DEMKO Knives AD20.5 / Can it Handle Some Abuse?/ Full Review and Testing

Demko Knives AD20.5 / Can it Handle Some Abuse?/ Full Review and Testing #everydaycarry #edc #Stassa23
In this video we review the Demko AD20.5 folding knife. We do some real world types of cutting task to see how the knife will do. If you have any questions please let me know in the comments. Lastly some of the thing I do with the knife may void your warranty so please don't try it unless you are aware of the ramifications. Thanks for the support I will see you on the next one ✌🏻
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[@strawman817]

Another great in-depth review! I appreciate your show-AND-tell approach. It takes time, effort, and passion and it shows.

[@Stassa23]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@davidkeefe9468]

Best real review of this knife so far

[@Stassa23]

Thanks , that’s what I go for every time 👌🏻

[@The122979]

As always. Stassa 23 goes the extra mile.

[@Stassa23]

@@The122979 😎👍🏻

[@matusknives]

This knife would probably not be for me, but I really like the blade finish and the sounds the lock makes. Thanks for the detailed, user-centric review.

[@borngeechee7621]

Dude put this knife through a year worth of use and some abuse and still came out sharp with no damage. Yet folks still complain about the material... lmao

[@toddcarr.]

Awesome review with real world testing. Materials are standing up to the testing so heat treat was done right at least. I have several cold steel knives with grivory and i never have had any of them chip or break so the plastic doesn't worry me at all. Great vid. Keep making sharp things fun and enjoyable.

[@EastCoastMan603]

Excellent review. I have a 3V Ti wharn coming. I figured if I’m going in, might as well go all the way. I am thinking of the d2/k110 clippoint if it really is as Awsome as everyone says. Thank you sir.

[@GTRJohnny66]

Awesome review. I was wondering how the materials might hold up, and I'm pretty sure if it could survive what you did it will survive. :)

[@MichaelE.Douroux]

I've had my Sharksfoot for two days. Worth every dime. Lucky I got one. P.S. How many times have you seen a reviewer put a rubber mallet to a medium-sized EDC to split wood, not to mention all the other cutting tests, and it keeps on cutting with no blade play?

[@Stassa23]

👌🏻

[@jaredappleseed7037]

If they make a few tweaks for the usa production version, for example one of my changes would be no thumb studs since on this knife you probably don't need them, but if they make the effort this could pass the para 3 as the perfect edc knife, IMO

[@sethparker100]

The thumb studs provide better deployment on mine. The opening hole requires a bit of wrist. I prefer a hole usually but the studs or using the lock are better for sure

[@sethparker100]

But yeah I like it more than the para 3 myself

[@jaredappleseed7037]

@@sethparker100 good to hear, it's not going to keep me from buying this one 😆 but idk if I'm going to like it better yet since I don't have one, only time will tell 🤷🏼

[@sethparker100]

Got the sharks foot at blade show. I’ve been carrying it a bunch, it’s pretty fun. The lock is super fun

[@jaredappleseed7037]

@@sethparker100 I'm jealous 😒 can't be too mad tho, seems like I secured a rec shaman 😊

[@poncho151]

Excellent review! One thing I’ve noticed with the shark lock on the 20.5 is that it doesn’t always work well with gloves and depending on the glove material it can actually get caught in the lock when you close the knife. I have yet to be able to buy an AD-20 so I don’t know if it applies to that as well.

[@Stassa23]

I can definitely see that happening because I think that’s what was happening when I did the wood shaving. The AD20 is pretty much the exact same except the spring may be a little bigger but I’ll try to test it out with gloves on and let you know

[@poncho151]

@@Stassa23 I’ve used this knife a number of days at work and at times with both latex type gloves and also gloves with cloth like material but both tight fitting. Without fail, the lock eventually gets caught on or pinches latex causing it to rip. Similarly with the other gloves I mentioned, they would get caught in the lock especially if the gloves were worn out at all. I do think that the ad-20.5’s fine jimping may be playing a part in grabbing the material and pulling it into the lock. As far as the ad-20 I was just thinking since everything is scaled up and wider that it might be less likely to happen but of course if it can happen on one, it can certainly happen on the other.

[@janjimpson240]

Fantastic video. Thanks for testing it so fast!

[@butchcassidy3373]

Great review as always Stassa. If you want to see how well it holds an edge, cut some rubber hose with it. That always seems to dull my knives the most.

[@jonr1510]

I still love it. But if they upgrade the steel and thin it out bte this could be a really amazing knife. A re-grind on this would be pretty sweet, a nice hollow grind

[@calebfoster552]

You were right behind me in line at Blade at the Demko booth, it was awesome meeting and talking!

[@marksteddom6941]

Great review! Not sure on this one… Probably a decent beater.

[@johnnyeas1431]

What would you choose for a tactical situation. The mini adamas or the Ad20.5 ?

[@dinner_workingsly]

Best in the business…thank you sir!

