Making of The Mercator K55K German Knife - Solingen, Germany

This was the first pocket knife I ever owned.
They were brought back to the United States by GI's after WWII. They really caught on and by the late 1950s when Solingen had begun to rebuild they began to be imported in large numbers.
I have found documents in the Solingen city archive with this knife design going back to the mid to late 1800s. But, I believe it may be older than that.
The patent has been bought and sold over the years. It is now owned by Otter-Messer and can still be bought today.
It is a simple, elegant design that has withstood the test of time.

[@totallyfrozen]

My first one was used and handed down to me from my brother-in-law. It was red and marked “Redding Net Company, Bellingham, Washington”. I got it in the mid 90’s. I still have it. I still use it. The blade has since chipped and finally broken in half. Even in that condition, the blade is so sharp and hard, I was able to use it as a wood chisel by tapping it with a ball peen hammer. I’ve bought a 2nd one already. No toolbox is complete without one. It’s my most used knife in the toolbox. Can’t praise this knife enough!

[@captainpegs0740]

Haha, I thought the beginning was some industrial, German techno music - but I guess it is! :D

[@ike780]

+Captainpegs07 This is where trent reznor gets inspiration didn't u know :)

[@DobermansRock]

26,000 views is not enough justice for such a fine knife.

[@KanekiKen-lm1dl]

What about 99,000

[@DobermansRock]

@@KanekiKen-lm1dl Much much better. I love knives and no matter what I buy or how much I spend. I always fall back to my Otters and K55K's. Hard not to.

[@KanekiKen-lm1dl]

@@DobermansRock I just ordered my first K55K, and I look forward to carrying it everyday.

[@DobermansRock]

@@KanekiKen-lm1dl Once you buy one you will buy more. The cost allows me to have one in each vehicle, my tool box, and my pockets. I like the stainless Otter but, the K55K has a history unmatched by any knife in its class. 12 total in life so far. 7 K55K and 5 Otters. They make great gifts for close friends and the price doesn't sink the ship. I am 44 and still have my first K55K carbon my brother gave me when I was 12. It was on my side everywhere I went in the military for ten years. I deployed 8 times so it has cut open a shit ton of MRE's. Enjoy it. It will get lost in your pocket because it is so thin. I even got patted down once and they missed it at a night club. Stay Sharp my friend

[@DobermansRock]

@MisterMinnesota Its great all around utility.

[@worldknives]

Hi- Check out the URL at the beginning of the video. $19.95 plus shipping. Thanks!

[@Enrique_Fuego]

No matter how many other manufacturers knives I purchase (SOG, CRKT, Spiderco, Gerber, Buck) I cannot escape the allure of the K55K (collection at 5 still growing). Classic, a nice piece of history, great conversation piece and works flawlessly.......every time. The option of either a Stainless (on the newer models) or Carbon Steel blade is a nice bonus. I can't think of any other model of knife that has the established (and maintained) reputation that this knife does. It's extremely popular for every day carry and collections. Many U.S. Factory workers still employ this model and will not use nothing else. Tried and True.

[@astondriver]

I have a carbon steel one. It takes a wicked edge and I coat it lightly with gun oil. It lives on my belt when hunting 100% of the time and is a great backup when field dressing an animal. I wouldn't be hunting without it.

[@aueret]

That knife has vertical blade play which is a no-go .. had 3 of them all the Same. It is the locking mechanism which has its weaknesses İ guess.

[@D5quared91]

@@aueretDumass

[@PayneHertz]

This is the first pocketknife I ever bought for myself as a kid in Brooklyn in the '70s. Many little stores used to sell them and they were very cheap and were mounted on a cardboard holder that hung on the wall. Despite their no frills appearance they were excellent quality and the blade took and held a good sharp edge. They were easy to carry due to their flat design, but the paint wore off within a few weeks. I loved that knife. Such nostalgia seeing this thing!

[@tobiaswillson5900]

me to

[@DobermansRock]

12 in life so far and I dig the heck out of the stainless otter. Great all around pocket knife.

[@DobermansRock]

This is one of the best pocket knives a person can own. I buy them in bulk and put them all over the place. Tool box, truck, kitchen, garage, tackle box. Easy to carry because they are so slim. I've even been patted down and the knife was missed. 25 bucks is the price for one of these beauties. Can't beat it.

[@wis1024]

No way man I got into fight when I was 17, after it was over me and my buddy's booked it to the gas station where we got ambushed by the cops I got searched twice with this knife in my front pocket. They brought me to the station without a single clue it was there. My parents picked me up a bit later. I still have that knife. My buddy who was involved in that fight wound up going to prison 2 years latter for stabbing an older gent in a bar with his identical knife. I'm 30 now with 2 young kids. Times have changed in my short time.

