Of Douk-Douks and Mercators

D

Dr. Mudd

Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
1,862
I was initially curious about the French Douk-Douk folders when I read about them here, and then I was impressed with what tough, simple, inexpensive utility knives they are after I got a couple of them. Now my Douk (the original 4-inch, now called the medium size) rides in my pocket at all times, along with my ever present SAK Farmer. But after reading where some people compared the Douks to the German Mercators I finally had to see one of these for myself. I ordered another Douk along with a Mercator "cat knife" from www.GarrettWade.com, and last night they arrived on the BBT. (BBT means big brown truck. Think UPS.)

The design of these two knives is similar, so I have to wonder which came first. The Douks hit the market in 1927 I've read, but I've also read that the Mercators were often used by German troops in WW2, and then some were brought home by returning GIs after the war. Obviously, both have been around for many decades. Anybody know which one came first? Anybody know of any other knives using this folded sheet steel handle design?

A few differences I've noticed between these two knives:
(1) The Douk is carbon steel, but the Mercator uses a stainless blade.
(2) Although the Douk has a very strong spring, so far it is easier to open.
(3) The Douk does not have a locking blade, nor does it need one!
(4) The Mercator has a locking blade plus a very strong spring.
(5) The Mercator is hard to close because of the location of the release.
(6) The Douk uses a "Turkish" clip blade, the Mercator a spear point.

A few similarities I've noticed:
(1) Both use a very sturdy folded sheet steel handle with good rivets.
(2) Both have a strong, useful shackle at the rear end of the handle.
(3) Both are very nearly the same size, within an eighth of an inch OA.
(4) Both have carefully ground (wedge ground) blades.
(5) Both are very sturdy, very simple, relatively inexpensive knives.
(6) Both have a good design that has definitely stood the test of time.

The Mercator I just received is one of the newer production ones. It does not have the famous cat logo on the handle, but it appears to be virtually identical otherwise. The sticker on the plastic bag says "Made in Western Germany." That's not West Germany, though. It's all one Germany again as of several years ago. The blade right at the handle is stamped "Mercator" on one side, with "Germany" and "Solingen" on the other side. The blade has a nail mark, and on that side is etched a small otter logo with "Otter" printed under it. Also it has "Messer," "Solingen," and "Handmade in Germany" on that same side of the blade.

Now, how about some more input on these or similar knives?
 
Almost all the Mercators I ever owned had nonstainless blades. Back around 1970 I had a couple with stainless handle and stainless blade. The nonstainless blades were extremely tough. I was known to throw mine a lot and a well-selected Mercator would take it well. When I bought mine at local stores I would comb through the stock to get one with the best fitting lock. With time the lock will loosen up and be easier to release. I used to grind down the release lever to make it smaller and harder to release accidently. Often I would grind on a short clip point. I have probably owned about 20 over the years.
 
I love my carbon mercator cat. It has a thin flat grind, and I can get that knife sharper than any other knife I have. It does everything I ask of it. GREAT knife.
 
I saw some Douks on szaboincs site with spear points and some in stainless, also assorted sizes if youre interested.
Click to expand...

The "Squirrel" model Douks have spear-points, so those are the ones you're thinking of.

A 3" Douk is my keychain knife. It's almost as thin as my keys, and protrudes less than an inch lower than my keys and ARC flashlight.

For $20ish, the Douks are great knives indeed. The steel-junkies tell me that the soft carbon steel in these sharpens up really nice.

I have an older Mercator, and it just doesn't excite me quite as much. Not a bad knife, but not as aesthetically cool as a Douk. If I were filming a movie, I'd give a character a Douk rather that K55K.

-MV
 
Both good knives for the money! I think I read somewhere here that Otter is making them now so, you got a current production one. Let us know how the SS is by how it sharpens & cuts. I might get the SS version as my carbon blade is a little harder to maintain.
 
The Mercator K55 "cat" knife has a handsome spear point blade, mine is carbon so it stains easily, but seems to have develped a protective patina.

It is a thin knife, so it rides easily in your pocket as long as it doesn't slide to horizontal. Ease of carry, robustness, and traditional, pragmatic styling are among its good points, imo.

There is a very good mercator thread here (includes a visit to the factory):
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117286&highlight=k55
 
Thanks, gents, for the tips and information you have given me, especially the links to those earlier threads on Douk-Douks and Mercators. I do like simple, sturdy, low cost knives with time tested designs. I like what I call "usin' knives" as opposed to collectables, and I lean toward carbon steel blades that are not overly hard. I would have selected a Mercator with a carbon steel blade, but apperently they are all made with stainless blades now. Besides the Douks and the Mercators, I also like the various Opinels (check out their new #8 Garden Knife if you like Opinels), and Boker's large Sodbuster that's made in Argentina (they call it a yellow handle, but it looks more like aged ivory to me, not bright yellow). This Argentine Boker Sodbuster I got from SMKW cost me one-third of what a Case would have, too. It may not have the high polish of a Case, but it's a great heavy duty usin' knife. I always have one of the more basic Victorinox SAKs on me, too, usually one with an Alox (aluminum) handle. I, too, used my 3-inch Douk for a keyring knife, and it worked well for that, but after several weeks I switched back a folder with checkered handle slabs because I can feel it easier as I'm "sorting through" the things in my pocket. I keep my van's key attached to that knife all by itself just in case somebody were somehow able to get my van (read: carjacking) and its key they still wouldn't have the keys to our house, other vehicles, etc. That's one of my little quirks. :D I have a friend now who also had at least one Mercator when he was a young kid. He also threw his Mercator (many of us threw knives as kids) until it loosened up from the abuse. Then he took it apart he told me and used the blade to make a spear. Here's the funny part, though. He lived in an apartment in NYC! :eek:
 
From what I've read on that old Mercator thread listed above, I now have the answer to one of my questions. It seems that the Mercators were made earlier, maybe a couple of decades earlier, than the Douk-Douks. Not that it matters, but I was just curious about which came first since their construction is similar. Now, I wonder if there are any other knives with folded steel handles made currently or easily available. Hmmm... :rolleyes:
 
I sometimes see old ones in antique malls. You could try ebay to look for a carbon steel blade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top