit and finish on the anchor knife? I don't mind the increase in price if the quality is there. I've wanted an anchor knife for a while, but just haven't purchased one yet.
 
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I can only speak on my specimen...

Mine is made with a carbon steel blade (they do offer a stainless version as well).
The wood is, I believe, bubinga, and seems to have a light coating of some sort of wood finish rubbed in (nicely done).
The liners, backspring, and bolsters, are all steel, and just like the blade, satin finished.
The anchor shield and pins are made of brass.
The blade on mine is just about dead center when closed, but being a working mans knife, I don't think they focus on such things.
Nice strong pull, but not heavy at all, and opens/closes solid.
Imo, she represents a nicely made knife :)
 
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PocketKnifeJimmy said:
I can only speak on my specimen...

Mine is made with a carbon steel blade (they do offer a stainless version as well).
The wood is, I believe, bubinga, and seems to have a light coating of some sort of wood finish rubbed in (nicely done).
The liners, backspring, and bolsters, are all steel, and just like the blade, satin finished.
The anchor shield and pins are made of brass.
The blade on mine is just about dead center when closed, but being a working mans knife, I don't think they focus on such things.
Nice strong pull, but not heavy at all, and opens/closes solid.
Imo, she represents a nicely made knife :)
Click to expand...

My experience so far as well. I owned both, the carbon steel and the stainless one as well. The thing I could add: The stainless one seemed to be a little better finished than the carbon steel one.

You can´t go wrong with any of these. I highly recommend them.
 
For whatever reason, the Anchor knife is en vogue. I've seen it recommended in several upscale, trendy magazines, so I'm sure that has helped their sales, exposure and increased the price. Looks like a cool knife.
 
Yeah, I noticed that too! :)
There is a Canadian firm that had Case make them some Hobo knives, and they were being marketed for a modern young crowd... but don't know if the marketing worked out.
 
I grew up on the east coast and everyone it seemed had a k55. I don't remember what happened to mine but I know I've got to add one to my collection at some point.
Hate to age myself but I do remember when they were sold in candy stores for 99c.
 
PocketKnifeJimmy said:
2ega5np.jpg


I can only speak on my specimen...

Mine is made with a carbon steel blade (they do offer a stainless version as well).
The wood is, I believe, bubinga, and seems to have a light coating of some sort of wood finish rubbed in (nicely done).
The liners, backspring, and bolsters, are all steel, and just like the blade, satin finished.
The anchor shield and pins are made of brass.
The blade on mine is just about dead center when closed, but being a working mans knife, I don't think they focus on such things.
Nice strong pull, but not heavy at all, and opens/closes solid.
Imo, she represents a nicely made knife :)
Click to expand...

Lovely sheepsfoot. Solingen made. Excellent fit and finish. I gotta get me one of these!!!!
 
REDCANOE said:
I grew up on the east coast and everyone it seemed had a k55. I don't remember what happened to mine but I know I've got to add one to my collection at some point.
Hate to age myself but I do remember when they were sold in candy stores for 99c.
Click to expand...

I hate to age myself, but I'm with ya! I remember a surplus store in Silver Spring Maryland close to where we lived, had them in bins for .99 cents. A whole big bin of them. So now, the price seems outrageous!:eek:
 
Yeah... based on what prices used to be, I can see your point, lol!

I know the cost of labor and cost of living in places like the USA, Germany, Britain, and such, has made it hard to keep the doors open in those countries manufacturing sectors.

I do wonder, after really thinking about Buck's quality on their model 110, how they manage to put out such a product at their low price. Some have simply found the way, and thrive. Other's, no matter what they do, just can't keep the doors open in their own countries, and either go under, or go to exporting their jobs to other cheaper lands.


Come to think of it, Buck kind'a did export their jobs to stay afloat (not so much on their minority percentage of foreign made knives)... but their exporting their jobs to another State (Idaho). They were having a difficult time surviving in California, and found Idaho was willing and able to offer Buck a lower cost American option for doing business :)
 
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