[@DobermansRock]

@@wis1024 That is fucking crazy. Have you seen the Otter? A fitting name for a stainless steel version. There is a guy on Ebay I think he charges $38 bucks. They have the best blade centering and machining I have seen yet in these knives. I own many.

[@wis1024]

@@DobermansRock just looked it up, imma pick one up. Might just get a brass handle while I'm at it.

[@DobermansRock]

@@wis1024 I don't think you will be let dawn at all. If you like the design like I do. They the Otter is pretty awesome. Easy to sharpen too.

[@wis1024]

@@DobermansRock yeah the design is great, no frills. Same as with the steels used. I'll always prefer steels with lower alloys, they've worked for a very long time and will continue to work in the future.

[@s10m0t10n]

I used to own one of these when I was a teenager (40+ years ago) and it was a terrific knife - light, sharp and safe. I'm pleased to see that they are still made and that I seem to have had pretty good taste in knives even then. I might just buy another to add to the collection. Thanks for posting this video.

[@TheCondor300]

High carbon steel blade.. makes the best knife!

[@HimmelsscheibeNebra]

Handwerk wird immer bleiben. Für die besten Qualitäten.

[@GunCollector007]

A “must have”knife for any serious knife collection.

[@johnnydollar666]

I’m an Amerikaner but mein Opa was from Unterfranken. I currently use this here messer.

[@Conan568]

I remember those knives being a bargain when I was a kid. They still are. These are excellent knives. Always have been and always will be.

[@twalk6164]

Have had mine since 1986. Other than paint wear, it is perfect today, with many many hours of hard use. Sharpens easily and retains a fine edge. An excellent choice, competent but barely noticeable in the pocket.

[@worddunlap]

in the post WW2 times street gangs loved the knife and they have been used in many skid row and ghetto murders. Its a near perfect stabbing knife with a cost vs benefit assessment.

[@shane8037]

I watched a double homicide trial where the dude used dollar store kitchen knives, and while people often point to those as the ultimate cheap stabber I can say that they were so bent up as to be one-time use only. Or I guess two-time use, technically.

[@gelkak]

i count myself lucky i got one from back in WWII, last a lifetime.

[@DobermansRock]

Wow ten coments for one of the best pocket knives ever. I find this sad.

[@elikalman9066]

Thank you for the video! Such an amazing, brilliant and time-tested concept...truly an amazing knife, highly recommend it to anyone.

[@canigetanoorah]

Fantastic knife, I've had mine for many years and have recently considered buying a more modern replacement but haven't found anything near as sharp, light and that takes up as little space as the K55K. Can't beat them!

[@MichaelSmith-nd4rr]

Legend of a knife, outstanding sharpness and retention, (carbon blade) i carry and use mine every day

[@scenicdriveways6708]

I just bought one today. Thanks for the video.

[@warpedweirdo]

I'm disappointed this video didn't show the blades being ground or hardened.

[@DobermansRock]

@aaaaagggghhhhhable They are a little tight when new. Leave it half open when your not keeping it with you. It with take a little of the spring tension down. I also use jewlers polish at the pivot to get the matting surfaces like a mirror. Less friction for opening and closing. But you need to watch a few movies while you can just sit and open and close the knife.

[@Oozy9Millimeetah]

0:42 i had to light up a blunt and started throwing gang signs, crazy ass beat!!

[@ktownc936]

Liking this better than the buck right now

[@nickelmickel4170]

Now I know why the quality is medioka.

[@MikeLeuchtenberger-b3c]

Baem Top

[@redastrachan8978]

🇩🇪 Fabulous!

[@michiganedge4770]

great video!

[@DobermansRock]

@MrFlaujac Not saying your choices are wrong. Just saying they are not what I would choose. There is a knife for everyone that is the best. For me its the K55K... Cheers

[@DobermansRock]

@MrFlaujac The buck 110 is more of a sheeth carried knife. It is good and used to be my favorite as a kid. But its a cumbersome knife being heavy and wide. The opinel just does not catch my eye. Its large and would feel bulky in my pocket. So I will stick to my guns with the k55k being the best. Mine is way over 20 years old and its all I will carry. Also I can open it one handed now that it is broken in.

[@DobermansRock]

@MisterMinnesota Its a good pocket knife. You are not going to slay draggons with it. But it will always be handy when you need a knife.

[@DobermansRock]

@aaaaagggghhhhhable Just the same or maybe better. It won't hold the same value or personal story though.

[@armadagunshow]

Amazing, thanks for sharing

[@DobermansRock]

@aaaaagggghhhhhable Just as well if not better. But it will not hold the same value or story.

[@zim0wnz]

i own a p.d luneschloss solingen bayonet... its pretty nice, i got it through family if your wondering so it's pretty old and its still very sharp.

[@DobermansRock]

@maxcontax I would be heartbroken if someone took my favorite pocket knife too. K55K all the way.

