1930s Douk-Douk

ballex · Apr 26, 2021

I’m not sure if there’s that many Douk-Douk fans around but I thought it be interesting to show the early model compared to the current one.
The top one is the first model from the 1930s and the bottom is a current model which is also my EDC so yes it does look beat up compared to the 90 year old one!

-Blade-
Old one has a full blade where as the newer model has a choil.

-Stamp logo-
Old model has a rounder douk-douk sorcerer with one foot having toes where as the newer is slimmer without toes. There are other slight differences as you will also notice.

-Bail-
Old version has a round bail where as the newer is flat. Also on the older version the bail rivet goes through the spring. In the newer model the bail rivet doesn’t go through the spring but is positioned in front of it to keep the tension

Hyesouljah · Apr 26, 2021

I don’t own one myself but I always thought these were really cool. That is a great timeless collection you have there. Thanks for sharing!

ballex · Apr 26, 2021

Hyesouljah said:
I don’t own one myself but I always thought these were really cool. That is a great timeless collection you have there. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! The Douk-Douk hasn't change much and is still handmade in France by the Cognet family and this since 1929.

You can find the new models for under $30 so it's worth buying one. They make an excellent kitchen knife if you decide that EDC is not for you. You'll find then in with carbon blade but also they make them in stainless now.

joeradza · Apr 26, 2021

ballex said:
I’m not sure if there’s that many Douk-Douk fans around but I thought it be interesting to show the early model compared to the current one.
The top one is the first model from the 1930s and the bottom is a current model which is also my EDC so yes it does look beat up compared to the 90 year old one!

View attachment 1553731
-Blade-
Old one has a full blade where as the newer model has a choil.
View attachment 1553725

-Stamp logo-
Old model has a rounder douk-douk sorcerer with one foot having toes where as the newer is slimmer without toes. There are other slight differences as you will also notice.
View attachment 1553726

-Bail-
Old version has a round bail where as the newer is flat. Also on the older version the bail rivet goes through the spring. In the newer model the bail rivet doesn’t go through the spring but is positioned in front of it to keep the tension
View attachment 1553727

Here’s a shot of my five «oldies» and the original box that was used to export these knives back in the 30s
View attachment 1553730

I’m a huge Douk-Douk fan mine get used and abused (unlike any other knife) but that doesn’t affect them. They are a superior design. Every once in a while I’ll buy a new one just to have a new one. LOVE ‘EM. Thanks for the pics and the history.

ballex · Apr 26, 2021

joeradza said:
I’m a huge Douk-Douk fan mine get used and abused (unlike any other knife) but that doesn’t affect them. They are a superior design. Every once in a while I’ll buy a new one just to have a new one. LOVE ‘EM. Thanks for the pics and the history.

They're so simple...only 6 parts in all! Also such an ease to sharpen due to the blade softness. With a bit of care they can last forever.

joeradza · Apr 26, 2021

ballex I love simple indestructible easy to sharpen knives. My wirejacks only have three parts. This one has a finger guard, so make it 4.

Sidehill Gouger · Apr 26, 2021

In the 1930's they had a much wider range of models including lockbacks. I saw some interesting collections at the Belgium knife show a couple of years ago.

ballex · Apr 26, 2021

Sidehill Gouger said:
In the 1930's they had a much wider range of models including lockbacks. I saw some interesting collection at the Belgium knife show a couple of years ago.

The Cognet knife company made various knives but the Douk-Douk model was never made with lockback.

Sidehill Gouger · Apr 26, 2021

We might have to define what a Douk Douk is/was. To me if it has the stamped metal handle, I don't care what kind of critter/witch doctor is stamped on it or what blade shape it has if Cognet made it its a Douk Douk. They were all made for the same markets mostly in French African colonies.

Fodderwing · Apr 26, 2021

ballex said:
I’m not sure if there’s that many Douk-Douk fans around but I thought it be interesting to show the early model compared to the current one.
The top one is the first model from the 1930s and the bottom is a current model which is also my EDC so yes it does look beat up compared to the 90 year old one!

View attachment 1553731

-Blade-
Old one has a full blade where as the newer model has a choil.
View attachment 1553725

Very interesting post. Thanks for sharing these.

ballex · Apr 26, 2021

Sidehill Gouger said:
We might have to define what a Douk Douk is/was. To me if it has the stamped metal handle, I don't care what kind of critter/witch doctor is stamped on it or what blade shape it has if Cognet made it its a Douk Douk. They were all made for the same markets mostly in French African colonies.

