Douk-Douk Question

M

Mitch Taldison

Joined
Jan 26, 2019
Messages
87
Hi! First time post! :)

I am interested in the classic Douk-Douk French made knife and see it comes in a few colors now, black, all silver, carbon blade, stainless blade, etc. etc.

So what one is most close to the classics? Did the old ones from years past have black handles? Silver? I assume the blade steel was carbon?

I’m assembling a small collection of classic knives from around the world, and want a Douk-Douk that resembles the ones from the olden times. :)

Thanks, bye!! :)
 
Carbon steel blade and black handle is classic setup. But that black oxide on handle is very vunerable, I removed it with ferric chloride after it was touched by limon juice.

pQ5LIRI.jpg


U6McAsg.jpg


Mine is also modifed on back of the handle, so mind that.
 
Thank you friends!! :)

Are the new Douks of good quality? I assume they are still made in France? Thank you all so much! I see there are a couple different lengths of the knife, 3” and 3.65” blades. Were both available from the start? Is one length the original and the other cams after?
 
Awesome, thanks!! Sorry for all the questions!!

Which size is best for a douk-douk? I do not mind carrying a bigger blade, I have big pockets on my military trousers and jeans and I read the knife is so thin!! But is the smaller or larger better?? Does anyone know when the small one started being made?
 
There are three sizes : the classic one (middle size) which was later completed by a small and a giant. I have all three and must say the classic is about all I need in a pocket knife. I keep a small in the coin purse, just in case I was without another knife. The giant was my EDC for years (you need solid pockets and wide trousers, no skinny jeans !). They are still produced in France by Coutellerie Cognet, the inventor and original manufacturer of the Douk-Douk. Over forty years, the quality has been consistent : astonishlingly tight build, strong spring and sharp blade for such an affordable knife.
The small in coin purse :
OQPwRPn.jpg

The classic (upper) and the small (below) for comparison. Don't worry for the acid etched decoration, it fades quickly with use :
u91Ffai.jpg


And, last but not least, the so-called giant which is just a hefty folder (5.5" closed, blade 4.5")
Ok4AAiH.jpg
 
herisson said:
There are three sizes : the classic one (middle size) which was later completed by a small and a giant. I have all three and must say the classic is about all I need in a pocket knife. I keep a small in the coin purse, just in case I was without another knife. The giant was my EDC for years (you need solid pockets and wide trousers, no skinny jeans !). They are still produced in France by Coutellerie Cognet, the inventor and original manufacturer of the Douk-Douk. Over forty years, the quality has been consistent : astonishlingly tight build, strong spring and sharp blade for such an affordable knife.
The small in coin purse :
OQPwRPn.jpg

The classic (upper) and the small (below) for comparison. Don't worry for the acid etched decoration, it fades quickly with use :
u91Ffai.jpg


And, last but not least, the so-called giant which is just a hefty folder (5.5" closed, blade 4.5")
Ok4AAiH.jpg
Click to expand...

Amazing!! Those are wonderful looking knives!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for explaining to me the size differences, I didn’t know about the giant! Seems the classic mid size one would be ideal for me. I just ordered one from Blade HQ. I trust Blade HQ to deliver an authentic knife, have had some bad luck with some other sellers sending out fake Chinese knives.

Guys I am feeling like on cloud 9 right now! Can’t wait to get this new, classic knife. I love the old school things and to learn the same people in France still mKe these like in the old times is too neat for words!! Can’t wait to get this knife guys!! :D
 
I wish you a lot of enjoyment with your knife. The classic is the good choice, IMO, to get a feeling for the knife. Honestly, both the small and the giant are great knives, it's just about what you expect from an EDC folder. You may migrate to the smaller or the bigger, or get the silver or the drop point version (squirrel). Happy journey in the Douk-Douk world !
 
herisson said:
I wish you a lot of enjoyment with your knife. The classic is the good choice, IMO, to get a feeling for the knife. Honestly, both the small and the giant are great knives, it's just about what you expect from an EDC folder. You may migrate to the smaller or the bigger, or get the silver or the drop point version (squirrel). Happy journey in the Douk-Douk world !
Click to expand...
And they also did the ‘Tiki’, to sell in French Polynesia in the South Pacific. We went there on our honeymoon, so I bought one for my wife. Happy times. :)

I do prefer the Mercator K55K, however. ;)
 
Hell yeah, the Mercator has a lock ! I don't diss on the Mercator, it's a very nice knife in this special style. I just don't have a need for a lock on this kind of knife. The beasty spring of the Douk-Douk fits the bill, in this regard. Otherwise, they are absolutely close cousins. The handle of the Mercator seems to be made of slightly heavier steel sheet. I'm not sure because my only Mercator is a six blade knife which didn't impress me much (fit & finish wise). The handle, though, is very solid. Add this handle to a blade with Laguiole notch tang (instead of the square tang) and you get a killer Douk with "virtual fixed blade capacity". Shall I tell the Cognets ? What are you waiting for ? There will be at least a 100 knife nuts (I hope) lusting for it, me included.
 
herisson said:
Hell yeah, the Mercator has a lock ! I don't diss on the Mercator, it's a very nice knife in this special style. I just don't have a need for a lock on this kind of knife. The beasty spring of the Douk-Douk fits the bill, in this regard. Otherwise, they are absolutely close cousins. The handle of the Mercator seems to be made of slightly heavier steel sheet. I'm not sure because my only Mercator is a six blade knife which didn't impress me much (fit & finish wise). The handle, though, is very solid. Add this handle to a blade with Laguiole notch tang (instead of the square tang) and you get a killer Douk with "virtual fixed blade capacity". Shall I tell the Cognets ? What are you waiting for ? There will be at least a 100 knife nuts (I hope) lusting for it, me included.
Click to expand...
Haha, I like your style. :thumbsup:

