“Sales in Micronesia were not so good,” says Guy, citing the fact that no one wanted to carry a blade embellished with an arbiter of doom. But M.C. The MC Cognet was one of the biggest manufactures, and targeting the French islands in the Pacific Ocean seemed a good plan. Its origins date back to French colonialism in the South Pacific. In fact, it derives its name from Melanesian spirits of destruction. It was carried by the French Foreign Legion and other Colonial troops and reached, with troops reassignment,  the middle-east through Lebanon, and South-East Asia through Indochina. The knife got its name and one of its most distinguishing features in one fell swoop. He built the first Opinel knife factory in the early 1900’s, … function destroyPagination() var start = document.go_page.start.value; The Mercator K55K is a type of pocketknife produced in Germany since … The Tiki, the douk-douk’s second child, is engraved with a tiki idol and was later marketed to Polynesian nations. I would have never thought of it as a serious tool if … The brand will repair or replace with a new item (at their option) any product that is defective. However, the Douk-Douk is a slipjoint knife, whereas the K55K is a lockback knife and has a different blade geometry. Copyright © 2020 InsideHook. Douk Douk Le Thiers (France) The Douk Douk is another high-quality traditional French knife still made and carried to this day. Menu Search. The steel on the higo is the best though, imo. The simple scimitar blade. Originally, these knives were produced for … personal consultation. The Douk Douk, named for the Polynesian mythic figure depicted on its handle, is a slim folding knife with a rich history that's made the same way today as when Cognet introduced it back in 1929. Those seized knives were then given to the troops as a utility knife. 95. Once open, you can just hammer the two ears at the base of the blade to change it into a fierce fixed blade, ready to stab any private or officer who would dare to enter the Casbah. FREE Shipping by Amazon. They are made by Cognet Knives and hail from Thiers, France, but these stylish slipjoints are world travelers themselves. The steel on the higo is the best though, imo. Cognet, makers of the douk-douk and its offspring (the El Baraka, Tiki and Squirrel), is family-owned and rigorously traditional. Eyes gouged. Made in Thiers, this particular style of knife found popularity with knife users in the former French colonies of North Africa. The Mercator's construction is similar to that of the French Douk-Douk knife, in terms of the simple folded-metal handle. His simple knives proved very popular among local farmers. Search . At least one valid email address is required. That said, the douk-douk has taken on a second life — as a collector’s item with a considerable cult following. In 1962, at the Algerian independence, the repatriated troops and civilians bring back the Douk-Douk to France, where it was unknown, and built up its reputation. Some are still around like the “Tiki”, another attempt for the Polynesian market, or the “Baraka”, with its nickel-plated handle. And at just under $25 bucks, those descriptors hold true to this day. Can Hugh Jackman Be the Savior Broadway Needs Him to Be? With nothing more than a handle, a blade, a simple bail attachment, and a pivot, the douk-douk will go down in history as one of the most significant and iconic folding knives ever. The Douk-Douk Knives Limited Lifetime Warranty. This colonial knife was widely utilized in terms of lethal application, giving it a bloody history and reputation. But don’t let its charm fool you. “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” Marked the Start of a Weird, Great Era of Cartoons, How a Comedy Writer Became the Unlikely Heir to Anthony Bourdain. The ferro-blackened handle. Douk-Douk, a knife that has hardly changed since its conception in the early last century, only concessions to modernity: A range line colors with a stainless steel blade edge worthy of his steel tempered origins. Fro… EN. Story goes that Gaston originally intended to sell the knife to the Micronesian market, and so began flipping through an encyclopedia he had lying around his workshop. Sign up for InsideHook to get our best content delivered to your inbox every weekday. The simplicity of the design makes this small pocket knife easy to maintain. The Duk-Duk (or Douk-Douk), sometimes called the god of chaos and doom, is an important figure in the Melanesian culture. Seine Figur ziert den Griff und gab dem Messer seinen Namen. I like the Opinel best as the handle shape and size makes it a lot easier to get a grip on. The history of this knife is interesting, but that only adds to the proven build quality of this folder. Seinen Namen Douk-Douk erhielt das Messer von einer der mythischen Figuren Ozeaniens. Ears dismembered. All rights reserved. It was so famous (and easy to make) that it also had countless copies. Es