The Demko Knives AD-20 Pocketknife: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we'll take a look at a knife that's big, beefy, and excellent: the Demko Knives AD-20.

[@roel.vinckens]

Demko is the proven master of new lock systems. I would love to see a full comparison with the AD10. And a production version of this one. Thanks for this great long vid on a bigger knife!

[@benmacduff1872]

2ND THAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@joeallen2354]

The time has come for you to admit to yourself and publicly acknowledge that you do not dislike larger knives as much as you may believe.

[@J85909266]

The fact that THE Nick Shabazz might be carrying around a SEVEN OUNCE FOLDER at any given time delights me.

[@Kilt_Camera_and_Carry]

I got one ... I love the shark lock ... I gonna need a bigger boat

[@mattjones5849]

If you decide you want to pass along one of your ti models let me know lol.

[@SliceyDicey]

Drooooool... Wish I had the titanium one...

[@randyf.9188]

I appreciate his innovations with all his locks.

[@kevinnoccioli78]

I have a g10 custom in the mail. It has a higher hollow grind so I think that is a big plus! Cant wait, couple more days!

[@void1984]

I'm glad you are open on AD and Cs designs.

[@warriorredeemed215]

Got custom in g10 different blade, full drop point no hole.... It is the best knife in the world. I love it so much

[@Minusroot8]

Thank you for using a micrometer to measure the blade thickness properly!!! You made my day sir! ❤️

[@NomenclaturalMan]

I was iffy on these, but you pushed me over the edge, Ti one on the way sometime this week!!

[@mattgericke4537]

I love my g10 20cv as well. It's also the largest folding knive I own but it doesn't feel large when operating. It's like shaq in the paint.

[@FYLbingbong]

beautiful looking mechanism and awesome knife

[@vina3451]

With your admitted love for Demko your should check out the Frenzy. It's really grown on me and become my main carry knife. I usually carry a dragonfly, mantra 2, delica, native 5, dividend, etc but the Frenzy is really fun and fits in the pocket incredibly well.

[@Anderdale2]

As a owner of a AD20, this video brought a tear to my eye!

[@doofy28]

My internet went out early video but I purchased the last one available right when it came back on. I really wanted this knife.

[@modofatak]

You mentioned patterns...the real pattern here is that basically anytime someone makes an unapologetically too-big knife relatively well (I’m thinking all the way back to the original ZT Sinkevich monster), you love it. You’re a size queen masquerading as a #bias for small knives guy. And that’s ok. But the easiest way to earn gem status with you is make an impractically large knife and make it well. Always elicits, I’m so surprised, but I’m in love with this knife.

[@NickShabazz]

May well be! Another way to put it, though, is that small knives are usually OK, but you've gotta be a gem to be amazing and huge.

[@ahhcrickets]

This knife is hands down my favorite knife that I own. Simply exquisite. If they ever make anymore MG AD15s I’m all over it.

[@thomaslanders6244]

Out of the 150ish knives I’ve owned, I’ve had 2 CS’s. Not a fan of the designs. But, these knives are nice and locks are great too. The price is high though. I kind of think of I could get another color manual MT Socom Elite with 150 to spare.

[@klaassiersma4892]

Fun is also a good reason to buy and carry something, l own a u.s.a 4max and i carry it surprisingly often.

[@Dale_Higgins]

This lock is very interesting to me. I hope to see it in a more reasonably sized knife at some point.

[@OneMinuteKnifeReview]

I do want to see this in production model. Please please please. Thanks for the video!

[@rubenabrego6762]

Love you Nick , thanks for doing what you do. Always bring a smile and lift up my day especially when I'm not having a good one , your like a friend I don't get to see often lol and I want to hear from . Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

[@American-dy5jk]

Demko knives are custom quality at factory plus a little in cost. Can’t wait for my AD-20 to get here. Thanks for the review Nick.

[@iJakku]

The moment i can find a 20AD Titanium for sale, definitely will pull the trigger and buy.