Cognet didn't only make douk douk and as for the douk douk they never were made with a lockback. Here's a site with pretty much every douk-douk ever made and none have lockbacks. You might be referring to the Bundu model which some had lockback but the Bundu is not a Douk-Douk.

https://www.lecouteau.info/couteaux...-douk-douk-et-ses-frères/les-vrais-douk-douk/

Here's a link to more knives that Cognet made:

https://www.lecouteau.info/couteaux...ouk-et-ses-frères/les-autres-couteaux-cognet/

Leslie Tomville · Apr 26, 2021

ballex ,

Thank you for this most interesting post; especially the links. I can feel myself being transported back in time. What a fascinating history. I have also enjoyed your photographs in earlier posts. These would be great knives to collect. The only thing stopping me is limited l’argent! I noticed that you placed a few for sale on the Exchange. Did someone buy them? They are not familiar to most of us, and I imagine your market is limited. However, that says nothing about how very interesting and beautiful they are. I love the artistic design work. I can especially see why talented photographers like Alan and Dwight would find them appealing.

joeradza and

Fodderwing

joeradza · Apr 26, 2021

Leslie Tomville Thank you for the kind words Greg. The Douk-Douks rank at the top of the charts as far as cool is concerned. Also, in a great all around knife.

Hibou Canne · Apr 26, 2021

gr8 knives TYFS. they need to bring back le lion and the sheepfoot tiki
ATB

joeradza · Apr 26, 2021

Here's one with a seashell painted by my stepson.

BrotherJim · Apr 27, 2021

How does someone even find a box of unused knives from the 1930's ?!?!?!
Thank you for sharing them with us.
I have several and my favorite is the squirrel. Just feels better balanced in my hand.

Wild Willie · Apr 27, 2021

My primary carry knife is a Douk Douk as well.

ballex · Apr 27, 2021

Leslie Tomville said:
ballex ,

Thank you for this most interesting post; especially the links. I can feel myself being transported back in time. What a fascinating history. I have also enjoyed your photographs in earlier posts. These would be great knives to collect. The only thing stopping me is limited l’argent! I noticed that you placed a few for sale on the Exchange. Did someone buy them? They are not familiar to most of us, and I imagine your market is limited. However, that says nothing about how very interesting and beautiful they are. I love the artistic design work. I can especially see why talented photographers like Alan and Dwight would find them appealing. joeradza and Fodderwing

They are not that well known in the States and Canada but in Europe they are highly collectable and fetch lots of dollars for the old models. Some are so rare that you could spend a lifetime searching for them and never come lucky. I decided to put down the sale post I had when I noticed they were not well known. I might sell a few of the 1930s new old stock since I do not need 5 of them.

Hibou Canne said:
gr8 knives TYFS. they need to bring back le lion and the sheepfoot tiki
ATB

They will never make them exactly like before because it would confuse what is old and new. It's the reason why the blade, the handles, stamps, etc, are different. Imagine owning an expensive rare knife that would be re-made exactly the same. But Cognet did bring them back but with a modern twist which you might like. Here's the link:

https://www.coutellerie-cognet.com/PBSCCatalog.asp?CatID=3962081

BrotherJim said:
How does someone even find a box of unused knives from the 1930's ?!?!?!
Thank you for sharing them with us.
I have several and my favorite is the squirrel. Just feels better balanced in my hand.

It's not easy finding the old ones. Sometimes you get lucky with ebay but mostly by searching various European classified add sites. I also like L'Ecureuil, it does feel great in the hands.

Gonzalo · Apr 27, 2021

Excellent article about this famous French knife. Amazing luck to get hold of five vintage Douk Douks in their original packaging! Thank you for sharing them, for the story, and for the links. Here goes my one and only with stainless blade (pic already posted, but it was at hand). Very good knife.

ballex · Apr 27, 2021

Gonzalo said:
Excellent article about this famous French knife. Amazing luck to get hold of five vintage Douk Douks in their original packaging! Thank you for sharing them, for the story, and for the links. Here goes my one and only with stainless blade (pic already posted, but it was at hand). Very good knife.

Thank you, I did lots of 'hunting' in order to find the rare ones. I never owned a stainless blade douk, I will definitely get one soon. Cool pictures and beautiful pipes!

1930s Douk-Douk

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