handelt sich um ein klassisches Taschenmesser bestehend aus nur 6… The 100 Best Songs (And 20 Best Albums) of 2020. It has been manufactured by the M. C. Cognet cutlery firm in Thiers, France, since 1929. The Melanesian market was a disaster and the stocks were redirected to other markets in the colonial empire. Douk-Douk. Now it is sold in some shops all over the world — Canada, Australia, China.”, He didn’t say much about the blade being used for assassinations; he was more interested in telling me about its features. I mentioned this in my review of the Douk-Douk: in Northern Africa, “Douk-Douk” became synonymous with “knife,” as it became quite ubiquitous. Or a conversation ender, if you happen to be a former Algerian assassin. The douk-douk is a French pocketknife of simple sheet-metal construction. I think they are great EDC knives for use among knife phobic folks as they are really non-threatening. The story of the Douk-Douk started more than 90 years ago, in 1929, when Gaspard Cognet, that everybody called “Gaston”, decided to target the Melanesian market with a new folding knife. The story of the Douk-Douk started more than 90 years ago, in 1929, when Gaspard Cognet, that everybody called “Gaston”, decided to target the Melanesian market with a new folding knife. “We have many sizes,” he says. It finally met success in the French colonies of North Africa where people liked its low price and high quality blade, easy to sharpen, that was even sometimes used as a razor. The knife’s use was found mostly in the French colonies of Northern Africa, but its origins are older as an inexpensive knife to be used by colonies in … Eyes gouged. Gaspards Enkel Pierre Cognet fertigt das Original noch heute in der Originalwerkstatt in Thiers. Today the knife is still produced using almost the same process and tools. It was most heavily used in the French colonies of Northern Africa, though its origins are older, originally used by colonies in French Oceania. 3 1/2" ferro-blackened carbon steel blade. However, the Douk-Douk is a slipjoint knife, whereas the K55K is a lockback knife … Hergestellt wird es von der Firma M. C. Cognet aus Thiers seit 1929. Noses were sliced off with its razor-sharp steel. Its origins date back to French colonialism in the South Pacific. With a rich history going back to 1835 and spanning 4 generations, M.C. 4 1/4" closed. The Douk is the only knife I ever carry when I wear slacks. In this little character, looking like a mix between a pineapple and a fir, Gaston found his symbol. It’s free. Its proliferation was a result of two qualities that don’t often reconcile: affordability and superior craftsmanship. And awesome. Cognet has become known throughout the world for their rugged and reliable "Douk-Douk" line of folding knives. The Douk-Douk would then win favor from Lebanon to Indochina, probably brought by French and African troops; wherever French interests prevailed. In 1897 he launched a series of series of twelve sizes, numbered 1 to 12. Get InsideHook in your inbox. It's free. The costume is made of a conical hat, a cylindrical mask made of bark, and palm tree leaves down to the knees. M.C. Seine Figur ziert den Griff und gab dem Messer seinen Namen. He stopped when he stumbled across an illustration of the Douk Douk (that is, the Melanesian spirit-god) that’s now engraved on the side of the helve. It was patented in 1930. The douk-douk is a French-made pocket knife of simple sheet-metal construction. “In total, there are 10 people producing these knives,” says Guy. To complete his design, he opted for a Turkish clip / Scimitar style blade decorated with an electrochemical etching figuring arabesques, to give it a more exotic look. It was so dangerous that the DST (French counter-intelligence) considered it as military equipment, banned its exportation to Algeria and seized the existing stocks. Higo no Kami knives were made in 1896, and its creation is attributed to knifemakers Murakami and Shigeji Nagao. The steel is carefully selected. The Douk-Douk is a bulletproof, dead simple folder with a beautiful exaggerated clip point blade. As of 2013, the knife can be purchased with a stainless steel or carbon steel blade. Handmade since 1929 by the Cognet family of Thiers, France, the douk-douk made its way from the motherland to the colonies. Gaspards Enkel Pierre Cognet fertigt das Original noch heute in der Originalwerkstatt in Thiers. I created this blog to share my passion of French knives with an English speaking audience. News, advice and insights for the most interesting man in the room. Douk-Douk Knives Folder Douk-Douk a Melanesian spirit incarnation on Handle Made in France. Its high carbon steel blades, hardened to Rc 50-53 and hollow-ground using water grinding wheels, make for a tough, practical knife so easy to sharpen you can practically scrape it across your stubble and still have a functional blade. The douk-douk is available online, in specialty stores, or in the original M.C. “With only a few allowances for modernity, they are made in the same way that we have been making them since 1929, when my great-great-grandfather created the douk-douk.”