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OTTER MERCATOR knife ruthenium damascus blade

The Mercator knife with ruthenium coating
This noble knife captivates with its new coating - the surface of the knife shines dark anthracite.
Ruthenium is a precious metal and one of the rarest elements on our planet. About 20 tons of it are produced worldwide, which is 7 tons more than silver. Ruthenium is mainly found in South Africa, the USA and Russia.
Ruthenium is mainly used in the electrical industry and for coating jewellery. In addition, the knife has been refined with a hand-forged damascus blade from Schmiedeglut. The non-stainless damascus has a beautiful damask pattern, consists of 200 layers and has a value of 60-62 HRC Rockwell.

Actually, the Mercator version is intended for the food industry, but we find this puristic knife also very suitable as a gentleman's knife. Body and blade are made entirely of stainless steel. The OTTER logo, the sea otter, is embossed on the body. Even the army of Kaiser Wilhelm was equipped with Mercator pocket knives. For over 100 years, this simple but extremely robust pocket knife has been produced almost unchanged. Formerly in the famous Solingen blade forge "Mercator"-Indiawerk Heinrich Kaufmann & Söhne.

blade carbon damascus not stainless
handle ruthenium
blade length ca. 90 mm
handle length ca. 110 mm
weight ca. 80 g

Made in Solingen, Germany.

OTTER Solingen

OTTER knives GmbH 

The Otter company was founded around 1840 in a small cottage – a traditional water-powered grinding shop – at the Königsmühle in Solingen. Its name comes from the fish otters that used to live on the banks of the streams and rivers in the Bergisches Land. These adorn the products as the company's logo.

OTTER-Messer GmbH - Schwertstraße 35 - 42651 Solingen

contact: info@otter-messer.de

Product Safety Regulation (ProdSV)
Product Safety Regulation (ProdSV) – Safety Information for Pocket Knives and Fixed Blade Knives1. General Safety Instructions

The pocket knives and fixed blade knives offered by OTTER-Messer are tools that must be used carefully and properly. Please observe the following safety instructions to minimize risks and ensure safe use.

2. Important Notes on Safe Use
  • Cutting Tool, Not a Toy: Pocket knives and fixed blade knives are not toys. They must not be accessible to children or unauthorized persons.
  • Sharp Blades: The knives are sharp and can cause injuries if handled improperly.
    • Always keep fingers away from the cutting area.
    • Store knives in suitable sheaths or cases.
  • No Use for Inappropriate Purposes: Use knives only for their intended purpose (e.g., cutting materials). Avoid prying, throwing, or other improper applications.
  • Safe Transport: Ensure that knives are stored safely during transport so that neither you nor others are endangered.
3. Storage
  • Knives should always be kept out of the reach of children.
  • Store knives in a dry and secure place to prevent rust and unauthorized access.
4. Care and Maintenance
  • Clean knives after use with a damp cloth and dry them thoroughly.
  • Regularly sharpen the blade with appropriate tools to maintain functionality.
  • Avoid contact with aggressive chemicals that could damage the blade or handle.
5. Warning Notes
  • Risk of Injury: Improper use can lead to serious cuts.
  • Misuse May Have Legal Consequences: The improper use of knives can have legal implications in some countries. Adhere to applicable regulations and carry knives only where permitted.
  • Caution with Self-Opening Knives: Knives with automatic or spring-assisted mechanisms must be handled with extra care to prevent unwanted opening.
6. Disclaimer

The manufacturer and seller accept no liability for damages resulting from improper use or disregard of safety instructions.

Note: As this item is a handmade, unique piece made from a natural product, there may be differences between the product images shown and the goods delivered.