Low-tech Knives: Part 2

BABY CAT



Nearly identical to its bigger brother, the baby Cat measures 3 3/4" closed with a 3" blade, the only difference being that it is non-locking, and does not feature the Catlogo. I actually prefer the baby Cat for pocket carry. The most common handle cover is black, though it can be had in blue or red as well. Otter-Messer is the only factory that currently makes the Cat. At the time of writing this, it can be purchased for $17.95 here.



OPINEL



Simple. Inexpensive. This beechwood-handled beauty has been manufactured since the 1890's in the Savoie region of France. Today, there are many different varieties of the knife, though traditionally they were beechwood and high carbon steel. The knife pictured here has a forced patina on the blade (more about that later).



The unique and interesting thing about this knife is the way it locks: it features a locking collar that holds the blade in place when the knife is open. Simply rotated, it can also lock the knife while closed to keep it from opening in the pocket. These knives are simple indeed, but durable and of very good quality. If cared for properly, they will last many, many years. Probably the best part about these nice knives is that they cost even less than a Cat. They retail for around $10! They can be purchased here.



THE DOUK-DOUK




The douk-douk is a very simple slipjoint knife. Very similar to the Cat in design, it has no locking mechanism, but it does feature a very strong backspring, and the knife itself consists of only six parts. The blade is, you guess it - high carbon steel, and is known as a Turkish clip, similar to a scimitar. The Douk-Douk has been manufactured by the M. C. Cognet cutlery firm in Thiers, France, since 1927. There is also some interesting history related to this knife. The handle depicts a "douk-douk", or Melanesian spirit incarnation, the God of doom in French Polynesia.
The Douk-Douk was widely used by the FLN during the Algerian War (1954-1962). Nothing fancy here, just a tough, flat, quality knife, ready for pocket carry. And once again, the price tag won't break the bank: they retail for around $20. Purchase one here.