This storied and iconic knife is handmade in Solingen, Germany, the historical capital of fine German cutlery production. Produced by Otter – Messer, the original manufacturer was the Kaufmann Company, located at Hochstrasse 55—hence the ‘K55’ designation. The ‘K’ also represents katzen (cat)—American GI’s returning from Germany after WWII brought the knife back to the US and called the knife ‘the Black Cat’ for the embossed symbol which is still hand painted today. The slim, black painted body is made from a one piece of stainless steel. The stainless steel blade features a nail nick for easy opening and a lockback mechanism to hold the blade in place.