Otter Mercator Brass Non-Locking 18

I own an original WW2 lock back K55K my Dad took from the pocket of a German solider he'd just s**t. He carried it every day after the war until his death in 2003. The blade is about half as big as it was originally, as Dad used to sharpen it on a double ended cone stone. Obviously I can't carry it now, so I looked for the perfect EDC. This is it. I was going to get the regular black version, but this one in Brass is just beautiful. It's also razor sharp having been stropped at manufacture. The best thing though is the slip joint. It's a bit hard to open, but locks without actually locking so well, I can't imagine it ever accidently closing on my fingers. It also doesn't really have any spring when closing which makes it even better. I'm thinking of giving this one to my girlfriend to keep in her bag. Legal and very handy. Now I have to decide between the Copper version or the Black. I'm going for a Carbon Steel blade for myself as I prefer them. These appear to be expensive knives, but it will last a life time, and longer if looked after.

I ordered one of these last Friday, and it arrived lunchtime the following day. I am very pleased with it. This will be my camping knife, as the blade is just a fraction less than the nanny-state limit, which means (among other things) that it's just about long enough to cut bread comfortably. It is a quality piece of kit with no un-nescassary frills. The blade is a perfect shape, the metal is ideal, and the way it's ground will make sharpening a simple job. Some might say it's a bit on the expensive side for such a simple knife, but I think not. Look after it, keep it on a string when carrying it, don't lend it out or abuse it, and it will offer a lifetime of service. A wise man once said ''The bitterness of poor quality will remain long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.'' It's good to see the Mercator back again, I was not aware they were still in production. They've been around for over 150 years, hand made in Germany by craftsmen, and this is the latest incarnation. Beautiful and functional in its simplicity. If you're in 2 minds, I'd say, Go for it.

I'm now in my 70s and have carried a pocket knife since I was about 10. Recently, because of all the knife problems, I limited myself to a baby Swiss Army type knife but I was fed up with the tiny blade suddenly closing on my finger. I looked around for a good replacement and this, with it's brass sides, looked the business. Being a law-abiding citizen, I loved Heinnie Hayes' UK Legal' section both for the legality reasons and for the large variety of knives on offer at, what I considered, good prices. This knife is excellent quality with a blade that stays open albeit not a lock knife. I've already used it for some heavyweight stake sharpening in the garden as well as the usual box opening etc. It fits into the hand well due to its' size and shape and, as it's not heavy, is useable by those who may have difficulty holding the larger handled knives. All in all, I have been impressed with this knife which arrived in A1 condition and can see this still in use well after I'm gone. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED both the knife and the Heinnie Hayes service provided