A true masterpiece Amongst Cult Knives- Otter Mercator Black Cat

[@mikebohling2280]

I bought my black cat , about 50yrs ago I still have that knife. It not black anymore lol. Well done George !

[@2ndchancegeorge]

That cat is a thing of mastery...so well finished . Be safe

[@mikebohling2280]

@@2ndchancegeorge you should give it to Mary !

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol....I would never sleep again...not with her and that..

[@terryfletcher6465]

I bought one of these 60 years ago, paid 30p (6shillings). It's still with me.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol..nice. not surprised. Thankyou for watching. Always appriciated 👍

[@EDCandLace]

Sir George may the week bring you Lotz of new extra sharp and dazzlingly Shiney toys! Hugs 💕 💞 ♥️ 💜 💙

[@2ndchancegeorge]

And unto you my lady. Joy to you. Be safe as always

[@John-wo5bp]

Hi Tony good friend 👍🐾🐾🦊🇮🇹

[@stephengaren2219]

I ordered one and it arrived yesterday. I watched other videos and either you and I got lucky or Mercator watched the other review videos. They're not one imperfection on mine. No blade play, razor sharp, no grinding at the halfway point when opening/closing and the back lock lock itself is flush to the handles when open/closed and locked in tight to the blade when open. Aside from the knife's history, all my uncles were WW2 vets and may one of two may have had one of these knives after the war. Two aunt's by marriage were German. I knew one who grew up there during the occupation. She moved back after my uncle passed away. I'm sure she's passed on too by now. She was a sweet woman, very kind to me. The other moved back after a divorce from another uncle, taking their children with her, so I have second cousins there. Never met her, she's probably passed on too by now. Regardless, I'm sure both of them saw these knives at some point in their lives. So the knife reminds me of all that because of it's history. Not sentimental in any way, just a reminder of them all because of the knife's history.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

To be honest I haven't watched any other reviews on them. Very happy with mine. Well made, clean and solid. All I can ask for. Glad you liked it. All the history in your family wow. Take and be safe. Thanks for watching always appreciated

[@gvoluto2816]

Von der Mafia in den 1920 Jahren in USA auch sehr gerne verwendet 😅 Grüsse aus Germany 😊

[@MrDDiRusso]

If you really want to break the bank, Otter makes brass and copper handle versions of this knife. They are quite beautiful.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...what bank...I saw the different versions awesome....just cannot afford them or they would right here with me. Thanks for watching always appriciated

[@stephengaren2219]

You inadvertently solved a mystery for me. I purchased a knife lot, three knives, a while back for cheap. The infamous 007 knife was part of the lot. The 007 has a history. Not a good history, but a history nonetheless. Anyway, the mystery knife only has a tang stamp that reads "Stainless Steel Japan". I never knew what the knife was until this video. It's a copy of an Otter Messer but with a clip point blade. Same design in the casing, locking/release mechanism and bale but in chrome. Now I'll have to purchase the real deal asap to go with it, due to it's history. I have a huge collection of bladed items and enjoy the history behind some of them. Thanks for the information and the video. It answered a mystery for me. ZOIKS!!! Haha

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...you are welcome. It's a awesome folder and of course it's history made it better. Enjoy. Thanks for the support

[@supersonic4901]

Greetings from Germany. Check out the Otter Mercator. I recommend one with copper scales! I care one since 1988 with a pocket clip for hiking, fishing or food prep outside.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

I will do that. Many thanks for watching. Be safe out there

[@mountainmanmcbeachfront5296]

One of the most robust pocket knives you can buy, love mine. There’s a video on KZbin you can watch that shows how they make them really interesting. The original knives were a bit bigger than the post war ones

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yes sir. A great knife. I'll check it out. Be safe as always

[@tonynapoli5549]

It looks the part George nice knife 👌

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. It just feels right...weird never had that...lol. stay safe

[@JoeAmarone]

In the 1960s they were advertised for a dollar on matchbook covers that's when I bought mine still have it today German steel absolutely the best

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Nice, not much money for a life time of service. Thanks for watching always appreciated . Be safe out there

[@adammcguinness9950]

I just got mine today. I have the OD green version. I like it, it has an old school feel to it, to bale is nice and strong. I got the leather Otter sheath with mine. An old friend gifted it to me.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Nice. Love that knife. Plain and solid. Glad you like it. Be safe and appreciate the support

[@kielyclinton]

