Douk-Douk Sizing Question

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CrepuscularGimlet

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Jun 9, 2026
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Being new here, I am trying my best to search through previous threads to perhaps find an answer to my question previously, however I am lacking in my skills perhaps.

It is my understanding that there are essentially two sizes of the Douk-Douk - the larger of them being to 200mm/20cm one, correct? Given that there are beautiful modern-ish versions, as shown through VCM3 (looking at that plum one that someone credited him for, though I have forgotten who), are those the traditional sizes?

An additional question that is much more specific, I think. In this post:
VCM3

Post in thread 'Traditional French Fry day'

Good morning everyone . I recently acquired these Douk Douk knives in a trade . I pondered where ,what thread ,to add them too. I'm told they're old & kinda scarce

These 4 first
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And of those 4 the one on the left ,well I have this box ,kinda in tact . I think the box was possibly for a dozen or so ,judging from it's size


55327447822_02db67c3ca_b.jpg



Included in this " collection" ,these two ,I am told are " fakes" made in France
I posted these on a Facebook group and I...
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is the Ed-Dib for the Levant market? I.E. - is it in reference to the man who found the Dead Sea Scrolls?
 
CrepuscularGimlet said:
is the Ed-Dib for the Levant market? I.E. - is it in reference to the man who found the Dead Sea Scrolls?
Click to expand...
I am pretty sure “ED DIB” is just supposed to be “The Wolf” in Arabic (الذئب). Makes sense, since it has a wolf logo, and the other one is “Le Lion”, with a lion logo.
 
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Douk-Douks are generally in two sizes 11cm closed or 9cm closed, carbon or stainless versions. However there are a number of 'specials' issued from time to time with interesting handle designs or Damascus blades (which to me rather negates the whole point of these knives: genius simplicity, rugged performance and moderate cost). Currently a Géant is being offered 24cm open with a Sheepfoot type blade (according to Cognet's current website) 2029 marks the knife's centenary, impressive !
 
I had learned that the Douk Douk was not created until after WW1, I came about that answer as I had tried to find if French troops used them in The Great War. I did learn the French Foreign Legion did use them and they had a sinister reputation during the Algerian Crisis, used by some for torture. I still did not find out conclusively if the Free French forces or if the French Underground used them during WW2, I assume they did. Or during the Indo China war as France tried to reclaim Vietnam as a colony.

I was impressed with their simplicity and rugged construction, having discovered them after I learned of German Kat knives.
 
Thank each of you for your replies - I came to my interest in it, in conjunction with my interest in numismatics. As an aside - I am aware of the Knives and Coins thread - which is engrossing to say the least.
 
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