Douk-Douk or Mercator k55k?

i dont have a mercator, but the douk douk is a hell of a pocket knife...
it has the strongest backspring i've seen , and the carbon steel used is very tough (x75 if i recall right)
i highly recommend it
 
I have a stainless Douk-Douk,and that thing can get SHARP! :eek: had it for a few years now,always seems to find a way back into my pocket :D
 
Have never handled the Douk-Douk, but by the numbers I've read over the years, it appears to be a well thought of knife. I own 2 Mecators, the K55 and a smaller version of the K55. I prefer the 3 3/4 inch model. It fits my hand and pocket better. The Mercator takes a great edge and the locking of the blade when opened I'm impressed with. A good working knife!: thumbup:Dale
 
It amazes me how many very good knives have the tip stop the blade when it shuts. Here are some pics of some knives I've "fixed". I drill and fit a pin for the heel of the blade to hit when it closes. Then I carefully grind the point of impact to have it close all the way without the tip hitting. On the blue one I kind of messed up in the pin location and had to grind the heel too much. Next time I'll do a paper template instead of winging it.

Don't get me wrong here. I really love the Mercator, especially for the price. When I was 14 (40 years ago), it was my favorite knife. They sold them from an ad in Field And Stream as a "German Survival Kit Knife". I thought they were cool as heck 'cause one fit in my sock unobtrusively. Used it more than any other because it held a better edge, even though I knew nothing about steel then. Buying one was a trip down memory lane. Still a good knife.

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davek14 said:
One thing that hasn't been mentioned.

I like the Mercator for the locking mechanism, but it has one thing I do not like in a knife. When the blade closes it is stopped by the tip hitting a plastic piece in the handle. The Douk Douk is stopped by that little protuberance at the heal of the blade, as it should be in a folder.

I like to keep a carbon steel blade nice and sharp and the tip hitting that plastic piece every time you close it will fold and dull it.
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Wish I thought of pictures way back then. I remember having the K-55 as a teenager-never thought to take pictures but that was 40 years ago and pre- Bladeforums & digital cameras. I grew up in a Blue Collar neighborhood. Buck 110's were common in sheaths carried by adults on their belts. Even back then we thought of three blade slipjoints(Case stockmans,etc.) as an old persons knife. The K-55 was the thing. I can rember having different variations, more then what is still available today. A clip point and a spear point and a bigger version. Copies came out that were made in Japan and they were very good quality. We used to hook a piece of wire from a paper clip,hook it over the metal lanyard and carry it in the back pocket. It would sort of hang straight up. This kept it from falling down in the pocket and was quicker to get out.
One question I have. The non-locking version mentioned-what is the advantage or reason for having this?
 
Dagon said:
My Douk Douk is indeed one of my best cutters, amazing in fact. The Mercator is also a great classic with an incredible lock. We knife knuts should have them both.
FYI, since there is some confusion about Mercator in earlier posts, I bought mine straight from the German manufacturer here.
A sister product to the Mercator is also a must for us: a classic hand made German "anchor" knife .
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Quoted for truth.
I have a Mercator, and it's a great blade packed into a rugged handle... at an unbeatable price. No frills, all tool.
The Otter Messer anchor knife is a great one as well; I've got mine in my back pocket as I type this.
 
The larger ones were all Japan knocks offs. There were clip and spear point blades in the real German ones. The non locking is mostly for legal reasons were a smaller blade and non locking blade are needed to comply with the law.....The Japan ones were not that well made. I still have several of all these in my collection....
 
Mercator is still produced the traditional way and in the same factory in Germany. Personally I prefer a beefier handle = Opinel for a low cost, reliable EDC. I paid $5 for a 40 yo #9 that was starting to get a bit loose from use - I replaced the pin (about 20 mins from start to finish) and it's as tight as when new, and the blade is only barely worn and back to shaving sharp.
 
take a look at the Pocket Bushman. Very strong, simple bullet proof lock. Very nice for $30.

Love it.
 
I remember having a "German Cat knife". Looked like a Mercator, but was probably a knockoff because it was pure junk.
 
For many years I thought these were no longer made. Stopped seeing them in stores and catalogs. I know there are others with memories of this blade. I bet if it found its way back into the retail market-hardware stores,Army Navy stores,Target ,etc. it would sell. I was at three neighborwood hardware stores and a Home Depot. Everything I saw was made in China junk.
 
The k-55 is still sold by Atlanta Cutlery and World Knives, and others for $20. A solid value!
 
I got a douk douk last week and it is a relly great knife. I can put it in my back pocket and forget about it until i need it. It cuts anything that needs to be cut. THe best part is it's so cheap im not afraid to beat it up. Lee Valley Tools has it for under 15 dollars if anyone is interested.
 
Lee Valley moved them down to $12.50 and free shipping. so I just ordered three.....they will be joining my ten K55's......
 
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