How to disassemble and maintain the Demko Knives AD-20 pocketknife (with first impressions)

Today, we'll take a look inside a pair of big, beefy, ridiculous, and compelling knives: the Demko Knives AD-20.

[@NickShabazz]

Also, here's an official video from the Demkos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ml7QmZKOh66nbsk

[@willrodriguez8735]

17-4 PH is the type of steel the lock is made from. Did a little googling and it’s has a lot of industrial uses like turbine engine blades and caskets for spent nuclear waste. and is also very corrosion resistant.

[@bfrazer4126]

Or if you prefer the SAE designation it's type 630 stainless steel. For Europeans out there, UNS 17400. I am going to assume that's a hardened part. Steels have too many names..

[@Tier1GearEDCReviews]

It sounds decent.... lol that's a pretty extensive resume. I knew I needed one of these for a reason. 😂🍻

[@vyr01]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17-4_stainless_steel

[@vlab2000]

Glock slide.

[@Falinzin]

@@bfrazer4126 The PH designates precipitation-hardened. So yes it's hardened.

[@DieYuppieScum91]

6:29 Me: "He's not really about to try to do this with the spring exposed is he? It's just going to..." 6:31 Nick: "YEET"

[@JLRoosterCogburn]

“Yeet goes the spring”

[@johnhuey9912]

14:03 "YEET", "The spring has been yaawten" I died 🤣

[@WillEDC]

Nice vid. It’s nice to see how the design works. One of the more exciting designs in recent times.

[@scotteger6271]

I enjoy Andrew Demko's imaginative lock designs. I wish him the very best and look forward to picking up one or two of the more affordable AD20.5 versions once available again. Thanks for the disassembly Nick!

[@roel.vinckens]

Pure gold! This channel, this vid, this knive. Thank you so much!

[@moose99moose]

"Yeet goes the spring!" Nick, you never let us down :)

[@kasemite619]

6:27

[@randyf.9188]

Always interesting to see how his lock mechanisms work. Thanks Nick.

[@JoshStallings1]

I can attest to the down to earth and general kind attitude of John Demko. I emailed him asking where to find an AD20, he not only told who was getting the next batch, but he also took time to discuss my use for the knife and what would be the better steel choice. I came away informed and impressed. My AD 20 arrives next week.

[@vlab2000]

Nick, regarding lock stick: oil it. Unlike a frame lock, this actually works a lot better WITH oil on the locking face(s).

[@NickShabazz]

For what it's worth, the lock stick as more or less disappeared with wear.

[@alisuperhornet]

I'll wait for a Cold Steel version

[@anotherknafguy3679]

I’m pretty sure that ain’t happening any time soon. Or ever.

[@traviswrigg5158]

@@anotherknafguy3679 Really? I was under the impression that I should be surprised if it didn't come out as a Cold Steel

[@anotherknafguy3679]

Travis W Rigg I don’t believe they have plans to do that-of course I could be wrong. I remember Andrew mentioning he’s going to be doing the ad20 in house for a while on a podcast. Considering coldsteel owns the triad lock, and there are now clones of the scorpion lock on the market, I’m not sure (just a guess though) he will license his shark lock IP out just yet, if at all for the foreseeable future. It’s his baby. But again. Maybe coldsteel will do it eventually.

[@reasonablenamehere]

Demko has also gone on record saying that the whole reason he works with Cold Steel is because he wants the every-man to be able to afford his designs. I talked to Andrew for a while at Blade Show last year. He even spine whacked my AD-15 for me at the show. He is an awesome dude and one of my favorite makers. I would wager that Cold Steel will do an AD-20 within a year or so. And I will certainly buy one.

[@anotherknafguy3679]

Freddie if that happens I’ll buy one too. Just please no aggressive texture lol amiright!

[@mountainmanwatchreviews8081]

Oh how I hope cold steel makes a more affordable version.

[@Tier1GearEDCReviews]

Lol they kinda did. Compared to these anyway.😂🍻

[@skycorrigan6511]

@@Tier1GearEDCReviews what knife are you referring to?

[@dustinewing7974]

What model did Cold Steel make?

[@alexanderbertallo1995]

This is a Masterpiece, but I prefer the AD-15 cause of the flat spine of the handle and blade. The lock is brilliant... Very well executed... Thanks for the presentation and disassembly...

