Mercator K55K: Is this still the best EDC knife of 2022?

At a glance:

Steel: C75 Carbon or Stainless

Scales: To old for scales. More steel please!

Clip: No clip. Seriously old school bail loop

Blade length: 3.5"

Blade shape: Spear point

Locking: Uses unique back lock

Overall

The Mercator K55K is a fantastic knife. When you get a good one, that is. This is very old, and very unique design from 1867. 

Because this knife pattern is 155 years old, it works a little different. Not in a bad way, but in a 'I don't have modern conveniences' kind of way. 

As for all EDC products that full reviews are done for on this blog, this knife has been carried for well over 30+ days (probably closer to 6 months on this one, its a personal favorite) to write this review, This longer time span is done to ensure that the product reviews done here are thorough, and well made junk doesn't slide through. 

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Now for the review!

Blade:

The Blade on the K55K is C75 Carbon steel. This is a 'firmer' steel, and is not to hard to get a razor sharp edge on. 

The knife in the picture is actually a second purchase of the same knife. For a lot of reasons, I really enjoy this knife, but the first one I had was heat treated poorly, and simply would not take or keep an edge no matter how long or well I would sharpen it.

At almost 4" long, the blade on this knife is very usable. The slender spear point is useful in food prep, as it is agile in making precision cuts. The K55K handles like a folding paring knife.

Being that this is a carbon steel, it picks up interesting patterning on the blade with us. Rust is possible, but a 'forced patina' usually prevents most of this. Watching the patina develop and change over time is a lot of fun, and keeps me away from stainless : )

Otter-Messer produces a stainless version of the K55K, but I don't see the fun in that!

Handle 

The handle area of the K55K is very comfortable, despite being thin. It is made of painted steel and features a backlock about 3/4 way up the spine. There is no pocket clip, but a bail loop is on the knife. 

One of the concerns I had with this knife before purchase was if the backlock is in a position that it won't be depressed while in use. Thankfully, it is a safe design - the backlock switch rests below where you would naturally put your thumb while in use.

 

The handle shape is 'ergonomically neutral', and doesn't force a hand position. With use, the paint does wear down over time, but like the patina on the blade, the knife actually begins to become more of a reflection of who you are through use. 

Cons:

1.) There are production versions of this knife out there with a bad heat treat. Placing an edge on a knife should never be frustrating, but with the first one I had it was extremely frustrating. For a 155 year old knife, this really shouldn't be a problem.

2.) No pocket clip. This really isn't a deal breaker when you consider how thin the knife is - but fishing for your knife can get old fast. What really makes up for this is how thin this knife is - you can barely tell you have it in your pocket.

Overall:

The knife is a riveted design, which loosens up over time and becomes easier to open and close. This is a very slim knife, and when you carry it, it simply disappears in your pocket. These are fantastic 'features', and I never get tired carrying this.

I enjoy EDC'ing this knife because it is a modern day antique - Very high quality for not a lot of money. The K55K has a lot of character, and you would be hard pressed to find someone else carrying the same model. 

It is very unique, and for about the same price as a Gerber Paraframe, you get a much better quality knife, both in steel quality and design. In my opinion, the K55K does show its age, but in 2022 this is still a fantastic knife for the money.

Pricing is about $37 on Amazon as of time of writing. I have posted a link below if interested. Thanks for reading!

Mercator K55K - Carbon Steel, Amazon