Mercator K55K Nahkämpfer

The Mercator K55K is an iconic knife that has been around for at least 150 years. First made by Kaufmann & Söhne, Solingen, Germany. This simple began legendary due to low price, durability, and popularity. Known as the "Schwarze Katze" (Black Cat) because of the distinctive black handle with the Cat leaping over the K55K symbol, the cat remains a popular even today.

Kaufmann & Söhne was founded in 1859, They introduced the Mercator Trademark in 1867 and the Black Cats remained in in production by Kaufmann/Mercator until 1959, when Kaufman, a family own business closed its door. At that time the Mercator and K55K TMs were purchased by Otter Messer, another well known knife company in Solingen, Germany. Otter Messer continues to make the Black Cat Knives.

The mystique around the simple Black Cat spread beyond Germany partly because of its popularity with Germany soldiers during both World Wars. It was during WWI when the knife pattern picked up the nickname NahKämpfer (Close-up Fighter or Close Fighter). It is unknown if the knife was ever officially issued by the German Army. However, it was so frequently encountered among German Soldiers that Allied soldier assumed it must have been an issue knife.

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