[@SliceyDicey]

I saw that spring flying before it even happened LOL. Mine hit me in my ear yet somehow wound up at my feet on the other side of my body.

[@mattgericke4537]

I picked up one of these a week ago, and agreed it’s beefy, but also lighting fast and smooth. Great combination and love the 20cv

[@ahhcrickets]

Hesitant to watch this because it’s feeding my desires. Does not disappoint. Big ol grail right here. Oh yes, it will be mine.

[@TheModernNeanderthal]

Got myself a G10 3V version. The combo of strength and fidget factor sold me over his past designs

[@stefanwolf88]

Interesting lock. Great presentation as usual.

[@SpaceDave3000]

That lock is amazing. It has the potential to be more fiddler friendly and stronger than Spydie's pressure lock.

[@justenzo928]

Got a MG version of the AD20 with a lefty clip just a week ago, they will absolutely make that clip for you, and I love it!

[@garrettferrell6821]

I love Andrew Demko knives but I can’t afford one..I’m considering getting the Cold Steel Demko AD-15 as it looks to be pretty damn close to the custom..definitely the closest I will get to it anyway..lol

[@Tier1GearEDCReviews]

I have the ar15 and it's an amazing blade. I couldn't reccomend it more tbh. 🍻

[@SrulDog]

I had the cold steel version. Great knife. You won't regret it.

[@skycorrigan6511]

It's an awesome knife for the price

[@cofaul1174]

I’m still chomping at the bit here waiting for the Banter review! I get so stoked each time I see you’ve posted a new video, and even though they’ve mostly been gems... I’m still slightly bummed lol. Anyhow, keep up the great work! Another excellent video!

[@FrancisLukesh]

I just noticed that you installed the bearing upside down at 22:33 on the one side of the G10 version.

[@r.mercado9737]

Very nice take down of the knives! I enjoyed it much! Semper Fi

[@DrLawyer284]

need merch emblazoned with “YEET goes the spring!”

[@mickkeim4142]

I am so glad I can dispose of both of these knives on my first impressions. However, thank you Nick for your detailed breakdown and more than enough info, from your first impressions. That was all I needed to figure out that I will never buy either of these knives and I take a certain amount of pride in saying that.

[@svenvanderzwaag1012]

Well good for you. Don't understand your pride though.

[@American-dy5jk]

Nick when are you going to retire? My wallet needs a break! I ordered an AD20 “Gem” and you are right. The AD20 is a masterpiece of simple elegance. If I could only have one folder, this is it.

[@tiredrummertube]

Just needs a blade steel worthy of Mr. Demko's design genious

[@paulx7620]

This is USA pronounced UuhSah in your English language. I wanted to thank you for a helping with the reverse engeningering as we have finally cracked the equation which is the square root of LBH = 3.274" although your hands are twice as large as our oldest factory workers so the confusion of the label took some time to understand. Also Thank you for showcasing my best work on your live videos "terrible knifes" although we are uncomfortable with the praise that our knives infact are capable of tearing anything.

[@hovan2yourjunk]

Prime example of a knife to use that tool I sent you on!!!

[@brandonrichardson5123]

I’ve used an ad20 for a couple years. I’m a cabinetmaker and work in a dirty dusty environment. The bearings are not an issue. My sebenza of seven years daily use will get stiff way more than the bearing all things being dirty. Would take the bearings any day.

[@carsandgaming1734]

Hey Nick, it seems like you flipped the bearings when reassembling both knives. Is there a reason why you flipped them over?

[@angelos5348]

Wow was that spring find super lucky

[@kuykendallstudios9468]

I live and work on a mountain cattle ranch and I carry a Cold Steel AD-15. I've done some stupid stuff with it (chopping small trees, prying, etc), but I would love to upgrade to this! Unfortunately, I'm heading back to college tomorrow and I'll have no need for a big honkin knife. And I'm broke! 😂 One day maybe

[@werner134897]

wow, liking the ti one. Probably not availabe in EU or double the price. Will check. Bearings seem small but the tight tolerances of pins and pivot and all, probably give it still great lateral strength.

[@Tier1GearEDCReviews]

Such beautiful blades! This is a grail for me. I WILL have one soon lol. Great stuff as alwaysa🍻🙏

[@tonysmith9061]

I've been waiting for you to review them. Thanks!

