Historical Background and Review of the German Mercator Knife (aka "Cat Knife")

[troll4445]

Outstanding!

[BushcraftWoodsDevil]

Wow, thanks so much! I have always wondered about this knifes strange markings...!

[pegauracheii]

wonderful historical background

[brandnershomestyle]

Danke für dieses interessante Video !

[fraudioc]

thanks a lot for your wonderful review ! :)

[Drownedinblood]

Do more of these videos they are very interesting,informative,differ­ent and all around awesome.Think you'll ever do a vid about the different slipjoint patterns,Shilin cutter,Higonokami or well other obscure-ish historical knives from around the world?

[stschmalhaus]

@Drownedinblood I only do videos on stuff that I am personally interested in. Have you already watched my series of Case knife reviews?

[Drownedinblood]

@stschmalhaus Yea I just thought those might have fallen under stuff that you might be interested in sorry if I sounded too demanding and as for case knives only have seen the toothpick,congress and trapper vids I guess I missed the others at first glance.

[stschmalhaus]

@Drownedinblood No problem. I regularly get requests for doing reviews on all sorts of stuff. ;-) Btw, there's a playlist on my channel page with all my Case knife reviews.

[Drownedinblood]

@stschmalhaus Ok will check em out thanks.

[docwilkey]

thanks for the history, I own one of these knives. I bought mine back in the 70s and I now keep it on my desk for opening letters and packages.

[stschmalhaus]

@docwilkey Thanks for watching!

[QUERCUSst]

great review..ordered one of these from woodlore today (the reed green woodlore edition) cant wait!

[jimmyggh1]

Excellent! Outstanding historical information on a great messer! Danke!

[stschmalhaus]

@jimmyggh1 Thank you for your kind words!

[gruntpwnsnubz]

Cool post cards and knife I have a German ww1 participation medal from my great grandfather

[libertyss35]

I have had this knife for about 10 years and have only been able to wonder about it's history. Thank you so much for making this video. I have had such a great affection for this knife and it is my favorite,I carry it daily. Your video explaining it's history has only made me love it that much more. The professionalism that you put into your review is much appreciated! Thank you...all the way from the great State of Texas!

[stschmalhaus]

@libertyss35 Thank you so much for your very kind words!

[evilsquirrel56231]

Excellent introduction and a valuable history lesson. I think I'll order one purely for collectors' value :)

[sweetdaddyroses]

Indeed. Another smashing review! Thank you for not only an excellent knife review but also an interesting history lesson.

Your mastery of the English language and the delivery thereof is quite refreshing and enjoyable to my ear. The conspicuous absence of um and uh, in addition to a clear and concise stream of informative fact, makes for a very pleasant listening experience.

Kudos and thank you!

*sdr*

[stschmalhaus]

@sweetdaddyroses I script my videos, this helps me to avoid the "ums" and "uhs". I usually don't like videos where people turn on the camera and start talking without knowing where they want to end up.

[ThePanTian]

Sehr schön, sehr interessant!

I´m amazed how the americans love all these german knives and stuff

[yobbos1]

I love this knife and carry mine often. Some peoplke are amazed when they see me with it, knowing that I own Benchmades, Spydercos and Emersons but the Kat knife has taken a lot of abuse over the years and never let me down. You are right it does take a terrifying edge with a little work. Thank you for the excellent vid, you are one of the best knife reviewers on Youtube.

[stschmalhaus]

@yobbos1 Thank you for your kind words!

[rooftopeagle]

Nice! I've got a couple guys who have been very special in my life who are old-school German Canadians...I'm going to get a couple of these, one for myself, and two for gifts to my two mentors!

Subbed! Love the history lessen in a review!

[FreyerWind]

Es scheint langsam, Schritt für Schritt, wieder populärer zu werden. Zumindest in den USA.  Historie, nicht nur deutsche, WW1 und WW2, verbunden mit gegenwärtiger Alltagstauglichkeit zu einem niedrigen, werten Preis. Wo gibts das sonst? Hoffe das Beste für dieses großartige Stück Deutscher Industrie- und Kulturgeschichte.

[NGMonocrom]

Another excellent vid.

I owned one when I was a teenager. Sorry to say, I knew nothing about its history. (No internet back then.) But I loved that it was incredibly thin. Perfect for pocket carry. Mine exhibited no play. Unfortunately, I cannot recall what happened to it. Thankfully, I know of a reputable online shop that sell them.

[stschmalhaus]

@NGMonocrom Thank you!

[DobermansRock]

I have carried one for over 20 years. Even in kombat in Iraq 03-04.

[edwyrd]

I love your history vids, very well done, well researched, well produced - perfect. Please keep up the great work, Edwyrd.

[stschmalhaus]

@edwyrd Thank you very much for your kind words!

[An0nEeMouse]

How well known are these knives in Germany today? Are most Germans aware of it, as most people in the West at least are aware of Swiss Army Knives?

[stschmalhaus]

@An0nEeMouse No, I don't think so. The Mercator knife is only known among knife people.

[tvwatcher987]

Whow! Super video!

Sehr kenntnisreich und außergewöhnlich sorgfältig gemacht - wie auch Deine Web-Site. Vielen Dank. Nun steht also ein weiteres Messer auf der "will-haben-Liste".

[stschmalhaus]

@tvwatcher987 Vielen Dank für Deine lobenden Worte!

[photopuppet]

Really enjoyed this, well researched. Thanks and look forward to whatever video is coming next. :)

[stschmalhaus]

@photopuppet Thanks for watching!

[stschmalhaus]

@jimkressin Thank you very much for your kind words!

[1OkiePackRat]

Stefan, Thanks for another GREAT review!! I REALLY like the way that you add some history and background to your videos. Normally this wouldn't be the style of knife that I would buy, but now that I know the history behind it I just ordered one!

