Ever try a Douk Douk?

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

Joined
Dec 3, 2000
Messages
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If ya' haven't, then ya' darn skippy oughta!

I know the Douk Douk is really old news to the old hands around here, but to us youngun's, that aint necessarily the case.

I picked one up a few weeks ago on kind of a whim, and it has now replaced my beloved Lonewolf T2 Ranger as my EDC.

My Douk Douk is a medium size which means it has a four inch Carbon Steel blade with a Turkish Clip point and a Rockwell Hardness of around 52. The blade is very thin, and will take an astonishingly sharp edge. How sharp you may ask? I shaved a five day beard with it the other day.:D It's technically considered a hollow ground blade, although it's a pretty darn thin hollow grind from what my eyes can see. It was very easily thinned down and convexed.

The handle is made from a single piece of folded sheetmetal with a very strong backspring that takes some people a little getting used to It has a small swivel on the back of it that would be handy for attaching a lanyard or a hanger. On one side of the handle is what appears to be a very, very perturbed little pinecone lookin' critter. Turns out it's a picture of Douk Douk himself- the French Polynesian GOD OF DOOM!!! (ad lib the hushed voice and the shudders) I guess I'd be a bit angry if I looked like a pine cone with a dunce cap and had no arms too.

It's a very thin, razor sharp knife that's remarkably easy to live with, cheap, and has a wicked sharp edge and point. You can get 'em off the net for $15-$20 most of the time.

The first place that comes to mind for 'em is Laci Szabo's site

http://www.szaboinc.com

But I know there's several other places that sell 'em too. Definitely worth consideration if you haven't tried one yet.

Here's a neat little link noting the history:

http://www.covecutlery.com/item.cfm?ItemsID=323
 
Hmmm, I already love two French folders, the Opinels, and Laguioles (from various makers). Think I might have to try a Douk-Douk as well. The French folders appeal to me as honest working knives. I'm fond of the simplicity of a single blade, of good shape and size, and made of quality steel that's tempered nice and tough. Takes and holds an edge just fine, but sharpens handily with "traditional" methods. Like many of us, I went through a phase in quest of "super steels", so hard and abrasion resistant they can cut virtually anything and never need sharpening. Horse feathers, I know better now. What worked for great grandad is just fine for me. :D

Thanks for the pointer on the Douk-Douk RWS. By the way, did you know these knives were also popular with the French Foreign Legion "back in the day"? Apparently it was common practice to crimp the handle at the pivot area with a hammer, effectively turning the knife into a fixed blade. What that implies to me is that they were using the things for cutting more than just cheese and sausage. :eek:

Sarge
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
Like many of us, I went through a phase in quest of "super steels", so hard and abrasion resistant they can cut virtually anything and never need sharpening. Horse feathers, I know better now. What worked for great grandad is just fine for me. :D


Sarge
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I think I've spent more money learning that particular lesson that I would have spent on a doctorate at the state university...:D
 
No half stepping around, my Douk-Douks are on order. Yes, as in plural, found 'em on sale at Garret Wade (they carry woodworking and gardening tools). Check it out, two Douk-Douks, a large and a small, for $27.50 :D :thumbup: http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=107981

12T0101.jpg


Sarge
 
RWS,
Laci is a friend & a great guy.Sarge is right(hurts me to agree with him):D about the Foreign Legion.Want to learn more about the DD.Go to a friend of Laci's site
Fred Perrin,also a nice guy.
THE DUCK:cool:
 
I've read just about every thing I can find from Perrin. I still get the giggles when I remember his review of the Cold Steel Spetnatz shovel.

I wish I could find his page of reviews now....

I found his review of the Douk here:

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/2292/doukdoukrev.htm

Incidentally, my co-workers on the slope have fallen in love with mine, and I've been asked to bring some back for the other guys. Might as well get 'em from Laci, might get a cool shirt or something while I'm at it.
 
Kukri4302 said:
RWS,
Laci is a friend & a great guy.Sarge is right(hurts me to agree with him):D about the Foreign Legion.Want to learn more about the DD.Go to a friend of Laci's site
Fred Perrin,also a nice guy.
THE DUCK:cool:
Click to expand...

My baby brother spent some time with the Foreign Legion guys when he was in Somalia. Said they struck him as a pretty serious bunch of fellows. Still, his favorite Somalia story is the night his camp got overrun and he would have been cold meat if a couple squads of Marines hadn't helo-inserted and gave them Somalis one he&& of a "hosedown". Git 'r done Devil Dogs :thumbup:

Sarge

hmmmmm, Douk-Douk, almost sounds like Duck-Duck, wonder if them things is meant for stickin' ducks, Bwaaaaaa
 
aproy1101 said:
Sarge. I have often wanted a Laguiole, but have hesitated because some makers products look cheap. Any hints at a good maker would be much obliged.

Edited. That dang Garret Wade catalog has several I want. Like this one:

http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?lGen=crossSell&itemID=106053&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=106053

They've got some pretty ring lock knives too. With ebony, or wenge handles. MMMM.
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Andy, regarding the Laguiole knives, the ones I own are from Forge de Laguiole, Laguiole de l'Artisan, and G. David (Arbalete). They're all very good, with the Forge de Laguioles exhibiting probably the best fit and finish overall, but also commanding the highest prices. A couple of my Laguioles are kind of big, but probably the best all around size for pocket carry are the 11 centimeter models. Truth be told, the Laguiole I stuff in my pocket most often for casual carry is this little 10 cm (3 1/4" blade) from G. David, stout little knife. :D

gyby_1916_22862543


I've seen alot of folks are now carrying Laguioles from R. David, I suspect a family relation of G. David, but can't be sure about that. Haven't owned an R. David, but I certainly would have no reservation about buying one. They look pretty good to my eye, and feature blades of 12c27 Sandvik ( I strictly avoid Laguioles with blades of 440 stainless, having had a long and favorable relationship with 12c27). Shop around, a bunch of folks are currently stocking the R. Davids, and it appears you can get a good "entry level" Laguiole folder for around or just under fifty bucks.

Sarge
 
That's a neat little friction folder, Andy! I'm thinkin' I may need one! I sure would like to make one some day....

Lots of cool stuff on that site. more Douks, the Japanese digging knife, the Snake wood folders, etc.

Have you checked out the Japanese hand axe and hatchet? awful tempting stuff!


Lots of good useful stuff there.
 
I wish more Laguioles were readily available with carbon steel blades. I have one in 12c27 and it's a fine knife, but that stainless steel blade looks out of place with the patinaed bolsters and horn handles.
 
kamagong said:
I wish more Laguioles were readily available with carbon steel blades. I have one in 12c27 and it's a fine knife, but that stainless steel blade looks out of place with the patinaed bolsters and horn handles.
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I found a website once that featured an exquisite array of regional/traditional French folders, many in carbon steel, and most very moderately priced. But, when I started tallying up shipping costs from France, it took the dadburn wind right out of my sails. :(

Sarge
 
Dang Laguiole fever suddenly..... Doh...
 
Runs With Scissors said:
dang boss! you don't waste no time!:D

Lemme know whatcha think when you get 'em, eh?
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Forgot to mention what prompted me to go for the two-fer deal. The small one will go in my pocket, the large one, if it shaves as well as I hope, will go in my "boonie" bag's shaving kit. I've often pondered substituting a large folder for a straight razor for backwoods use. The straight razor has extremely limited utility beyond shaving, but the large folder as a dedicated shaver, could be handily pressed into other service in a pinch. ;)

Sarge
 
In my humble experience it'll work well for that. I've only shaved with mine a couple times (mostly just to see if I could) but it did the job pretty cleanly for a greenhorn like myself using it. obviously does fine with most other things too, as long as I don't stray too far from a strop or a sharpener.

I might get another one exclusively to try sharpening on other things like rocks, stray bits of metal, etc. This one I'm way too proud of the edge to do that with.

Lots of fun!

BTW, I just got home with a brand spankin' new Opinel #7 and a friction knife. more to keep me busy!:D
 
Runs With Scissors said:
BTW, I just got home with a brand spankin' new Opinel #7 and a friction knife. more to keep me busy!:D
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Ha, and you was fussin' at me for buying some dadburn Douks. As far as shaving with a knife, I've never had any problem there. Just have to adjust technique a bit and stay aware that this "razor" has a sharp point just begging for a chance to snag a lip or a nostril. :eek:

Sarge
 
*L* first time I tried it I was up on the slope and came out of the bathroom grinnin' ear to ear with half a dozen bloody spots on my face. all user error, of course. My buddies thought maybe I'd shaved with a Sawzall though.:D

Got me a really cool bone handled fire starter with them knives too- big spender today! hmm...maybe I oughta meander over next door and see if there's any good DOTD's while I'm in such a mood to spend my dividend money...:D
 
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