[@jace1873]

Wonder if it would help lock system at all to somewhat lubricate the titanium shark bar thing on either side where it has contact with the scales

[@tgonzalez1983]

I finally managed to snag an order for one of these USA made big boys. Ordered some skiff bearings just in case the bearings were steel. Wonder why they use steel bearings for all their knives

[@KnathansKnives]

Great video! Sweet blade! No grease on the spring?

[@mlentsch]

Are you supposed to grease springs?

[@KnathansKnives]

@@mlentsch From my understanding. I grease all my Launch springs, maybe it's not necessary on this model blade? Now I'm second guessing myself, time to do some research!🤔🧐

[@mlentsch]

@@KnathansKnives Yeah, I don't know, either. None of my firearms manufactures say to lube any springs, but I feel like I should.

[@KnathansKnives]

@@mlentsch I guess it wouldn't hurt. To each their own I suppose.🤷‍♂️

[@davidshute9863]

Nick I believe the correct past tense is "Yote"

[@NickShabazz]

“Youghten” is the participle. 😂

[@davidshute9863]

😆

[@oklahomahank2378]

Gerundial form “yoting.”

[@AnthonyEarl]

Interested (for possible future personalization) in whether you’ve tried unscrewing the thumb studs. The clip side one has Torx hole.

[@vibeslide]

That lock is pretty similar to Cold Steel's "Ram Lock" which is used on the "Pocket Bushman". Refined, but the exactly same principle. Edit: Just did my homework: Said Ram Lock was designed by Mr. Demko, too.

[@JohnFrumFromAmerica]

Looks like a great lock.

[@telemarktumalo6978]

Are the bearings directional... inside or outside?

[@knifenoob5411]

I need this knife, I carry 3 inch thin blade pocket knives but I NEED this!

[@CultMechanicus]

The lock acts as a thumb ramp. That's clever.

[@dinocastagno440]

What do you think of polishing everything but not removing much material?

[@BladeWalker77]

Very interesting Nick!!

[@dinocastagno440]

Dude I really like you you are definitely a different individual I mean different than me but definitely better I love your videos

[@tadeuszgawronski]

TAKIEGO NIEUDACZNIKA JESZCZE W ŻYCIU NIE SPOTKAŁEM. TAKI PROSTY NÓŻ. WSTYD.

[@franksalem8580]

I bought both the custom version (AD20) and the production version (MG AD20) where MG stands for Machine Ground. There was a little lock stick in the production version that disappeared after the first day. The custom version was about 20% smoother than the production version. I won't part with either of them.

[@markmuhle7773]

When you have dissimilar metals and you get sticking as a locksmith I have always used graphite. Try it on one of your titanium lock knives and see how it works it will turn it into butter

[@warriorredeemed215]

Got the black g10 CUSTOM version with the drop point blade!!!

[@joet.plumber3771]

Wow. What vocabulary and poetry. Seems Nick has gone Slim Shady on us! Dr. Dre & Snoop Dog would be drooling. Just my 50 Cent. 👈🏽😉

[@deadpoollee9497]

Looks great but why the thumb studs it has the cut out? I think it would better w/o it.

[@peacefuljeffrey]

I immediately liked this lock the first time I saw a video explaining it. I was about to go to an online knife seller to buy myself one (at about $150), but as soon as I found out that the pivot uses bearings, I halted. I DO NOT WANT BEARINGS ON MY KNIFE PIVOTS. If they made a version of this knife with washers, I’d have one or two.

[@klaassiersma4892]

Cool knives i want one,make mine a titanium one. Realy Nick there is nothing wrong with an ocasional big knive. By the way, oil on lockface's will some times introduce lock stick.

[@charltonperkins9315]

Did he put the bearing on backwards on the titanium one?

[@kiizionogorie4930]

Titanium version is lit!

[@JohnClausen]

Hopefully Cold Steel does a production version. This is a design that I would actually buy

[@kyleralph1778]

You only lubed the one side of the lock on the titamium

[@macgyverbryan1377]

An interesting spin on the out of patent Benchmade lock.

[@randyrichmond2376]

It may be a stupid comment, but why don't you use the purple loctite?

[@chrisjaskulski8613]

Very cool little bit of engineering. Have you seen the new lock that Artisan recently released (the name escapes me)? Looks similar, but with different dexterity. I hope we see a Cold Steel iteration of this thing for masses! 😀

[@NickShabazz]

Yup. The Artisan one actually a sliding bolt lock like an axis lock, but with a bolt carrier from the top.