[@barthaande893]

Very nice review. I have both versions and I love them for the easy light carry EDC application, while being very fidgetty at the same time. The handle material is not FRN, but Grivory. I am not a specialist, but I heard Andrew say multiple times that those are not the same and the grivory

[@barthaande893]

.....should be better (although both are often referred to as ‘fancy plastic’ )

[@Stassa23]

@@barthaande893 yeah they may be different in makeup but it’s still just a plastic, I just use FRN as a generic name lol

[@charlesholland6851]

I know a guy making scales so soon I must get! I have no problem with plastic scales. I love spyderco frn. But something about these scales bugs me. I have not handled it yet though so I could easily change my mind. Great review as always!

[@greggordon6215]

Thanks for the testing. Seems pretty good to me!

[@Gman1024]

I've heard a lot of complaints regarding materials and price on this. One fifty is a lot of money for a knife in my eyes, but after your display, would be absolutely worth saving for. Especially if you appreciate the engineering and uniqueness of all Andrews lock designs. Thanks for beating on this, so we don't have to, and proving that blade stock can take a beating.

[@SS-nb8tt]

I don’t mind the price tag to support a innovative small business. I love my ad20.5

[@j.cut_]

Great video! I’m hoping to get one soon and then I’ll be on the wait for aftermarket scales to be made for it 🤣

[@therealfilthyanimal]

Awesome review!!!

[@BensBlades]

I WANT ONE!!! Thank you for the great video!!!🔪🖤🗡

[@theknifeconnection9571]

28thou behind the edge. Unless your 100 percent hard use. Yuck

[@BensBlades]

@@theknifeconnection9571 There is nothing “Yuck” about a Demko!👌

[@theknifeconnection9571]

@@BensBlades except behind the edge thickness

[@kittrainbow7]

Cool design but I prefer the triad lock (recon 1 G10 / vojager G10) , scorpion Ad15 or the engage model G10 lock.

[@chaseprimus]

That’s pretty impressive! Pretty sweet knife!

[@davidinghram2494]

Good review. I sure like my jade green version.

[@josepmariaaguascaribot9239]

A Demko lock is a well tested safety point in a knife and their warranty to use., Imo.

[@jonathanbeaumont0]

Great video! Just found your channel and I have subscribed. It looks like the edge held up pretty well, but I haven’t seen any of your other videos on different knives yet. I have heard that AUS10A is similar to 154CM, would you agree? I know you compared it to 420HC but I don’t have much experience with that steel.

[@mannyz5307]

Great vid. I winced when you hit that rod.

[@Stassa23]

They usually always do fine with the aluminum rod , it’s the 3 copper wires that I chop through that has a better chance of damaging the apex. At least that’s what I’ve found after testing so many knives 👍🏻

[@terpdx]

I would highly advise against choking up with your finger in front of the guard. It's a bit unfortunate Demko shaped the front of the guard to make it appear as if putting your finger there is a good idea. It puts your finger WAY too close to the cutting edge. A fat enough finger will even rub against the cutting edge if placed there.

[@wolfdna788]

I got one coming hopefully here tomorrow or it will be here Monday

[@jn651]

Right off, I can see myself being really annoyed by the shark lock tab keeping me from putting my thumb in the position between your forward and rear grips. I'm almost annoyed just looking at it lol

[@Stassa23]

Yep you definitely have to reposition your grip, it didn’t take me long however I was pretty annoyed myself

[@jf4572]

Awesome review 👏 👌 👍

[@Stassa23]

Thanks 🍻🍻

[@StoneHands25]

Hey Stass how do you think this knife is absolutely worth getting? In your opinion that is

[@williamlenderman387]

Mine is in the clutches of USPS and is scheduled for delivery by Saturday the 19th. Hopefully, it'll be a day or two sooner, but I ain't holdin' my breath on that. I've only ever seen the 20.5 on video but it looks like the scales are a light enough gray color that they'd take pretty well to being dyed something like Racing Red or Royal Purple. What say you Stassa?

[@theknifeconnection9571]

You could prolly dye then. But with the red. It’s going to be fairly dark I would assume. I used racing red on a natural shaman. And it’s dark and I checked it every so often. It went from nothing to dark fasssst

[@williamlenderman387]

@@theknifeconnection9571 thanks for the info. Not sure what color I'll go with, but they WILL be dyed in the very near future.

[@williamlenderman387]

@Umnumzaan that sucks. Hopefully, USPS will get its...act...together and get you your knife pronto

[@williamlenderman387]

@Umnumzaan as one of our fearless leaders used to be fond of saying, "I feel your pain" And I do indeed understand because I too am a hardcore fidget junkie. The hardest use any of my knives get, aside from being fidgeted with, is opening mail as well as the occasional box (which more than likely contains another knife) Being disabled/retired, I have a knife in hand during most of my waking hours. (Benchmade needs to hire me to torture test omega springs because I've broken a boatload of them)

[@Stassa23]

Yeah I would think so

[@swampk9]

Pardon me if you already addressed this, but why are your edges at different degrees, Or is that how it came from the factory?

