The gentleman's pocketknife (Opinel vs. Douk-Douk)

S

statesevens

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Mar 7, 2016
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Good day fellows!

I'm having some difficulty deciding on my next purchase. The two blades I'm considering are the Opinel #9 and the Douk-Douk 815. Ideally I'd like a quality, low-cost blade from a manufacturer with a long and storied history. Lightweight, functional, and simple design. Something that's ideal for EDC but possesses a touch of class.

I feel both options tick all the boxes, and so I'm hoping the seasoned members of this forum might help nudge me in the right direction considering money is very tight at present and I cannot buy both. I've read a dizzying number of Opinel reviews but I'm having a harder time finding feedback regarding Douk-Douk..
 
The Douk Douk is an absolute classic in my book! Thin, sturdy, and takes a hair popping razor edge very easily. Form what I know, they were trade knives for the French in their colonies, and became especially popular in North Africa. I heard somewhere that the Bedouins used to make them into fixed blades by peening the choil over, locking the blade permanently open. I've had a Douk Douk for about 10 years know, and an Opinel for about 6 mos, and I carry and use the Douk Douk more. The only thing that I can see is the the Opinel locks while the Douk Douk does not if that is important to you. Hope this helps and good luck!
 
I've never owned either, but visually and history-wise the Douk-Douk appeals to me more. Hope this helps. Enjoy your new knife.
 
Both are very similar, yet in some ways opposites. Go with the Opinel if you like full convex grinds, having a lock, or a substantial handle. Go with the Douk-Douk for a full-height hollow grind, slip joint, and flat handle. Of the two, the Douk-Douk can be beaten on harder, but the Opinel is a delightful slicer.
 
Have you ever considered the Japanese higonokami ( on this site called the higonokami store ) they cost around 30$ but are still classic and rich in history.
The olive is nice, but a little round/ bulky in the pocket so I'd probably go with the douk douk or just get both.
 
Opinel. Not even close. My Douk Douk is annoyingly uncomfortable in the hand. Compare it to the Mercator K55, a German knife with a folded handle remarkably similar to the Douk Douk, except the Mercator is actually comfortable to hold. If I am ever in Amsterdam again and want to cut of a slice from a 10mm stick of hash, I'll take the Douk douk. Otherwise, it's Opinel, Mercator, or Higo No Kami ahead of the Douk Douk.

To me the Douk Douk is a novelty knife, or something to pull out in certain hipsterish circles, but not something I want to use much, particularly at twice the price of an Opinel.
 
...I hate to ask this, but are you sure you're holding it right? There are certain grips that are better suited to flat knives that render them pretty comfortable. Hold them like a full-handled knife, though, and you're going to have a bad time.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
...I hate to ask this, but are you sure you're holding it right? There are certain grips that are better suited to flat knives that render them pretty comfortable. Hold them like a full-handled knife, though, and you're going to have a bad time.
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Good question. I don't think much about my grip. Typically I will place my thumb on the spine and curl my fingers around the bottom of the handle. I may change my grip as I work with the knife, depending on the task, but as i say, I don't think much about it, I just do it. I don't find that uncomfortable on either the K55 or the Higonokami, but it is unpleasant on the Douk-Douk. I am sure if I ever tried to work with it, I would be driven to try something else. What do you suggest?
 
Instead of holding it like that, try placing your thumb on the flat of the handle, with the blade horizontal. Also, pinch the handle's flats between the forefinger and thumb, much like a chef's knife. Both of these methods are much more comfortable with such a thin knife. :)
 
If your goal is "gentleman's knife" and you're looking at the storied but inexpensive "classics," then I would definitely go for the already mentioned Mercator K55 instead of either of those. A brand-new one will run you around $30 from the big online retailers, so it's slightly more expensive than the cheapest Douk Douk, but the Douk Douk is itself twice the price of the Opinel.

Of the two, though, I own both, and the Douk Douk is purely a collector's item for me. My Opinel, on the other hand, actually sees use—there's no better slicer.
 
I love Opinel, but will take the Douk Douk. It's thin, relatively lightweight and really cool. There's also models that come with color coordinated sheaths. I want me one of those!
 
Finding out what the douk douk cost made me think that for that price you should just get the opinel / douk douk of America. The case sodbuster Jr in cv . The case sodbuster is THE knife of the American farmer ( that's why it's called a sodbuster and has a plow on the blade :Do )
If you have 100$ to spend you could probably get an opinel, douk douk , case sodbuster , an African kudu , even a Mora :thumbup:
 
statesevens said:
Lightweight, functional, and simple design. Something that's ideal for EDC but possesses a touch of class.
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That will depend entirely on your definition of 'class'.

This one was clipped to my suit when attending a friend's wedding some time back. Definitely looked classy enough for me. And more than sufficient for an edc.
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Having had both the knives mentioned by the OP, I'd get either the Mercator or the Case sodbuster. Both of them are great knives vs the others. I sent both the Douk-Douk and my last Opinel down the road.
 
jackknife said:
Having had both the knives mentioned by the OP, I'd get either the Mercator or the Case sodbuster. Both of them are great knives vs the others. I sent both the Douk-Douk and my last Opinel down the road.
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Listen to the voice of reason, here. I would take the Case Sodbuster or Sodbuster Jr. in Chrome Vanadium (CV) any day.
 
Scurvy092 said:
Anyone else see the irony in calling two knives designed for peasants, the gentleman's knife.
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I just did and you beat me to it. Love both knives, but they are not what we consider "gentleman's knives." Not at all. Think "elegant" and "exotic materials." Fancy.

So, not really "irony" as much as "wrong."
 
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