Mercator knives: What do you think?

kirk13 · **on:** August 10, 2015, 11:48:29 PM

As it says,what do you think of Mercators? Has anyone tried the non locking one?

sawman · **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2015, 11:51:52 PM

Great knives though I've only owned locking ones.

jerseydevil · **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2015, 12:17:57 AM

I didn't know they even made a non-locking Mercator.

The K55K is a classic. VERY slim, and the carbon blade takes a great edge.

kirk13 · **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2015, 12:35:50 AM

Quote from: jerseydevil on August 11, 2015, 12:17:57 AM

I didn't know they even made a non-locking Mercator. The K55K is a classic. VERY slim, and the carbon blade takes a great edge.

http://www.handyniknaks.co.uk/otter-knives-germany-little-mercator-knife-stainless-blade-black-handle-10-401rgr-7381-p.asp

hrvstmn31 · **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2015, 06:54:45 AM

Oh I remember these I wanted to get one and still do after I saw Stefan Schmalhaus' video on it.

Grathr · **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2015, 08:22:33 PM

I did not know there was a non locking version as well. I have the locking one, but havent used it as much as it deserves.

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kkokkolis · **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2015, 08:31:55 PM

I have the K55K and find it great. It has a blade similar with the Opinel Jardin #8 which I love and it is similar to the Victorinox drop point, but longer. It is also much slimmer, so easier to carry in your pants pocket. But since I can open and close the Opinel with one hand and lock it in both positions one handed and it has a wooden handle that I engraved myself, I decided to keep using the Opi at the moment and kept the K55K stored. Very nice knife though.

Kampfer · **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2015, 12:47:21 AM

Mercator is an amazing knife!
It is slim, light weight, affordable and tough, with lots historical value.
I had a carbon steel version since March, and it has been the only knife I used since then.
Food prep (including slaughtering watermelons & pineapples), wood carving, opening boxes, opening cans, even throwing, it excels at every task I asked it to do, yet the lock up still rock solid like the day I got it. Carbon steel is easy to resharpen but does rust if uncared for.

I love it so much I recently ordered a stainless steel version.
Mercator is the cheapest knife in my collection yet earns more pocket time than all other knives combined.

Dr Hunt · **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2015, 04:47:52 AM

Quote from: Kampfer on August 12, 2015, 12:47:21 AM

Mercator is an amazing knife!
It is slim, light weight, affordable and tough, with lots historical value.
I had a carbon steel version since March, and it has been the only knife I used since then.
Food prep (including slaughtering watermelons & pineapples), wood carving, opening boxes, opening cans, even throwing, it excels at every task I asked it to do, yet the lock up still rock solid like the day I got it. Carbon steel is easy to resharpen but does rust if uncared for.

I love it so much I recently ordered a stainless steel version.
Mercator is the cheapest knife in my collection yet earns more pocket time than all other knives combined.

Sounds like I ought to have a Mercator

kkokkolis · **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2015, 09:51:12 AM

Yes, it's a perfect everyday life knife, as Opinels and Alox Solo. Less threatening and expensive than a Spyderco and the likes.

kirk13 · **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2015, 10:09:19 AM

Thanks everyone

Can I ask what sort of money people paid? I fancy one,but they strike me as a little expensive for such a (realitively) crude knife

Kampfer · **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2015, 10:17:34 AM

About $30

pfrsantos · **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2015, 12:52:07 PM

Quote from: kirk13 on August 12, 2015, 10:09:19 AM

Thanks everyone

Can I ask what sort of money people paid? I fancy one,but they strike me as a little expensive for such a (realitively) crude knife

+1

They're twice as expensive as a Douk-Douk. I don't think the lock blade justifies it...

Steinar · **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2015, 06:18:52 PM

I think the Douk-Douk feels much less nice in the hand than a Mercator, also Douk-Douks are nailbreakers. (Though it just feels very right to me that they are, so not a negative as such.)

I really like the Mercator without blade lock, but the one I got has pretty bad blade play. Still has it on my to-do list to try and tighten the peening.

Interesting to me: I have a Mercator from Otter, and one with Klaas' logo on the blade. The one from Otter has blade play, the one with extra markings from Klaas doesn't. I have handled a few of them, and it's the same with all of those I have handled. I wonder if Klaas bought a stack of parts and did their own assembly, or whether they bought the knives, did the marking and tightened the peening. Or something else completely...