. The Melanesian spirit-god (of doom and destruction) emblazoned on its haft. He goes screaming in the village, scaring people off, until he reaches the hut of the person suspected of a crime to deliver the punishment. Largely available, with a sharp blade and flat enough to be easily concealed it was the perfect weapon. SSL encryption. The nickel-plated handle of the El Baraka portrays the Tuareg Cross of Agadez and was originally created for the Algerian market, as reproducing human-like figures on weapons is sacrilege in Muslim nations. Such nefarious purposes weren’t the original conceit: the douk-douk was originally a peasant’s knife, created for idyllic pastimes like slicing cheese, cutting rope and skinning sheep. Acco… “Also, we have different designs.”. And the Squirrel, which also has a nickel-plated handle as well as a spear profile blade, was marketed to the French and French-Canadians. DOUK DOUK Cognet knives The original Douk-Douk is completely manufactured in the Cognet workshops in Thiers on the traditional and authentic way, with the same methods and materials that have made its reputation around the world. All Sorts of Multitools Are Up to 35% Off at Huckberry, We Finally Found a Set of Kettlebells and They're 20% Off, Uncharted Supply and Yeti Teamed Up on the Ultimate Survival Kit, How Suburban Chicago Became the Unlikeliest Clubbing Scene of the 1980s, The 10 Coolest Pieces of Beatles Gear We Spotted in the “Get Back” Teaser, COVID-19 Is Killing America’s Small Craft Distilleries, The Best Time to Buy a Laptop Might Be Right Now, Over 50% Off Barbour Waxed Jackets, Right This Way, Hydro Flask Bottles, Mugs, Coolers and More Are 25% Off, How Monocultural TV Made a Comeback and Kept Us Sane in 2020, Shop Discounted Chore Coats, Waxed Trucker Jackets and More at Huckberry, Remembering “Heat” for What It Was: The Most Homoerotic Film of the ’90s. The knife was designed to be inexpensive and sturdy. If you know anything about the Douk Douk knife you know that there are 2 sizes. Nobody dares going against him, as death would struck anyone who would raise his hand against the Duk-Duk. There is no doubting that the douk-douk pocket knife is a handsome accessory. Die einfache Konstruktion besitzt eine Klinge aus Kohlenstoffstahl. Gaston was looking for a commercial catch for his knife. The Douk-Douk is a classic French design that dates back to the 1920s. Das Douk-Douk wurde 1929 von Gaspard Cognet entwickelt und zuerst nach Ozeanien und in die französischen Kolonien von Afrika geliefert. With many models the Douk-Douk logo is etched on the blade complemented by a Filigree-like drawing. 4.2 out of 5 stars 5. Laci Szabo had an interesting video showing how to use a Douk for defensive purposes, but he took all his videos down for some reason. Das Messer wurde insbesondere in den … Mercator knives were primarily produced by Hy. $39.95 $ 39. Seinen Namen Douk-Douk erhielt das Messer von einer der mythischen Figuren Ozeaniens. Different variants were created, with different blade shapes: clip point, drop-point or sheep-foot. “But in North Africa and in other regions, the blade became very popular. Der Name des Messers leitet sich von der geheimnisvollen Sagenfigur Duk-Duk aus dem Südpazifik ab. Free shipping from 200 € Fast delivery. Handmade since 1929 by the Cognet family of Thiers, France, the douk-douk made its way from the motherland to the colonies. I like the Opinel best as the handle shape and size makes it a lot easier to get a grip on. The Douk-Douk is of a simple construction, the handle being of folded sheet metal, a strong back spring, a metal bail and a quality blade all held together by two metal rivets. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 23. And the Douk douk is great as an EDC for more formal events, and makes a great conversation piece. Intended as a simple, hard-use knife for the working man, it was exported extensively to the French colonies, where it saw great (and continued!) I think they are great EDC knives for use among knife phobic folks as they are really non-threatening. In other words, this isn’t just a knife — it’s a conversation starter. The douk-douk is a very simple slipjoint knife, having no locking mechanism, but only a very strong backspring to bias it towards the open, closed and 90 degree positions. It is made of 6 parts, a carbon steel blade, a ferro-blackened folded sheet-metal handle, a strong spring nested inside the handle, a bail at the back and 2 rivets to assemble it all…  That’s it. popularity. And the Douk douk is great as an EDC for more formal events, and makes a great conversation piece. Local farmers this small pocket knife ” of Algeria a bloody history and reputation,... 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