My edc for the past 6 years is this knife in bress handle & stainless steel blade. It was a birthday present from my kids & i love it! Its in my pocket everyday & i use it all the time. You forgot to mention the handle is one piece press folded steel & when closed you can use it as a bottle opener between the bace of the blade & the finger guard. Also if the bale becomes loose over time you have to be careful you don't close the blade on it as it swings into closings position when it gets loose. But to tighten the bale or the blade if they loosen is just a slight tap of the pins with a ball hammer & its like new. Iv only had to do this 2 times in 6 years. I absolutely recommend this edc knife to anyone. Its lasted in my pocket & everyday use for 6 years now & still holds a blade & sharp as the day i got it. Its scaled, gutted, filleted fish Skinned gutted & deboned rabbit & hare. Brested duck & even use it to cut my fingernails lol.. I highly recommend the brass & stainless steel blade. Instead of the black cat it has the otter ingraved. After 6 years it has a very patina on the brass handle that changes everytime you use it after knocking & rubbing on everything else in your pocket! Fantastic knife! Its so thin you don't even know its in your pocket. I carry it on a piece of looped paracord paracord that goes on my belt, a small dog chain clip on the end that clips on the bale.. Whenever i need it i pull it out my pocket, unclip it from the bale & good to go! This method ive never lost it out of my pocket..

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Huh did not know the opener thing...cool. its a magnificent knife that's for sure. Be safe. Appriciate your support.

[@alangreywolf6071]

A little something you missed in your research....the second K backwards is for the German spelling of CAT! Really enjoyed your video about one of my personal favorite knives! Well done sir, well done

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Ahhh...interesting. thankyou. This is an impressive knife to be sure. Appriciate the support

[@paulsmith380]

That is a good looking knife. I have been looking at some other otter knives. That one is a bit less expensive. The blade looks like a great slicer and all around general purpose work knife.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep...only one I could afford...lol. its a beauty though. Thanks for watching

[@canadafree2087]

I wanted one after I got a Douk Douk, as both are old style knives like a Peasant or Opinel but are still made today without fancy steel, fancy openings, fancy packaging, fancy advertising. I just got an older William Kenyon one (If you look close at the 2008 factory video, you will see the handles being pressed into shape have "William Kenyon" stamped into them.) in stainless today. One day I'll have the basic black version in carbon like my other low tech knives.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. With you there. Be safe

[@NorthStarKnifeReviews]

It truly is a great design

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep..gotta say it's in my top three folders ...unreal. hope all is well. Cooler last couple days

[@FangBlades-zb7kp]

I just bought one from Amazon. Love the tradition and its ageless design. Nice!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Glad you like it! Awesome blade. Be safe 😁

[@FangBlades-zb7kp]

@@2ndchancegeorge how do you compare this to the Douk Douk folder also French knife. I am thinking getting that as well.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

This is way better. Douk douk doesn't lock and the blade is unbeatable on this one. Thanks again

[@lannylancaster62]

Like you, I love the history and simple design. That's the appeal of the Opinel as well. Thanks for sharing.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. True story. Thanks for watching

[@ronsmith4330]

I carried one when I was a teenager in The Bronx in the early 1970’s so I just bought one on eBay.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...you probably needed it. Great knife very well made. Be safe and thanks again for the support. Be safe

[@desertratedc9596]

One of my favorite knives for carry when im not carrying a large and heavy modern folder. It's thinness and weight makes it just disappear in the pocket while still being comfortable to use, and i really love carbon steel which you don't see often in modern folders

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep true story.vthanks for watching appriciate your support. Be safe

[@John-wo5bp]

George you get what you pay 4 apparently lol way out my budget but german metal work is the ultimate great craft for years they really know their stuff 👍🐾🦊🇮🇹🇺🇲

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...made a hole....ok a big hole in my budget.....there goes my next rough ryder for a while 😆

[@John-wo5bp]

@@2ndchancegeorge pmsfl yep that would do that same as a knife as a gift can cut friendship pity its cut your budget 🐾🦊

[@wildweasel8564]

I enjoy camping with vintage gear so recently ordered the stainless version from Amazon for $40.00.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Nice. They are very well made knives. The blades are awesome. Be safe out there

[@Christian_Beauceville]

Well made and interesting video. Thanks! The company which took over in 1995 is called Otter, they named the knife Mercator, which is Latin for Kaufmann (the chap who invented the knife back in 19th century). And the second K in K55K stands for Katze (German for cat), since a cat used to be the symbol of the Kaufmann-Company.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Ahhh, good info manybthanks for watching and the support.

[@Christian_Beauceville]

@@2ndchancegeorge And another little hint: This famous "Klingenstadt Solingen" (Blade-City Solingen) is pronounced with a G like in "gate". (I grew up just a few miles away ... now in Canada.)

