Product Description
The Otter Mercator German Cat Lockback K55K is a simple folding knife that features a 3.5" blade with a stainless steel handle. The blade is made from carbon steel with an effective nail nick for easy opening while the lockback mechanism locks the blade firmly in place. The handle is made from one piece of black coated steel and features a cat etched in gold color as well as a lanyard bale. Made in Germany and produced since 1867. This knife profile is very thin and easily slides into a pocket or in a gear pouch/kit without being intrusive. A great back up knife for the woods and one of the few carbon steel folders available.
Specifications
- Blade Length: 3.5"
- Closed Length: 4.25"
- Overall Length: 7.75"
- Blade Material: Carbon Steel
- Blade Thickness: 0.09"
- Blade Style: Drop Point
- Blade Finish: Satin
- Handle Material: Black Stainless Steel
- Handle Thickness: 0.24"
- Locking Mechanism: Lockback
- Weight: 2.9 oz.
- Made in Solingen, Germany
The designation "K55K" with the inversed second K is a code for the original producers main office in Solingen and the knife model designation. The correct code deciphering according to the website of the current manufacturer would be: "K" for "Kaufmann" (the name of the original producer), "55" for "Hochstraße 55" (the address of the original company residence in Solingen, Germany), and the inversed second "K" (for "Katze" which translates to "cat" - the knife's main emblem)
This knife gained popularity in the United States following WWII as returning servicemen brought Mercator knives home from Germany. Though some believe that the Mercator K55K was issued to German troops, no evidence of this exists. However, it is probable that many German soldiers privately purchased these knives for their own use.
