Douk Douk / Cognet

The knife was designed by Gaspard Cognet, who incorporated an external engraving that was inspired by the representation of a "douk-douk", a spirit or mythological figure from Melanesia, in an encyclopedia.

The knife was massively manufactured, initially, for sale in the French colonies of Oceania. The popularity of the douk-douk knife led to it being put into service as a weapon when needed. During the FLN-led revolt between 1954 and 1962 in Algeria, the douk-douk was used as a weapon of murder and terror; Algerians who came into conflict with the FLN frequently had their noses cut off with a sharp razor. It could be easily converted from a folding blade knife to a useful fixed blade dagger by simply hammering the ends of the blade. -Metal manipulation behind the blade crossbar, locking the blade in the fully open position.