Douk-Douk or Mercator k55k?

The Moose

The Moose

Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
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So which one should i pick up? I'm looking for an EDC. Not for anything thing heavy-duty, just in general for what ever life throws at me, which one? Thanks :]
 
Both. They aren't that expensive. Also get an Opinel and Okapi.
I didn't know about the Mercator before this. Darn you, now I have another knife on the to-buy list.
 
My experience is limited with the Douk-douk, but from my experience it is a very light, very simple, user friendly knife with a very reasonable cost. I'm not familiar with the other model mentioned...Take Care...Ed
 
I would go for the Douk-Douk , those knives are sturdy and will last you a life time if you take care of them.

But taking into account the price I will second Jim Preston with the Opinel & Okapi suggestions (Get them all!).

:)
 
They're both thin, tough folders. The Mercator locks, the Douk-Douk doesn't, I believe. The K55 is a spearpoint, the Douk-Douk is a clip point (more knowledgeable members than I can tell you the exact name for the shape).

I can't seem to get a good edge on my Mercator, and it rusts/patinas easily. No experience with the Douk-Douk, but I recall many saying they can maintain a sharp edge on them (same with the Mercator). I like both for their history.
 
I just picked up my second Mercator and love them. My 1st was an original from WWII. My brother borrowed it when we were kids and promptly lost it :( The new one is a real worker:) I didn't have to go out of my way to get it sharpened to my specs and it has held it's edge just fine. The lock up is very secure too. I don't have any experiance with the Douk Douks but I do keep my eyes peeled for them at shows. Someday I will snag one!
 
If you like the Douk-Douk but prefer a spearpoint, get their L'Ecureuil (Squirrel).
The Douk-Douk also comes in a few different clippoint designs, like the Tiki.
You can even get a stainless blade, though the original is carbon steel.

The Douk-Douk is a superb slicer.
The Mercator is more of a heavy-duty beater.
Both of them are more than worth the price.
 
I like my Mercator a lot. havent tried a Douk-Douk yet.

Has a nice this profile that doesnt bulk up in my pocket , and just the thing to slice up schnitzel or sausage , or slicing through cheese or tomatoe for sandwhiches.
 
I just got a Mercator as a gift in the mail today. I had sent for a medium Douk-douk. It got delayed and as a compensation they sent the Mercator.

The Douk-douks are great. I got the small one first. It is really small, so I got the big one called Giant. It is huge. So, today my collection is complete with the middlesized one. If you start with that middlesize one I think it will be enough. It is just right.

The steel is very easy to sharpen, could be used as a razor in a cosmetic emergency. It colors easyly so one has to clean it after or even during household chores. I sliced pizza with the small one and it got dark spots immidiately. They have more or less worn off. The Douk-Douks all look great. Sort of basic and a little magical.

The Mercator also has a basic look, I havent tried it yet but will start at dinnertime slicing vegs for a salad.
 
I can't vouch for it being true, but I've heard that the Mercator is now being made in China.

If so, I'd go for the Douk-Douk.
 
I have both, the Douk Douk comes sharp,I found that the Mercator,takes really well and super sharp if you do a convex sharpening on it.
I have a narrow knife pocket sewn in my jeans, and my Mecator fits in there
really slick. The Mercators are still made in Germany, I believe by Linder.
Both knives are great!! Although I prefer the Mercator as the back lock is very secure :thumbup:
 
Quality of steel and handle seems more or less on the same level. The Douk-Douk only has six parts: Blade, folded steel handle, inner spring, two pins and a lanyard.
That's pretty impressive I think. I have also heard that they can work as money in some parts of the world. Wonder if thay have a good exchange rate in that case,
The blade is somewhat turkish in the shape, and the pattern on the blade and the strange shaman on the handle gives it a really "african" feel.
Excellent for kitchen work and I have just started a little woodcarving to see how it holds up.
The mercator has nine parts. Blade, folded steel handle, inner spring, lockback thing, four pins and lanyard. The lockback mechanism makes it more useful as a defensive weapon, no worry that it will fold back in over own knuckles, in some circumstances, but the D-D is so sturdy in its mechanism that it would be safe too.
I think ColdSteel has something similar too.
 
I can't vouch for it being true, but I've heard that the Mercator is now being made in China.
Click to expand...
Atlanta Cutlery is still advertising them as Solingen made.
 
My Mercator has GERMANY Solingen down on the blade.
And Mercator on the other side.
All knifes i have made in China show that. And chinese stuff is getting ever better. Compare mobile phones and computers. Lots are designed here and assembled there.
They don't hide that.
 
Today I'm carrying both. Mercator in the left front pocket and a small Douk douk in the wallet. Along with a tiny Opinel #2 on the keychain I think I'm about ready for any cutting task.
 
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