Otter-Messer (Otter knives) - Your experiences?!

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Jul 25, 2010
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Hey guys!

Yesterday I ordered about three knives in Solingen at Otter-Messer. Are theese knives available in the US? Do you guys have some of theese? What are your own experiences with theese knives?
Here in Germany, it´s said, that the famous Mercator-knife is made by Otter-Messer.

Hope for some nice answers and perhaps some of you have fotos.

Kind regards
Andi :)
 
This is the only one I own, Andi. According to info I received in Bernard Levine's forum, it probably dates to the fifties. A nice, simple knife which takes a very nice edge:

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Well Elliott,

Thank You for the fast answer. This is a typical folder for Otter Knives Solingen, I think. They seem to be very simple knives. But in an german spoken forum most of them like Otter Knives. Not expensive, so there´s a lot of value for money!

There´s also a type of the Ankermesser produced by Otter Knives. Normally theese Ankermesser were produced by Lütters Cuterly, Solingen. But unfortunately Lütters doesn´t produce the Ankermesser anymore. Otter makes it til now.

Kind regards
Andi
 
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My pleasure, Andi. :thumbup:
 
I had a few of the modern Mercator K55 knives -- they're nice, inexpensive knives and the carbon blades take a good edge. Currently I only have one vintage multi-blade K55 with a can opener and a corkscrew. It's a neat pattern.

The K55 isn't uncommon in the US but the other models aren't readily available. I took a look at the manufacturer page and they have some interesting patterns that I'd like to try.
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This one looks like one of my vintage knives... I don't think mine was made by Otter-Messer though.
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I have liked the Ankermesser for a long time, but, sadly, I haven't been able to find one here in the US.
 
I had a few of the modern Mercator K55 knives -- they're nice, inexpensive knives and the carbon blades take a good edge. Currently I only have one vintage multi-blade K55 with a can opener and a corkscrew. It's a neat pattern.

The K55 isn't uncommon in the US but the other models aren't readily available. I took a look at the manufacturer page and they have some interesting patterns that I'd like to try.
10_0.jpg

20_0.jpg


This one looks like one of my vintage knives... I don't think mine was made by Otter-Messer though.
31_0.jpg

I like the look of those top two, very authentic.
 
I've had the white "Fish Knife" and the Ankermesser, and have gotten a few of the Ankermesser to give to my coworkers at Christmas time (we work on boats). In my experience, they are great! Steel construction, none of that wimpy American brass ( ;) )!!! Fit and finish is sometimes a little rougher, but they are very solid working tools. Can't beat 'em, especially for the price. That's the reason I always end up giving them away... they go to people who will appreciate a long-lasting, well-made tool, instead of a soft-steel piece of pocket jewelry. If you're impressed by looks, and you don't need to cut anything, then go buy eighteen different colors of Caribbean Rainbow Sunset Florida AlligatorEyes Bubblegum Case knives. If you want your knife to be strong and tough with a razor-sharp granite-hard blade, get an Otter-Messer. :cool: :D
 
Hey guys!

Thank you all for the informating answers. I´m still looking forward to get theese great knives. Heavy-Duty-Knives in a practical and traditional design, as it seems.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Today arrived four knives by Otter-Messer. One is a Mercator, an Ankermesser. A kitchen-knife for my wife arrived also. And my Christmas-present; a halfintegral with staghandles in 440C.
Seem to be all pretty cool knives. Make nice for my collection. :)

I´ll take a picture, as soon as I can do that.

Kind regards
Andi
 
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