[@dewarner12]

I liked the video and the fact that you have evolved to including reviews of larger and beefier knives than you have been attracted to in the past. I own the G-10 version of the AD-20 that is machine ground and opted for the blade without a hole. My concern with the hole is that it is primarily there for aesthetics since the thumb studs are great for either flicking of Spydie flicking. Due to the location of the hole, it is potentially in the way of what you may be cutting. The knives that I have that have a functional hole have it positioned on the blade such that it is not over the cutting edge.

[@xKaidoh]

The price, while it seems high, seems to be on track with current prices especially when considering the prices of Medfords and CRKs.

[@NickShabazz]

Agreed. And in this case, it's a bit different for that price.

[@franksalem8580]

I own the AD20 and the MG AD20 and love them both. Good video, Nick.

[@thomaschainey3230]

Great video thanks. Love Demko designs. Only have Cold Steel Demko designs knifes but maybe one day I will get a real Demko as they all are awasome. I to am a Demko & Cold Steel Demko knife fan boy & did not think I would have been before I tried the knives. Just do it if anyone is on the fence as you will be pleasently surprised.

[@TheModernNeanderthal]

The thing I love about it is the fact that you have this big burly knife with so much fidget factor, it’s great. Also, I know 20CV is all the rage but I ordered mine in 3V (also just ordered another 3V), it just fits the personality of the knife better IMO

[@Louzahsol]

We really need cold steel versions of these

[@alexanderbertallo1995]

A Masterpiece... Thanks for this awesome review!

[@azhawk516]

Totally agree on all points. I love the AD20.

[@WD-41469]

Half of these comments say 3 weeks ago?

[@SpaceDave3000]

Patrons get early access.

[@alisuperhornet]

@@SpaceDave3000 Ah, thanks for the explanation

[@GaboonViper67]

How did you know that 2 years ago?

[@kbd13-n9c]

And now Dekmo is going to bring them to a production line, well the AD20.5 anyway. Slightly smaller knife, knife steel isn't as good, grivory handles, but still $150 vs $425+ is a gigantic difference.

[@freedomvan2970]

I haven’t held one, but I can tell these are amazing knives. For Nick to gush on them though, kind of feels like my boss buying a 3/4 Diesel pickup when he doesn’t tow anything and kept his 20 yr old GMC 1/2 ton for valuing dirt for his yard. His $70k ride is his daily for his Platinum interior creature comforts. No hate, but not really the best purpose serving choice.

[@joeallen2354]

Its not really fair to say the thick tip is bad. Sure, some people will regard it as bad but others will see it as an advantage. This is especially true for the knifes target market.

[@yoniudkoff3577]

" you can get a reverse grip on there, if you feel thats your life situation." lol!!!

[@dm3639]

This knife on bearings is like a Jeep Rubicon on race tires. Most owners would probably not notice a difference since most Jeeps go to the store 10000x More often than the trail and most Demkos are idly flicked open and closed 10000x more than they are put too "hard use", but it still runs counter to the entire projected utility of the product.

[@Sonytran7]

D M the bearings vs washers argument remains one of the most pointless ones. You will most likely break the pivot before you put enough force to make the bearings fail. Bearings gunk up eventually but even with water to wash out the bearings(at the moment of use) it will retain enough lubricant to be able to continue functioning.

[@alexanderbertallo1995]

I would prefer phosphor bronze aswell... it would "just" make more sence, and while these are customs or mid-techs of some sort: if a knife maker can make washers work right, like for example Rick Hinderer, you proof that you have the tight tollerances that you could (IMHO should) expect from a knife at this price point...

[@NathanKrick]

@@alexanderbertallo1995 Demko should probably pay royalties to Rick Hinderer to put the tri-way pivot on these knives. For anyone using it as a true hard use knife, washers will be better. For people who will primarily use it as a fidget toy, bearings make it more fidgetable.

[@ryanfinco6849]

Demko's Triad lock is the strongest folding lock in the world without question. Andrew has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to engineering. A custom AD10 is a wonderful thing, and there's video of Andrew hanging weight on the handle with the blade clamped. He stops at 800 lbs because he ran out of weights.

[@wegren1]

Looking forward to the CS version, for sure!

[@skycorrigan6511]

I, somehow, managed to find a full TI AD20 on the secondary market. I am so damn excited

[@Lion_Hamza]

I really want one in Titanium (AD-20/20s) Mr.Shabaaz can you help!to buy one?

[@srs-bznss]

"You can also get a reverse grip on it if you feel like that's your uh...your life situation." Haha love it

[@Jrtowns1]

With that whole in the blade it looks like it’s prime for a spyderco collaboration. Shark 🦈 lock and a spydie 🕷 hole.

[@sphill_edc]

Got one coming this week. I’m stoked.

[@The4cp]

Love these. I hope there's a cold steel version. Plus it would be the ultimate faith in the new company.

[@priority2]

Great review as always Nick. BTW, I think the lock bar is hardened steel on both models :)

[@austinmccarty3244]

Does anywhere know where I can purchase one of these knives? This would be my grail knife. Seems like not one is available to sell on planet Earth

[@tonysmith9061]

The jimping on the shark lock is unpleasantly sharp on mine. It kills the fidget factor. Disappointingly, It is like playing with 80 grit sandpaper. Agree 100% with your other thoughts.

[@alisuperhornet]

Did you post then take down this video? some comments are from 3 weeks ago and claim they managed to order one after seeing this 🤔

[@NickShabazz]

Patrons often get previews of gems.

[@alisuperhornet]

@@NickShabazz I see, makes sense. Thanks

[@jeremynedrow7003]

I love the ad20 i just can't afford one.I had to substitute it for the ad15 .Dont get me wrong i love my ad 15 but the ad 20 is amazing.

[@josepholson3539]

Question is AD-20 or Grimsmo Norseman?

[@Mike_Pedals]

yep i bought one on DLT as soon as i saw them, they were all gone soon after. Kinda wish i would've gotten one of the crazy colored ones though, i went with boring black. regardless of size best knife of 2020. Also I the knife doesn't feel that overly heavy to me. It doesn't try to pull my pants off at all and sometimes i even forget it's in my pocket.

[@Heizenberg32]

Loving the guest outro by Kevin Cleary

[@IanG66]

Nick, no one, and not you had mentioned that the clips on these suck! What's with that huge unsightly design? What happened to the esthetic, low profile ones? Cold Steel wasn't known for their discreet clips either - but for the money, these should be a bit more understated perhaps?

[@theallix]

That exposed tang makes the Shirogorov Ne0n look like child's play

[@ninemimesleft]

I'm excited for the cold steel version!

[@matthewlangley5565]

They have them in Aus10a for $150 on WMK.

[@RooRguy27]

I'm gonna have to own this knife

[@bani_niba]

The Shark lock on a smaller knife, such as the American Lawman, would be fantastic.

[@anotherknafguy3679]

This is the way.

[@joshuacole1173]

Would love to get my hands on one of them... having them sold out everywhere makes it about impossible! Let me know when you would consider letting go of one! 😉

[@austinmccarty3244]

This looks to be the greatest folding knife ever put into production. It sucks it’s sold out and don’t appear to be to have any more production runs

[@Fablades]

Interesting innovations!

[@Haveaknifeday73]

Great review- Way to much money - Id really like to see the blade more refined and higher end materials for the handles for that kind of money- ridiculous weight and money- hope they improve

[@AggroSamurai]

The premium on the shark lock seems greedy. Especially considering it was inspired by the superlock to which its inventor purposefully did not patent. Insulin in America vibes

[@leotam3372]

I want to see a photo of a well used ad10/15/20 !

[@gmotionedc5412]

Love my green one💚

[@rlanger3108]

Cold steel please. I need one. Please.

[@ninemimesleft]

I bet you'd like his air lite cold steel knives.

[@mosherogoff1252]

how about a Spyderco Manix 2 or Manix XL?

[@wg8561]

I actually like the G10 version better. The blue scales look great.

[@macgyverbryan1377]

Size comparison Delica, more like a Dragon fly near the AD 20. Well/over built knife.

[@eskee1]

Not gonna lie this video made me cry because it reminds me of the cold steel prolite I think and that just reminds me of that Especial Espada on the give-way I ain't never did get... and I been really upset cause I felt like I got tricked

[@SpaceDave3000]

Love the lock, hate the price. I'll wait for the CS version.

[@edwardklein5692]

Those are cool knives!!

[@raymondwilliams2609]

Super review Nick, nobody need say anymore. 🤗❤️🤪

[@Baaddu]

I would get one for my collection but too thick and heavy for my EDC

[@AhmadRiyal]

Cant want for you to checkout the ad20.5. Everything u love here but smaller and thinner and cheaper

[@alisuperhornet]

Managed to score a G10 one in 3V from knifecenter today! Unfortunately without the thumb hole/cutout though :(

[@alisuperhornet]

aaaanddd it was seized by Canadian customs as a "gravity knife"...🤦‍♂️ In other words they stole it

[@qdp03]

@@alisuperhornet Did you end up getting it??

[@alisuperhornet]

@@qdp03 no, got a letter from customs that they decided to confiscate it... Fkn thieves

[@leotam3372]

@@alisuperhornet do you just lose the knife and money?!

[@alisuperhornet]

@@leotam3372 I sure did, and still mad about it 😣

[@thomaslanders6244]

Coming next MT DOC and Socom Elite

[@MetalsForBrunch]

My grail knife. Going to sell all my frame locks to fund for one one day.

[@poopagore]

I wanna see the guy who played the mountain in GOT hold that lol probably would look like a normal sized knife

[@joeallen2354]

In his hand it would look like a lady bug in a normal sized persons hand.

[@TJB1510]

CAN'T FIND ONE ANYWHERE.....ARE THEY STILL MAKING THEM?

[@NickShabazz]

They are!

[@TJB1510]

@@NickShabazz WHAT'S THE LINK?

[@TJB1510]

knifejoy.com/demko-knives-mg20-no-hole-3v-blade-black-g10-shark-lock/ I told them to e-mail me when it is avalible. I like the one with no hole.

[@tomfury6276]

How much?

[@mybaddadventures144]

You said crkt shark need a link all I can find is 2.5s

[@azraelsblade]

It seems comparable to Snecx’s Super-Lock

[@SrulDog]

The lawyer in me demands I point out that its impossible to not let the quality control of the knife you received effect your review. After all, that's the knife you're reviewing. If all of the knifes they send out have some problem, buy they send you a perfect one, then you don't know of the problem affecting all the others. Still love your reviews though.

[@Camelotsmoon]

If you're a benchmade bugout guy, I recommend the titanium version of this guy to carry.

[@mickkeim4142]

Yep..a little spendy for my blood., by a long shot. But I’m glad you really, really like it Nick, even if you don’t know why.

[@orange010]

It's a gem

[@deanalbertson7203]

I think I will stick with the PM2.

[@WillEDC]

So I guess another 5 years until we see the AD-25

[@azrael_war_schon_vergeben6810]

At this point I can just start carrying my Böker fixed blades. They are probably lighter.

[@modofatak]

This, exactly. Don’t buy a folder to do fixed blade jobs, IMO. I mean...this IS cool, but cool alone isn’t worth $600 and unilaterally-sagged pants

[@TKevinBlanc]

@@modofatak Just carry two. Bilateral sagging is completely acceptable.

[@hohanrodanrodan9624]

TK B word, g.

[@nobodysreview6137]

Give us a 5.5 inch blade version. Ditch the hole i the blade.

[@KatanaKamisama]

I want a counter for how many times Nick says "Thick".

[@samuelrichardsonmcgravyber4559]

That’s one badass knife

[@Dont_Poke_The_Bear]

Nick please talk the Demkos into doing a law man-sized version...

[@jamesgoodlet7557]

14:21 OUNCHES? Ouch that's a lot of ounces LOL 😂🤣