[@MrFlaujac]

@DobermansRock ah ah i use a opinel since myy 9 years old do you tjinnk i don't know the knife who are in my pocket sinnce 40 years ?

[@richardmcginnis5344]

and someone commented on amazon that these were now made in china it has stamped in the blade mercator on one side and germany solingen on the other on the case it has the same stamp

[@aaaaagggghhhhhable]

i feel like buying a new one, to see how it holds up campared to my grampas ww2 one

[@DobermansRock]

Best locking blade pocket knife EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Arkanzeries]

Yeah agreed, just got one now, great knife that'kk hopefully last me years ^^

[@TheDustysix]

I love mine. I always wanted one.

[@MrFlaujac]

@DobermansRock NO you forgot the buck 110 and the opinel

[@jimmyggh1]

@QUERCUSst Yes, they make stainless and carbon steel

[@fleanine]

I have one of the stainless versions of this knife i bought quite a few years ago (5 +) and another one i just purchased. The new one came with a black and white cardboard insert in the vinyl sleeve whereas the older one had a color (mostly Green) insert with it. I notice quite a few differences in craftsmanship between the two knives and can tell they are slipping a bit with the quality control. The older knifes blade is better, sharper, the grind lines are perfect and even on both sides. The new one almost has a wave to the edge of the blade like it was ground by someone with shaky hands. Not to mention the blade shape is off slightly . The old blade is nice and straight and the contour/shape of it is smooth with no variation. The new one (purchased 2020) is almost “wavy” as i mentioned. Like the die that cut the blank was old or worn... May be why the grind is off as well. The new lock back is not flush with the handle like the older one. Almost like it was machined slightly off center. It wont go down all the way when the blade is in the “open” position. The stamp on the older one is also a bit less pronounced and looks more “vintage” if thats a thing. The new one looks almost too deep and cartoonish. Also the finish of the blade itself is not as good on the newer version. The older one looks smoother with less tool marks visible. I’m almost thinking about making a comparison video for my youtube channel since I think this is definitely something to show. Maybe I’ll purchase the carbon steel version just so i can do a thorough comparison.. see if there is difference on that version as well.... anyone else see anything like I’m describing?

[@lithos86]

I bought a black carbon steel one in 2019, lost it and replaced in 2020. The first one had an uneven grind, and the tail of the "g" on the Solingen stamp didn't go all the way through. The second one came flawless. By comparison I bought 2 brass handled stainless ones in 2021 as gifts, and both had far poorer QC. The font of the stamps are certainly different, though I found images from 2012 that indicate this has been the case for quite some time. more importantly I found the stainless blades to be slightly off-centre due to a slightly uneven surface where it locks up. They also had inferior grinds by comparison. Considering the rather high price of the brass handled ones, it's disappointing that the QC is so sloppy. The carbon steel black handle k55k is just a better choice overall, and my favourite knife of all time. I assume they must use different machinery for the stainless blades. I also noticed that the lockbacks were in a different position to usual, not flush with the handle as with my carbon, black handled k55k.

[@headhunter1945]

Chinese knockoffs are around these days

[@James-ke5sx]

Just ordered one.

[@ThePanTian]

nice beat 0:44

[@chrishyde2432]

Thanks, man!

[@chrishyde2432]

@BuscheTheWizard We had to close down in January.

[@listymoestato8068]

Wie viel kostet so ein Messer dann ?

[@franktechmaniac7488]

Falls es noch interessiert - ab 18 € inklusive Versand, je nach Ausführung und Händler.

[@HFSswfl]

Amazing that these knives are only around $25... a must have

[@chrishyde2432]

I actually have these on sale for $19.95 plus $5.95 shipping Here: www.worldknives.com/goldclub.php

[@chrishyde2432]

Thanks for your comment!

[@mecho68]

I don't see what is great about this item, looks to me like an ordinary cheap pocket knife

[@myleslong2205]

mine has dressed deer, ducks and rabbits and has been a daily carry knife since 2010, I had another in 2001 that I lost somewhere in 09. They sharpen to a scary sharp edge quite easily and hold it.

[@HolgerLovesMusic]

Well, I still use the same knife my grandfather did. It's an 73 years old knife from Solingen, and it's like brand new. So, if I would compare it with an ordinary cheap knife... well no, you can't compare number one quality with an cheap pocket knife. There is just no words for it. I'm just so thankfull for this knife.

[@mecho68]

I have a swiss army knife bought 4 years ago, I did and I do a lot things with him , it was cheap , is not worn too much but when it will be i shall throw him and buy another one because he did his job for the money I gave. I don't use knifes left from Julius Cesar or Napoleon because today I can find better , cheaper with more utilities such tool .

[@mwillblade]

Some people think of their knives more than just a tool ,something of a friend actually .

[@chapiit08]

Who cares what you think...