And the prices for a Mercator in the UK vs Germany was... interesting. 1-1 exchange ratio GBP-EUR? Ah, well, it's the same with imports here.

The current manufacturer's website: http://www.otter-messer.de/shop/Mercator-Knife---3.html?MODsid=674aeafdc885277fded98ac0c22d450e

kirk13 · **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2015, 12:27:55 AM

Well,I've got a green handled K55K on its way to me. Watch this space!

Grathr · **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2015, 12:35:50 AM

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willc · **Reply #16 on:** August 24, 2015, 02:02:43 AM

I am kinda interested in a non locking Mercator.
The one I have was picked up at the flea market and is not in great shape, sideways play and lock disengages too easy, but I like the design.
Douk Douks are neat too but mine has a super stiff spring, so if Mercator can do this knive with a pull of 6-7 that would be great.
These folded metal knives are nice for the back pocket.

kirk13 · **Reply #17 on:** August 25, 2015, 08:45:07 PM

Grathr · **Reply #18 on:** August 25, 2015, 08:50:42 PM

Very nice

This thread got me a winning bid on one of theese on ebay.
http://www.amazon.com/Douk-Douk-Knives-Folder-Squirrel-France/dp/B007V5ELCK

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kirk13 · **Reply #19 on:** August 25, 2015, 08:58:27 PM

Quote from: Grathr on August 25, 2015, 08:50:42 PM

Very nice

This thread got me a winning bid on one of theese on ebay.
http://www.amazon.com/Douk-Douk-Knives-Folder-Squirrel-France/dp/B007V5ELCK

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Nice!

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #20 on:** August 25, 2015, 09:38:36 PM

Never tried a Mercator, though in my ignorance I've not perceived much difference between them and Douk Douks (other than a lock that I dont need or want)

I have a carbon wharncliffe douk douk which has gone rather brown and furry from being sat at the back of a drawer unused.

I kind of the "idea" of a non-locking stainless one, but I can't see it replacing the stuff I would usually carry. There's no reason for me to ditch my standard gear to make space for this in my pocket other than curiosity, and the douk douk has already been tried and shunned which suggest to me this would follow suit $:-\$

Maybe I ought to clean up the other one and give it another go.....

kirk13 · **Reply #21 on:** August 25, 2015, 09:42:25 PM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on August 25, 2015, 09:38:36 PM

Never tried a Mercator, though in my ignorance I've not perceived much difference between them and Douk Douks (other than a lock that I dont need or want) I have a carbon wharncliffe douk douk which has gone rather brown and furry from being sat at the back of a drawer unused.

I kind of the "idea" of a non-locking stainless one, but I can't see it replacing the stuff I would usually carry. There's no reason for me to ditch my standard gear to make space for this in my pocket other than curiosity, and the douk douk has already been tried and shunned which suggest to me this would follow suit $:-\$

Maybe I ought to clean up the other one and give it another go.....

Yes,yes you should

Gareth · **Reply #22 on:** August 25, 2015, 09:58:13 PM

That looks good mate.

Is it going to get some use at your work?

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #23 on:** August 25, 2015, 10:10:32 PM

Quote from: kirk13 on August 25, 2015, 09:42:25 PM

Yes,yes you should

I just dug it out to have a look at. It's just got a few fuzzy areas on it, so it shouldn't take much fettling to bring it back. It's a larger blade than I remembered though, approx 3.1/2" at a guess

kirk13 · **Reply #24 on:** August 25, 2015, 10:14:15 PM

Quote from: Gareth on August 25, 2015, 09:58:13 PM

That looks good mate. Is it going to get some use at your work?

I suppose it would be rude not to

Might wait till the kids are back in school though. The Mrec compares to a 111mm SAK size wise. I'm very impressed with the smoothness of opening,and the ease of using the lock.

Quote from: 50ft-trad on August 25, 2015, 10:10:32 PM

Quote from: kirk13 on August 25, 2015, 09:42:25 PM

Yes,yes you should

I just dug it out to have a look at. It's just got a few fuzzy areas on it, so it shouldn't take much fettling to bring it back. It's a larger blade than I remembered though, approx 3.1/2" at a guess