Slicing since 1867

Pilsner

Pilsner

Joined
Oct 28, 2017
Messages
4,464
This could have gone in traditional. But, I don’t have a porch, you don’t have to pull up a chair, and it’s okay not to chew tobacco. :p

I’m quite smitten with a recent purchase: a Mercator K55K by Otter, Solingen. The original was made by Kaufmann from 1867 to 1995, then taken over by Otter without altering the manufacturing process.

It is relatively cheap, very slim, elegant and extremely functional. The handle is a single piece of folded steel, riveted, containing a simple but effective back lock. I wouldn’t “spine whack” it, because I am not a congenital idiot. What I am enjoying doing is using it as a knife. It is slicey, oh so slicey, with a beautiful spear point. Historic, excellent, German design. Full marks to the K55K. :thumbsup:

There is plenty of history associated with the Kaiser Wilhelm Messer, and some will enjoy finding out about that. Some already know! Thanks to this forum for alerting me to it in the first place. :)

You will find references in English literature of the later Victorian and Edwardian eras to “good quality German clasp knives of the locking type”, or words to that effect. I think these are it. :thumbsup:

Apologies for the poor photos, must do better. :oops:

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Not dissimilar to the Douk Douk in many ways, but it feels much better in my hand. It’s particularly comfortable in a skinning grip, with the thumb on the flat of the blade. YMMV.

I recommend you buy one. Now! :D
 
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And Ray Mears has a an exclusive with a ’Reed Green’ handle.





I think I need a back up, just in case... ;)
 
Insipid Moniker said:
The Black Cat! Great, classic knife for not much scratch. Blades like that one remind me that, much as I love my Cold Steel Stabinators, Benchmade Niftyfidgets and ZT Flippyboys that I could easily get by with a 150-year-old design that just does what it's supposed to.
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That is exactly what I’m thinking right now. :)
 
I don't like traditionals all that much but I too have been strongly contemplating to at least add one to the collection, I am torn between a Buck 110 (to go along with the one I plan to gift) or a Lionsteel CK Slipjoint. I'm not even sure either one counts as traditional, but compared to what I have now..I consider them that. I am leaning to the Buck since (to me, and probably a lot of others) is a pocket knife staple.
 
Insipid Moniker Insipid Moniker

And I love me some modern folders. :D

But, damn! I think this one could slice tomatoes, whittle, and neutralise the odd sentry. ;)

Of course, it would have to be painted black to be used as a weapon. :D
 
b00n said:
I don't like traditionals all that much but I too have been strongly contemplating to at least add one to the collection, I am torn between a Buck 110 (to go along with the one I plan to gift) or a Lionsteel CK Slipjoint. I'm not even sure either one counts as traditional, but compared to what I have now..I consider them that. I am leaning to the Buck since (to me, and probably a lot of others) is a pocket knife staple.
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Am I not right in thinking you are German? You should pick this up even if I’m mistaken. The 110 is just superb as well, but not as slicey. The Black Cat is full flat ground goodness. The Spyderco of 1867, if you will. ;)
 
Insipid Moniker said:
The Black Cat! Great, classic knife for not much scratch. Blades like that one remind me that, much as I love my Cold Steel Stabinators, Benchmade Niftyfidgets and ZT Flippyboys that I could easily get by with a 150-year-old design that just does what it's supposed to.
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Pilsner said:
That is exactly what I’m thinking right now. :)
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I've been enamored with Swiss Army knives lately. A rekindled affair, if you will. My newest, a Vic Recruit, is $200 worth of grins packed into an $18 package. :cool::D
 
Rupestris said:
I have an Opinel and a Higonokami. It's probably best I buy one of those too. ;):thumbsup:
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They are great knives. I have always considered the K55K, DoukDouk and Higonokami to kind of be relatives in a weird sort of way. They are all excellent knives one can add to their collection without breaking the bank.

When I carry a fixed blade I often stick my small Higonokami in my pocket. It is just such a thin awesome knife with great slicing power in such a thin package.
Btw I glue a little strip of credit card onA the inside at the bottom of the trough of my higo handles. This makes it so the steel blade doesn’t impact the handle when closing the knife.
 
Pilsner said:
Am I not right in thinking you are German? You should pick this up even if I’m mistaken. The 110 is just superb as well, but not as slicey. The Black Cat is full flat ground goodness. The Spyderco of 1867, if you will. ;)
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ACHTUNG! lol, yes I am. I'm gonna look into them. No reason to not buy locally, so to speak. :thumbsup:
 
Lapedog said:
They are great knives. I have always considered the K55K, DoukDouk and Higonokami to kind of be relatives in a weird sort of way. They are all excellent knives one can add to their collection without breaking the bank.

When I carry a fixed blade I often stick my small Higonokami in my pocket. It is just such a thin awesome knife with great slicing power in such a thin package.
Btw I glue a little strip of credit card onA the inside at the bottom of the trough of my higo handles. This makes it so the steel blade doesn’t impact the handle when closing the knife.
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For sure. I quite enjoy closing those knives gently! ;) Same goes for Laguiole. Old school. With muscle control they can be totally silent. Who knew?
 
I just spit out my Cope, but that’s ok. Nice knives. I had the one with the brass handle and it was a sweet knife.
 
Pilsner said:
For sure. I quite enjoy closing those knives gently! ;) Same goes for Laguiole. Old school. With muscle control they can be totally silent. Who knew?
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The truth is even without the credit card glued in thehandle where the edge hits as long as you aren’t slamming it shut it is fine. The steel is quite hard and the brass handle is soft enough that it doesn’t damage the edge usually.
 
Lapedog said:
The truth is even without the credit card glued in thehandle where the edge hits as long as you aren’t slamming it shut it is fine. The steel is quite hard and the brass handle is soft enough that it doesn’t damage the edge usually.
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Exactomundo, geezer.
 
Lapedog said:
They are great knives. I have always considered the K55K, DoukDouk and Higonokami to kind of be relatives in a weird sort of way. They are all excellent knives one can add to their collection without breaking the bank.

When I carry a fixed blade I often stick my small Higonokami in my pocket. It is just such a thin awesome knife with great slicing power in such a thin package.
Btw I glue a little strip of credit card onA the inside at the bottom of the trough of my higo handles. This makes it so the steel blade doesn’t impact the handle when closing the knife.
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I like to lump all those in the same category as too. I would throw the Svord Peasant Knife into the mix as well.
 
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