June 16, 2008
More Mercator Photos – and Knives as History
Knives always tell a story.
The first three pictures above are of an old Mercator from my personal collection. It is a very “German” knife – well constructed, rugged, utilitarian, stark. It’s a big knife measuring 5″ closed. I believe it is WWI era.
The knife is marked “Mills Sales, Co., Solingen, Germany”. It is likely a contract knife made by a Solingen manufaturer for an English or American company. I was able to find a Mills Sales, Co. in Michigan, but cannot definitively connect this knife to them.
What I like best about this knife is the patina. It is a subtle aspect of the overall knife, but it speaks volumes. The evenly worn surface is a clue to a facet of the history of this piece. The knife has obviously been carried and used for a long, long time, but it has also been well cared for.
Over the many years I have been looking at knives I have noticed that they often have this quality. It is a combination of long term use and above average care and maintenance that betrays ones special relationship to the oldest of tools.
The bottom image illustrates this perfectly. It is a Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & co. (1855-1960) probably from the 1920s or so. As you can see this knife has been used! Even the fingernail file is worn down to a nub. But, the exterior is pocket worn only and does not have a scratch on it. Also, the blades have plenty of snap and are still razor sharp. It makes me wonder: who was the meticulous owner of this knife?
I think that it is this this type of contemplation that makes people love history so much. Whether real or imagined, the story and what it says about people and their relationship to things is eternally fascinating. Knives always tell a story. They are a dynamic conduit for design, art, culture and history.
Comments(2)
Hey Chris : I’ve just return from a walk through a bunch of antique shops, standing along a railway station, called Las Barrancas, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Today’s my 60th birtday, and went there looking for a knife to buy fot myself…. And I’ve just seen one Mercator exactly as the one you show above (the all metal). It is in very good shape, and has the marking “Lubricantes Federal” (Federal lubricants or oils) on one side, as you mentioned for Mills Sales Co. The seller told me that he had another one, marked “Renault”.
He asks 280 argentine pesos, which equals some 90 US dollars. Don’t know if it is a correct price, because these guys often ask well above the normal, but “normal” in these cases corresponds with how eager are you to have that piece. I tink I’ll return and buy it, after some bargaining. As you said, this knife has also been well taken care off, with the blade absolutely clean, not worn out and without and play in its mounting. I’ll let you know if I finally buy it. A hug from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Dear Ricardo-
Great to hear from you. I think those Mercator knives have made it to all corners of the world. They have been used for a long time as promotional knives and can still be found as current promotional items.
If you are interested in how these are made today you can go here and see my videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/worldknives
I think that you are correct that your friend is too high with the price. The one pictured I got for about $20 at a knife show. But if you had to pay $40 I think it would be ok. But if you love it an have the money …???
I appreciate your comments and please tell your friends about the blog if you know any knife “nuts”.
Keep in touch!
Chris