Ever try a Douk Douk?

My Douk Douks have arrived, and I'm very pleased with them. Many thanks to RWS for bringing these knives to our attention.
Just a quick follow up on the two I ordered from Garret Wade, in case any of y'all were considering picking up that set. Though Garret Wade has them listed as a small and a large, apparently the "large" is their own designation, because it's actually the one most others list as a medium (4" blade with flat handle, no handle bulge). No dissapointment on my part, the medium is actually what I wanted, but thought I'd give y'all a heads up about it.

The little 3" bladed "small" Douk Douk is a gem. Just the right size to live happily in a blue jean pocket, and flat/light enough to slip into a pocket protector and carry in a shirt pocket. So y'all don't be picking on any geeks you might encounter, 'cause you just never know do you? :cool:

The large, that we've already ascertained is actually a medium, is going to get a very special sharpening job for test and evaluation as a straight razor substitute. Judging by the length and shape of it's cutting edge, it should handle the task just fine.

I'd rattle on longer, but I've got to go scare up some supper and then sharpen my Douk Douks (out of the box they were sharp enough to shave a few arm hairs with a bit of pressure, much like an Opinel).

Whatever else "Douk Douk" might mean, from what I've seen in looking them over it also means "good knife". :thumbup:

Sarge
 
Heya Sarge- I'm really glad you're likin' 'em. After all the good blades you've turned me onto, I'm glad I can return the favor in some small way.

Just ordered a few Okapi's from Ragnar. I look forward to seein' how they match up to the Douks and the Opi's. (ordered three of them- one to ruin playing with edge angles, sharpening, etc. One of my own, and one because somebody at work always wants to talk me out of my own knives.:D )
 
Sweet review Sarge. I e-mailed this link to Leah with a Christmas hint. I'll keep my fingers crossed. ;-)
 
I shaved with my medium Douk Douk this morning, and can state with all honesty that it did a more than competent job of it. Even the delicate work shaving around the edges of my mustache and goatee, which I now wear whittled down to what the young folks call a "soul patch". No, it did not shave as well as my best Sheffield razor, that would be a ludicrous claim to make, but I am quite confident in it's ability to get the job done as a field razor for backwoods use or travel. That's a good thing, because now instead of stuffing a razor in my ditty bag, I'll be packing an extra knife, which can not only shave my face, but perform myriad other tasks if need be.

If I was impressed with these knives initially, I am even more so know. Like their other "working class" cousins, the Opinels, and Okapis, they're pretty much no frill knives, made to cut with, period. Folks used to more sophisticated knives may not be inclined to like any of them due to their humble simplicity. And they'd no doubt find fault in them as compared to much more expensive and "better built" folders. To me that's a pity, because I feel they're missing the boat. These "working class" knives are exactly what they appear to be, solid, simple, affordably priced tools for those who put bread on the table through toil and sweat. They cut, and cut well, because their blades are made of good steel, and feature grind profiles that make sense.

Douk Douk, Okapi, Opinel, shucks, for the price of a lot of folders out there you could buy one of each of these, and still have beer money left over. Ain't nothing wrong with that. ;) :D

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Sarge
 
Lots more nice pics for those interested at:

http://www.cutlerytogo.com/frenchknives.html.

I just found this site while searching for various itemes mentioned in this thread, soI don't know how they are to do business with. But they have very nice pics of lots of the knives mentioned in this thread. Go drool.

James
 
Cutlerytogo is an excellent company to do business with IMO. They send a cultural explanation, including pronunciation, they pack really well, and they ship fast. I've ordered from them and communicated with them and have only positive things to say.
 
Andy , Sarge . I have a Kissing Crane sodbuster on the way . The Douk douk interests me . Heck all knives interest me . Its what stands the test of time with me and everyone that keeps my interest .

The Okapi is still up in the air with me . The blade is great . The lock release system is still like pulling a hand grenade pin to me .

Opinel ? Great simple knives . Locking system ? It must have been outstanding in its day if for no other reason than its simplicity .

If you used the douk douk for everyday cutting wouldn,t it take a lot to bring it back to shaving sharp ?
 
aproy1101 said:
Cutlerytogo is an excellent company to do business with IMO. They send a cultural explanation, including pronunciation, they pack really well, and they ship fast. I've ordered from them and communicated with them and have only positive things to say.
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Thanks for the info.

I always hesitate, since having transactions go anything but smoothly is a real PAIN when you are having items shipped to Taiwan. A lot of people won't do it. ( I recently tried to place an order with Smoky Mountain Knife Works. No go. I tried emailing them. No reply. Dang. :grumpy:) I might just have to try these people out. Only problem I can see is that a lot of their stuff says "call us." Big problem with time difference, even if they do ship internationally.

James
 
Kevin the grey said:
If you used the douk douk for everyday cutting wouldn,t it take a lot to bring it back to shaving sharp ?
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It would, but the one I'll use for shaving will be used only for shaving, and would be pressed into regular knife service only in an emergency. Under such a circumstance, being kissably clean shaven really won't be much of a concern. ;)

Sarge
 
I've been having pretty good luck with mine. It's gotten pretty bad after spending the day cutting fire blanket (most evil substance on earth for a sharp knife blade!) pipe insulation, etc. It'll take about ten minutes to restore after a good, hard days work. Still alot more pleasant to me personally than dealing with most of the "super steels"

There's alot of dull ATS-34 and S30V where I work, but me widdle Douk Douk don't never have no problems.:D

That's all hypothetical of course, since those in the Ivory Tower have decided us li' ole' oil field trash types aint smart enough to carry a pocket knife....:rolleyes:
 
Day two of shaving with the Douk Douk was faster, easier, and yielded a closer shave. No nicks, no bumps, no rash. Just gave 'r a light stropping and got 'r done. I have every confidence that given time to develop true familiarity/proficiency with this knife, I'll be able to shave with it just as efficiently as I currently do with my straight razors. Technique is the same, hold/grip is just a bit different. Fascinating, and fun in a silly sort of way. 'Specially ticklish when shaving your neck, and realizing, YIKES, you're holding a dadburn knife to your own throat. :eek: :D :thumbup:

Sarge
 
I love the looks of these knives. I've only ever actually handled a laguiole, and I found it to be an elegant tool, even though it was very cheap. (420 j2, bad fit, gift from a friend in france. Still perty and a good lightweight beater. needs reprofiled.) Anyhow, my question is this:

What are you experienced cantinistas able to comfortably do with a non-locking folder? I have a nasty (sorry, nasty) scar on my index finger from a long-ago run-in whittling with a SAK. Since then, it's been locking blades for me.

I mean, these are inexpensive, look like they're made to work like nobody's business, are elegant and historic, etc, but I just don't know if I could trust a non-locker as my sole edc. How do you all reconcile this?

Chris
 
Upon further research, it looks like the opinels and nontrons do indeed lock open. Am I wrong?

And my original question about old non-locking blades still stands in general...

Thanks,

Chris
 
Good question Chris. Very few of my folders are locking. For knives with a backspring, I only carry them if they have good snap. A partially opened blade in you're pocket is not good. I guess I've just gotten used to using a folder that doesn't lock and have no troubles. Pretty much the only thing you can't do safely is stab with em, and I just do very little stabbing..... hehe. Carving wood, kitchen duty, cleaning fish, etc they work just fine.
 
namaarie said:
Upon further research, it looks like the opinels and nontrons do indeed lock open. Am I wrong?

And my original question about old non-locking blades still stands in general...

Thanks,

Chris
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Chris, my observations on non-locking folders are much the same as with guardless fixed blades, ala puukkos, et cetera. To be used safely and effectively requires nothing more than learning the right techniques. That's the good news, the bad news is that first you have to "un-learn" some pre-existing bad habits. Still, there's even more good news. By learning proper knife handling with knife types like these that absolutely demand it, you'll soon find that you work safer and more efficiently with all knives. Win-Win as they say. :D

Sarge
 
Is this the place where I chime in to say that I've never (well, once for a few weeks) owned a folding knife which did lock? Learning safe handling's no big deal ... I've never had one close on me when I wasn't looking.
 
Dang it all:mad: You guys just MADE me dig out my Okapi that Cavetech (aka Steve Poll) sent to me for my....uh, colorful BS skills some months back;)

Personally, i love the little bugger. It's just like the one Sarge has pictured as it does not have the pull ring. I stopped carrying it because it was going sideways in my pocket and was starting to pit from the sweat and chlorine in the air around here. So of course, I just HAD to make it a quick n dirty friction sheath for my belt:rolleyes: I have to say, besides my Vic SAKs, this thing offers some of the best cutting service for the price...especially for me as it was free;)
They really are worth the 6 or 7 bucks you pay, plus they look so cool:) One thing that puzzled me for awhile was how to stop the blade from hitting the pin on the inside that hold the whole thing together. I always practice open quiet/close quiet when i can help it, but the blade still kept hitting the pin and dinging the soft steel.

Enter a small strip of leather and some superglue:D Sure the razor blade has cut a groove right through the leather, but it slows it down just enough that if i don't slam is closed, the edge will be fine. Plus, after about 8-12 shapenings, the blade will rest well above the pin anyway:)

I'm going to have to save a few of thse links you guys posted. My wife and I are doing Christmas on the cheap this year (too much vacation spending). These would make some really interesting and fun little gifts for her to get for me;)

Jake
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
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

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Sarge
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Based on what I read on this thread I ordered a pair of DDs from Garrett. They are surprisingly amazing little knives! They LOOK really cheap, and are cheaply made, but well designed and very solid for all that.

Thanks for the tip! I put the smaller on my key ring, and put the larger in my Safepacker pocket so I'll always have a decent knife when I'm carrying in that thing.

Cool!

:thumbup:

Andy
 
I'm glad you like 'em, they're pretty durn good knives. I'm especially fond of the small one, just the right size for a pocketknife you're going to no-kidding carry in your pocket all day. Tell the truth, getting both of 'em for $27.50 feels a little bit like stealing don't it? ;) :D

Sarge

p.s.: they remind me alot of a knife my kid brother loved so much that he carried his until it was wore slap out, Mercator K-55 from Solingen, Germany

merc001.jpg
 
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