[@fffff9299]

beautiful review sir

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Thankyou. Appreciate the support. You be safe out there

[@tobias2358]

MERCATOR is latinum Language and means Kaufmann or tradesman in english. You have the Carbon Version. The stainless actually say stainless below the MERCATOR stamping on the Blade. If its missing that, its the c75 Carbon Steel which is 1075 Carbon Steel. Greetings from Germany

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Nice, thanks for the good info. love these knives. Be safe out there

[@JoseGonzalez-yx6vm]

Looks like a good knife to eat a steak with. Thanks for showing it, George.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep..suspect that was why it was so popular in the trenches in WW1....be safe out there

[@tshep2az]

I just recently purchased the black cat i liked it for its simplicity and history i bought the brass,copper,and stainless handle i think i might get the version with the pocket i like knives have a good 1 be safe

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. Cannot beat a nice simple knife. You be safe too. Thanks for the support...oh I like knives more....lol

[@alphadawg81]

Yours is carbon. The stainless ones say "Rostfrei" on the blade. I have the brass version with an Otter on the handle and stainless blade.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Good info. The only way I knew was the label on the package .lol. thanks for watching always appriciated 👍

[@James-ke5sx]

I got your link to this video. It's a great knife. Looking at it you might think it's too thin in the handle but it works out real comfortable. I have the same carbon steel with the Black handle, unfortunately the gold paint was hardly there and what was there has worn off. For me this is a great knife to put in a lunch box. Cutting your sandwiches, fruits or veggies or buttering toast. I keep it in a food prep kit in my bug out bag. Like you said they're not cheap but it's a piece of History and very well made. If you are into history you should try the Canadian belt knife by Cold Steel. It was issued to our military Pilots as a jump knife. And it's part of our Canadian history. But I wouldn't be surprised if you probably already tried it. Anywho I got to go because while I was sitting here typing away, my soup just boiled over all over the stove got to go clean up a mess.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol...I burn alot of food. I'll have to look at that knife fir sure. You be safe out there

[@Indy1701e]

Hi Mary!

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol....thankyou

[@durango8882]

Beautiful. New subscriber 👊🏼

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep very nice, appreciate the support 👍

[@chrismuz]

Nice, but is it clean??

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Clean....?. Not sure what you mean. It's a clean knife, I would prep food with it.

[@dizocilpine]

very cool

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep, great knife with history. Thanks for watching

[@majkbasa5215]

Silberlöwe it's an old German Word for Puma , and this Logo is Handmade 😊

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Thankyou, good info. You be safe out there 👍

[@rozilmer]

Before Otter started to make them, there must have been a time when Robert Klaas/ Kissing crane has made them. Because i got one of those. The K55K stand for K= Kaufmann, 55 = the number of the House in Solingen where Kaufmann had his factory ( in Germany every house is indentifyed by the name of the street and a number that has to be put on the house), and K= Katze (cat). Mercator is just the latin term for Kaufmann = merchant. The knife was inoffically used by many german soldiers of the first and the second world war. After WW2 it was very popular in the USA and it is said, that in the 60`s and 70`s it was the most used weapon in the Bronx. I hope that is interesting.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Awesome stuff my friend love to hear the history of these knives. Thanks for the support and be safe out there

[@IsaiahGonzalezofficial]

I live in the bronx and I bought this knife for that reason which I read about in a book when I was a kid

[@2ndchancegeorge]

@isaiah8744 nice

[@jeromerodgers9605]

I just paid 16 dollars for mine. I got one hell of a deal.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Nice....be safe

[@derauditor5748]

No one knows, even at Otter Company who makes those Knifes now, why the Cat is Upside down on the Handle of the "Kaiser Wilhelm"... It's lost in the over 100 Years old History of the Knife. "Kaufmann" translated into Latin is... you guessed it: "Mercator"... Oh, and the "g" in Solingen is pronounce hard like the "g" in "Gulf War"...

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Lol..I am terrible at pronunciations. But good info. Many thanks and have a good safe holiday

[@derauditor5748]

@@2ndchancegeorge You too! Good review by the way. I love Otter Knives. My Grandpa had one that went through many things with him during the War and POW times (German WW2 Veteran). Solingen has a looooong tradion of making superb Swords and Knives that goes back many Centuries.

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

They are so flat! They are easy to carry in places that frown on weapons. It looks like a pocket comb in your pocket. The blade is long enough to actually use in real world situations.

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep, you are correct. Perfect packet carry. Be safe out there

[@gvoluto2816]

Das Gold geht schnell weg, das ist aber egal

[@2ndchancegeorge]

Yep. True story. Thanks for watching