[@Stassa23]

That’s how they came from factory

[@swampk9]

@@Stassa23 I didn’t even try to measure mine, I just did a 16-ish degree bevel with a 20 back. Thank you for your content, love watching your stuff

[@swampk9]

Such an awesome knife too

[@tylerrohn6938]

Great review

[@intheshadowsilie]

I wonder how the triad lock holds up to the shark lock, which one is stronger.

[@Stassa23]

He talked about it and I think he said it should be at least as strong

[@ThomasConnolly]

I personally think that Demko will probably end up doing what Spyderco does, which is to first release a knife with just ho-hum basic steel. Then a few months later basically just release the same knife with a better more higher-end steel. This is exactly why I'm going to wait and not buy a Demko AD 20.5 as soon as it becomes available on either BladeHQ or KnifeCenter!!! I'm definitely going to wait and see what Demko does with this new Taiwanese-produced AD 20.5 platform.

[@tariqkamil7853]

Agreed, but I’ll get one as soon as I can and when an upgraded version comes out, I’ll get that as well a give the og to someone

[@ThomasConnolly]

@@tariqkamil7853 Demko chose AUS-10A because it could be cut and didn't have to be water jetted or laser cut, which both are more expensive processes. Doing that helped reduce cost on the smaller batch of AD 20.5's that he ordere the Taiwanese factory to make(400 for Blade Show 2021). Based on the immediate success and insane hype of the AD 20.5, I bet if Demko went back to the Taiwanese factory and said can we make the AD 20.5 for the same $150.00 with CPM S35VN if I order 30,000 knives. I think he will do that and we will see a Demko AD 20.5 in at least CPM S35VN!!!

[@Stassa23]

Oh don’t worry if he produces one in premium materials I’ll probably pick that one up as well especially since he said it would probably be a while 👍🏻

[@Stassa23]

@@ThomasConnolly that’s possible however he had 800 of the AD20.5’s at Blade at least that’s what he said at dinner and he sold pretty much all of them so on the other hand he may keep making them with the AUS10A because it yields him more money. I hope that’s not the case and we see one m

[@CKshouta]

@@ThomasConnolly if Demko goes max hype he probably can get them made out of XHP and charge $200+ and easily sell them all out within a week.

[@wupwop]

Heck yeah

[@JJ-lu6mg]

The price is right IMO 👍🏼

[@bubba92473]

Appreciate your test and your video my friend but still not worth $150. Too many companies offering good scale materials and better steel for same price or lower. Would like a real ad20 someday so maybe will start saving for that instead.

[@bubba92473]

@Umnumzaan Both would be. Thats why I will save for $425 one or higher and avoid plastics. Does that answer your question.

[@Stassa23]

If you enjoy really overbuilt knives then I would definitely save up for an AD20 👍🏻

[@bubba92473]

@@Stassa23 thank you good sir I shall

[@ThomasConnolly]

I absolutely hate the pocket clip on the new Demko AD 20.5!!! That clip is very high carry and very weird/odd all to accommodate a damn lanyard tube/hole!!!! Also, the pocket clip has only two screws that are on opposite corners on the base of the pocket clip. So this is a two diagonal pocket clip screw pattern that's around a lanyard tube it will definitely make it nearly impossible to find a decent replacement titanium deep carry pocket clip. Also wouldn't having just two screws in each corner of the base of the pocket clip cause the clip itself to twist out of shape over time? In my opinion, $150.00 for plastic handles and AUS-10A is definately not the greatest value for the materials that you're getting.

[@Stassa23]

It’s will always sell though because it’s a Demko and it has a fun new lock also for the pocket clip you can get a deep carry titanium clip from Pops custom clips, that’s where I got my deep carry Ti clip uy

[@ThomasConnolly]

@@Stassa23 I know Pops can make a custom titanium deep carry pocket clip, but because of the weird pocket screw hole pattern on the AD 20.5's handle the custom clip will most likely end up being weird looking itself.

[@justinbelcher3389]

The price is way too expensive for a knife that has Aus10A steel, plastic scales, and made in Taiwan. Its a nice knife but not that nice. I get it out that it's a nice lock. But I'm not buying a lock. I'm buying the whole knife and comparing materials vs. price it just doesn't add up. $150 and I can go buy a Manix 2 for that with a lot better blade steel and scales. Jmo!!!

[@Stassa23]

It’s definitely pricey I won’t argue that however he will still sell them like hot cakes because they are a Demko design and a new lock that’s really fidget friendly. I am hoping once the hype dies down that he produces some in more premium materials. I talked to him and his brother at dinner while at blade and he said once he gets caught up on the AD20’s and finishes this run of the 20.5’s they would think about an upgrade so I guess we will have to wait and see 👌🏻

[@justinbelcher3389]

@@Stassa23 that's cool. I think to since he left Coldsteel and went out on his own he needs to take advantage of the hype and build his business up first.