[stschmalhaus]

@1OkiePackRat LOL... So even if you don't want to use this knife, it still makes a good conversation item.

[1OkiePackRat]

@stschmalhaus Exactly! Although, I EDC every knife that I buy for at least a week. After that, if I like the way it feels/carries it makes it into my rotation. A couple of the knives that I've picked up after watching a video about them and never really expected to carry much have become EDC favorites.

[educatorul]

thank you for the history lesson.

[Schmidt54]

...and I just ordered one. Thanks Stefan. ;-)

[stschmalhaus]

@Schmidt54 You are welcome! ;-)

[EDCDepot]

Great video. Loved the information on a classic knife. Mine still makes into my EDC rotation.

[stschmalhaus]

@EDCDepot Thanks for watching!

[MrDagon007]

The Mercator knife is a real classic that should be in every knife collection. While such an old design, it is still an excellent cutting tool.

Good overview !

[stschmalhaus]

@MrDagon007 Thank you, my friend!

[sae1095hc]

Excellent review, I watched it twice!

The K55K is an great EDC knife, but a new buyer should remember that it was first made when Abe Lincoln was only two years dead, its fit and finish isn't up to 21st century standards.

[stschmalhaus]

@sae1095hc Thank you! - Yes, the overall construction is more primitive than modern folding knives.

[troy5690]

Your videos are always awesome.......another fine excample.

[stschmalhaus]

@troy5690 Thank you!

[TheCanadianKnifeGuru]

Cool story that is a very nice knife also!

[wcropp1]

Great video. I have always loved these historical, indigenous designs from different countries. In many ways, this knife is indeed the German Douk Douk. I knew that these knives were popularized during the World Wars, but was unaware that the design was 140 years old. Very interesting to think that lock backs have been around for that long. I also prefer the traditional carbon steel on the historical designs. Stainless steel, like plastic, would take away from the charm.

[stschmalhaus]

@wcropp1 I agree, carbon steel is more authentic on this kind of knives. Thanks for watching!

[mccullenj]

Very informative. Great video.

[TheLazySpoiledKitty]

Stefan that was a very interesting video :). You always go the extra mile during your reviews and actually tell us about the whole history of the knife :)!!! And back than no1 needed a locking fancy tactical knife like we have today, this was a true pocket knife with a nice style may i add :). Great review!!

[stschmalhaus]

@TheLazySpoiledKitty Thank you, Caspar! - Doing historical research on a knife is sometimes more interesting than the knife itself. ;-)

[samurai165]

Your videos are truly a pleasure to watch. This knife has a very interesting history, thank you so much for another great review.

[stschmalhaus]

@samurai165 Thanks for watching!

[903lew]

Mercator is also the map projection most of us use on our maps. Maybe herr Kaufmann was alluding to the point that his tools were also sold across the world?

[stschmalhaus]

@903lew Interesting point! Too bad, we can't prove it.

[bigbubba5037]

Awesome review as always Stefan! You always know how to make everything flow together. Keep up the great work my friend.

[stschmalhaus]

@bigbubba5037 Thank you, Christian.

[katabunga]

Awesome little history lesson! Thanks so much for sharing this!

[stschmalhaus]

@katabunga Thanks for watching, Kat!

[Valerieannleeh]

As usual, very interesting and entertaining. Thank you!

[stschmalhaus]

@Valerieannleeh Thanks for watching, Valerie!

[jeckyl321]

Qualität setzt sich durch. Danke für die, wie immer, gute Recherche.

[fredde90210]

★★★★★

You should do more reviews...

Ha en bra dag.

[An0nEeMouse]

Very interesting video, thanks!

[Schmidt54]

Another great, entertaining and informational video! Thank you very much! Gotta have one of these...

[MesheeKnight]

Excellent review

[DaRealRincewind]

Ich habe mir die Geschichte dieses Messers vor einigen tagen bereits zu Gemüte geführt. Ein wirklich interessantes Stück deutscher Messergeschichte. Danke für die Vertiefung meines Wissens über dieses Messer. Ich werde es definitiv auf meine zukünftige Liste setzen.

Beste Grüße,

Chris

[freedoomed]

reminds me of the douk douk with the folded metal handle and the bail.

[stschmalhaus]

@freedoomed Yes, absolutely. MrDagon007 once did a kind of comparison video on the Douk Douk and the Mercator.

[Tardisius]

Very interesting--

a definite item for my wish list.

[ManVsZ0MBiE]

Very cool and thanks for the history, have a great day.

[Snicke22]

+++++

[mrmonkeyman50]

Wow! Another great review... really unique style as always. Interesting that Germany was producing lockbacks about 100 years before Buck in the US was popularizing them. I'm not sure that the protruding lever is a great design, however, as it would mash into your palm and get in the way if you were grabbing tightly. Any idea as to the steel used? Germany had great steels in the 19th century.

[stschmalhaus]

@mrmonkeyman50 Thank you! - As far as I know, today XC 75 is used for the carbon steel blades, and 1.4034 for the stainless steel blades. But I have no idea which steels Heinrich Kaufmann & Söhne used back in the late 19th and early 20th century.

[sae1095hc]

@mrmonkeyman50

It might appear that the locking lever would stick into your hand or unlock, but in a normal grip it's not an issue. Remember, it's only about 6mm or 1/4" thick, so you'll naturally tend to grip the knife primarily by squeezing the sides of the knife between your palm and fingertips.

[1IdeaAhead]

I made an order for the knife a day before this video, now I understand the history of it, thanks!

[SrJoben]

That was facinating and very well done. Thank you.

[stschmalhaus]

@SrJoben Thanks for watching!