The single blade Mercator is a very pleasing knife, indeed. I agree that the Douk Douk absolutely does not require a lock, save for certified morons. That back spring is ludicrously strong, I love it. In French Colonial North Africa, people were known to hammer down the handle at the opening, turning it into a genuine fixed blade. I’m sure you knew that already, but just posting it for general interest! We are all at different stages in our journey of knife fascination, and not everybody reading GKD will know that! ;)

Also, the history of the Douk Douk and its spin-offs is the story of a hapless, incompetent marketing strategy. But that is another story... ;)
 
From some smaller sales brochures I've had from the company -

1930's - Black Enamel or Nickel/Chrome with the Turkish clip. Classic sized.

1960's - Black Enamel in Spear, Turkish or Sheepsfoot. 2 Sizes offered (classic and smaller). Nickel plated less popular, mainly being showcased in the Sheepsfoot.

1980 - That year they were showcasing mainly Spear and Turkish clip models in the oxide and nickel finishes. 200mm and 160mm, and the Turkish clipped giant.

I'm sure they offered more, but those were probably the most popular models.
 
To the OP, I would be interested to hear what other classic knives you have added to your collection. This thread prompts me to pull my own Douk-Douk off the shelf, where it has sat pretty much unmolested since I bought it a few years ago in the course of an investigation similar to yours.

I got the Mercator at about the same time. It struck me then how two knives, apparently so similar, could feel so different in hand. The Douk-Douk has to be one of the most uncomfortable knives I have ever held. The raw edges of the folded steel handle dig into my hand with anything but a pinch grip. The sharp spine of the Douk-Douk combined with the stiff spring, make it uncomfortable to close.

In contrast, the Mercator is not at all uncomfortable. As a result, the Mercator gets some pocket time, while the Douk-Douk sits. It’s too bad, because the Douk-Douk has hipster cachet out the wazoo. Not that anyone around here would notice.
 
tltt said:
From some smaller sales brochures I've had from the company -

1930's - Black Enamel or Nickel/Chrome with the Turkish clip. Classic sized.

1960's - Black Enamel in Spear, Turkish or Sheepsfoot. 2 Sizes offered (classic and smaller). Nickel plated less popular, mainly being showcased in the Sheepsfoot.

1980 - That year they were showcasing mainly Spear and Turkish clip models in the oxide and nickel finishes. 200mm and 160mm, and the Turkish clipped giant.

I'm sure they offered more, but those were probably the most popular models.
Click to expand...

Would be interesting to know all the blade variations they offered on them over time. The sheepsfoot sure looks handsome. I wasn't aware that they'd ever made one.

ob_f6441a93f8022d2fbb867882f0e8d7c4_doukdouklion2.jpg
 
Henry Beige said:
To the OP, I would be interested to hear what other classic knives you have added to your collection. This thread prompts me to pull my own Douk-Douk off the shelf, where it has sat pretty much unmolested since I bought it a few years ago in the course of an investigation similar to yours.

I got the Mercator at about the same time. It struck me then how two knives, apparently so similar, could feel so different in hand. The Douk-Douk has to be one of the most uncomfortable knives I have ever held. The raw edges of the folded steel handle dig into my hand with anything but a pinch grip. The sharp spine of the Douk-Douk combined with the stiff spring, make it uncomfortable to close.

In contrast, the Mercator is not at all uncomfortable. As a result, the Mercator gets some pocket time, while the Douk-Douk sits. It’s too bad, because the Douk-Douk has hipster cachet out the wazoo. Not that anyone around here would notice.
Click to expand...

Hi!! So far, not many! I have an Opinel 8, as well as a vintage Case Barlow. I’m going to get a Buck 110 in due time, but first must use and experience the Douk-Douk! :)
 
Hi all,

This is my first post; Been a member for a little bit but haven’t felt like I’ve had much to say until I saw this thread.

Op I have gone down a similar path to you trying to find ‘historic’ knives. I haven’t picked up a Douk Douk yet but have a couple of other suggestions you may be interested in.

1. Any Opinel in the size of your preference (no.7 really does it for me)
2. Svord Peasant knife
3. Mam cutlery
4. Mercator k55k (already mentioned but I really enjoy mine)
5. Victorinox SAK

It’s hard to think of them in the same way as Opinel etc but they have been around a good long time and think they qualify. Also, they are great. I love my huntsman.

There is a lot of variety with the Mam knives but I was excited to find a sheepsfoot in the medium size at a good price but unfortunately the quality was atrocious and developed severe side to side blade wobble pretty quickly, tapping the pivot down only helped temporarily. Hopefully just a lemon.

I feel like I’ve forgotten one or two options but hopefully that gives you a bit of good for thought.

Thanks

Sorry just edited as I noticed you already have an Opinel.
 
Personally I carry now small Douk Douk in survival kit placed in small Barkley's box. It has perfect blade for precise job, like SAK. 90 mm douk Douk is good for edc, it has size of Benchmade 940. Vendedouk Corsica is nice knife too, designed by Fred Perrin for Cognet manufacture.

As you can see I removed those "D" lanyard shekels in big ones.

eq072An.jpg


brGAnTK.jpg


That chrome handle in small DD is a little bit slippery, so I polished it some time ago with abrasive cloth. My small DD is El Baraka version, for muslim countries, where you can't have some gods on things. There is also Douk Douk TIKI version with another god, also classic design.

I wish that American companies like Benchmade have such thin blade behind the edge in their knives in future, at least in designs like Proper.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top