>>286302Maybe you haven't travelled much. SAKs can get incredibly expensive when imported, I've seen some costing up to $120, despite being locally regarded as poor knives as most of the world has no uses for all those tools . So yeah, they don't have the same reputation as you'd think, and while I wouldn't say they make you look like you're 'rich', they definitely have a reputation of being carried by tourists, making you pass as an easy target.
Thieves and thugs are quick to judge you on your appearance, and they're usually right.
As for Douks, they're incredibly cheap to import, they've been sold all over Africa, Middle East, Oceania, and every single island over the oceans for more than 70 years, and spread even further as people travelled. It's got such a reputation that some people accept Douks as a currency, so yeah people can definitely alter their judgement if you carry a Douk, and in a positive way.
And when it comes to safety, I'd trust a Douk more than a cheap locking knife. While most slipjoints have a weak spring, Douks just can't accidentally close when used for what they should be used. Anyone saying otherwise never used a Douk Douk.