[@davidmarshall7752]

Artisan is really coming on strong, my Centauri is excellent.

[@LIE4ME]

That operates a lot like the lock Snecx has been working on at Instagram. I havent seen it disassembled but in operation, I'd say identical.

[@starkparker16]

Lotta good Shabazzitudes in this video.

[@Torqd_Off]

Where do you go to find used knives??? Gotta be someplace that people sell them…

[@martinchiarelli2582]

20:40-20:54 is Nick talking to his wife in the delivery room.

[@skycorrigan6511]

"Yeet goes the spring" - Nick Shabazz 2020

[@crushed2death]

You got a ben blue one!

[@IlliniDog01]

If ever a knife was screaming for Canvas/Burlap Micarta scales, it seems like this one is... With that beefy stock, it needs a full height grind as well IMO. The thumbstud seems unnecessary as well.

[@knowyourhistory]

I'm waiting for the Cold Steel Little Sharky Dude XL

[@hilllokiy]

I would love to here your thoughts on the new snecx vision with his superlock and the oil sealed no flex pivot. I'll never be able to own one so let me live vicariously through you 😆

[@NickShabazz]

It's Snecx, so I'll never get to own one either. 🤣

[@traviswrigg5158]

6:30 AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA Sorry. I'm so sorry Nick. I really like you, and it's rare for me to laugh at someone's misfortune. But lol

[@carlito5552]

Maybe they'll make a mini??

[@Mike_Pedals]

I wish I could find one for sale still.

[@pixelb3285]

CJRB kind of has a lock like this in their "Kicker model"

[@NickShabazz]

I'll be showing the Kicker tomorrow. Very different.

[@vibeslide]

6:30 Who was surprised?

[@eclipse1018]

Drinking game for the future full review: take a drink every time Nick says some variant of the word "beef."

[@refinededge399]

You lubricated part of lock that interfaces with tang of blade so oil may be causing lockstick. Maybe try to wipe oil off.

[@NickShabazz]

Nope, that's not it.

[@franksalem8580]

John Demko made a 14 minute disassembly video which can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ml7QmZKOh66nbsk

[@radishfox308]

Nick, I know this question doesn't pertain to this video, but I was hoping I could get an answer since it's your latest video. Of these 3, which would be your choice- Kershaw Cryo Ontario Rat 2 ESEE Zancudo

[@jonathanreeves5847]

This looks so nice, but I am still sticking to less than 300$ for my pocket knives lmao. And I’m sure cold steel will do a cheaper version with the same locking mechanism.

[@geoff650r]

6:10 are you sure you want to do that? 6:29 liftoff!

[@mmesimon27]

If your selling one I would like to purchase. Please let me know. Thank you.

[@NickShabazz]

Sorry, any sales I do happen through my Patreon patrons. :)

[@CrazySharp]

I hate watching you take the knives apart that are difficult… I always imagine a breakneck trip to the emergency room to reattach a digit

[@nathannettik455]

14-4 ph is a stainless steel designation.

[@trulsdirio]

Yeet!

[@-Tokay-]

Those springs are too good for their homes. ⛳

[@alpine1600s]

Like the axis lock, but much stronger.

[@clintonlewis1261]

👍

[@daniellechner3045]

You should not give oil on the lock face!

[@kevinfitz3721]

Two terrible choices for hard use bearings and 20cv although its not just him ZT has been doing it for years

[@Ohm.Slice.]

Can someone PLEASE teach demko some design skills, some of the worst pocket clips I've seen at this price point, mall ninja knives don't even use those atrocious things anymore. That clip paired with the textured finish scales make this knife look like it costs no more than $15, its just so, plastic mall knife looking

[@Buffalohump77]

Never understood the desire to take knives apart. Why not just use an air compressor and/or a toothbrush and off you go. All you're doing here is risking a major screw failure and damaging your valuable knife!

[@thomash4578]

Never trust a spring

[@chanabhaji2726]

Great video, ugly with the multiple adds.

[@SRVandDtrouble]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJXFdZmYgJeLedE

[@alpine1600s]

Titanium for contact faces is great!🤦‍♂️

[@SRVandDtrouble]

@Patrick G Buy a Spydie Chef and find out.

[@SRVandDtrouble]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJXFdZmYgJeLedE