Name: Andrew Demko AD20.5 Shark Lock Folding Knife 3" AUS-10A Shark Foot Blade, Textured Gray Grivory Handles
Brand: Demko Knives
SKU: ADKAD205SF
Price: 149.99 USD
Availability: BackOrder
Rating: 4.167 (6 reviews)

Steve
USA

Jun 19, 2021

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

My Generational Knife

I will start by saying this knife is everything you think it is! I was going to wait for the pre-order batch to come through before providing my thoughts, but I couldn't wait. A different perspective anyway. Maybe help with some decisions. I love this knife! .... Some this is the first production of a new knife woes to be aware of: My spring might need some break in time. it did lock on me. took apart thinking maybe I got some grit in there, but still locked on me. The last few days, lock up has diminished significantly Also, I'm hearing a metal squeak...I'm thinking it might be the blade rubbing the liner slightly? I need to take it down again and see if I can locate it. maybe lube that a little. Knife functions great otherwise. I shrug at the value discussion, it's right there with other iterations of the "spring" locks (Axis, bearing, slide, able etc. ). I know that 440C or VG-10 or 14C28N, N690,..etc don't sound sexy, but they are good steels, The price is there...and once the efficiency sets in, I would not be surprised that this is passed onto us in due time. ..... The handles are injection molded, This is appreciated. 1. it's lighter. 2. it's a user. It says, I'm the working version. Don't worry about scratching me, I work. I break nails and get callouses, but I help you get your project done, and you are smiling because of it. The balance is...I'm not sure how to put it in words. The knife in my hand is light and heavy at the same time. I think when you hold it you will understand. It's as if the blade pulls on the handle and the handle pulls on the blade equally so that all the weight sits in the pivot. It translates...at least for me, as what I imagine is considered perfectly balanced. It's ambidextrous...truly ambi, not mostly ambi. It's one finger to open and close. That might be a new term now because of this knife btw. This knife just says: "please use me...and when I break or wear out, go get a new me and do it all over again."' The only , is when I go fishing, it will still be the LC200n or Vanax. That will change of course, when the Demko's make a Magnacut version with red scales in a year or two. (just saying...hint hint...yes please). Then there's just about nothing left to decide when I leave the house..at least not for me. ..... Is this my generational knife? My Grandpa had his Buck 110. My Dad, his Gerber LST. This could be my version of those. Here use "my knife." Where's "My Knife." Go get "Pop's knife." I'm excited for the next few decades...I hope to see this become an icon. My guess is that it is and that it's in the making.

Not A Baby
Earth

Jun 18, 2021

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Pocket Clip

Excellent

The Brian fella bought a knife knowing what it is made of, then criticized it. If you’ve held a Demko then you know you’re gonna get a hard-use knife. It feels first as heck. The action at blade show was super smooth, but I’m sure they were all top tier variations for people to hold. Don’t know about the steel yet. But I have a few knives handed down that are over a century old. They can steel be sharpened and cut, so I’m sure this steel will last til your dying day.

Ping
Wayne, Nj

Sep 18, 2021

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Overall Quality

Cons: None

My other knives are feeling neglected

Since I received this knife 3 months ago, it has not left my pocket. Perfect size, weight, and shape for EDC. My other knives are starting to feel a little neglected. Some people complain about the knife being overpriced for the material used. All I have to say is put one in your hand, flip it open and close 1000 times, and you will feel that the knife is worth every single penny. AUS10A works just fine for me as I don't use this knife for any heavy duty work. That's what the 4max Scout is for (which interestingly is also AUS10A). I only use this knife for light to medium duties such as opening boxes, breaking down cardboard, and cutting the occasional fruit. Other than stropping it three times a week, I haven't had to sharpen it. My only gripe is that I don't know what to do with my other knives! Hope this is helpful.

Chris D
Houston Texas

Jun 27, 2021

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Pocket Clip, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Handle Material

AD20.5 sharksfoot

I have been anticipating the AD20.5 ever since I first heard about it and ended up grabbing the shark foot version from the secondary market because i know the drops will be small batches and snatched up quickly. Demko knives is not Spyderco and just cant produce the Quantities on that level. The 20.5 is an ideal daily EDC size in comparison with the full size AD20 that is as large as the AD15 i own and not something I would carry most likely on a daily basis and imagine most other people wouldn't either due to large size and weight. The 20.5 is 3.5 oz, thin in the pocket (.380” thick handle), carries great, and has plenty of handle real estate for most hands to get a full 4 finger grip and enough blade length/cutting edge for whatever one may need to do. From what ive read the clip point version has 1/8-1/4” more blade length but the sharkfoot is plenty also so get the shape you like unless you have legal restrictions then the shark foot will meet 3” blade laws. The 20.5 is well built and could handle hard use or edc chores no problem. The shark lock is neat and very fidgety with great action on ball bearings if you care about that which im sure anyone looking at this knife is. Think of a more robust and reliable BM axis lock with a Different deployment aperture and a similarly softer than average detent due to that type of design. Demko stated the lock is as strong or maybe stronger than a triad lock and was tested to 250 pounds of weight hanging from the handle (think cold steel) and 750 inch pounds of torsional force which is more than any hand could generate. The blade had a nice stonewash finish to hide wear and came pretty dang sharp with fairly even bevels on my example. Deployment via thumb stud or opening aperture work well and are easily finger flickable from either side. A truly ambi design and comes with a lefty pocket clip as well. Ive heard they are made in the Cold Steel factory which seems believable with comparable good fit and finish, Zero blade play, and good centering. The packaging is very nice if you care about that with a nice box, soft lined zipper pouch sporting 2-3 pockets with a velcro sharklock patch on top and a micro fiber cloth. Some call it the WE knives treatment lol. There are full stainless steel milled out liners to support the FRN scales which are made in the same texture pattern as the full size ad20 and offer good grip without being too rough imo. The clip has a matching SW finish and works well with good retention. It is not a deep carry so maybe a half inch sticks out the pocket which is fine with me and no hot spots from it which is more important. Only gripes which are really nit picks would be the shark lock can be a little sharp after repeatedly flicking it. I may lightly file the jimp on the corner but its not a huge deal really. The other is the blade is thickly ground behind the edge but it is designed for hard use and imo most knives are too thick bte anyway so i could say that for almost every knife lol. It does cut well though thanks to a keen factory edge. The materials don't blow my socks off but are plenty adequate and Andrew Demko stated they will be doing different colorways and s35vn steel later this year on the 20.5 most likely but with an increase in cost due to machining processes involved for a PM steel. This version is the entry level model which im happy with for now. Think of AUS10A as 154cm junior as far as edge retention and ease of sharpening. It is not the lesser AUS8 steel which some confuse it with and is Significantly better than that. fingers crossed G10 will be an option also or at least the aftermarket starts offering scales but the FRN isn't bad at all and super durable. Overall its a cool innovative practical folder and one i would recommend.

Brian
Joliet, Il

Jun 15, 2021

Pros: Ease of Opening, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Handle Feel, Lock Ease of Use, Handle Material, Lock Type

Not worth $150

Well, where to begin. Plastic scales, nicer than average plastic scales, but plastic none the less. I’m actually ok with AUS10A, but not at $150. The blade is a lot smaller than you think it’s gonna be. It might just be my hands, but that fancy much raved about shark lock button is the most god awful in the way hot spot I’ve had on a knife in a while. The centering is spot on. Out of the box it does have play and a ton of lock stick. One time I had to push the lock button down with about as much force as it takes to open a stuck jar of pickles. All in all not worth the $150 in my opinion.I was really looking forward to this knife. I was excited that I was getting one from the blade show batch, what a let down though. As for Demko claiming the high price is from import tax, I’ll call BS in that to. Who wants to buy an Demko AD2.5?

Jonr
Delaware

Jun 21, 2021

Pros: None

Cons: None

Disappointed

The only reason I'm giving 3 stars is because the action is pretty addictive, very unique. First thing was the factory edge, had burr leftover and little nicks the whole length of the blade. I always sharpen a new knife immediately so that wasn't a huge deal but would be for someone that doesn't sharpen their own knives. Started to re profile because at 28° per side it didn't cut great. Noticed that one side was 28 and the other was 32 degrees, totally unacceptable for a $150 knife. Then I noticed that the primary grind was off and that's probably why they did such a bad job sharpening it at the factory. The thumbstuds are supposed to be removable but only one side has a notch for a flathead and it just free spins. I really wanted to love this knife but it has Way too many mistakes for $150